《My Dear Miss Medical Examiner》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Content Warning: This novel contains scenes and themes rted to police work, violence, death, and forensic investigations. Readers should be aware that the content may include graphic descriptions, crime scenes, and situations that may be distressing. Please exercise caution and consider your personalfort levels while reading. It is rmended for mature audiences who can engage with such content. If you find any of these themes distressing, please proceed with discretion or seek alternative reading material that better suits your preferences.
Echoing Dreams Chu Nan A girl stood in the rain, holding an umbre, as she gazed at her from a distance of three or five steps away. The rain and mist blurred her features, making them indistinct. In Lin Yans heart, there was a sudden tightness, afraid that this might be another one of her dreams. She trembled and cautiously extended her hand, filled with uncertainty. Lin Yan, what are you standing there for? Hurry up ande with me to my ce for dinner. The surrounding crowd began to surge forward, pushing her along. The girl grabbed her wrist and pulled her under her umbre, using her other hand to adjust the strap of the fallen school bag. Her tone carried a hint of mild reproach. How many times have I told you? Remember to bring an umbre on rainy days. Why cant you stop this habit of enjoying the rain? The mid-term exams areing up soon, what if you catch a cold The girl kept chattering, incessantly talking without end. She should have been annoyed, but inexplicably, her eyes welled up with tears, and she reached out to hold the slender, immacte hand. The girl was slightly taller than her, and she exerted a little force, looking up with a hint of anticipation. Chu Nan you have youe back? The girl in the pristine school uniform lowered her gaze as her face remained unchanged, with a faint smile at the corner of her lips. The eyes that should have been filled with countless stars now left two pitch-ck, deep holes, from which bloodstains were slowly trickling out. Against that excessively pale face, the increasingly eerie smile, the touch of the fingertips felt the skin as cold and slippery, reminiscent of the countless corpses she had dissected. A chill surged up from the soles of her feet. Lin Yan eximed in shock, Chu Nan! She gasped as she sat up from the bed, lowering her gaze slightly and cing her hand on her forehead, sighing in her heart: Another nightmare. The page-turning clock on the bedside table emitted a faint glow in the darkness; the hour hand had just passed four oclock in the early morning. Lin Yan reached out her arm and fumbled on the table until she found a ss, then she pulled open a drawer, but due to the excessive force, things spilled all over the floor. She picked up a white medicine bottle, poured two pills into her palm, and gulped them down with the lukewarm water that had been sitting in the air-conditioned room overnight. She drank hurriedly, as if trying to calm some restless agitation. Water droplets rolled down the owners slender neck, dampening the tight-fitting strap tank top. She wiped the corners of her lips with her hand, but someone had already stuffed a handkerchief into her palm, saying, Use this to wipe. This voice is very familiar. Goosebumps appeared all over Lin Yans body. She looked at her with a mixture of nervousness and caution, as if afraid of disturbing something, and said, Chu Nan In that fleeting moment of eye contact, Lin Yans heart leaped to her throat, but she saw the other person smiling as usual, even taking the handkerchief and carefully wiping away the water stains at the corner of her lips. Another nightmare? No She subconsciously wanted to refute, but as ifpelled by an unseen force, she reached out her hand, as if trying to prove something. The girl understandingly extended her hand, and Lin Yan hooked her little finger. The touch was warm, tender, carrying the liveliness and vitality of a living person. Lin Yan clung to her hand tightly, as if grasping a life-saving straw. Her eyes were beautiful, with upturned corners, slender like a phoenixs tail, a straight nose, and in an instant, there was a sense of charm in her appearance, especially now, when her eyes were brimming with tears. The girl patted the back of her hand,forting her, Its alright, Im back. Her tone was as gentle and indulgent as always. Suddenly, a surge of sourness overwhelmed her, and Lin Yan couldnt bear it any longer. She tightly embraced the person in her arms, Its wonderful, Chu Nan, its wonderful, youre back Chu Nan, I missed you so much all these years where did you go? I The girl spoke, furrowing her brows in pain, and though they were indoors, her clothes seemed to be slowly getting wet. I I dont know It hurts so much so much Lin Yan save me save me A cold sensation came from her neck, and the girls sobbing tore at her heart. Lin Yans fists clenched instantly, and there was a hint of madness in her expression. Those once indifferent eyes turned blood-red. Who? Who? Chu Nan, tell me?! Who did this to you? Its its Lin Yan shook her shoulders, and the girl suddenly couldnt speak. Her voice was hoarse and obscure, tinged with an eerie quality, like a midnight radio suddenly cut off. Lin Yan felt a sharp pain in her heart and organs. She gritted her teeth, tasting the metallic tang of blood on her tongue, forcefully holding back the tears that were about to overflow from her eyes. She gently stroked the girls cheek, feeling the coolness on her fingertips. She thought she was crying, and a sense of pity welled up in her heart. Chu Nan, dont be afraid, tell me. Whoever it is, I wont let them go. As soon as she finished speaking, the person in front of her suddenly giggled, the voice sharp and cutting, as if someone were using their nails to scratch on a ckboard. A chilling sensation crawled up her spine like maggots. Lin Yan suddenly felt like she couldnt catch her breath. Outside the window, the night was deep and dark, as thick as spilled ink, with the shadows of trees swaying, resembling ghosts. The fierce wind swept in through the window, causing the faint night light to extinguish in response. She saw that pair of hands turning into corpse spots, the cold and slippery sensation resembling the oozing of grease, and the decaying blue veins bing visible. Because she couldnt breathe, Lin Yans eyes widened, futilely stretching her arm towards her, trying to reach her, Chu Chu Nan Its its you its you Apanied by her hoarse and sharp voice, the skin on her face began to peel off inch by inch, soon revealing the white bones. Her eyeballs fell out of their sockets, leaving only two pitch-ck deep holes firmly fixed on her. A nauseating stench of decay overwhelmed her. No!!! Lin Yan screamed, forcefully pulling her hand away. In that moment, her hand passed through her body and remained suspended in mid-air, leaving a pile of flesh on the bedsheet. The thick and pungent smell of blood flowed down the bedsheet, staining the luxurious and extravagant wool carpet. Ding-ling-ling The rm clock rang like a death knell, and Lin Yan woke up in a cold sweat, flipping over in bed. Outside the window, the morning light had already brightened the sky. Gentle morning breeze lifted the window curtains, and the clock on the bedside table ticked away quietly and slowly. The aroma of toasted bread wafted up from downstairs. Lin Yan turned off the rm clock, looked around, and everything seemed calm and peaceful. It was just an ordinary workday morning. She pulled back the covers, put on her shoes, and stepped onto the carpet, sinking slightly into it. Lowering her gaze, she saw dark marks still lingering on a dark-colored carpet near the bed, as red as blood. The faint Adams apple of the woman moved slightly. Lin Yan closed her eyes, seemingly calming her breath. After a short while, the butler knocked on the door, Miss, breakfast is ready. After finishing her morning routine, Lin Yan wrapped herself in a robe and went downstairs. The faint trace of panic that surfaced duringst nights nightmare had disappeared without a trace. She now wore her usualzy expression, exuding an air of nonchnce from the depths of her being. Wheres the driver? Waiting outside the door. The Lin family vi was indeedrge, but the young mistress had a bad temper and disliked living with the servants. Therefore, whether it was the butler or other household staff, they all hurriedly rushed over in the early morning to attend to the young mistress before hurrying back. Despite this, none of them dared to show the slightest hint of negligence on their faces, and they answered with utmost respect. Lin Yan was quite satisfied with this. Her assistant was also waiting downstairs. When she came down, he quickly stood up from the sofa and bowed slightly, Dr. Lin. Lin Yan nced at him, and by his diligent and earnest demeanor, she could tell he had prepared arge stack of materials for todays court session. From the depths of her heart, she felt annoyed instinctively. Therefore, she didnt nod or respond, let alone invite him to join her for breakfast. The chef had already prepared the meal, and though he was called an assistant and considered a colleague, he was, in reality, nothing more than a servant. Without nodding, Lin Yan was treated as if she were invisible by the others in the house. The young man felt embarrassed and at a loss, and from the corner of his eye, he discreetly caught a glimpse of her graceful figure walking through the hall, passing by the beautifully decorated partition, and entering the dining room to take a seat. Even the sound of a chair was not heard. The Lin familys chef was skilled in his craft, preparing both Chinese and Western dishes. Though not numerous, each dish was unique, with an exquisitebination of colors, aroma, and taste. However, she only took a few bites before setting down her spoon. Her appetite was gone, and she pressed a napkin against her lips before giving up on eating. No one dared to advise her to eat a little more. The butler timely removed the tableware, and Lin Yan stood up and walked towards the cloakroom. She had a tall figure and could not be considered short among women, but her thinness made her appear somewhat delicate, with a light and graceful gait, like a Persian cat strolling on the luxurious carpet. As if she had thought of something, Lin Yan suddenly halted her steps, By the way The old butler dared not show any negligence, Please tell me, Miss. Get rid of the carpet in my room. The carpet in her room was just bought from an auction in Londonst week. It was said to be a diplomatic gift from the Safavid Persian Empire to the Ottoman Turks, with a market value well over a million. She said to get rid of it as casually as if it was nothing. The butler had long been ustomed to the young mistresss capricious nature andvish spending. He bowed and asked, Certainly, Miss. Do you need a new one prepared for you? No need. A cold voice came from the cloakroom, which, in reality, was quite spacious, almost equivalent to the size of a bedroom upstairs, filled with clothes, shoes, essories, and other items collected by Lin Yan from all over the world. Today, the owner of the cloakroom seemed somewhat indifferent. She casually picked a shirt from the wardrobe, put it on, and fastened the buttons one by one while facing the mirror. The top two buttons were left unfastened, and she flipped the cor just right, revealing a hint of vicle and a charming touch of spring. She unscrewed the cap of the lipstick, lightly pursed her lips, and used her little finger to remove any excess color. She slightly lifted her chin while looking in the mirror. The womansplexion had a pale, sun-deprived tone, yet her lips were a fiery red. Her eyebrows were slightly arched, and the corners of her lips were lightly curled, giving her a hint of arrogance akin to a fashion week model. However, as her eyes gently swayed past, she appeared somewhat flirtatious. Seductive, yet icy. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Lin Yans lips as she picked up her suit jacket and left the room. The driver opened the car door for her, and Lin Yan got in. Her assistant followed, holding a stack of materials, and said, Dr. Lin, here are the autopsy reports and other examination materials for todays court session. A distinctive male sweat mixed with a slight foot odor wafted into her nostrils. Forensic experts noses were always particrly sensitive. Lin Yan leaned back on the leather seat, originally closing her eyes to rx, but suddenly opened them wide and said, Go to the back. The Mercedes-Benz sedan was spacious, and the assistant hesitated for a moment, looking at her pristine high-heeled shoes that seemed capable of spotting any smudges on his trousers and his fragile self-esteem. The young man slowly retreated from the carspartment, drenched in sweat, and climbed into the rear seat of the Mercedes, not daring to say another word. Butler. Yes, Miss. The butler closed the car door for her and sat in the front passenger seat, immediately turning to look at her. In the afternoon, have another care to pick me up. Let Liu Ma take this car to buy groceries. Yes, Miss. As for you She tapped her valuable quartz watch on her wrist, and sharp and cutting words slowly came out of her mouth. Are you here so early to be reborn? If you want to be reborn, the autopsy room might be more suitable. Dressing like this to go to court, arent you afraid ofwyers using you of murder? Each word pierced the young mans self-esteem, leaving him utterly humiliated. He sat in the back seat, clutching the materials tightly, not daring to answer or make a sound. The car started moving, and fortunately, someone broke the silence, Miss, do you want to listen to the news? Lin Yan made a hmph sound from her nostrils as her response. The driver pressed the cars radio, and a sweet voice of the female anchor came out, The prosecution has charged the defendant Mr. Jin with the murder of Miss Li, a female employee working at his KTV, on the night of April 18, 2007, and disposing of the body in the wilderness. The evidence is solid, and he is used of multiple charges, including the crime of forced prostitution, intentional homicide, and desecration of a corpse, causing a severe social impact. In the first trial, he was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve. Mr. Jin appealed against the first judgment. The second trial will be held publicly at 10 am today at the Binhai Provincial High Peoples Court. At that time, Lin Yan, a young forensic schr from the Institute of Forensic Science and Technology at the Law University, who will serve as a defense witness, will also testify and bring new appraisal results The female anchor spoke with great passion, emphasizing and modting her voice. After summarizing the case at double speed, she started talking about her personal background and gossip news. Lin Yan felt drowsy and barely caught a few phrases, one was about her professional achievements: Speaking of forensic schrs, Professor Lin can be regarded as an outstanding figure among the younger generation. She graduated from the Medical School of Fudan University for her undergraduate degree and pursued her masters and doctorate degrees in the Forensic Medicine Department at Boston University. It is said that she has performed over 5,000 autopsies during her more than ten years of practice, and her experience in forensic autopsy is very rich The other was about her personal life: As the only daughter of the Lin family, Professor Lins worth has already exceeded tens of millions. Recently, she has been rumored to be in a hot romance with Zhang Dong, the Chairman of Zhongcheng Group. The media even captured photos of the two kissing on the street. Could it be that good news is on the way? Zhang Dong? Which Zhang Dong? Lin Yan furrowed her eyebrows. There had been too many people she had kissed on the streets, and a myriad of faces shed through her mind, but she couldnt match any of them with a name. Miss, do you need The butler turned around and looked at her. Mm. The arrogant Miss Lin nodded, Which TV station is this? Daily News, the butler secretly noted down the name. The car raced past tall buildings and soon entered a shaded area, and the Supreme Court was just ahead, not far from the square. A considerable crowd had already gathered at the square. With todays trial being public, major media outlets and many members of the public hade to observe. As the Lin familys car arrived, camera shes incessantly lit up the roadside. Lin Yan still had thatzy, half-awake look on her face. Go tell them, my recent lover is not that Zhang Zhang whats-his-name? Zhang Dong. The butler smoothly filled in. Oh, right, these media people are so unprofessional. They should rename themselves Yesterdays News instead of Daily News. She chuckled softly, the sarcasm evident in her voice. The driver parked the car. Miss, weve arrived. The butler nced outside and noticed several activists squatting at the entrance of the courthouse, holding banners. As they saw the car approaching, they became agitated and stood up in groups. The butler hesitated before speaking, Miss, how about we take you in through the back entrance? Lin Yan coldlyughed, pushing open the car door. I am not the murderer, so why should I hide or sneak in? Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Appear In Court Miss Lin, may I ask what mindset you have as you appear in court as a witness for the suspect? Miss Lin, do you feel confident that your autopsy results can convince the judge and thus influence the verdict? I heard that the suspects father is the CEO of Xin Ye Corporation, and there have been business dealings between Lin Corporation and Xin Ye Corporation. Is this true? Miss Lin, there are rumors about you and Mr. Zhang from Zhong Cheng Group getting close As soon as she got out of the car, she was immediately surrounded by the media, cameras shing wildly, and all sorts of questions and inquiries bombarded her. The butler protected her as they walked inside, with the bodyguards clearing the way. Despite being at the center of the storm, the person remainedposed, showing no hint of surprise on her face as she faced all sorts of cunning and peculiar questions without raising an eyebrow. Until Lin Yan removed her sunsses, a yful smile dancing on her lips as she looked at the banners unfurled and the wreaths ced at the steps of the Supreme Court. Unscrupulous forensic examiner deserves a wretched death! A heartless and insane forensic examiner who disregards human ethics, get out of the judiciary! Miss The butler attempted to go out to intervene. Lin Yan put her sunsses back on and even cheerfully whistled, Next time, lets use a more ttering photo. In the ck and white photo on the wreath, the womans eyebrows were sharply arched, and her cheekbones protruded, unlike the traditional aesthetic of gentleness and softness. Her gaze always carried a sense of superiority, and the slight smile at the corner of her lips seemed to mock the absurdity of the world. During the interval before the trial, Lin Yan changed into the uniform of the institute. She put on a whiteb coat over a striped shirt. Unlike the typical doctors red cross armband, there were the initials of the institute in English on her chest, along with a logo in the form of a deep blue pyramid. With everything ready, thewyer walked and talked with her, The other party is well-prepared this time. Do you have enough evidence to support their acquittal? Lin Yan shrugged, indicating her helplessness, Whether they are acquitted or not is up to the judge. Im just doing my job for money. My responsibility is to provide evidence in their favor; the rest is none of my concern. The trial began, and thewyers from both sides engaged in a tug-of-war thatsted for over two hours, leaving Lin Yan feeling drowsy. However, when the judge called her name, her usually indifferent eyes opened, and a hint of sharpness shed through them. She slowly stood up and walked towards the witness stand. The prosecutorswyer couldnt help but shiver, subconsciously ncing at their own witness, another experienced forensic expert. The opposing side also approached the situation with great caution, and both of them locked eyes, each showing a determined resolve. It was found that the suspect, Jin Weixins semen and DNA were detected on the victims underwear and the swabs taken from the body. Do you have anything to say about this? The prosecutorswyer was the first to ask questions. Lin Yan didnt even furrow her brow, Theres nothing much to say. The suspect, sitting below with handcuffs on, seemed to get agitated and was restrained by the court police. Miss Lin, who chose her words carefully, nced at him and finally added, But this can only prove that he had a sexual rtionship with the victim; it doesnt prove that hes the one who killed her. The opposingwyer slightly curved his lips and said, ording to the police investigation results, on the night of April 18, 2007, around 10 oclock, the victim, the suspect, and the suspects friend entered the KTV private room together, as shown in the surveince video in the corridor. Thewyers assistant opened theputer and pressed the y button. Lin Yan looked over, and on the screen, she saw Jin Weixin hugging the victim, Wang Li, looking intimate but staggering, as if he was drunk. At the time, they happened to be passing under a surveince camera, which captured a moment of Wang Lis impatience, though she had to endure it. The time on the surveince video was 10:15 PM. Two hourster, Jin Weixin hurriedly ran out of the private room alone. Approximately ten minutester, he returned to the room with a suitcase. That suitcase was the tool he used to dispose of the body. Such actions were already suspicious, but he was the boss, and his employees naturally dared not say anything. Moreover, it was already early morning, and everyone was tired and sleepy. He managed to escape, and the surveince in the parking lot also captured his movements. He had the motive, and there was concrete evidence of the crime. The results of the autopsy were even more conclusive evidence, and even if he refused to confess, he could still be convicted. Jin Weixin, sitting below with handcuffs, showed a slight evasion in his expression. His hands involuntarily clenched together, a sign of nervousness. ording to the testimony of a witness who was present in the private room that night, the suspect began making inappropriate advances towards the victim shortly after sitting down. The victim feltpelled toply due to the suspect being her boss, and it continued until the suspect he said, casting a cold nce at Jin Weixin. Made the victim pick up a ying card that had fallen between his legs using her mouth. Pick it up! Why arent you picking it up? Use your mouth to pick it up for me, and all this money will be yours. Jin Weixin used the money to smack the girl kneeling beside him. The girl was dressed scantily, wearing a cropped top and short shorts. When she didnt move, the man directly stuffed the money into her low neckline. Pick it up! Pick it up for me! If you cant do it, you dont need to work anymore! he said, pressing her head down, and tears welled up in the girls eyes. A chorus of boos erupted from the gallery. The judge banged the gavel, Order! Lin Yan shook her head and chuckled, abruptly interrupting the other sides boastful speech, Im not interested in what happened between them, nor do I need a recap. Ill just state my forensic findings The prosecutors witness stood up to speak, The victim died from a single-edged sharp weapon wound, resulting in massive bleeding, and the murder weapon is this fruit knife. Thewyer raised the evidence bag, and the forensic examiner continued, The weapon is 10cm long and reaches 3cm at its widest point, consistent with the sharp wound on the victims body. Furthermore, we found both the victims blood and the suspects fingerprints on this knife. Do you have anything to say about this? The question was directed at Lin Yan. Having stood for a while, the youngdy nonchntly leaned on the table, saying, Lawyer, present Exhibit B4. After receiving permission from the court, thewyer opened theputer and projected the PowerPoint onto therge screen. This is a bruise found on the victims lower back I object! This is evidence unrted to the case! Thewyer immediately raised his hand to speak. The judge nced at him and then returned his gaze to therge screen. Objection overruled, the judge dered. Lin Yan slightly curved her lips, During the second autopsy, it was discovered that the victim had only one bruise, approximately 3cm in size, on her entire body. As we all know, bruises are caused by the seepage of blood from ruptured blood vessels, which means that blood needs to flow for bruises to form. However, after a person dies, the heart stops beating, blood cirction ceases, and clotting urs within a few minutes. Naturally, bruises cannot form. This still doesnt exin much; its just a bruise, not fatal. It could have been caused by hitting or bumping during a struggle. The forensic examiner answered. Lin Yan snapped her fingers, Youre right. Now, present Exhibit B2. The screen disyed images taken by the police at the crime scene inside the KTV private room. The table was in disarray, with beer bottles scattered all over. There was a pool of blood on the floor, and some sttered bloodstains on the sofa legs. Zoom in and look at the shape of the table corner. Amidst the confusion. Lin Yan furrowed her brows, smiled, and turned to look at the experienced forensic examiner. Though she smiled, a clear hint of mockery glinted in her eyes. A bead of sweat appeared on the forehead of the opposing expert. Perhaps theyman wouldnt understand, but an experienced forensic examiner can easily discern how this bruise was formed. The private room had round tables, and no matter how much two people struggled, they couldnt cause this type of injury. The bruise was the size of a fingernail, notrge in area, but it was deep, with a purplish tinge visible from the inside out. Indeed, such marks couldnt be caused by bumping into a round table. At most, this can only indicate that the victim had received the injury before her death. The fact that the suspects fingerprints are on the murder weapon has already been established, the opposing side countered. Lin Yan retorted with a sneer, Who said the cause of death was due to exsanguination1 from a sharp weapon wound? If the cause of death wasnt established, even if Jin Weixins fingerprints were found on the murder weapon, it would still be a paradox. The spectators in the gallery erupted into a buzz of astonishment. The judge once again called for silence. So, what do you say was the cause of death? It was caused by poisoning from Digitalis. Upon hearing her response, the forensic examiner visibly rxed, During the subsequent investigation by the police, it was found that the victim had a history of heart disease and regrly took Digitalis medications. We also conducted blood and drug tests, and the levels were within the normal range, which wouldnt have caused her death. Lin Yan let out a coldugh, Is that so? Her assistant understandingly opened theputer. During the second autopsy, we examined the victims liver tissue and bile, which allowed us to infer the peak concentration of the drug in her blood. It was precisely one hour before her death, and the dosage She paused for a moment and slowly continued, was lethal. Sweat beads the size of beans appeared on the opposingwyers forehead, and even the forensic examiner was taken aback, licking his lips nervously. The room fell silent, as quiet as a midsummer cicada. Only the suspect, wearing handcuffs, slowly hugged his head. By now, it waste afternoon, and the twilights light slipped away from the desktop, casting shadows on the floor. The area where she stood was devoid of light, as if she had plunged into darkness. Lin Yans lips curved, revealing a smile that could overturn the world. She was a sight to behold when she didnt smile, but when she did, there was an indescribable sense of mocking and sharpness. Even if the blood had almost metabolized the toxin, traces would still be present in the liver and bile. Besides, forensic examination never relies solely on one technique. Therefore, we further extracted fluid from the victims eye vitreous and the result still indicated lethal levels of Digitalis. The conclusive report will be presented to the court shortly. The prosecutorswyer turned abruptly and looked at the forensic examiner, who was now sweating profusely. His lips moved, but he didnt dare to make another sound. Examining the fluid from the eye vitreous was an unconventional autopsy method. Anyone who saw a dead body with a fruit knife stuck in its chest and blood everywhere would instinctively think it was caused by massive bleeding leading to death. This Lin Yan really took an unconventional approach. After delivering her long speech, Miss Lin licked her slightly chapped lips and returned to her seat. Her first thought was, Damn it, I should have applied more lip balm in the morning. The police emphasized evidence during the investigation, while the court emphasized thepleteness of the evidence chain when determining sentencing. Sending this case back for further investigation to supplement the evidence was now an unavoidable necessity. As Jin Weixin, wearing handcuffs, was being escorted down the stairs by the court police, he passed by Lin Yan. His throat moved, his voice somewhat hoarse as he softly uttered two words, Thank you. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow, her expression still unchanged. Before she could take more than a couple of steps, she was surrounded by a swarm of media reporters outside the courtroom. Miss Lin, is your testimony in support of him due to your fathers connections? Miss Lin, even if the murder charge against suspect Jin Weixin is dropped, he is still guilty of viting the Criminal Laws offenses against women. As a woman, do you have anything to say about that? Miss Lin, in recent years, you have testified for many criminal suspects, some of whom have sessfully avoided conviction, such as the City South Murder and Dismemberment Case that had its death sentencemuted to life imprisonmentst month. It is said that you have beenbeled as the Number One Public Enemy by the Binhai Province Public Security and Judicial Department. Is this true? The questions became sharper and more piercing as the person in question, apanied by their assistant, walked out without looking around, remaining silent. Make way, make way! Miss Lin, with immense wealth at your disposal, why did you choose to pursue a career as a forensic examiner? A young reporter, seemingly fresh out of college, struggled to squeeze through the crowd, sweating profusely while holding up a microphone, and managed to reach her. Although the question seemed unrted to the case, Lin Yans steps paused for a moment, and a subtle change appeared on her face under the scrutiny of the cameras. However, it was just a momentary pause, and Lin Yan lifted her foot and continued walking forward. Her assistant and bodyguards cleared the way, pushing aside the young reporter. Hey, Miss Lin, as she was about to leave the courthouse hall, the media reporters swarmed around her again. Someone shouted loudly, Miss Lin, what makes you think Jin Weixin is not the culprit?! Finally, Lin Yans steps came to a halt, and a wry smile appeared at the corner of her lips. She casually picked up a reporters microphone and retorted, And what makes you so sure that he must be the culprit? Well ording to the police investigation results Just based on a few crime scene photos, a spliced surveince video, or fingerprints left on the handle of a knife? She retorted with a sneer, while the camera shes continued to flicker. The crowd fell silent, but her gaze remained unwavering, meeting all those different kinds of looks. Ultimately, none of those are conclusive evidence, just wishful spection. In your eyes, all poor people are worthy of sympathy andpassion, while all wealthy people are heartless criminals. Women shouldnt be forensic examiners; men are supposed to be driven by their primal instincts tomit murder. When the perpetrator kills, you all She raised her head, staring into the camera. Her eyes, with their beautiful and bottomless dark pupils and slightly more sclera than usual, were both enchanting and intimidating at first nce. Zhuxin.2 Her voice was cold and clear, but it echoed loudly. Not only the journalists were stunned, but the camera also took a moment to react before starting to frantically snap photos. By now, Lin Yan had almost reached the main entrance of the Supreme Court. The crowd of reporters chased after her relentlessly, and in front of her, a crowd of onlookers had gathered. Someone shouted, Lin Yan, have you ever thought about the plight of the victims family when you testify for the culprit? Youre not worthy of being a forensic examiner, go to hell! Before they knew it, a gap was torn open in the crowd of reporters, and someone stumbled and rushed towards her. The bodyguard, pushed and dispersed by the crowd, couldnt stop it in time. With a slight step backward in her high heels, Lin Yan casually grabbed her assistants cor and pulled him in front of herself. Before the 1.8-meter-tall man could react, he was drenched from head to toe with filth. The reporters held their noses and stepped back, while thew enforcement rushed in to subdue the troublemaker. With a disgusted frown, Lin Yan stepped back, and the bodyguard regrouped around her, asking, Miss, are you okay? Im fine. Lin Yan took off her own white coat and handed it over. Dispose of this. Sure. Thanks to the troublemaker, nobody dared to approach her again, fearing they might be the next one to get sshed with filth. As she walked away, the man was on the verge of tears, his eyes turning red, and the stench clinging to him made him look utterly wretched. He could hardly hold back his tears, Dr. Lin Without turning around, Lin Yan replied, You dont need toe to work from tomorrow onwards. The mans body turned cold, as if that was a sharp weapon, would Lin Yan have pushed him towards its edge? Does a human life mean so little to her?! If Lin Yan could hear his thoughts, she might say: Ive seen far too many dead bodies on the autopsy table. As the night fell, the ck Mercedes drove quietly on the road. Lin Yan sat in the back seat, seemingly closing her eyes to rest. The city lights flowed through the window, casting a shadow of depth on her face. The butler turned back and whispered, Miss, the usual ce? She replied with a nonchnt Hmm. The butler had been with the Lin family for many years, taking care of her father and now assigned to look after her. He had watched her grow up. Seeing her weary expression, he gently gestured to the driver to head straight home. But Lin Yan opened her eyes and said, No, go meet someone. PREVIOUSTOCNEXT
  1. severe loss of blood
  2. The word literally means to eliminate ones heart.
Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Former Dust Lin Yan changed into a new outfit and appeared in a certain upscale club in the city center. It was just after nightfall, and the ce wasnt too crowded. The dim lighting created a subdued atmosphere, and inside the restaurant, some young men were dressed in tuxedos, ying the violin, producing a melodious and pleasant sound. She followed the waiter, turning several corners, her high heels making no sound on the soft carpet. Finally, they stopped in front of a door, and the waiter bowed, saying, Miss Lin, please. Lin Yan pushed the door open and entered. A man was swinging a golf club, trying to putt the ball into the hole. Upon hearing some movement, he turned around and saw her. A natural smile appeared on his face. Neither overly enthusiastic nor distant. Youre here. He wiped his sweat with a towel and gestured for her to sit. The waiter led her in through the door and quietly left. It was a small indoor golf course, and Lin Yan didnt hold back. There were ready-made refreshments on the table, as if he knew she woulde. She picked up a sweet preserve with her fingertips and put it in her mouth, but her eyebrows lightly furrowedit was too sweet. She took a tissue to wipe her hands and remained motionless. The man, in his forties with an average build and a fairplexion, was dressed in an unremarkable in T-shirt. After finishing a round of golf, he was slightly out of breath as he sat down across from her. How was it? Was the court session smooth today? Lin Yan had always been someone who didnt sit like everyone else; she leaned back in the chair. Her two fair and slender legs were gently crossed together, and the thin straps of her red high heels hung from her snow-white ankles. She was dressed a bit more seductively than during the day, wearing a well-tailored ck sleeveless dress with a deep V-neck, revealing her corbone and other curvaceous features. The color and style were quite alluring, but when she put it on, it didnt have a shy or ostentatious feel. It was just the right amount of charm. Hanging from her earlobes were tworge earrings, and her wavy curls were styled up, leaving a few stray strands around her cheeks and forehead. Her skin was fair, yet she loved to wear dark-colored lipstick, which gave her a touch of cold allure. A woman like this is an exceptional beauty, and for men, she is prey. Lin Yan smiled and replied, Mmm, it went smoothly. As if in response to her words, the phone ced on the table lit up, showing a remittance notification from a bank with a substantial amount of money. The sender was the New Industry Company. The man raised his ss, saying, Congrattions, Miss Lin, on another sessful venture into fortune. Not at all, not at all. I must thank you for giving me this opportunity. Their highball sses lightly clinked together, and both exchanged a knowing smile. As he set down his ss, Lin Yans lips softened, So, ording to our agreement Dont worry, Ive already had my people check the information you entrusted me to find within the police internalwork Lin Yans pupils slightly contracted, And? What did you find? The man shook his head and took another sip of champagne. Its difficult. The case from years ago is too old, and there are only fragments of information on the internalwork. I copied what I could find, but I dont think it will be of much help to you. The woman sitting across from him had her lips tremble for a moment, but she quickly regained herposure. For such a major case, the Public Security Bureau should have kept physical files. The man nodded candidly, Yes, they should have, but its strange. Last month, when we moved the archives, a batch of old case files all got soaked and ruined. Nothing was left, not even ashes. A fire in the archives was no small matter, and several officers were investigated for dereliction of duty. However, it involved only closed and long-forgotten cases, so no one delved too deep into the matter, and it was left unresolved. Theres still one ce where there might be records. The Prosecution Office. As a standard procedure for the supervisory department of the Public Security Bureau, all evidence is presented to the Prosecution Office before being transferred to the court, so there should be backups. However, it has always been the Prosecution Office that requests case files from the Public Security Bureau. Its unheard of for the Public Security Bureau to seek files from the Prosecution Office; it would be like indirectly admitting dereliction of duty. Moreover, this is a ndestine matter that cannot follow the regr process. Lin Yan understood the stakes very well. Though she didnt say a word, she tightened her grip on the slender neck of the highball ss. Her finger joints turned as pale as jade, and she applied so much force that it seemed they could break at any moment. The man shook his head, No, the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau, being the ce where the case urred, must have backups. If not He looked up, and there was a glimmer of obscure and unclear light in his eyes. Lin Yan, you cant continue investigating this case. ***** The coastal province of Binhai is located in the southwest, near the seashore, where typhoons and heavy rain aremon in the summer. The strong wind swayed the tree branches, and rainwater, along with the window curtains, rushed inside. The woman stood barefoot on the ground. You cant continue investigating this case. Just chewing on these words, she shattered her heart full of resentment. She raised her hand and fiercely plunged a knife into the wall. A lightning bolt streaked across the sky, briefly illuminating the room. The walls were covered in red paint, with various sizes of X marks, and their long tails trailed down like drying bloodstains. Above the bloodstains, several yellowed photographs and newspaper clippings were pinned with thumbtacks. The room was notrge, but it was filled with these items, covering almost half of one wall. The images of what appeared to be human bones and flesh remained unfaded and still emitted a faint, musty odor despite the passage of time and space. The girl was embraced in the center of the photos, smiling silently. Her once delicate features now appeared somewhat eerie against this backdrop. Another lightning sh tore through the sky, illuminating the womans somewhat sinister countenance. Her throat moved slightly, and she finished the liquid in the highball ss in one gulp. As her arm dropped, the remaining drops of liquid from the ss sshed onto the floor, resembling bloodstains scattered at her feet. ***** Just as the news was showing the segment where Lin Yan was being chased and surrounded by reporters, Song Yuhang was holding a teacup andpletely engrossed in watching. Unexpectedly, the office door was pushed open by someone. She quickly put down the teacup and stood up, saying, Director Zhao, hello. Almost instinctively, she raised her hand in salute. The woman was dressed in standard attire for spring and autumn, wearing a light blue formal shirt with a meticulously tied tie. Her other hand rested gracefully along the seam of her pants, and her cap was quietly ced on the left side of the desk, following the regtions. Seeing her so formal, Director Zhao smiled, Theres no need for so many formalities here, please sit. Alright. Song Yuhang then sat down again, maintaining her formal posture with a straight back. How have you beentely? Not bad, just some high blood pressure, an old problem. But Ive been taking medication daily as advised by my wife to keep it under control. Its not a big deal. Director Zhao was in his fifties, slightly plump, with some gray hair at his temples. However, he seemed physically robust and mentally sharp. Back when she was studying at the Public Security University, he, as a senior police inspector in the Criminal Investigation Department of the Binhai Provincial Public Security Bureau, often gave lectures. He could be considered half of Song Yuhangs teacher. After she graduated, when she wanted to work at the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau, he mediated and maneuvered various aspects for her. She was grateful for all of these things and took advantage of the time when she had to go to the Provincial Hall for a meeting to visit her former mentor. Unexpectedly, both of them were bogged down with various matters, and they could only find time to meet in the office. But even this much was enough; Zhao Junfeng was one of the few people who treated her exceptionally well. Please take care of your health, remember to take your medication on time, and dont let your wife keep reminding you Here are some health supplements for you. She was never one to talk much, and whatever else she wanted to say remained trapped in her heart, unable to be spoken. He saw the colorful gift boxes piled by her feet, including some popr TV show Golden Partner merchandise and dairy products like birds nest. He seemed somewhat amused and exasperated at the same time. Ha, you really are something. You just arrived, why did you buy all this stuff? If my wife sees this, shell scold you again. Besides, carrying these things in and out of the police station, what will people think! Although he said that, it was evident that he was genuinely happy. Song Yuhangs lips curved slightly, and she didnt say anything more. As Zhao Junfeng dealt with the documents at hand, he casually chatted. He had even nned to have a couple of drinks with his apprentice after work today. Unexpectedly, an internal phone call came in, and the former chiefs brow furrowed lightly. Whats wrong? Journalists are conducting interviews. Having worked in criminal investigation for his entire career, Zhao Junfeng had walked a path with one step at a time, facing life and death countless times, and tasted blood on the de. What he feared the most were not the heinous criminals but the intellectuals who loved to criticize and write. After hanging up the phone, Zhao Junfeng seemed a bit helpless. As you know, the 4.18 case has been reopened. The Prosecution Office keeps sending people over to supervise us, and the court is urging us to provide new evidence. The online debates are getting intense, with some using us of using torture to extract confessions. Our team members have been working tirelessly for days, but its not easy to catch the suspects. Binhai Province is a populous province, with over a third of the poption being migrant workers from other regions. The mix of people makes the investigation quite challenging. Song Yuhang pondered for a moment. I have a general understanding of that case. My suggestion is to focus the investigation on people who had close contact with the deceased. After all, there arent many people who knew about the victims heart condition, especially those who had direct contact with him at the KTV on the night of the incident. Its crucial to prioritize the investigation in that direction. The deceased worked at a KTV, and the interpersonal rtionships there areplicated, he said while taking a sip from his teacup, his brows furrowing with concern. Because the team members had been working continuously for several nights, although Zhao Junfeng, as a leader, didnt need to personally visit each household and conduct door-to-door investigations, the burden on his shoulders was not light. He hadnt had a peaceful sleep for several days. While contemting the problem, Song Yuhang absentmindedly rubbed her index finger with her thumb. Despite this, her face showed little emotional fluctuations. Simultaneously, investigate Jin Weixin and find out the source of the drugs. That will bring us closer to the truth. Have you seen the autopsy report? Zhao Junfeng didnt hold back and ced the file on the table. Ive seen it. Since the perpetrator could poison the victim without any defense, it indicates a close rtionship between them. ording to the autopsy report, the victim was stabbed in the chest with a fruit knife shortly after death, causing massive bleeding. Focus the surveince on that specific time frame and check who entered and exited the private room. Zhao Junfeng held the teacup, and the steam misted up his reading sses, which he gently rubbed against the cups surface. His expression appeared somewhat inscrutable. Why would someone stab the victim again after they were already dead? To distract the attention of the police, or to shift me onto someone else. She lightly pursed her lips, Or perhaps it was simply out of fear that the victim hadnt died and they wanted to finish the job. Scientific criminal profiling is built upon crime analysis, victim information, and logical evidence, rather than relying on mystical or ambiguous methods like fortune-telling. As a result, without conducting an on-site investigation or personally examining the body, she could only provide suggestions. The perpetrator had intimate contact with both the victim and Jin Weixin, and may have had conflicts with one of them. They might have been present at the KTV on the night of the incident. We shouldnt rule out the possibility of a female perpetrator. The information was too scarce, and her conclusions were only these. After she finished speaking, Zhao Junfeng smiled lightly, as if he had anticipated her thoughts, yet also as if he had expected her response. The time was now dusk, and the evening suns rays streamed through the blinds, casting a patch of light onto his office desk. A breeze blew, lifting a corner of the autopsy report, revealing the name of the chief forensic examiner: Lin Yan. At this moment, Song Yuhang still didnt understand the meaning behind his smile. Later, she found out that her words had been mentioned to him several days ago. Is it a case of great minds thinking alike or destined to be arch-enemies? At that time, Song Yuhang had already passed the age of thirty and believed that she hadpleted one-third of her lifes journey. Due to her profession and the expertise she had acquired, she understood the ways of the world and the human heart. However, she remained unaware that fate is an intricate and chaotic web of thousands of threads. She and Lin Yan were merely two insignificant stars in the vast tide of this era. ***** Miss, the meal is ready. The butler gently knocked on the door of the study. Lin Yan ced the folded origami crane into a transparent ss bottle, sealed it with a lid, and locked it in the disy cab. Please bring it in. ***** Come on, Little Song, its not easy for you to visit. Eat more. In the evening, Song Yuhangs mentors wife prepared a home-cooked feast with a table full of hot dishes, including fish, shrimp, crab, and various other delicacies. Seeing that her rice bowl had already piled up like a small mountain, Song Yuhang could do nothing but keep stuffing food into her mouth while trying to resist with her hand. Thats enough, Auntie. Theres still food in my bowl, you should eat too. Ah, okay, you both sit down. I still have soup stewing in the pot. With that, her mentors wife hurried back into the kitchen to bring the soup. Zhao Junfeng opened a bottle of Wuliangye1, poured a full ss for himself, and filled hers with a small half ss. The two stic wine sses clinked together, and Song Yuhang took a sip, her face turning red from the alcohol. Zhao Junfeng burst intoughter, You still cant handle alcohol like this. Cough, she put down the wine ss just as her mentors wife returned with the soup and served her a small bowl. Youre being too modest. Oh, why are you encouraging her to drink? If Little Song cant handle it, she doesnt need to drink. Dont listen to him. Come, have some soup. Song Yuhang quickly stood up to receive the bowl, saying, Thank you, Auntie. Why are you thanking me, child? We havent had anyone visit in the past ten days or so. Your visit has made Auntie very happy. Zhao Junfeng started as a junior police officer and eventually became the Deputy Director in charge of criminal investigation at the Public Security Department in Binhai Province. He had experienced many trials and tribtions throughout his career, but even in his old age, he had no children of his own. His only son had been killed years ago due to retaliation by criminals. If he had grown up safely, he should have reached the age to start a family and establish himself by now. Even if the case is solved, the elderly couple still carries scars in their hearts. After their only sons tragic death, they never had another child, leaving the Zhao family always feeling empty and lonely. Zhao Junfeng poured himself another drink, saying, Lets not talk about that. I heard youre dating someone? Whats their age, family background, upation? Whats their personality like? Do they have a history of domestic violence? As a criminal investigator, these are the first questions thate to mind. Song Yuhang smiled wryly, Nothing can escape your notice. I havent actually started dating yet. Its just that my mom suggested I go on a blind date. Zhao Junfeng understood her well; if things werent promising, she wouldnt have mentioned it. After a few encounters, thats good enough. If hes in his thirties, unmarried, with no bad habits like smoking or drinking, and has a medical Ph.D., that sounds like a good catch. Her mentors wife chimed in, also finding the conditions favorable, but with some concern, At such an age and still unmarried, I hope there are no hidden issues. Keep your eyes open and observe him closely. Song Yuhang nodded, Yes, youre right. Weve only met a few times and had a couple of meals together. For now, were just friends, and Im not thinking too deeply about it. Exactly, thats the point. Marriage is a significant matter and shouldnt be rushed. With Song Yuhangs qualifications, she wont have any trouble finding a good partner. Zhao Junfeng looked at her with frustration, You dont understand. Its already difficult for detectives to find suitable partners, and its even rarer for women in this profession! She should find someone she likes while shes still young. The older she gets, the more difficult it will be, and even if shes choosing, others might not choose her! This statement echoed exactly what her mother had told her. Song Yuhang rubbed her forehead, feeling a little exasperated, Chief Zhao Her mentors wife yfully argued with Zhao Junfeng again over this matter, saying, Then you should be grateful that I picked you! Youve umted good fortune for eight lifetimes! Olddy, the older you get, the more you be unkind with your words Zhao Junfengined, but the twinkle in his eyes remained, and everyone in the room burst intoughter. City lights gradually lit up, cars flowed on the overpass, and the aroma of the meal filled the room. For many people, this was just an ordinary weekend. But for Song Yuhang, even after many years, she still remembered the reddish glow on her mentors face from the alcohol, the yful and scolding expressions of her mentors wife, and the table full of dishes that she loved to eat. Those were the good times that could never be returned to. PREVIOUSTOCNEXT
  1. Wuliangye is a Chinese baijiu liquor made from proso millet, maize, glutinous rice, long-grain rice and wheat.
Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Pengci Three monthster. Early Monday morning. Jiangcheng City. As a prefecture-level city, Jiangcheng has not yet implemented license te restrictions. A massive flow of vehicles converged into the crowded streets. The traffic lights were shing. Groups of electric scooters and bicycles recklessly squeeze through gaps as if their lives depend on it. Horns red incessantly, mingled with the sharp whistles of traffic police, sounding like boiling water in a hot pan. Pedestrians rushed to cross the road in the few seconds before the green light started shing. Amid the crowd, someones steamed bun got squeezed out, trampled on, and rolled to the roadside, where a stray dog scavenging near a garbage bin promptly snatched it away. The drivers honked their horns almost to the point of breaking, but the pedestrians ahead continued to stream across the road. As the red light was about to turn green, the backseat of the car resounded with impatient rustling of newspapers. Spotting an opening, he stepped on the elerator. Lin Yan held a cup of freshly ground coffee prepared before setting off. Before she could take a few sips, she heard a loud bang, and the car suddenly jolted, generously offering itself as a sacrifice to her expensive limited-edition suit. Misss temple throbbed with anger. The driver turned around, stammering, Miss, I was driving just fine when suddenly a tricycle came rushing out from the blind spot Damn it, looking to die? A crowd had gathered at the intersection. Jiangcheng wasnt a big ce, and luxury car owners were even rarer. People outside the window were pointing and discussing with excitement. The butler turned back and handed her a tissue, then got off the car to deal with the situation. Song Yuhang helped the fallen elderly person up. The tricycle had toppled over, and a basket of fruits and vegetables scattered all over the ground, now unfit for consumption. Fortunately, she had noticed the danger in time and managed to lift the elderly person off the tricycle. Her own small electric scooter was overturned, but the elderly person only suffered a few scratches. Are you alright? The olddy sat on the ground, just a little frightened. When she saw the scattered vegetables, her eyes turned red, and she opened her mouth as if to cry, but no sound came out. Wheres the driver? Do you know you hit someone? Hurry up ande out to exin yourself. Thats right! Just because youre driving a Mercedes doesnt make you above thew. Come down,e down, do it quickly! Everyone, we were driving normally, but this elderly person suddenly rushed out. If we hadnt applied the brakes in time, Im afraid The butler smiled calmly and said without panic. Whats the excuse of driving normally? Even if you were driving normally, you still hit someone, you know? Yeah! The poor olddy, going to sell vegetables early in the morning, and now she cant sell her produce. Cant youpensate her with some money? And howe you, driving such a fancy car, dont have an ounce of sympathy? ording to your logic, do I need to pay extra money to send this olddy for a medical check-up, cover her medical expenses, andpensate her for her loss today? A somewhat deep and hoarse voice suddenly interjected. The womans voice wasnt particrly pleasant, carrying a texture that seemed like she had been smoking for years. Song Yuhang raised her head, and the first thing that caught her eye was a pair of slender high heels and ck wide-leg pants, followed by a face that was memorable enough to be unforgettable. She furrowed her brow, feeling like she had seen this person somewhere before but couldnt quite recall where. Lin Yans gaze shifted over and subtly swept back and forth over the elderly person. Forensic assessment of injuries was a fundamental skill, and with just one nce, she already had a general idea. Ah, finally someone sensible. Are you the owner of the car? It was the burly man who had just spoken. The beauty and the Mercedes were already enough to attract attention. Are you a traffic officer? Lin Yan draped her suit jacket over her arm while the butler held an umbre for her. Her face clearly conveyed three words: Keep your distance. N-No Im not The man, who was stunned by her imposing manner, replied hesitantly. Then why should I listen to you? A mocking smile crept up at the corner of her lips as she nced down at her wristwatch. The traffic light changes every sixty seconds. Three minutes ago, it was a red light. Im the one obeying traffic rules, and the one running the red light is that olddy. The elderly person sitting in Song Yuhangs arms straightened her back. Her clothes were tattered, and her shoes were covered in mud. She had white hair and her lips trembled as she spoke, Im sorry youngdy I Im rushing to sell vegetables couldnt sell them all been working for nothing this past month Seeing the elderly person choking up as if she was about to cry, Lin Yan continued with her the viinins first approach. The onlookers couldnt stay silent anymore and began pointing and discussing her group. Thats right! Why cant someone driving a Mercedes get along with an olddy selling vegetables? She works hard from dawn till dusk to earn this little money. Isnt it tough enough? Young people nowadaysck empathy. Lin Yan rolled her eyes, thinking, Is my money just blowing in with the wind? Alright,pensation, huh? Lin Yan pointed her finger, showing the dented bumper and the scratches on the cars front. My car isnt that expensive, just around two million. Ill give you a discount based on the market repair price, and I wont even count the cost of repainting. Ten thousand yuan max. So, whos going topensate me, the olddy or you, you, you, who will pay? Her gaze swept over the several most aggressive pedestrians causing themotion, a mocking smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She looked like someone high and mighty, exuding an air of dominance. And what about my suit? Its a high-end one, non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and cant be dry-cleaned because a cup of coffee spilled all over it during that braking moment. A hundred thousand yuan just went down the drain. Shouldnt someonepensate me for that too? The olddy was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she almost struggled out of Song Yuhangs arms to kowtow to her. Im sorry, youngdy Im sorry Its all my fault as an old woman Im old now My eyesight is poor Its just my grandson and me relying on each other Youngdy I dont want you topensate I dont want you to pay Its my fault Seeing the pitiful sight of the olddy crying, some people redirected their me towards her. They were just going back and forth, using her of being heartless because apparently, if she have money, she should help the poor? Lin Yan became impatient with their chatter, All of you shut the hell up! Did I hit you or not? Mind your own business, busybodies. The same burly man from earlier became furious when he heard her impudent remarks and immediately clenched his fist, rushing towards her. F*ck you, Im going to mind my own business today! Lin Yans driver took a step forward and protected her. Before the fist couldnd, someone stopped him. It was another young woman in her thirties, tall in stature but seemingly not very strong. However, she effortlessly neutralized his attack, gently pushing him back as if it were as easy as lifting a feather, pushing the burly man out of the crowd. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, Another busybody meddling, huh? Song Yuhang shook her head, Its not meddling; you were speeding. Both parties share half of the responsibility, so you also have topensate. However, beyond legal obligations, theres also human consideration, so you have to pay a bit more. Lin Yan almost choked on her breath, No Song Yuhang pointed to the sign on her finger, In the city, the speed limit is 30. Next to a huge billboard in the city stood a lonely pole with an inconspicuous warning sign hanging on it, with the numbers 30 circled in red paint. The youngdys mouth twitched, teetering on the edge of losing her temper. Song Yuhang added another sentence, Based on the time you passed through the intersection just now and calcting the speed during the journey, you were speeding when you passed through this intersection. Her tone remained calm andposed, and seeing Lin Yan looking confused, she repeated the calction form. Lin Yan felt a headacheing on, Okay, okay, enough. If you want me topensate, Illpensate, alright? Really Song Yuhang paused, realizing that her police officers badge wasnt there as the police colleagues hadnt arrived yet. She instinctively reached into her coat pocket to retrieve the badge but found it empty. I am She hesitated, then searched through her coat pocket uncertainly again. What is it? Fraud? Deception? Or scamming for money? Miss Lin rolled her eyes to the sky, gesturing for the butler to hand her the wallet. She casually took out a stack of bills without even counting much and tossed it into their arms, dismissing them like beggars. These days, even scammers are so dedicated. With this level of dedication, they could aplish anything. Consider this money as mypensation to you. Go buy a coffin for yourself. Stop wasting my time, and get lost. Standing under the sun for so long, Miss Lins makeup was starting to smudge. Her mouth felt dry, so she returned to her car. The crowd gradually dispersed. Song Yuhang collected the money and, along with a few passersby, helped the elderlydy to the roadside. She then went back to the center of the road to pick up her fallen electric scooter. As she turned back, the butler from the Mercedes hade to the olddys side. If there are any issues, contact us through this phone number to resolve them. He handed her a business card. On the thin card, severalrge characters were embossed in gold: Jingtai Group Co., Ltd. On the back were a series of phone numbers for the Legal Department. Ai Song Yuhang wanted to return the money to them, I really didnt mean to The butler shook his head and had already walked away. The Mercedes slowly drove off, merging into the traffic flow. Olddy, is there anywhere else that hurts? Shall I help you to the hospital? No, no, thank you, youngdy. You are a kind person. The elderlydy held her hand with gratitude, tears welling up in her eyes as she couldnt stop expressing her thanks. The burly man who was stopped by her just now bought a bottle of water for the olddy and also handed her one, saying, Hey, let me tell you, youngdy, youve got some strength! Normally, Im not afraid of anyone in a fight, but when you lightly pushed me, I felt like my feet were unstable. In my opinion, you shouldnt have stopped me. Women who are unreasonable like that should be given a good beating to let off steam! Song Yuhang smiled faintly and politely declined the mineral water he offered, Luckily, you didnt get physical. The driver apanying the woman was not tall, but he had a well-built body with strong muscles, and his fingers had calluses on the back, indicating regr boxing practice. His t nose had a scar, indicatingbat experience. Most importantly, he had dumpling ears, a sign left by someone who has been in numerousbat. Just a driver who has reached the level of a champion with a golden belt in free fighting, what is the background of that woman? Miss, are you just going to let it go like this? Halfway through the drive, the driver looked at her through the rearview mirror. Lin Yan didnt even raise an eyebrow and continued flipping through the newspaper in her hand. What else can I do? Can you defeat that woman in a fight? The driver seemed choked up for a moment and was still somewhat unwilling, I Go to the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau. Im already tired this morning, she said, stifling a small yawn. The driver didnt dare to dy and quickly turned the steering wheel, elerating towards the citys Public Security Bureau. By now, it was past nine in the morning, the time when the city bureau started bustling with peopleing and going. Lin Yans car creaked to a stop right at the entrance. Miss Lin got out of the car, put on her sunsses, and with her high heels swaying gracefully, she walked with amanding presence, drawing attention as she strolled. Passing police officers whispered to each other, Hey, is it another young miss or richdy looking for trouble? The police officer who was asked the question had half a sausage in his mouth and was holding several bags of soy milk, fried dough sticks, and steamed buns. His police uniform seemed stretched over his body, and he was not very tall, wearing a pair of ck-framed sses. His skin was a bit tanned, and his arms were thicker than Lin Yans thighs. A scent of pork and cabbage dumplings drifted past Lin Yan. The chubby officer turned to look at her, with some vegetable leaves stuck in his teeth, I I dont know but shes pretty hehehe Miss Lin frowned, feeling a little nauseous. She couldnt tell if it was from the smell of the dumplings or from his appearance. Alright, alright, lets go. If Captain Songes back and sees us, shell scold us again. Anotherpanion pulled him away quickly. Damn, what kind of people are these This ce was not unfamiliar to Lin Yan. She nced at the national emblem hung high in the lobby of the city bureau and dived in headfirst like a hero cutting off his own arm. Hey, have you heard? Today, our Technical Investigation Unit has a new forensic expert, that famous Lin Lin something Lin Yan. A book titled Solving Past Years Real Exam Questions for Civil Servants in the Coastal Province slipped down from the speakers nose, revealing the face of a male student who could pass as decent among the people in the room. However, a less serious Japanese cartoon drawing fluttered out of that fallen book. The male student quickly picked it up, kissed it a few times with caution, and carefully stuffed it back into his pocket. After finishing the greasy sausage that could rival pigs trotters, the hands typed Lin Yan on the keyboard. A bunch of search results popped up. Hey,e and take a look. Several heads gathered together. Lin Yan, 32 years old, graduated from Fudan Universitys Medical School, known as one of the Big Six Institutes in forensic medicine. She pursued her masters and Ph.D. degrees in the Department of Forensic Medicine at Boston University. Up to now, she has dissected over five thousand bodies, setting a record among young schrs The woman in the photo was wearing a whiteb coat, with her wavy hair tied up in small curls. She had a few wisps of hair at the cheeks toplement her face shape, with her eyebrows slightly arched and eyes disying a hint of yfulness. Her fair skin and deep lip color made her look more like a model with exquisite makeup and well-defined features from a magazine rather than a doctor or a forensic expert. This isst years report. Recently, she has dissected over six thousand bodies. Following the sound, the crowd nced over to see the woman sitting with her legs crossed on a sofa, gently touching her exquisite manicure. A few people turned their faces back numbly, and the chubby guy continued reading, But the most puzzling thing is that Miss Lin has an enviable family background. As the heiress of the Jingtai Group (Lin Family), she is the sole inheritor and worth billions. Even if she doesnt work, she could live a worry-free life. Its said that Miss Lin has given up her inheritance rights and severed ties with her father, Lin Youyuan. The Lin Family Group has not officially issued a statement yet, so we dont know if its true or just Miss Lins usual publicity stunt. Its true. I wish that old man would die sooner. Lin Yan found the chairs in the police station ufortable, so she kept fidgeting and had to sit up straighter. The crowd turned around in unison. The chubby guy wiped his sses on his clothes repeatedly. Isnt she Lin Yan, the one who is often defending criminals and is listed as the number one public enemy by the Binhai Public Security Department? The other person propped up his chin and nodded slightly, giving her a nce that was still full of charm. The guy who was reading the book earlier swallowed hard and touched the piece of paper in his pocket. I heard her personal life is chaotic, and shes dating three boyfriends at the same time? Oh? Miss Lin extended her slender fingers and shook them yfully. Its four. The only female detective in the technical investigation unit had straight bangs and wore sses thicker than the bottom of a beer bottle. She manually adjusted her jaw, which had dropped due to surprise. Lin Yan, the one with immense wealth, spending money like dirt? Miss Lin couldnt be bothered to answer such a question and let out a small yawn. A gleam of admiration appeared in the detectives eyes. In her eyes, Lin Yan was like a walking stack of money and a money printing machine. Alright, enough with the questions. Can someone show me to the changing room and tell me where the restroom is? The three of them rushed forward simultaneously: I-I-Ill do it! What do you mean, youll do it? Can you enter the womens changing room? Sis, sis, then let me carry your bag. This table is empty, let me clean it for you. The chubby guy looked hesitant: Lin Forensic Doctor Lin, are you hungry? This is the leftover bun I didnt finish this morning Lin Yan turned around, a smile spreading across her face, radiant and beautiful like a blooming flower in the moonlight. Before the chubby guy could immerse himself in such tenderness, she lightly opened her thin lips and coldly uttered a get lost. In the silence, the chubby guys fragile heart shattered into pieces on the ground. The male student patted his shoulder sympathetically and hurried to help Lin Yan pack her things. Hey, Captain Song, what happened? Song Yuhang changed her clothes and came out. It wasnt yet time to turn on the air conditioning, so the room still felt a bit stuffy. She was wearing a light blue short-sleeved uniform, revealing arge abrasion on her arm. The bloodstains had dried from her elbow down to her entire forearm, and there were still some dust and gravel embedded in it, making it look rather disturbing. Those were the injuries she sustained while rescuing the elderly person on the ground just now. She casually took a tissue and wiped it hastily, not even furrowing her brows, Its nothing, just a minor injury. Her concerned colleagues gathered around and handed her a wet towel, Who dares to attack a police officer these days? Attack a police officer? Song Yuhang recalled the womans arrogant and overbearing attitude and subtly bit her lip, Attacking a police officer, well, they didnt dare to do that. But I did encounter a crazy woman who deliberately crashed into someone Ah, dont even mention it. Jiangcheng is really congested. Early in the morning, I set out, and on the way, I encountered two lunatics who seemed to have a death wish, ramming into my car recklessly A somewhat familiar voice came from the entrance. Everyone turned their heads, taking a nce at Song Yuhang before returning their gaze to the entrance. Those in the Criminal Investigation Unit were particrly sensitive, and Jiangcheng was just a small ce, so their eyes lit up with anticipation. They saw the so-called crazy woman mentioned by Captain Song, walking in on seven-centimeter high heels. The ill-fitting police uniform hung loosely on her, with the top button undone, revealing her fair skin and slender corbone. A small, unnamed earring adorned her ear. The Deputy Captain of the Criminal Investigation Unit followed behind her. Comrades, let me introduce you. This is the new arrival, Lin Yan, Forensic Doctor Lin. I believe her name is already well-known to all of you. Someone almost couldnt sit still and almost fell off the chair. A momentary hint of awkwardness shed across Song Yuhangs expression as she touched her nose. A young officer poked her arm and said, Hey, Deputy Captain Song, could that crazy woman you mentioned be her? Lin Yans lips curled up in a smile as she raised an eyebrow and looked over. What a coincidence, the one who pulls scams. Caught red-handed gossiping about someone behind their back, Song Yuhang didnt show much reaction. Awkwardness came and went quickly, and she even took the initiative to step forward and extend her hand. Its not a scam, its your speeding. Hello, Forensic Doctor Lin Yan, I am the Deputy Captain of the Criminal Investigation Unit, Song Yuhang. Taking the initiative to introduce themselves and their positions was an attempt to ease the tension. However, Lin Yan had no intention of shaking hands and making peace, so she simply nodded. The atmosphere returned to silence once again, and Song Yuhang withdrew her injured arm as if she was ustomed to such situations, proceeding to engage in other tasks. The Captain of the Criminal Investigation Unit at the City Bureau was a man in his forties, slightly overweight, with a receding hairline that seemed to resemble a smooth-talking businessman more than a police officer. At this moment, he cleared his throat to alleviate the tension and said, Well, lets all do some self-introductions. The chubby guy was the first to step forward for a handshake. Um Dr. Lin, Im Zheng Chengrui. I graduated in Computer Science and currently serve as a technician in the Cybersecurity Division of the Criminal Investigation Units Technical Investigation Department at the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau. Originally, Technical Investigation and Cybersecurity were supposed to be two different departments, but they were merged because the Cybersecurity team was understaffed and couldnt recruit enough qualified personnel. It also helped save office space. Lin Yan didnt even bother raising an eyebrow at him. The chubby guy got the hint, lowered his head in disappointment, and walked away. Next up was the young man who appeared spirited as he stepped forward and saluted, Im Duan Cheng, an intern forensic scientist from the Criminal Science and Technology Investigation Department of the Criminal Investigation Unit at the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau! He went on and on with his lengthy introduction while Lin Yan started filing her nails. Finally, the female police officer walked up hesitantly and also saluted, Im Fang Xin, a forensic examiner from the Technical Investigation Department, reporting to you. In terms of positions, Lin Yan was the Chief Forensic Examiner, so it was correct for her to be addressed that way. However, she had always been indifferent to others, and shezily raised an eyebrow in response. Others also introduced themselves one by one, a room full of various people, but Lin Yan didnt bother remembering many of them. It was the woman named Deputy Captain who caught her attention. Despite her title, she sat in a inconspicuous corner, quiet as her name implied, like the serene blue sky and white clouds flowing slowly outside the window. If she hadnt witnessed her skills before. Wait, Im the only forensic examiner in the Technical Investigation Unit? Lin Yans gaze shifted as she looked at the motley crew sitting around her. Zhang Jinhai cleared his throat, There was another Chief Forensic Examiner, but he passed away not long ago, and the organization is still in the process of Never mind, she shouldnt have asked. She had never seen a city-level public security bureau so shabby, looking more like an impromptu makeshift team from a remote rural township. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Confrontation Song Yuhang lightly knocked on the door twice, and from inside came a vigorous voice saying, Come in. Only then did she push the door open and ced thepleted case report on the desk. Feng Ju was immersed in handling official documents, and next to him was arge enamel mug with the words Serve the People written on it. It was said to be a reward he received when he was awarded a third-ss merit for his work, and he had been using it ever since. Seeing that Song Yuhang neither spoke nor made any movement, Feng Ju looked up at her in surprise and asked, Whats wrong? Song Yuhang moved her lips slightly. He seemed to have understood something and put the pen back into its cap. I heard that you had a bit of a conflict with the new Forensic Doctor Lin on the way this morning? Song Yuhang saw his gaze fall on her arm and nced sideways, saying, Its nothing, just a scrape. A few years ago, when we were chasing a fugitive across provinces, we had an intense fight with the criminals for half an hour, and you didnt get injured like this, Feng Ju, who had a gentle demeanor and wore sses, even joked with her. Song Yuhang lowered her head without saying much, but Feng Ju had already understood what she was thinking. You want to know why we let someone like Lin Yan into our city bureau, right? This morning, they had a meeting and conducted an injury assessment. Lin Yan sent Duan Cheng to handle it, as she was only interested in dealing with the deceased and had little interest in the living. While others were busy with their tasks, this youngdy was holed up in her office, sipping the coffee Fang Xin made for her. Soft music yed from herputer as shey back in her chair with her feet propped up on the desk, a face mask applied to her face. ording to her, it was time for her midday skincare routine. You didnt even notify me when you came back so I could pick you up. A slow and leisurely voice with a hint ofughter came through the receiver. While carefully pressing down the face mask on her nose to prevent it from lifting, Lin Yan spoke in a slightly sulky tone, Forget it, youre so busy with work, how could you possibly have time to pick me up? The man on the other end of the phone was wearing a whiteb coat, and he stood outside the examination room, smiling lightly. I still have time to pick you up. Lin Yan shivered all over. Hey, gross! Speak like a normal person. The man couldnt hold back hisughter, attracting the attention of passing nurses. He cleared his throat andposed himself. Alright, when will youe to my ce for dinner? Lin Yuan must have asked you to call me, that old guy, right? Dont speak ill of Uncle Lin. After all Upon hearing that name, Lin Yan felt annoyed and took the phone away from her ear. Enough, if you bring up that matter, theres nothing for us to talk about. Dont, dont hang up! If you wont do it for Uncle Lins sake, at least do it for my moms sake. After all, she often worries about you. When Lin Yan was first brought back home by Lin Yuan, she was constantly bullied by Lin Cheng. He even threatened to run away from home if she was around. Unable to handle the situation, Lin Yuan had no choice but to send her to be fostered at Lin Ges home. This fosteringsted for two years until it was time for her to go to school, and the Lin familys butler brought her back home again. In terms of generation, Lin Ge could be considered her cousin. However, since they had grown up together, they couldnt bring themselves to address each other as cousin. Instead, they called each other Lin Ge and Lin Yan. After her college entrance examination, shepletely broke ties with the Lin family and only maintained asional contact with Lin Ge. Over the years, her rtionship with her supposed father had been lukewarm at best, and his presence was mostly felt through the inexplicably increased amount of money in her bank ount every month. She fell silent for a moment and then sighed nonchntly, No, I wont go to your ce. Lets have dinner together some other time. Sure, but well have to make an appointment in advance. Im not sure if Ill have the time. Come on, whats the deal? Anything going on? Lin Yan teasingly cursed. Nothing, its just my moms idea. Its a blind date, you know. We have to meet and build some rapport from time to time. Hey~ It seems like shes serious this time, the youngdy whistled softly. Lin Ge is seven years older than her and has been studying abroad for many years. After finally returning to the country, he gave up the job arranged for him by Lin Yuan and established a professional dental hospital. He currently serves as the director and chief of the dental department. It was a time when his career was thriving, and also a time when his mother at home was eager to have grandchildren. He let out a sigh from the other end, I wouldnt say shes serious. Were just getting to know each other as friends. I think the other person probably feels the same way. And what about you? Youre not young anymore. Its time to consider your own lifelong matter. Damn it, Im not that old! Im thirty-one and still in my prime! After Forensic Doctor Lin angrily shouted this sentence, the air seemed to freeze for two seconds, and the music abruptly stopped. A gaze fell upon her. She looked up and saw Officer Song standing at the door. The backlight made it difficult to see her expression, but it seemed like she had been standing there for a while. Does this person walk without making any sound? Miss Lin rolled her eyes, Enough, someone is here. I wont talk to you now. Um, excuse me, do you have gauze or alcohol or something like that? Lin Yan scrolled through her phone contacts, looking for her evening date, not even lifting her eyelids. I dont know, Fang Xin. Fang Xin lifted her head from the pile of paperwork and adjusting her sses, Whats wrong, Lin Jie? Song Yuhang repeated once again, Alcohol, gauze. As if afraid they didnt understand, she added, I need to treat a wound. Fang Xin quickly stood up, Sure, we have some in the cab inside the autopsy room. Ill go get it for you. The forensic autopsy room was just a wall away. Fang Xin brought out the items and handed them to her, saying, Let me help you, Captain Song. Its fine. As Song Yuhang spoke, she casually found a chair and sat down. She rolled up her sleeves above her shoulders, took a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, and awkwardly picked out some small gravel embedded in her skin. Fang Xin couldnt bear to see such gruesome things, and her face turned pale. On the other hand, Song Yuhang seemed unbothered, not making a single sound. Lin Yan typed messages to her evening date while saying nonchntly, Some people dont jump out to y the hero, and yet they have no real courage to handle anything. This remark was a bit too much, and Fang Xin looked at the two of them with a worried expression, afraid they might start fighting at any moment. Unexpectedly, Officer Song still made no unnecessary moves. She treated the wound herself, threw the used cotton swabs and gauze into the trash can, and twisted the cap of the alcohol bottle back on before handing it to Fang Xin. Thank you. While Fang Xin went to the next room to put something away, by the time she returned, the two of them were already staring at each other wide-eyed. Lin Yan still had a face mask on, and when she suddenly lifted her head, it almost scared Fang Xin out of her wits. Song Yuhang remained as calm as ever, as if she was indifferent to everything around her. If she had been born in ancient times, she might have been a martial arts master who came and went without a trace, wearing white robes and carrying a sword, indifferent to fame and fortune. But here and now, it was a bit intimidating. Staring at the expressionless face before her, Lin Yan asked. Is there something on my face? Song Yuhang leaned forward. She was already a head taller, and as they got closer, a faint scent ofundry detergent filled the air. Lin Yan kicked the table with her foot, pushing her chair back a few steps. Officer Song, its not appropriate to gaze at me so affectionately in the office, is it? Song Yuhang stood up straight, her arm already bandaged. One hand was in her pocket as she looked at Lin Yan and said, ording to Article 7, use 3 of the Regtions on the Dress Code for Peoples Police Officers of Public Security Organs, police uniforms must not be worn with additional garments, sleeves rolled up, hems tucked in, or trousers rolled up. Lin Yan nced at the uniform jacket draped over a nearby chair, then lowered her head to look at the two open buttons on her cor and her rolled-up trouser legs. She slowly formed a puzzled expression with her fingers, mimicking the ? sign. Fang Xin quickly patted her own police uniform and smoothed her hair to show a neat appearance. Except for work requirements and special circumstances, police officers should wear standard leather shoes, rubber shoes, or ck leather shoes. The heel height for female police officers should not exceed four centimeters. Lin Yans seven-centimeter heels, studded with diamonds, seemed to challenge the heavens and could easily blind Fang Xins eyes. Miss Lins face was full of disbelief, as if she was looking at an alien creature. Song Yuhang took a step back. Also, nails must not be colored, and no colorful hair dye or jewelry is allowed. ??? Song Yuhang, are you even human? No, are you a woman? Indeed, it seemed that Officer Song wore the police uniform year-round and never dyed her hair. Her shoulder-length hair was always tied up, revealing a distinct and sharp facial features. As for jewelry, she probably considered them unnecessary luxuries. From both physiological and psychological characteristics, I am. As a forensic doctor, that question is rather unprofessional. Lin Yan almost choked on her own blood, as she struggled to find words to respond. She had never encountered someone who could leave her speechless like this before. She really wanted to open up Song Yuhangs skull and see if there was nothing but rules and regtions inside. Despite looking only a few years older than her, why did she speak and act so rigidly and old-fashioned? First of all, what I wear and how I wear it is my freedom, even if I am a police officer, no one has the right to interfere. Yes, but within the police force, we must abide by our regtions. Lin Yan coldly chuckled, standing up and looking at her. The face mask fell from her face, and she deliberately crumpled it into a ball and threw it at Song Yuhang, hitting her shoulder. Her eyes were filled with a mocking expression, full of cynicism and malice. I wontply with them. What can you do about it? Are you going to hit me or report me? Let me tell you, the city government still owes my family construction fees. Do you know how many government officials in Binhai Province depend on my familys support? Try moving a finger against me and see what happens. The face mask fell to the ground by her feet. The air became heavy with silence. Fang Xin was shocked and dared not even take a breath. For a moment, there was nothing but the quiet sound of their breathing and the ticking of the clock on the wall. Song Yuhang took a gentle step forward. Lin Yan didnt back down; she stared back at her intensely. When Song Yuhang was about to take another step forward, she was firmly held back. The inexperienced young girl looked brave and resolute, as if she was prepared to sacrifice herself heroically: Officer Song, please dont, stop it! Lin Yan subtly swallowed a gulp of saliva. The person across from her gently pursed their lips, almost making her think it was an illusion. Dont be nervous, I wont hit you. I just feel that since you are not interested, you should give the position to someone else who needs it more. With one sentence, Miss Lin was infuriated again: Whos nervous?! Whos nervous?! Which eye of yours saw me being nervous?!! After her furious outburst, the room fell intoplete silence, and even Fang Xin couldnt help but burst intoughter, quickly covering her mouth. You swallowed a gulp of saliva just now, your right hand clenched into a fist, toes turned outward, your whole body tensed up, and your jaw lightly twitched. Its a defensive posture. If I were to attack, you would retaliate, but youre not sure if you can win, so you didnt strike first. I f***ing I Lin Yan was so angry that she rolled her eyes, spouting incoherent words and almost foaming at the mouth. She grabbed a copy of Forensic Medicine and lunged at Song Yuhang. Fang Xin tightly held her back. Stop, Lin Jie, dont do it! You cant beat her. Officer Song is always the top in the yearly military training! Items on the table scattered all over the floor, but Song Yuhang took a step back,pletely unharmed. She took out a stack of neatly wrapped RMB from her pocket and ced it on the table: Here, take it back. Dont exceed the speed limit in the city from now on. I Lin Yan grabbed another book and threw it at her. Song Yuhang slightly tilted her head, avoiding it as she wiped her face, no longer saying much, and turned to leave. Lin Yan wanted to chase after her, but Fang Xin firmly held her back. She had never been so furious in her life. Even when she was a mischievous six-year-old, she had beaten Lin Cheng to the point of losing teeth. Later, although she had also suffered punishment from her stepmother, as a member of the Lin family, she naturally carried an aura of superiority. Who dared to advise her otherwise? People either kept their distance or eagerly fawned over her. For the first time in her life, she felt a sense of defeat from another woman. Thest time she felt like this was nearly twenty years ago. After Song Yuhang left, Fang Xin carefully brought her a cup of coffee. Lin Jie, dont be mad at Officer Song. Although she can be a bit rigid at times, shes actually a very nice person She must have her reasons for acting that way. Although Ive only recently joined the forensic department, Ive heard that the former chief forensic doctor, who has passed away, was her long-time partner and even a former ssmate. Hedied while on duty. Although she may not say much and continues to work as usual, deep down, she must be more sorrowful than anyone else. I Lin Ye wanted to say something, but her gaze fell on the desk in front of her. The moderately sized desktop was filled with traces of the deceased. Forensic medicine books were scattered everywhere, a few sticky notes were ced on theputer screen, and there was a yellowed old photograph. It was taken with a Proid camera, so the pixels werent very clear. The photo depicted two young people standing together, one of whom had just had a heated argument with her. At that time, she was still young, wearing a brand new uniform, with a bright and clear expression, a faint smile on her lips, and two four-cornered stars adorning her shoulders. It was a time of youthful innocence. Lin Yan pursed her lips and said, Forget it, Im a magnanimous person; I wont bother with her. As Song Yuhang walked outside, she let out a sigh, thinking about what Feng Ju had just said. Lin Yan is a stubborn and willful person, disregarding rules and regtions. If she didnt have some real ability, she wouldnt have been able to enter our city bureau. Just treat her as an external staff member; she probably wont conform to our ways. I know you always see things clearly and cant tolerate any nonsense, but dont take it too much to heart. For some reason, she felt that Feng Jus mention of Lin Ye carried a hint of indulgence and helplessness. Perhaps she was overthinking it. Song Yuhang shook her head, turned around, and walked away briskly. Chapter 6 Chapter 6 sh After a boring day of sitting in the office with nothing major to work on, Lin Yan stepped out and lit a cigarette, walking in her high heels while smoking. She kept her uniform jacket draped over her arm. Before she could finish her cigarette, a shy Rolls-Royce parked at the entrance of the municipal bureau. Dr. Lin, the forensic expert, tossed the cigarette and walked towards the car, and a well-groomed young man in a suit stepped out of the vehicle. As they embraced and exchanged affectionate words, Song Yuhang was busy fixing her broken little electric scooter. She was wearing a simple military green T-shirt with a pure white towel hanging around her neck, hands covered in grease. When Song Yuhang finally managed to repair the scooter, she heard small gasps from the surroundings. Looking up, she saw the two people by the entrance of the municipal bureau deeply engrossed in a passionate kiss. She was not far away, and from this angle, Lin Yans slender waist was encircled by a persons hand. She was tall, and together with the slightly bowed head of the other person, there was an expression of involvement on her face. A camera sh went off, and it was probably going to be tomorrows entertainment headline. Song Yuhang shook her head slightly, took off her dirty gloves, and tossed them into the trunk. She started the car and slowly drove out of the entrance of the municipal bureau. The two people and the car behind her gradually turned into a tiny dot and disappeared. After a while, during a break at a traffic light, the car followed up and stopped right beside her, and the car window slowly rolled down. Her gaze remained calm andposed as it glided past. A slender hand extended from the car window, and then a middle finger was raised at her. This person still couldnt let go of what happened in the morning and held a grudge. Officer Song chose to selectively ignore it, and as soon as the traffic light turned green, she made a turn and left. In the rearview mirror, the Rolls-Royce continued straight ahead, gradually distancing itself from her. For Lin Yan, a rare day off meant revelry, indulgence in pleasure, and living carelessly, with no sense of belonging. For Song Yuhang, it meant hitting the gym and engaging in freebat; she preferred to spend her time in such ces. Aftering out of the gym, she casually bought two kilograms of apples from a roadside vendor. When she returned home, the lights were already on. She had lived here for as long as she could remember. Over the years, the public security bureau had built several new residential areas for staff and their families, but she and her mother never moved. The walls of the old residential area had begun to show signs of decay, marked by mischievous children who used ballpoint pens to leave deep and shallow traces. Higher up, the walls were covered in lush ivy, flourishing in the scorching heat of summer. The building in the residential area was not tall, just six floors, so there was no elevator. Song Yuhang parked her electric scooter at the entrance of the building, locked it, and carried the purchased fruits. She then walked up the narrow and elongated corridor. As she ascended, motion sensor lights would switch off one after another. She had just reced these lights a few days ago. When she reached the front of apartment 603 on the sixth floor, she took out her keys and unlocked the door. Mom, Im back. A woman in an apron emerged from the kitchen, around fifty years old, with white hair starting to show at her temples. When she saw her daughter returning, a natural smile appeared on her face. Youre back. Go take a shower, look at all that sweat. The meal will be ready soon. Only in front of her mother did the corners of her mouth, usually stingy with smiles, show a slight curve. I bought apples, your favorite. Wash them and eat them after the meal. She took her toiletries and walked into the bathroom, hearing a fewints from outside the door, You, this child, I havent finished eating the watermelon you bought yesterday She raised her voice and replied, In the summer, fruits wontst. If we dont finish them, just throw them away. How can we do that? Its not about the money. Eat a little lesster and finish them for me. Song Yuhang turned on the shower, and the corners of her mouth slightly curved upwards, letting the hot water wash away the tiredness of the day. The room was not big, with two bedrooms and a living room. The dining table upied most of the space in the living room. An old color television was ced opposite the dining table, with a small ancestral altar set up on a shelf. Two memorial portraits were ced, one slightly younger, the other older. After Song Yuhang finished showering, she lit a stick of incense and then took a seat. The home-cooked dishes were light and not much in quantity. The few pieces of meat avable were all ced in her bowl. Song Yuhang picked at her rice and said, Mom, just say what you want to say. Mother Song paused with her chopsticks, feeling a bit embarrassed, Um I took the liberty of making a decision. Tomorrow after work, I arranged for you to have dinner with that Mr. Lin whom you metst time Cough cough A grain of rice choked her throat, and Song Yuhang quickly drank some tea to swallow it down. Mom I know, youre not willing to, but all these years you havent shown interest in anyone, and your work keeps you busy. As soon as others hear youre a criminal investigator, theyre reluctant to introduce you to anyone. Its rare to find someone who doesnt mind, so just listen to your mother and give it a try. After all, feelings, arent they developed through interactions too, right? Song Yuhang knew that the emergence of feelings, whether love at first sight or developed over time, all involved the secretion of dopamine and adrenaline. She had a thousand scientific reasons to refute her mothers words. However, she couldnt bring herself to say them, especially in front of her fathers and brothers memorial portraits. I understand, Mom. After finishing the meal, Ill contact him again. Upon hearing this, Mother Song immediately became spirited and added a few more pieces of braised pork to her daughters bowl. Great! Then eat up. Tomorrow, you should dress nicely and spend some time with him. No need to rush back. After I finish my meal, Ill go dance with your Auntie Wang. Speaking of this Mr. Lin, Auntie Wang introduced him. She mentioned that he had gone to his dental clinic to get his teeth fixed, and he had an impressive appearance, a great sense of humor. Most importantly, he had studied abroad, was single, and unmarried. Song Yuhang had met him briefly a couple of times, but she didnt have a strong impression of him. She just felt that hecked the typical vices of ordinary men; at least he didnt smoke in front ofdies. He seemed to be a courteous and considerate person. Talking about it, both surnamed Lin, but why is there such a stark difference between people? Song Yuhang thought of that overbearing and arrogant forensic expert, Lin Yan, and couldnt help but frown. She finished her rice in the bowl and said, Mom, Ill go do the dishes. The next day, it was already mid-morning when Lin Yan woke up from her bed. She pushed the mans hand away from her body, sat up, and reached for a cigarette from the bedside table. She lit it and took a drag to alleviate the headache from the hangover. Stay with me a little longer the man mumbled, attempting to hug her shoulder. Lin Yan gestured to stop with her fingertips, leaned against the bedside table, and unlocked her phone screen, which was flooded with missed calls. Duan Cheng: Sister?! Are you stilling to work today? Zheng Chengrui: Forensic expert Lin, I bought breakfast for you and put it on your desk. The attached picture showed soy milk, youtiao (fried dough sticks), and steamed buns. Lin Yan felt a twinge of toothache. Finally, there was Fang Xin, with a trembling expression, Sister Lin, Officer Song has been looking for you for a while Lin Yans toothache became even more intense. The man ignorantly hugged her and said, Why go to work? Ill take care of you. She twirled her fingers and almost pressed the cigarette butt onto his face. The man yelped and jumped back, What the hell are you doing this early in the morning?! Lin Yan threw the nket aside and got out of bed. The traces ofst nights intimacy were still visible, but today, she acted as if she didnt know him anymore. She had no idea who paid whom for services. The young man has some skills, wanting to take care of an older sister like me. Its too early for that. Lets part ways here; in this world, we wont see each other again. She stood calmly in front of the mirror, adjusting her clothing. Where curves were meant to be, they were ample, and where slender lines were meant to be, they were slender. There was not an ounce of extra fat on her body, and herplexion was fair. Her petite bare feet on the ground evoked enticing thoughts. With a natural face at this moment, her long, brown curls cascaded down, revealing distinct facial features. The morning sunlight seeped through the curtains, creating a touch of a fresh and ethereal charm that resembled that of a young girl. However, that figure was definitely not what a young girl should have. The man was mesmerized, swallowed hard, and got up from the floor. Lin Yan was in the process of drawing her eyebrows when she caught a glimpse from the mirror. The corners of her lips slightly curved into a cold smile. Acting as if she hadnt noticed his stealthy approach, she casually turned away as he lunged at her. She used the eyebrow pencil to swiftly dodge him in that moment, and her hair brushed against his face, leaving behind a sweet scent of perfume. Before he could fully enjoy the moment, he received a swift kick to his sensitive area. He let out a loud cry, clutching his groin, his legs trembling. Lin Yan followed up with another well-timed kick, hitting him in the lower abdomen. She didnt hold back, targeting all the vulnerable spots. The man knelt on the ground, drenched in sweat, his throat choked as if there was a piece of cloth stuck inside, preventing him from making any sound. If it werent for your decent looks and somewhat adequate skills, would I bother ying with you? she said, coldly dragging the eyebrow pencil across his face. Her control was excellent, not causing any harm but still delivering a great psychological impact. The man was on the verge of kneeling and begging for mercy, Sister, Im sorry Please be gentle, dont please dont harm me I rely on this face to make a living. Take a good look at yourself. Besides the good karma left behind by your parents, youre nothing but trash. Provide for me? Who do you think you are? Youre not even worthy of being my shoe polisher. After making a scene and ying around, this mans cowardly behavior left her feeling bored. She patted the eyebrow pencil on his face a couple of times before returning it to her palm. It was a familiarity that came from years of handling surgical knives. To prevent him from causing more trouble, Lin Yan used a tie to bind him firmly to a chair, tying a secure knot. Before leaving, she pulled out a stack of RMB from her wallet and mmed it on his face, Heres your payment for your whoring. From now on, never fucking appear in front of me again. Otherwise, every time I see you, Ill beat you up. If you want to act like a duck, be prepared to face the consequences of being treated like one. If one were to say this man was a legitimate second-generation rich kid who had yed with numerous women, little did he expect to be put in his ce by Lin Yan. The moment the stack of RMB was thrown at him, his eyes turned red, and in anger, he forcefully spat out the stinky sock that was used to gag his mouth. Lin Yan, you just wait and see!!! His words were met with the cold m of a door. After dealing with the clueless young man, Lin Yan was in a good mood as she casually walked into the police station, hanging her uniform on the coat rack andfortably leaning back in her chair with a cup of coffee. Duan Cheng leaned over and ced a report in front of her, saying, Sister, can you sign here? Is this the injury assessment from yesterday? She quickly flipped through a couple of pages, finding no major issues. She took a ballpoint pen from the pen holder on the table and signed her name with a couple of strokes. However, Duan Cheng seemed hesitant with the signed document in hand and awkwardly smiled, Um maybe you should give this to Officer Song. Fang Xin leaned in and whispered softly, She came earlier for the document, but you werent here, so Duan Cheng didnt give it to her Sigh, I thought it was something important. Its just a document, right? Ill go find her, have her review it, and then send it to the filing room, right? Lin Yan grabbed the thin piece of paper, stuffed it into a folder, and stood up. Fang Xin asked, Do you know where she is? Should I apany you? No need, dont you know Im clueless and incapable of asking for directions? Lin Yan waved her hand and walked out, wearing high-heeled shoes with a seven-centimeter heel. As she walked, passing officers nced curiously at her. Lin Yan didnt look around; it seemed like she was just walking, but she was actually observing the surveince cameras in the hallway. One, two, three After passing three cameras, upstairs were the offices of the bureau chief, deputy bureau chief,mand center, and political department On the next floor, the number of cameras noticeably increased. Lin Yan lowered her head, examining the patterns on the tiles. When she reached the fourth camera, she arrived at the filing room. Lin Yan knocked on the door a couple of times, registered her identity, and exined her purpose. The staff was about to let her in when she withdrew and yfully leaned on the counter. Hey, young man, I just got here yesterday and thought of having a look around. You know, forensic experts are always interested in peculiar cases. Can you do me a favor? He was fine when she wasnt talking or smiling, but once she smiled, it seemed like there was some romantic intention. With her naturally enchanting face and a soft, slightly coquettish voice, the buttons on her uniform could barely contain the allure that was about to burst forth. The young and spirited officer blushed as he stuttered, Uh, okay but you have to leave your phone here. You can check the files inside, but photography is prohibited. Sure, no problem, Lin Yan readily took out her phone from her pocket, ced it on the table, and slid it over to him. She also flirtatiously tossed a couple of alluring nces, leaving the officer flustered and red-faced. The filing room was rtively empty in the early morning. Severalputers were avable for indexing data. Simr to a library, various files were neatly arranged by criminal or civil cases, chronological order, and location of the incidents. As she walked further in, the cases became older, something she was already aware of. Her high heels made no sound as she moved around. When someone passed by to retrieve some information, she merely stood with her hands in her pockets, a document tucked under her arm, and walked away calmly andposedly. Although she was involved in shady dealings, there was no hint of it on her face. She appeared calm andposed. Her fingertips glided over the neatly arranged boxes one by one, 2008, 2007, 2006 all the way back to 1994. After such a long time, her heart still couldnt control its erratic beating. She knew it was not the right time now. She had already familiarized herself with the positions of the CCTV cameras here. Sneaking in quietly with the equipment after dark would be the best approach. However, as soon as she saw that year, almost as if driven by an unseen force, she subconsciously reached out. Just as her fingertips touched the box, a sudden chill ran down her spine. Years of vignce made her instinctively deliver a backhanded elbow without turning around; it was her instinctive reaction in dangerous situations. Song Yuhang also instinctively remained cautious. In the blink of an eye, the two of them exchanged silent moves. Leveraging her height advantage, she pressed the other person against the shelves. The area was far from the exit, and the curtains were still drawn, casting a dim light. When their eyes met, Officer Song, who had always beenposed, furrowed her brows slightly. What are you doing here? Both of them maintained their positions, engaged in a subtle power struggle. Officer Songs elbow was at the others neck, while the other persons hand tugged at her tie. Their full chests pressed against each other, making Officer Song aware of the inappropriateness. Realizing this, she intended to let go. Unexpectedly, the person still held tightly onto her tie, grasping her arm as well, disying a relentless determination. I went to your office to find you, but you werent there. So, I came here. Tsk tsk, why are you chasing after me and pulling me around? She slightly raised her voice, making it audible to others yet still secretive enough. Song Yuhang had a premonition that someone wasing. She took a deep breath, her tone turning colder. I said, let go. She lowered her voice, each word enunciated clearly, her tightly pursed lips exuding a sense of intimidation. Lin Yan could certainly feel that she was on the verge of losing her temper, but she was used to being shameless and without boundaries. One of her daily pleasures was witnessing people getting angry, especially someone like Song Yuhang, whom she couldnt stand but couldnt eliminate. To see even the slightest crack in that calm and expressionless face brought a smile to her face even in her dreams. I She followed along her arm, getting closer to her, and slightly raised herself on her toes, as if she was wrapping her arms around her neck, gently breathing by her ear, her words flowing like the scent of orchids. Officer Song, why are you getting so angry? A sweet scent of womens perfume filled the air, and the womans tone was perfectly delicate and coquettish. Song Yuhang gently closed her eyes, and she could see the faint twitching of her jaw. Lin Yans lips curved into a charming smile as she leaned in, saying, I wont let go. What can you do about it? The footsteps were getting closer. Before she could enjoy her victory for too long, her smile froze on her face. Apanied by a loud noise, the back of her head forcefully collided with the iron shelf, causing her pain and dizziness, with stars dancing before her eyes. The young officer hurriedly ran over, cing his hand on the holster of his gun, What happened?! Song Yuhang took the documents back from Lin Yans embrace and pulled out a pen from her uniform jacket to sign the papers, her tone casual. Its nothing. Dr. Lin just had a little fall. You can go about your business. Oh The young officer btedly withdrew his hand, still looking concerned as he nced at her, The floor can be slippery here. Dr. Lin, be careful. I Lin Yan held the back of her head, her eyes turning red from the pain. It had been many years since she had experienced physical pain like this, and for a moment, she couldnt quite process it. Song Yuhang interjected at the right moment, cutting her off, Here are the documents. Go put them away. The young officer took the files from her, feeling that something was off about these two. He had seen that Lin Yan took quite a hard hit, but why didnt Captain Song, who was usuallyposed and steady, lend a helping hand? Little did he know that the fall that left Lin Yan in so much pain was actually caused by the push from Captain Song herself. Song Yuhang closed the pen cap and put it in her own jacket pocket, walking alongside the officer as they headed outside. She didnt even nce back once. From now on, dont let just anyone into the file room. Strictly follow the procedures. ess to the files must have the signature of a section-level or higher official. Understand? The young officer stood at attention and saluted, Yes, Captain Song! The section-level or higher officials in the bureau would be the first to be affected, and wasnt she one of them?! It was said that Lin Yans scolding echoed through the entire corridor that afternoon. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Blind Date Feeling bored, so bored! When will a casee my way Lin Yan fidgeted restlessly in her chair, while applying nail polish to her fingers. Duan Cheng turned around from the front desk and said, Sis, what about the injury assessment from yesterday Injury assessments are nothing like real cases. Im a forensic expert, not a doctor. Lin Yan blew on her freshly painted nails, nced at the setting sun, and admired the slender and distinct bones of her fingers. Her fair skin perfectlyplemented the bright red nail polish, and she was quite satisfied. Zheng Chengrui turned around with a greasy face and asked, Then what would be considered a real case? He was originally curious, and Fang Xin couldnt stop his question in time. Sure enough. Serial murders, dismemberment and cannibalism, massacre Only cases of this magnitude can be considered real, right? After she finished speaking, the room fell silent. Several people looked at her without saying a word. Fang Xin clearly had a somewhat disapproving expression, but for some reason, he held back and didnt speak. The atmosphere became noticeably tense. However, Lin Yan never cared about what others thought of her; she actually wished that everyone in the world would consider her a lunatic, a monster, so they would keep their distance from her. The wall clock had just struck six when she suddenly stood up, tossing her uniform onto the chair. Ah, finally liberated! See ya, everyone! She left in a carefree manner, without looking back, unaware that someone was silently biting their tongue behind her. This Lin Yan, alwayste and leaving early, not doing anything all day, and saying such things. Shes simply the worst among public servants. Someone grumbled discontentedly. Just yesterday, I saw her kissing someone at the entrance of the city police bureau. She really treats the bureau like her own doorstep. A tree without bark will undoubtedly die, and a person without shame is invincible in the world. Who let here from a good family background? I studied for three years before getting into the city police bureau, but her, heh As the rumors escted, Song Yuhang stood up quietly, hanging her coat on the hanger. The voices abruptly stopped, and the topic shifted to her. Captain Song, leaving so early today? Yeah, got something to attend to. Just then, Zhang Jinhai walked in with a tea cup. Blind date, right? She replied nonchntly, Yeah. Thats right, Captain Song is already in her thirties. Its time to get married and have kids, setting an example for the younger generation. Otherwise, that next-door detective will keep calling our team a bunch of bachelors. There werent many people in the criminal investigation department, mostly young guys. Besides Zhang Jinhai, who was married and had children, the rest were all single. As a result, Song Yuhang had fewer duty hours and rarely personally handled cases, let alone conduct investigations or interviews. The crowd burst intoughter, but Song Yuhang remained expressionless. She nodded to signal them to make way, took her car keys, and left. ***** As usual, after work, Lin Yan would go for a few drinks. She opened her phone and messaged Lin Ge. At 8 oclock, Randys, shall we meet? The response came quickly, Cant make it, I have ns. Blind date? Lin Ge replied with a bitter expression. Lin Yan teased, Do you want me to go and give you some backup? Forget it, please, just let it be. I still want to have a pleasant dinner. Considering Lin Yans personality, who knows what kind of mischief she might get into. Lin Yan typed a line and then deleted it: Alright then, I wish you sess. There was no response from the other side. Lin Yan tossed her phone aside and leaned back in her seat. The citys lights flowed through her vision, and on the car window, her lonely expression was reflected. The butler turned around and asked, Miss, should we head back? No, just drive around. If she went back home, she would lock herself up in the attic again, relying on alcohol and sleeping pills to get through the days. She was genuinely tired of this kind of life, but she had to pull herself together, living like a madwoman. A sarcastic smile appeared at the corner of Lin Yans lips. The car silently drove on the road, and Lin Yan turned her head, observing the citys original appearance through the colorful lights. Fourteen years of separation. Skyscrapers had risen, and the roads had be much wider. The evening rush hour was crowded with traffic, and traffic lights shed ceaselessly. White-cor workers in suits and leather shoes hurriedly walked with briefcases in hand. Teenagers wearing blue and white school uniforms crossed the road, yfully teasing each other. A girl with a ponytail yfully pulled the braid of the girl in front of her. The two of them yfully started a littlemotion, their smiles even capturing the refreshing scent of early summer breeze. Lin Yans gaze was involuntarily drawn to them. She saw them stop at the entrance of a western restaurant, leaning on the disy window and looking inside. Are you hungry? Yeah, a little. Then lets go eat. Maybe not, this ce is too expensive. For a moment, she couldnt tell if she was looking at the past or the future. When she snapped out of it, she had already gotten off the car and stood at the entrance of the western restaurant. The two kids, seeing someone approaching, quickly disappeared. Lin Yan looked up at the signboard of the restaurant, Nan Chan, a poetic name, and also a long-standing old brand in the city. The store had been renovated, but the quaint signboard was still hanging there. After so many years, it had neither changed its name nor moved. For some reason, a wave of shared loneliness and a hint of relief surged in her heart. She realized that she was not the only one who remembered this city and cherished its old memories. Ill have a medium-rare sirloin, Caesar sd, and the most expensive red wine. Thank you, Lin Yan closed the menu and handed it to the waiter. Miss, what sauce would you like for the steak? ck truffle butter sauce. She almost blurted out unconsciously, but then furrowed her brows suddenly. The waiter noticed her hesitation and thought she might want to change her order, so he quickly rmended something else. Lin Yan opened her mouth but waved him off and let him go. Mr. Lin, this way, please. We have reserved a seat for you. Shall we serve the dishes now? It was peak dining hours, and the restaurant was fully upied. A waiter led Lin Ge to a table. No need, the person Im meeting hasnt arrived yet. Ill wait for her to see the menu and decide what she wants to eat. The voice sounded somewhat familiar, and Lin Yan put down her cutlery and turned her head to take a look. Lin Ge? Lin Yan! The man in a tailored suit lit up as soon as he saw her, quickly walking over and taking a seat opposite her. What a coincidence. It is indeed. After Lin Yan went abroad for studies, the two of them hadnt seen each other again. It had been many years since theyst met, and they had both shed their youthful innocence. She still remembered Lin Ges nickname from back then, Four-Eyed Frog. He used to have a bowl-cut hairstyle, wear thick sses, and would sniffle a bit when he spoke. Even when she bullied him, he would onlyugh good-naturedly. Unlike her, the rebellious girl, Lin Ge was a well-behaved elementary school prodigy. After many years, he did indeed carry the aura of a sessful elite in society. He no longer wore sses, had a short and neat crew cut, and was dressed in a smart little suit with a properly tied tie. Lin Yan smacked her lips twice. Did you go abroad to study or get stic surgery? Get lost, he had just been immersed in the illusion that she had also be more beautiful after all these years, but her remark brought him back to reality. Lin Yan was still the same unpleasant, sharp-tongued Lin Yan. Your cousin, I, am a man of talent, grace, and iparable elegance He spoke with a clear and pleasant voice, and even though his tone was seemingly off, it didnt make people dislike him. As he is Lin Ge, he should be like this, carefree andposed. Lin Yan pretended to retch, then changed the topic again, Stop calling me your cousin. I have no rtion to the Lin family. Then what rtion do you have? Money. You know that very well. Im only close to money. He was at a loss for words, realizing what it truly meant to be someone who only cared about money, regardless of anything else. Lin Yan was indeed very clear about her stance. She was unwilling to go back and inherit the family business, but she was also unwilling to give up the huge wealth of the Lin family. She simultaneously had a firm foothold in both worlds. The phone in her hand buzzed, and Lin Ge looked at his watch, standing up. Alright, I wont waste any more words with you. Have you finished eating? She had only taken a few bites of her steak, but Lin Yan had already lost her appetite. Im about ready to leave. Ill get you another bottle of Lafite. Sit and drink. Since youre here, dont rush to leave. Arent you used to scrutinizing peoples dishes? Help me with that too. My mom said if it doesnt work out this time, shell break my legs. Is scrutinizing peoples dishes apliment? Lin Yan pretended to hit him, but Lin Ge dodged in fear. He called the waiter over to order more, wincing as he watched her order the most expensive wine. Youre so ruthless. Just wait until you get married, Ill see if I dont give you a big bamboo pole! Lin Yan, holding a bottle of wine worth 48,000 yuan, leaned back on the sofa. Maybe in the next life. Lin Ge: I regret it. Can you leave now? Lin Yan took a sip of the wine and raised her ss to him. Its easy to invite a god, but its hard to send one away, Master Lin. ***** At 7:55, Song Yuhang parked the car nearby and walked into the restaurant precisely at 8:01. Lin Ge stood up and waved. Miss Song, over here. Lin Yan frowned slightly next sit when she heard the surname Song. She couldnt help but think of a certain grumpy police officer. She shivered, quickly took a sip of wine to calm herself. The sound of chairs and tables lightly moving as the woman handed back the menu. Thats all, thank you, her voice was pleasant and soothing. But why did it sound more and more familiar? I apologize, my mother tends to be overbearing and caused you trouble Lin Ge smiled, understanding that meeting for coffee in the evening might not be the best choice, so he proactively poured a ss of water for her and ced it by her side. To be honest, my mother is also The mans face seemed somewhat troubled, and they exchanged a knowing smile, understanding each others situation. It seemed that both of them were forced into this situation today. Song Yuhang breathed a slight sigh of relief. Following the established routine, they had already exchanged information about age and upation during their previous meeting. Now, should she ask about hobbies and interests? Song Yuhang searched her mind for words, Mr. Lin, what are your hobbies usually? Not many, I y a bit of bowling, swim, work out, or stay at home reading. How about you, Miss Song? Mixed martial arts, and I read some books as well. Mixed martial arts, that sounds intense. If there were any domestic violence issues in the future, could Lin Ge handle it? Lin Yan silently pondered. Separated by a half-height sofa wall, Lin Yan could feel the palpable awkwardness in the air. Lin Geughed a couple of times and said, What kind of books do you usually read, Miss Song? Maybe we have somemon interests. Song Yuhang hesitated for a moment before answering, Interpretation of Dreams, Crime and Personality, Psychological Profile of Criminals, and some other misceneous books. These were already her non-professional, casual reads, but most people probably hadnt even heard of their names. She intentionally changed the topic, but unexpectedly, Lin Ge still smiled and continued the conversation. No wonder, Miss Song, youre really impressive. Ive only read one book of Freuds original works, Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis. I got so tired halfway through that I couldnt continue reading. Song Yuhang was slightly taken aback. She had been on blind dates before, and every time she mentioned these books, the other person would either look bewildered or disdainful, eager to correct her that women should read books on emotions or parenting. Lin Ge was the first man outside her profession topliment her on being knowledgeable. Is that so? Being able to read halfway through Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis is already very impressive. What a random and messy list of books like Psychological Profile of Criminals. Could this person be a pervert? Lin Yan pricked up her ears, getting curious. The atmosphere gradually became more rxed. Lin Ge opened up and was not a reserved person by nature. Knowing that the other person wasnt here for marriage, he felt much more at ease. Their conversation gradually became natural. Speaking of which, when Auntie Wang came to my ce for dental work, I had no idea she was your mothers friend. Later, you found my moms wallet. Its truly fate. Song Yuhang curved her lips slightly, echoing hisughter, Yes, but as a police officer, I should return anything I find to its rightful owner, regardless of who it belongs to. Lin Yans eyebrows twitched a couple of times. This was just too unromantic! Where did Lin Ge find such a strange person? If it were her, she would definitely go along with the other persons words, and eventually, fate would lead them to the bed. Wait! A police officer- And surnamed Song! Could there be such a coincidence in the world? Lin Yans whole body was covered in goosebumps, and she choked on her drink, coughing loudly. The noise next sit was a bit loud, but Lin Ge remained calm and cut the steak for her, saying, Weve been talking for a while, and you must be hungry. Please, go ahead and eat. Inner thoughts: Lin Yan, what the hell are you doing? Cursed, Lin Yan sneezed again, wiped her nose with a tissue, and with a determined expression, she shakily stood up and climbed onto the sofa seat. While eating, Song Yuhang felt a sense of someone watching her, making her ufortable. She nced up and saw Lin Ge focused on his steak, ruling him out as the observer. Impossible, it cant be him. Frowning slightly, Song Yuhang slowly lifted her head. As Lin Yan crawled inch by inch onto the sofa chair and lowered her head, their eyes met. Song Yuhang remained expressionless and said, Forensic Doctor Lin. Lin Yan let out a thunderous scream, Brother, I disagree with you two being together!!! Lin Ge choked on his wine and nearly spewed it all over his expensive suit. He coughed intensely as if he had contracted tuberculosis. In the meantime, Lin Ge looked at Lin Yan sitting beside him, then turned his gaze to theposed Song Yuhang. You? He mentally typed a question mark, trying to process the situation. Are you after our familys money? Ill give you ten million to leave my brother, and well never meet again, Lin Yan never expected to spout such clichd soap opera lines from her own mouth. Lin Ge opened his mouth to speak: That Lin Yan shot him a fierce nce, prompting him to raise his wine ss and take a sip, effectively sealing his lips with an invisible adhesive tape. Song Yuhang smiled faintly as she observed Lin Yan. While they didnt resemble each other, both exuded a natural sense of nobility that came from being born into a prestigious family. Normally, Song Yuhang would have simply turned and left, but for some reason, she wanted to dete Lin Yans arrogance and make her understand that money couldnt solve everything. Im not interested in your money. I can work and earn a living on my own. I think your brother is a good personthoughtful, gentle, and considerate. Hed make a good husband. Lin Yan couldnt bear it and eximed, You havent seen his other side! In the middle of summer, he doesnt wash his socks or feet and runs around the house recklessly. He even lifted the skirt of our neighbors little girl! Our house is filled with yellow porno PREVIOUSTOCNEXT
Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Female Corpse Lin Yan spoke without hesitation, Pretentious, hypocritical, and annoying to watch. Lin Ge pulled her aside, his face turning serious. What are you talking about? Its one thing to criticize me, but why Lin Yan retorted, If you havent spent time with her, you wouldnt know. Shes two-faced, saying one thing to your face and another behind your back. With your intelligence, if she really marry into the Lin family, shell manipte you like a puppet! Lin Ge was infuriated, but he couldnt raise his hand against her. His face turned red, and he said, Lin Yan, are you done? Nothing has been confirmed yet! I dont know what misunderstanding you have with Miss Song, but its not right to use her in public! Let me tell you this, Lin Yans sharp tongue continued, The Lin family has nothing besides wealth. Oh, wait, theres also me, the irritating little sister-inw. Marriage is a lifelongmitment, so dont regret itter. Song Yuhang shook her head and took another sip of water. I think you might be too confident. I dont dislike you. Huh? Lin Yans brain had a momentary freeze. I dont dislike you. These six words sounded unexpectedly surprisinging from Song Yuhang. However The cold and icy words too confident pped her back to reality. If it werent for her aristocratic upbringing, Lin Yan would have mmed the table and stood up. You, with the surname Song, you better not Before she could finish uttering the words give face and not take it, both of their phones vibrated simultaneously. Lin Yan, who was about to unleash a torrent of curses aimed at the other persons ancestors, was interrupted by the sudden ringtone. She angrily pressed the hang-up button without even looking. The person sitting across from her answered the call and stood up, listening while pulling out a few bills from her wallet and cing them on the table. Sorry, you covered the bill today. If its not enough, Ill transfer the rest to you after Im done with my work. Lin Ge quickly stood up and declined, No, its not necessary. Today, Im the one who should apologize Song Yuhang didnt pay attention to what he was saying at all, her mind filled with the sound of themand centers call, A nameless female corpse has been found in the northwest part of Lianchi Park in our city. The local police station has rushed to the scene. Director Zhao said to inform you Ill be there right away, give me the address. The name of the city kept shing on the screen, and Lin Yan was annoyed as she answered and scolded straight away, Arent you annoying? Its already after work hours, dont you know? Duan Cheng, on the other end of the call, was speechless, No, Lin Jie, something happened, theres a case Lin Yan ced her wine ss on the table, took a couple of steps, and then came back to grab her bag. Lin Ge, Ill take off now. Im treating you to this meal; let the boss put it on my tab. Its not Before Lin Ge could finish his sentence, both of them had already left, one after the other. He sighed deeply, looking at the messy table. What a situation. When she got off the car a moment ago, she had asked the driver to go back first. Now, Lin Yan stood at the intersection, trying to hail a cab during rush hour. It wasnt easy; several taxis passed by, all packed with passengers. She was about to call the driver toe pick her up when a white domestic BYD car stopped in front of her. Song Yuhang rolled down the car window and spoke sparingly, Get in. Lin Yan rolled her eyes and couldnt be bothered to respond. Seeing that she didnt react, Song Yuhang didnt waste any more time. She prepared to shift gears and drive off. Lin Yan nced at the busy traffic at the intersection and hesitated. Fine, unlock the door. As she got into the car, Song Yuhang nced at her, seemingly wanting to say something. Lin Yan sat in the passenger seat and buckled her seatbelt. Just say what you want to say, dont hold it back. Song Yuhang took out the police lights from the armrest box and pressed them on the roof with a snap. She sat back, shifted gears, and elerated, skillfully maneuvering through the crowded traffic with quick turns. Youre quite self-aware. Oh, look at you. You dont want to miss any advantage from being on Team Song. As the sole heir of the prestigious Lins Group, do you really care about a little fuel expense? Of course, even a tiny fly is still meat. I thought Song Yuhang nced at her, but didnt finish her sentence. What did you think? Lin Yan asked, but Song Yuhang just shook her head and opened the cars Bluetooth speaker to focus on listening to the case details. With that, there was no room for Lin Yan to interject further. The case also captured Lin Yans attention, and she even felt a bit eager to get involved. She had already dissected several rats and rabbits for a few days, and her hands were itching with impatience. Seeing her expression, Song Yuhangs face darkened a bit, but she was good at controlling her emotions, so she didnt say anything. She stepped on the gas pedal and drove straight through the narrow gap between tworge trucks, causing Lin Yan to scream in terror. Damn it, Song Yuhang, if you want to die, dont take me with you! Five minutester, at Lianchi Park. Song Yuhang parked the car on the outskirts. The scene was already congested, with shing police lights and a barricade set up. Several police officers from the local police station were maintaining order. She presented her credentials and lifted the police cordon to walk inside, but Lin Yan, who cameter, was stopped in her tracks. Hey, I said Song Yuhang turned back and gently lifted the police cordon for her. This is our citys new forensic doctor, let her in. Several police officers nced at each other before allowing her to pass. No wonder they were hesitant. Lin Yan, dressed in an exquisite dress with high heels, looked like a model straight out of a magazine, a stark contrast to the title forensic doctor. The personnel from the local police station were already busy. One officer was in charge of questioning the witnesses, while another was taking notes. Forensic and technical investigation teams were also present. Song Yuhang nced around briefly, and a middle-aged man with sharp features and a bit of a shrewd look came up to her, offering her a cigarette. Team Song, what wind blew you here? Thanks, but I dont smoke. Lets get to the details of the case. The man chuckled awkwardly and put the cigarette back. Well, it happened around 7 p.m. in the evening. The salvagers from the Municipal Waterway Management were conducting their operations A man in his fifties, wearing a bamboo hat and soaked all over, stood shivering as he recounted the details of the case. Even now, he still seemed haunted by the memory. Its been hottely, and many peoplee to the park to cool off. Theres also a lot of garbage in the waterway. I thought of doing onest salvaging before getting off work and going home. As soon as I paddled the raft to under that bridge over there, I felt like I hit something. Following his fingers direction, Song Yuhang looked over to Lianchi Park, a scenic park with arge lotus pond. In the height of summer, the lotus flowers were in full bloom. The location where the body was found was right below a stone arch bridge. At the time, there must have been a crowd gathered on the bridge. The news of the body being salvaged from the waterway spread like wildfire, along with a few eye-catching, uncensored pictures, circting widely. Within the time of a meal, everyone already knew about it. No wonder Director Feng was so angry and specially called her toe here. I thought someone had dumped construction waste into the water again, and it infuriated me! I used a pole to poke it, thinking it was just something heavy! When I tried to bring it up, it seemed like the raft would tip over. So, I nned to drag it to the bank and call some colleagues to help. I didnt expect that as soon as I got closer, I smelled a strong stench. It was there on the raft, but I didnt pay much attention to it. Its summer, and with so much garbage in the waterway, that smell ismon. But this smell was so nauseating Lin Yan rolled her eyes, thinking to herself: How can the smell of a corpse be the same as garbage? As soon as I touched that stic bag, I felt something was off. It was cold and slippery, but I still bravely dragged it towards the bank. But halfway through, the bag tore open, revealing a foot, and II He trembled and broke into a cold sweat in the hot summer night of over 30 degrees Celsius. If it werent for my good swimming skills, I might have had troubleing up. Do you remember the specific time you discovered the body? The elderly man pondered for a moment and then shook his head in confusion. I dont remember anymore. I just know it was around 7 p.m., but as soon as I got ashore, I immediately called the police. At that time, I checked my phone, and it was around 8:30. Alright, please leave your name and phone number. If we need further assistance, we will contact you for investigation. A police officer handed over a pen and paper, and the old man quickly wrote down his name and a series of numbers. The forensic doctor from the local police station was conducting a preliminary examination of the body, and Lin Yan approached to observe carefully. Duan Cheng held the instruments but didnt take photos. Several uniformed police officers surrounded the body. Lin Yan casually took a photo and asked, Hey, have you found anything? The officer who was addressed, wearing a mask, turned back impatiently, Onlookers, step aside. This is not a ce for you to enter. Lin Yan chuckled, Really? After watching for so long, you still havent figured it out. I The male forensic doctors face turned red, and his voice became louder, The cause of death is drowning, and there are no visible injuries on the body. Its highly likely to be a suicide. Song Yuhang was shocked by his shocking statement, turned her head abruptly, clenched her lips, and her gaze darkened. You tell me, which personmitting suicide would put themselves in a stic bag before jumping into the river? Lin Yan couldnt help but chuckle, Hahaha, Team Song, youre really humorous She wasughing when she saw Song Yuhangs decisive expression, so she closed her mouth. The captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade, who had just offered her a cigarette, approached with acent face. Oh, Team Song, dont be angry. Its just a remark from a neer. We will definitely investigate this case thoroughly. Lin Yan knew the working style of the grassroots Criminal Investigation Brigade. The citys Public Security Bureau sets rigid standards for the annual case clearance rate. If they fail to meet the standard, what can they do? Either work hard on patrolling to prevent the urrence of serious incidents from the source, or take shortcuts by treating criminal cases as public security cases. Especially in cases where they dont know the identity of the victim, they tend to drag and dy, and this is how batches of wrongful cases emerge. But unfortunately for him, he had run into Song Yuhang, who was known for not tolerating any nonsense. Starting from now, the city bureau is taking over this case. Before he could react, Song Yuhang decisively gave the order. Duan Cheng, dont just stand there. Take the criminal photographs and videos. Fang Xin, collect the scene evidence. The rest of you, interview the onlookers again and redo the statements. Forensic Doctor Lin As her gaze fell on Lin Yan, she had already tied up her long hair and put on gloves from the investigation box. With a swift motion, she covered most of her enchanting face with a mask, and her profile looked serious and focused. Song Yuhang lightly pursed her lips and also walked over, squatting down beside her. The stic bag had already been opened, revealing the giant-sized body. The clothing was intact, but most of the skin had begun to peel off, especially on the hands, giving the appearance of wearing ayer of rubber gloves. Lin Yan reached out and touched theyer of corpse oil, the pungent smell entering her nostrils. Without even furrowing her brows, she used a shlight to open the deceaseds eyelids. Conjunctival petechiae1 are visible. Duan Cheng quickly came over to take photographs for documentation. Livor mortis2 is pale and shows a light red color. The shlights beam moved to the mouth and nose of the deceased. Clusters of white cotton-like substances blocked the mouth and nose, known in forensic medicine as foam-like froth. Lin Yan made a decisive judgment, It fits the characteristics of drowning before death. Song Yuhang, wearing gloves, roughly felt the clothes on the body but found nothing that could represent the identity. Fang Xin,e here to extract DNA. Letspare it with the missing persons database. Okay, Team Song, Fang Xin replied as she was extracting suspicious fingerprints from the stic bag. She grabbed the investigation box and rushed over. Song Yuhang looked around at the bustling crowd. The area was spacious with peopleing and going. If someone had disposed of a body here, there should have been witnesses. Whats the time of death, Doctor Forensic Lin? Lin Yan didnt answer her question but asked Duan Cheng to hand her the body thermometer. A long probe was inserted into the deceaseds armpit, and Lin Yan bent down to take a look. Axiry temperature is 25.80C. Duan Cheng, go measure the water temperature. The average temperature in thest week is Duan Cheng went off cheerfully with the thermometer, while Lin Yan was still muttering to herself. She couldnt possibly go digging into her bag with her hands covered in corpse oil. Song Yuhang said, The average temperature is 30C. In forensic medicine, there is aplicated process of reasoning to estimate the time of death based on the appearance of the body, the degree of dposition, and the environmental temperature. However, Lin Yan didnt hesitate too much and spoke up immediately. Estimated time of death is around 3-5 days. For a more urate determination, well need to examine the stomach contents and liver temperature back at theb. When ites to disposing of a body in a ce like this, the estimation of the time of death is influenced by the environment, water depth, location, and other factors. So, dont get your hopes up for precise results. She was very meticulous in her work. Song Yuhang took a step back and gestured to put the body into the body bag first before discussing further. They didnt want the onlookers to have more to gawk at, and tomorrows headlines in Jiangcheng City would already have enough sensational news. After transporting the body to the mortuary, the next step was a vast and meticulous process of investigation and interviews. Lin Yan and Fang Xin took the biological samples back to the police department for further examination. Zheng Chengrui started reviewing the surveince footage. Meanwhile, Song Yuhang strolled around the park alone, at least thats what it seemed on the surface. It was now well past 10 oclock at night, and the heat of summer had dissipated, causing Lianchi Park to gradually be less crowded. Lianchi Park wasntrge, a recent municipal project that was open 24 hours a day without an entrance fee, attracting a significant number of visitors. While this presented challenges for the criminal investigation, it also meant that the difficulty of disposing of a body here was very high. Because the perpetrator would likely be seen by someone. If it were her, she would never choose this ce to dump a body; it was too easily exposed. As long as the police were willing to put in the effort, solving the case was just a matter of time. Song Yuhang leaned on the railing of the stone arch bridge and looked down; not far from there was the spot where the body was discovered. Beside her, a lush reed swayed, now trampled and scattered by the river-cleaning workers and the first batch of police who arrived at the scene. She descended the steps. At first nce of the body, she had a question: it was too clean. In modern times, people always carry their identification, drivers license, wallet, bank cards, and of course, their mobile phones. Especially adult women, aside from those in special professions like hers, most of them would have a few personal belongings on them. Extravagant like Lin Yan, she wore a Rolex watch on her wrist. in like Fang Xin, she might wear an earring or a bracelet. This was human nature, the pursuit of beauty, and few people were exempt from it. Carrying her shlight, Lin Yan waded through waist-deep weeds, trying to find some clues. Most robbers who targeted wealth would take away the victims belongings. But if it was merely a robbery, why would they bother putting the body in a stic bag and disposing of it? Such criminals usually fell into the category of crimes of passion, and whether the victim struggled or called for help, there would always be traces left behind. The possibility of the perpetrator being an acquaintance crossed her mind. But what could be the motive? A big question mark formed in her mind. The dew of thete night dampened her clothes as she looked around with her shlight. This area was rarely visited by people. Most of those who came to admire the flowers would stay on the stone bridge and not venture down. The reed bed where the victim had been found was now ttened in the shape of a body. There were no surveince cameras around, and the low-hanging willow branches created a natural blind spot in the visibility. She crouched down, stepping in the muddy riverbank and putting on her gloves. Inch by inch, she carefully felt around. She firmly believed that there was no perfect crime, nor was there a so-called perfect crime scene. If this was the primary crime scene for disposing of the body, there must be something left behind. Her efforts paid off when her phone rang. While feeling through the half-inch deep mud, Song Yuhang pulled out a ring. She shone her shlight on it; the ring was smooth, likely made of pure silver, with no decorations except for a small letter S engraved on the inside. Song Yuhang ced the ring in an evidence bag and took off her gloves to answer the phone: Hello? Lin Yan cleared her throat, The deceaseds family has been found.
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  1. Conjunctival petechiae are an important diagnostic finding in external examination of forensic cases, being a sign of possible mechanicalpression of the neck and jugr veins (e.g. choking, strangtion)
  2. Livor mortis, also known as post-mortem lividity or post-mortem hypostasis, refers tothe pooling of blood in the lower portion, or dependent parts, of the body after death. This results in a dark purple discoloration of the skin.
Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Anatomy Jiangcheng City Funeral Home. At this moment, it was already past midnight, and two groups of people were still arguing incessantly in the lobby. As soon as Song Yuhang stepped inside, she heard a mournful female voice screaming and cursing loudly, mixed with the sound of shoes scraping the floor and clothes being torn. Her heart tightened, afraid that Lin Yan might have shed with the family members due to the autopsy of the body. She hurriedly ran in. To her surprise, Lin Yan was standing intact against the wall, with her hands covering her ears. Fang Xin and Duan Cheng were trying to mediate, and the two groups of women who had been tearing at each other finally stopped. One of them, who was slightly older, said, I am the childs grandmother, so I should be the one taking care of the child. Dont you agree, youngdy?! Fang Xin: Huh? What nonsense are you talking about! My daughters body is still cold in there. Who knows how she died? Could it be your familys doing! Yaya is my own granddaughter, and she muste with me! What do you mean our doing? Since she married into our family, have we ever treated her poorly, given her less to eat or wear? When she said she didnt want to live with the elderly, we immediately moved out. When she said she didnt want a second child, we respected her choice! Have some conscience when you speak! Who knows what trouble your daughter got into outside, maybe she provoked some scoundrel, and thats what brought disaster upon her. Dont me us for it! Dont be deceived by this olddys age; her fighting spirit is anything but weak as she points at the other person and scolds. Moreover, there were many aunts and uncles behind them, all rushing forward to engage in a war of words and a battle of wits. It was a lively scene, with hair pulling and physical conflicts breaking out among them. The situation escted further. Even Duan Chengs face was scratched with two marks, forcing him to withdraw from the fight. Amidst the center of the storm, a man sat alone on a bench, his eyes reddened, head drooping in silence. In his arms, he held a little girl, about three or four years old, who looked around with innocent and bewildered eyes at everything happening. A sneer formed at the corner of Lin Yans lips as he watched the spectacle, showing no intention of intervening or trying to mediate. The woman started screaming again, rushing up to tear at the man who was sitting in a daze on the chair. Seeing her son being attacked, the mans mother became even more furious. She joined in, grabbing and pulling at the womans legs and hair, while hurling all kinds of filthy words. Dont you dare involve our family! Youre all cursed! My father-inw died early, and I never wanted this marriage in the first ce! Who let my son be so blind to like her! She couldnt even give birth to a boy after so many years of marriage, like a hen that doesnty eggs! Its good that shes dead, a clean death! The woman continued with a series of vulgarnguage mixed with physical punches and kicks. Lin Yan watched and even chuckled. Song Yuhang shook her head, preparing to walk over and intervene. The man scraped himself off the chair, stood up, and clenched his fist, roaring, Stop all this noise!!! For a moment, there was silence in the scene. But once everyone regained their senses, the wailing of the deceaseds family members became even more desperate, and they pounced on him, tearing and hitting him. How dare you shout at me?! How dare you! Pay for my daughters life! Pay for it! Amid the tussle, the little girl who had been sitting on the bench fell to the ground. Nobody paid attention to her, and she opened her mouth, looking nkly as her grandmother pushed her grandfather, and her grandfather pped her father. Unable to endure any longer, she burst into loud crying. Daddy, Daddy, I want Mommy, I want to go home She stumbled and tried to reach for her fathers leg. But the man, unknowingly pushed by someone, staggered, and was about to step on the little girls hand. Song Yuhang quickly picked her up. If you want to keep arguing, go argue with me at the police station! Each one of you will face a public security detention, and no one can escape! The mother of the deceased wanted to say something more but nced at the two stripes on Song Yuhangs uniform shoulder and saw the child crying in her arms. In the end, she held back her words. Only then did tears start to silently flow down her cheeks. Next, they followed the procedures. The family members of the deceased went in one by one to see the deceased for thest time. When they came out, the deceaseds mother almost copsed on the ground, and several police officers had to help her out. Considering the elderly family members physical condition and after roughly understanding the situation, Song Yuhang arranged for them to be sent back home, leaving only the deceaseds husband to give a statement at the police station. ording to Article 131 of the Criminal Procedure Law, we have decided to conduct a judicial autopsy of your wifes body. Please sign here. A Notice of Body Autopsy was ced on the desk and pushed slowly towards him. Lin Yan sat across from her, straightening her back as she observed the man, who was of short stature and rather reticent. You want to find out the truth, dont you? You dont want your wifes death to remain a mystery, do you? Hurry up and sign it. The sooner we perform the autopsy, the closer we get to the truth. With the passage of time, certain characteristics on the body will gradually disappear, which is why she was eager to perform the autopsy. The mans child, unable to stop crying, followed her father to the police station. Song Yuhang had just managed to put the child to sleep when she heard this statement upon entering the neighboring duty room. She responded with a disapproving look. Lin Yan opened her mouth but remained silent, as if asking: Isnt what I said right? Song Yuhang: You can be a bit more subtle. Duan Cheng nudged Zheng Chengrui, Hey, what are they saying? The IT guy lifted his head from theputer, Who? Whos talking? Duan Cheng: No one was talking; they weremunicating through eye contact. Song Yuhang cleared her throat gently, Well, the thing is, during the autopsy process, well be recording everything, as required. And, ording to the regtions, you are allowed to be present What? Lin Yan shot a sharp re, as she had no intention of allowing unrted people to witness her autopsy process. Upon hearing this, the mans lips trembled, his voice hoarse, and his face full of despair, No I cant After managing to utter those two words, his eyes welled up with tears again, Comrade, please, I beg you. He pulled the paper towards him, uncapped the pen, and wrote his name with tears streaming down his face. Lin Yan stretchedzily and stood up, taking the paper to change her clothes in preparation for the autopsy. The forensic autopsy room was well-lit, and the venttion fan started working. Dressed in a white protective suit, Lin Yan was fully armed from head to toe. Expressionless, she took a surgical knife from the tray. Duan Cheng didnt get many opportunities to be on the autopsy table, and he was eager to try. He also picked up a surgical knife in his hand, saying, Let me assist you. Leave the skin cutting and bone incisions to me. What are you doing? Just as he was about to make the incision, Lin Yan grabbed his hand, her tone chilly. My autopsy table is not for others to interfere. Go and handle the video recording equipment. Oh Duan Cheng reluctantly put down the surgical knife and went to the side, silently picking up the camera. Lin He was about to say something but saw her holding the surgical knife vertically against her chest, bowing her head slightly as if observing a moment of silence. Deceased, Ding Xue, autopsymencing on May 17, 2008, at 12:45 AM for the first time. It was the first time he saw something resembling devoutness on Lin Yans face. Unlike performing surgery as a doctor, the autopsy table could be quite gruesome and explicit. With one clean incision from top to bottom on the chest and abdomen, Lin Yans hand was steady. After wiping away the blood that oozed out with a piece of gauze, she casually picked up curved tissue scissors from the tray and skillfully separated the muscles. She made precise cuts along the ribs, swift and precise. The other assisting forensic examiners looked at her with a real sense of seriousness in their eyes. Bone cutter. Without emptying her hand, she requested the instrument. One of the forensic examiners quickly handed it to her. When she cut through the deceaseds ribs, she exerted some force, and Lin Yan slightly tiptoed. Only a few crisp sounds of crack were heard. She ced the blood-stained instrument on a sterile cloth. Come, help me with the bone extraction. Rib by rib, they were removed from the chest cavity and ced on a weighing scale. The camera shed continuously as Duan Cheng took photographs. Lin Yan was providing the data, and a police officer responsible for recording was constantly writing on a whiteboard. The opened chest cavity revealed two visibly inted lungs. Lin Yan gently pressed on them with her fingertips, feeling the depression. Carefully, she used another pair of straight tissue scissors to peel them away. The swollen lungs were eventually sessfully removed, and their weight was approximately twice that of normal lungs. In the airtight environment, even with the air conditioning set to a low temperature, wearing the heavy protective suit of several tens of pounds caused them to be drenched in foul-smelling sweat. Combined with the intense stench of the corpse, it became even more overpowering when all the organs were removed. It smelled worse than rotten eggs, spoiled meat, stinky tofu, and a cesspoolbined. Not only was it nauseating, but it also irritated their eyes. When the pungent odor rushed into their eyes, it caused a sharp pain, and Duan Cheng couldnt help but use the clean part of his shoulder to rub and wipe his eyes, which turned bright red. Furthermore, taking close-up photos near the corpse meant visual and sensory stimtion, and Duan Cheng couldnt hold it back and retched. Lin Yan didnt even lift her head and sliced through the lung tissue with a dirty scalpel. Get out and vomit. Dont contaminate the environment. As she cut open the lung tissue, arge amount of foamy liquid in a reddish color oozed out. Duan Cheng couldnt bear it any longer and threw the equipment away, running out to vomit. Lin Yan remainedposed as she stated the autopsy result, Pulmonary edema. She watched as the police officer responsible for recording wrote it down on the whiteboard. But when her gaze returned to the deceaseds face, her eyebrows furrowed slightly. Pulmonary edema was a vital clue, in other words, it indicated that the person had drowned while still alive, rather than being disposed of in water after death. Could it really be true, as that police officer said, that shemitted suicide by putting a stic bag over her head? She shook her head slightly, dismissing the thought. Meanwhile, Song Yuhang had alsopleted about half of the record. The mans name was Sun Xiangming, 32 years old, an employee at a local bank. He had been married to the deceased, Ding Xue, for seven years, and they had a daughter together. The deceased was 30 years old and worked as a regr teacher at Jiangcheng First High School. Sun Xiangming took out a photo from his phone, tears in his eyes, and handed it to her. This is my wife. The woman in the photo had an ordinary appearance, wearing a simple and elegant checkered sweater. She appeared to be a gentle and intellectual woman. Weve been married for almost ten years, and we rarely argued. Ive never heard her raise her voice at anyone, and we have no grudges with rtives or friends. I cant understand who would harm her Song Yuhang avoided that topic and asked, Tell me about the day your wife went missing. Sun Xiangming thought for a moment, recalling the events of that day. There was nothing unusual. In the morning, she made breakfast, and after I finished eating, I took our daughter, Yaya, to kindergarten. She was getting ready to go to work too. Who usually takes care of the child? Its me, Ive always been the one. She was teaching the graduating ss of high school, so she was quite busy. Song Yuhang gestured to the police officer who was listening to take note of this information. Do you remember what you had for breakfast? Sun Xiangming furrowed his brows and thought for a moment. It seems like it was millet porridge, buns, and steamed buns When did you realize she was missing? At night, at night. When it came to his wifes disappearance, he clearly became somewhat agitated. Though Song Yuhangs gaze seemed gentle and calm, he closely observed every tiny facial expression and subtle movement. Tell me the specific details. After dinner in the evening, I was washing dishes, and she said she wanted to go out. Song Yuhang interrupted him, Around what time? I dont remember, probably around eight or nine. Why did she go out sote? She said there was a little incident at the school, a few kids got into a fight, and she went over to handle it. And then she never came back? Yes, Sun Xiangming licked his lips, and at this point, he was visibly choked up. He lowered his head slightly, and a criminal investigator beside him handed him a tissue. I waited until after ten oclock, and she still hadnt returned, so I called her. Did she answer the call? No. Song Yuhang raised an eyebrow slightly. After I hung up, she sent me a text message, asking me not to worry and to go ahead and put Yaya to bed. Let us see the message. Sun Xiangming quickly took out his phone and showed them the message from his message history. Xiangming, I might be a littleteing back. You go to bed first, dont wait for me. Just an ordinary message, but it might have been thest words left by this female teacher in the world. Sorry, ording to the regtions, we need to temporarily keep your phone for a detailed examination. The man forced a bitter smile, the consecutive blows leaving him looking haggard and worn out. I understand. Now Im also considered a suspect, right? Song Yuhang didnt respond; indeed, that was the case. The police wouldnt overlook anyone with the potential to be involved in the crime, especially close rtives who were often the primary investigative targets. Then what happened next? You didnt make any more calls to inquire? At this point, pain showed on the mans face. No it was it was my fault If I had called her again or gone out to look for her, maybe maybe this wouldnt have happened. What were you doing at that time? Sun Xiangming grabbed his hair, his face filled with shame and regret. I I had worked a long day at the bank, I was exhausted, and then I had to take care of my daughter. My boss assigned me some extra work to do at home. I was working overtime The investigator stopped him from being too hard on himself. It hase to this point, mourn and ept the changes. We will definitely catch the murderer. After calming down for a moment, Sun Xiangming continued, It wasnt until the next morning when the school called to inform that she hadnt shown up for work, I realized something might be wrong. I immediately reported to the police Later, she was dered a missing person by the police, and they collected DNA samples from close rtives. Three dayster, her body was found in Lianchi Park. Shes gone, leaving me and our child behind. How am I supposed to go on The man covered his face with his hands, struggling to hold back his tears in front of the police. Song Yuhang pulled out a tissue and handed it to him. Please ept my condolences. Thank you. The man took the tissue and wiped his tears. I beg you to catch the culprit and bring justice for my wife. Song Yuhang nodded and took out an evidence bag from his pocket. Take a look at this. Is it your wifes? Inside the bag was the ring she had dug out from the mud. As soon as the man saw the ring, his eyes lit up instantly, Yes its my wifes its our wedding ring she never took it off. He instinctively reached out to touch it, but Song Yuhang pulled it back, Im sorry, I cant return it to you yet. On the day the case is closed, all your wifes belongings will be returned to you. She emphasized the words belongings and returned, but the man didnt show any special emotional response. His gaze seemed vacant and hollow as he nodded in cooperation with the polices questioning. Having encountered many people who lost their loved ones overnight, she found Sun Xiangmings behavior quite normal. At least, thats how it seemed for now. Just as dawn was breaking, the criminal investigation officers, who had stayed up all night watching surveince footage, could no longer hold on and slumped on their desks for a short rest. Snoring filled the office. Song Yuhang opened a box of instant noodles, sat at her desk facing the whiteboard, where she had just organized the clues. Centered around the deceased Ding Xue, several arrows radiated outwards. Was it a crime of passion, a murder for money, or a revenge killing? Crime of passion, so far, Sun Xiangming appears to be normal, but suspicion cannot be ruled out, further investigation is needed. Murder for money, currently the most likely possibility. This type of perpetrator is likely to sell the stolen items in the second-hand market or flea markets. Further investigation is required. Revenge killing, most premeditated revenge killers tend to be more brutal, but Ding Xues case is an exception. There were no signs of external violence, and no evidence of sexual assault. This possibility is still uncertain, and it requires further interviews with the deceaseds acquaintances. By the way, autopsy results may provide new clues, so Ill check with Lin Yan. Song Yuhang quickly finished the instant noodles and decided to go to the technical investigation department. Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Doubt Cloud Four hours have passed, and the autopsy hase to an end. Lin Yan put down the surgical knife, and her back was already soaked: Its done, all the samples have been collected, right? An assistant forensic examiner nodded, Yes, they will be sent to theboratory shortly. What about the documentation? She looked at Duan Cheng, who patted his own camera, No problem, its all here. She nodded slightly in acknowledgement, then turned around and took off her gloves, throwing them into the medical waste bin. In that moment of bowing her head, she seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. From his perspective, Lin Yans profile was unnaturally pale under the harsh light. Seeing her unmoving, Duan Cheng asked, Forensic Doctor Lin? Lin Yan turned her head and continued, Take samples of the deceaseds lung, myocardium, liver tissue, and bone marrow fluid for diatom examination1. Fang Xin looked troubled, For diatom examination, well have to send it to the provincial headquarters. How long will it take to get the results? Probably about two days or so. Lin Yan took a deep breath, restraining the urge to curse, I could have done this simple diatom examination back in my sophomore year. Yet you still have to send it to the provincial headquarters. Why not just send it to the central headquarters?'' To be honest, the forensic department has limited funding and a shortage of manpower. When we had a high number of cases before, we even outsourced the autopsies to third-party institutions. Its not that we cant do it, but Another forensic examiner chimed in. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow, In the end, its all about money, isnt it? Easily solvable. Ill go to sleep now; you guys clean this up. She nodded her chin, stretchedzily, and walked away with an air of arrogance. Quickly disposing of the clothing tainted with the stench of the corpse, Lin Yan stepped into the shower. The water temperature was chilly, and when the water jet hit her head and body, she shivered. Leaning against the wall, she slowly regted her breathing. After five minutes, Lin Yan came out, towel-drying her hair. She took out an expensive perfume from the storage cab and sprayed it on herself as if it were free, covering any lingering faint odor of decay. Finally, she let out a sigh of relief and grabbed a box of chewing gum from the cab. Opening the lid, she poured two pills into her palm but suddenly heard a faint sound at the door. She turned around to find Song Yuhang standing quietly in the darkness, watching her. The light in the dressing room was dim, and Lin Yan smiled, Is there something you need? She closed the cab door, towel-dried her hair, and started to leave. As she did so, she handed the bottle to her, Chewing gum, it helps to stay alert. Want two pieces? Song Yuhang made way for her, No, I came to ask about the autopsy results. Lin Yan halted her steps and yawned, Sister, could you please check the time? Can the police just keep people working endlessly? As she said this, she turned her head, revealing a makeup-free, naturally beautiful face with excessively fair skin. The dark circles under her eyes were evident due to staying upte. Song Yuhang checked her watch, Its now 5:30 in the morning. Ill give you one hour of rest time, be ready for the meeting at 6:30 sharp. Lin Yans feet slipped, and she gritted her teeth, May I ask, are you even human? Song Yuhang smiled slyly, No, Im not. Lin Yan nodded in agreement, I can tell. No wonder youre still single in your thirties. I suggest you stop causing trouble for my brother. Its better for everyone if you stay single. What does being single or not have to do with anything? Are two people together always happy? She shook her head gently, seemingly disagreeing with that viewpoint. Lin Yan instinctively retorted, Of course being with someone is better than being alone. At least theres someone to listen to you, even if its about insignificant things. But Lin Yan was such a person. She feared loneliness, afraid of waking up in an empty room at midnight. She feared dreaming of Chu Nan, and even more afraid of not dreaming of her. She needed someone to listen to her talk about insignificant things. Even if that person only loved her body or her money, it didnt matter because, besides money, there was nothing else she could afford to give. As for happiness, what was that? Since her eighteenth birthday, she had not genuinelyughed from the depths of her heart. Engaging with others, the most taboo is to share shallow words but deep thoughts. Lin Yan snapped back to reality and smiled self-deprecatingly, Theres no need to tell someone as old-fashioned and rigid as Song Yuhang about these things. She walked away, and heard the person behind her softly respond, I may not know if it makes you happy or not, but if its not something you truly love, its hard to persist for over ten years. Without genuine respect, its impossible to achieve excellence. I may not be anything special, but at least I am a police officer. Solving cases is my duty. Lin Yan sneered and stopped responding, her thin figure disappearing into the long corridor. To an outsider, this conversation might seem enigmatic, but two intelligent individuals need not say much to understand each other. Song Yuhangs gaze shifted to the autopsy room just a wall away. Perhaps she didnt know, but she had also watched the video of the autopsy process. In that moment of silent mourning, her expression was really unlike Lin Yan. Back in her office, Lin Yan found the two candies already melted, and the thin sugar coating felt ufortable in her hand. She stuffed them into her mouth, taking a big gulp of bottled water, and theny back in her chair for a moment before taking out her phone to make a call. Hello? Its me, Lin Yan. I need ten centrifuges Yes Have them delivered to the Municipal Public Security Bureau after dawn. Director Lin, this the time is too tight Lin Yan sneered coldly, If it cant be delivered before the next quarters financing No, no, no Director Lin, lets talk about it. Lin Yan hung up the phone with a snap and then her gaze fell back on the chewing gum bottle on the table. After a moment of contemtion, she decided to pick it up and put it inside a drawer. An hourter, Lin Yan was awakened by the rapid tapping of the keyboard. She sat up, rubbing her eyes, and her uniform jacket slipped off her body. She ruffled her hair, trying to catch the falling jacket, but couldnt remember if she had covered herself with itst night. Her memory seemed fragmented. Zheng Chengrui noticed that she was awake and hurriedly came over, offering her freshly steamed buns, fried dough sticks, soy milk, and a just-cooked egg. Forensic Doctor Lin, youre awake. Eat up, after Team Leader Song finishes, shell call us for a meeting. Her stomach rumbled timely. Impatiently, Lin Yan waved her hand, I know, go away. You being around makes it hard for me to eat. Alright, alright, enjoy your meal. The chubby person seemed ustomed to being ordered around by others, and his temperament was unusually amodating in front of Lin Yan. If its not enough, I still have more. Lin Yan opened the stic bag, took a tissue, rolled it into a small ball, and took a small bite. She frowned and then spat it all out, throwing the rest into the trash bin. Is this meant for humans to eat? Looks like pig feed to me. The chubby persons face turned red, This this is the cafeteria food Everyone in the room looked over, and Lin Yan leaned back in her chair, a mocking smile ying at the corner of her lips. Only you guys can stomach this. Some peoples faces showed a hint of anger, but they were pulled away by theirpanions, and others also got up from their seats. Lets go, its time for the meeting. Once everyone had left, Lin Yan leaned back in her chair and called for a food delivery. While waiting for the delivery, she went to wash her face and rinse her mouth. When she returned to her seat, Cantonese-style dim sum was already ced on her table. Three servings of dim sum, two steamed dishes, and two bowls of congee; this was not an ordinary food delivery but a nutritious breakfast prepared by the Lin familys chef. She meticulously prepared all three meals of the day, aiming for a bnced and not overly high-calorie diet. As a result, she rarely indulged in outside junk food, let alone street food like buns. However, she knew she couldnt finish so much food. Like a cat, she tasted a little of each, feeling satisfied, and then discarded the rest into the trash bin. She dabbed her mouth with a tissue before leisurely making her way to the forensic examination room. Wheres Forensic Doctor Lin? Song Yuhang swept her gaze around the room, and there was an empty seat at the forensic department. Here shees. Under everyones watchful eyes, the esteemed forensic doctor Lin arrived, wearing slippers, and strolling in tardily. Her curly hair was let loose, and she was still wearing the tank top she changed intost night after washing up. The ck tight-fitting top perfectly outlined her figure, entuating her generous curves that were about to burst out. Below, she wore loose-fitting, short sport pants in the same color, showing off her long legs and slim waist, captivating everyones attention. Beautiful indeed, Lin Yan stood out as aplete anomaly among the crowd of people dressed in neatly buttoned uniforms. Fang Xin nced at her, then at herself, feeling ashamed and lowering her head. From the moment she entered, Duan Chengs eyes had been glued to her, and it was evident what he was thinking without even having to ponder. As for Zheng Chengrui, he wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth. Song Yuhangs lips pressed into a straight line. Zhang Jinhai spoke up at the right moment, breaking the silence, Alright, everyone is here. Lets discuss the case. The deceased is Ding Xue, thirty years old, an English teacher at Jiangcheng First High School. She went missing from her home on the evening of May 14, 2008, between 8:00 and 10:00. At 10:23, she sent a text message to her husband, Sun Xiangming, the contents of which are as follows. The printed text was erged on the PPT. Sitting across from Zhang Jinhai, Song Yuhang turned her pen in her hand, We havent found the deceaseds personal belongings, so we cant confirm whether the text message was sent by the killer or the victim herself. There is a high possibility that she had already been killed at that time. As she finished speaking, Lin Yan leaned back in her chair, supporting her head with her hand, feeling drowsy, and let out a yawn. Its impossible. Based on the corpses condition, rigor mortis, liver temperature, and aprehensive analysis of the environmental climate, the estimated time of death should have been between 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM three days ago. Zhang Jinhai considered for a moment, How is the surveince investigation going? Zheng Chengrui stood up hesitantly, Still looking We havent found any suspicious individuals entering or leaving the park. Lets assume the killer was after her valuables. After she sent that message, the perpetrator might have robbed her and then pushed her into the water. Suggested one of the investigators. So, the key to solving the case lies in the victims phone. ording to the victims husband, she had an iPhone worth over 4,000 yuan with her when she left on the day she went missing. She also carried cash and bank cards in her handbag. We have already monitored all the ounts under the victims name. If anyone withdraws money, the nearby police stations colleagues will rush over immediately. Song Yuhang nodded, Send people to the major second-hand markets in Jiangcheng City, especially the used mobile phone markets. If theres anything suspicious, bring them in for questioning right away. Lin Yan stretchedzily, as if the discussion was happening without any rtion to herself, and yawnedzily. By the way, have you considered that Lianhua Pond might not be the first crime scene? Of course, weve already considered it. Why else would we conduct surveince and investigations? one investigator chimed in. Lin Yan stood up and took out a USB sh drive from her pocket. She directly brought theputer over and inserted the USB, sliding the mouse a few times. Several images appeared on therge screen. These were found during the autopsy. The blood in the right ventricle of the victims heart is significantly diluted, with lower blood viscosity, density, hemoglobin levels, and red blood cell countpared to the left side. This is highly unusual in forensic medicine because such indicators are not expected in cases of drowning in freshwater. Zhang Jinhai almost spat out the water he was drinking, Wha what does that mean? Are you saying she drowned in seawater? Although Jiangcheng City is the closest coastal city in the province, the nearest seaside park is still over two hundred kilometers away from the city center. ording to Sun Xiangmings ount, Ding Xue left home around 8 or 9 PM and died between 11 PM and 1 AM the next morning. This timeframe doesnt allow for a round trip to the seaside park. Even if the perpetrator rushed to drown the victim in seawater and hurried back to dispose of the body, it would be risky. What if they encountered a police checkpoint on the highway? It would be like walking into a trap. A sense of silence enveloped the room as everyone scratched their heads, feeling somewhat frustrated. They had spent the whole night, yet their efforts yielded no results, making the case even more intricate andplex. Lets send the samples for diatom testing to the provincialboratory. If we can determine the specific water body where the victim died, it will greatly assist our investigation. No matter the situation, Song Yuhang always spoke with seriousness andposure. Lin Yan leaned restlessly in her chair, shifting back and forth. Her seat was next to Song Yuhangs, and she inadvertently leaned in,ing in close proximity to her. A sweet feminine fragrance wafted into her nose. She instinctively moved away, avoiding the physical contact, but she couldnt escape Song Yuhangs shining eyes, which seemed to carry a hint of an attempt to take credit. Why bother sending it to the provincialboratory? I can handle it myself, Lin Yan nced at her watch. Hmm, the equipment I ordered should be arriving soon. The underlying implication was clear: If I crack the case, you better thank me properly, Team Leader Song. Song Yuhang remained expressionless, as if she hadnt heard anything, and turned her face away. Alright, for now, lets do it that way. Well split into three teams. One group will investigate the second-hand market, another will go to the victims home, and Ill go to Jiangcheng City First High School to gather information. Jiangcheng City First High School. When Lin Yan heard the name, she silently repeated it in her mind and then extended her hand, saying, Im going too.
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  1. The diatoms test isbased on the principle that diatoms can be detected in the organs of drowned victims if they aspirated diatom-rich water into the lung before death. Diatoms are unicellr, photosynthetic and autotrophic organisms that live both in fresh water and saltwater.
Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Student Isnt it that youre not interested in solving the case? Song Yuhang, tilting her head, fastened her seatbelt while Lin Yan also opened the car door and got in. She had beautiful eyes, and when she smiled, there was a hint of yfulness in the arch of her eyebrows. But I am interested in Captain Song. Wherever you go, Ill follow~ Song Yuhang shifted gears and started driving, seemingly not taking her yful words to heart. Oh, I thought Dr. Lin was only interested in money and men. Lin Yan shook her head. Despite being born into a prominent family, she asionally showed a touch of charm from thenes and alleys of themon people. Not at all, not at all. I appreciate all beautiful things, regardless of gender. As the car drove a short distance, they encountered the morning rush hour and got stuck at a crossroads. Lin Yan propped up her head and counted the traffic lights subconsciously, then said, Turn left and take the Longcheng Road. Theres a small path that goes directly to Jiangcheng No. 1 High School. Song Yuhang nced at her without changing her expression. That road was sealed offst year during the street renovation. Oh, I see, she adjusted her posture to get morefortable and closed her eyes slightly to rest. In doing so, she missed the sharp glint in Song Yuhangs eyes as they flickered by. Just after finishing the morning self-study session, the campus was bustling with vitality. It was the height of summer, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the camphor trees, creating mottled patterns of light and shadow. Young boys and girls, dressed in blue and white uniforms, walked together side by side, some reciting vocabry on the corridors, while others ran and yed around in groups. Hey, what should we eat for lunch? Theres a new Yunnan rice noodle stall just outside the school gate. Shall we give it a try? Sounds good! I want the spicy and fragrant vor! Seriously? We just had breakfast, and youre already thinking about lunch? Haha, isnt it like someone eagerly waiting for the bell to ring during ss just to be excited about the end of the ss? Hey, dare you talk about me! Stop right there! Hahahaha! A refreshing breeze rushed past her, and someone bumped into her shoulder. In a daze, she heard someone calling Lin Yan in her ear. She turned her head abruptly, thinking she might see the person she had been longing for, but instead, she saw Song Yuhang standing at the end of the corridor. She wore a simple white shirt, with the sleeves slightly rolled up, revealing her fair wrists. Her ck trousers were neatly pressed, and the sunlight cast a sharp silhouette on her. Over here. The somewhat intimate Lin Yan calling seemed to be just her vague illusion. Lin Yan collected herself and caught up with Song Yuhang. Hello, officer, Song Yuhang presented her police identification card. Id like to know more about Ding Xue, what kind of person she is. They were received by the senior head teacher of the third grade, a middle-aged man with thinning hair. As soon as he heard the name, he began to sigh and invited them to sit on the sofa. Shes a really good person. Although shes young, shes considered one of the teaching backbones in our No. 1 High School. If she doesnt get into trouble, she will probably be the head of the teaching department in a couple of years. Her future is boundless. What is her usual personality like, and is there any conflict with students, parents, or colleagues? Conflict? He paused for a moment, then sighed with a bitter smile, If you talk about conflicts, which teacher doesnt have some conflicts with students, parents, or colleagues? Most of them are just due to being strict or having different educational philosophies. These things can be understood. But if someone resorts to murder over such issues, thats just Lin Yan chuckled coldly, Haha, Ive even seen someone brutally stab another person multiple times on the street over a measly sum of money. Every stab hit a vital spot. I spent quite a while just stitching up the corpse. This The senior head teacher was taken aback, clearly at a loss for words in the face of such brutal realities. Song Yuhang didnt pay any attention to Lin Yan and continued to ask, On the evening of the incident, which was Friday around eight or nine oclock, the victims husband said that she received a call from the school, informing her about a fight between some students and that they needed her toe and handle it. Is this information true? The senior head teacher put on his reading sses and checked his phone before passing it to them. Its true, its true. The call was made by me. Song Yuhang noted down the time of the call on the paper: 9:10 PM,sted for about thirty seconds. Could you please tell us in detail about the situation on that day? Sure, sure. The man sat on the sofa and took a sip of tea before slowly recalling the events. Youre lying! Stop making things up! Teacher Ding is not that kind of person! A thin and frail boy, wearing dirty school uniform and with short-cropped hair, clenched his fist and got up from the ground. He threw a punch towards the person who was talking. The other side had more people, and after the surprise attack, he was quickly overwhelmed and thrown to the ground. A group of people started punching and kicking him. The boy protected his head with his hands and gritted his teeth, enduring the blows without making a sound. It was only when a stern shout echoed from the end of the corridor. What are you doing?! Stop it now! The crowd dispersed like frightened animals, and Ding Xue ran over to help the boy who was lying on the ground. Are you okay? Did they attack you again? Didnt we just involve the parentsst time? Ill go find Teacher Ding, the young boy stopped her. In the darkness of the night, his eyes were pitch-ck, and there seemed to be a hint of glistening moisture. He wiped the blood from the corner of his lips and managed to force a smile. Im fine. Its toote for you to bothering here. Its not a bother. As your homeroom teacher, its my responsibility to protect you, she said, taking out a tissue from her pocket and handing it to him, wanting to help him up. The boy hesitated and politely declined her touch, taking the tissue himself. He held onto it but remained silent, as if contemting something. Whats wrong, Xiao Zhou? He seemed to have made up his mind and raised his head, saying, Youve been exceptionally kind to me during my three years in high school. If it werent for you, I might not have been able to go to school. Now, I still dont know where to work. You said were friends, so as a friend, can you tell me about you Before he could finish his sentence, footsteps were heard from behind. The senior head teacher and the vice principal appeared in the corridor. Teacher Ding, is everything okay? Ding Xue turned around and helped the male student up from the ground. Everythings fine. Those kids just started a fight again. Tomorrow, Ill have to call their parents to the school for a serious talk. The male student fell silent when he saw others approaching. Thank you, teacher. Then Ill go back to the dormitory to rest. Alright, Ill walk you back, Ding Xue offered as she noticed he was still limping a little. Teacher Ding, are you okay? The vice principal noticed that she didnt look well. There was a thinyer of sweat on her forehead, and her cor was damp. If youre feeling unwell, we can arrange for you to take a break. This exchange was a disy of concern from the superior towards their colleague. However, for some reason, Ding Xues gaze evaded for a moment. Its nothing. It was raining when I came here, and even though I had an umbre, I still got wet. She held a folded umbre in one hand, and after speaking, she covered her mouth and coughed a few times. She genuinely looked like she had caught a cold. The senior head teacher snapped back to reality and ced the teacup on the table. This was thest time I saw her like that. I I Both of them spoke simultaneously, and Lin Yan paused before continuing, You go ahead. Song Yuhang picked up the thread, Can we meet that child? Sure, sure, no problem. Let me make a call, he hesitated for a moment, then got up and went to the window to make the call. After hanging up the phone, he walked back with a slight frown. The substitute teacher said he didnte to school today. He took a day off. Song Yuhang immediately asked for the students home address. While the senior head teacher searched for the information in the student roster, Lin Yan stepped outside to take a breath. Back in school, she used to want to smoke but couldnt. Now, she had no inhibitions. She took out a cigarette from the pack, ced it between her lips, and lit it with a snap of her lighter. Passing students looked at her curiously, and Lin Yan even blew out a smoke ring, raising an eyebrow and giving a seductive look. A bold student approached and said, Sis, can I have a puff too? She nced at him with a teasing gaze. He had greasy hair and a powdered face, with a gold chain hanging around his neck, and his school uniform was unzipped. Clearly, he wasnt a good student. Most importantly, that chain was made of pure gold. Lin Yan slightly curved her lips and handed the cigarette to the boy, who cleverly took a puff. Interesting. Which ss are you in, little brother? The cigarette was of good quality, and it carried the fragrance of a womans lips and teeth. The boy took two deep drags and said, Im in ss 36 of Grade 12. Can I get your contact information, sis? She nced at his name tag on the school uniform, and a curious expression crossed her face. ss 16, huh? I heard that the female teacher who recently passed away was As she mentioned that, the boy, with the cigarette between his fingers, froze for a moment and then took a big drag, saying, She was our homeroom teacher. Its a pity. I read in the newspaper that she was an excellent teacher, Lin Yan smoothly took over the conversation, smacking her lips. Unexpectedly, the boy snorted, A pity? Not really He seemed to realize he had said something inappropriate and abruptly stopped himself. Suspiciously, he scrutinized Lin Yan from head to toe. Wait a minute. During ss hours, its closed management here. Who are you, and how did you get in? This kid was quite vignt. Lin Yan smiled charmingly, intentionally throwing a seductive nce. Internally, she was seething with frustration. Little did she know, the boy suddenly pped his thigh and eximed, Oh, I got it! Youre a journalist! Many reporters have beening to our schooltely for interviews. Cough Lin Yan choked on her own saliva, trying to y along, Yes, yes, yes, Im a journalist. She nodded, pretending to be eager for gossip, So you know all the inside information, like who are her close friends among the staff, who had conflicts with her, and which students she had good or bad rtionships with, or even details about her marriage. Please share everything with me. Her lie barelysted for a minute as the school bell rang. The boy quickly finished the cigarette and pressed it against the railing. He turned and rushed towards the ssroom but not before turning back and blowing a kiss. Thanks for the cigarette, beautiful sister. See you next time! Ah, ssmate! Lin Yan stomped her foot, damn it, the school bell couldnt havee at a worse time. Before she could say anything, she saw the boy nearly bump into someone at the ssroom door. He quickly steadied himself and bowed, Hello, Teacher Li. Lin Yans gaze followed his and saw a person dressed in a ck suit with a uniform skirt. She wore a pair of rimless sses that made her look like a typical teacher character from a TV drama. Song Yuhang emerged from the office and said, Lets go, Reporter Lin. As Song Yuhang walked away, Lin Yan secretly raised her middle finger at her retreating figure. Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Argument Please have a seat,rades from the police. The house is a bit messy these days and I havent had a chance to tidy up The man opened the door for them, guiding them into the house while picking up scattered sofa cushions from the floor, looking somewhat embarrassed. Sun Xiangmings young daughter, Sun Ya, sat by the window quietly ying with y. Upon seeing the neers, she only nced at them briefly before lowering her head again to shape the y piece by piece. The Sun familys home wasntrge, a two-bedroom apartment with a living room. Theyout was well-designed, allowing for good venttion from both the north and south directions. The furnishings were simple, with a mess of clothes strewn about. Empty takeout containers were left on the table. The flowers in the entrance had withered, emitting an aura of decadence and listlessness, much like the atmosphere of the house itself. What would you like to drink? He opened the fridge and found it empty, then walked to the kitchen to prepare some hot water. Fang Xin quickly intervened, saying, No need, dont trouble yourself. Were just here to take a look and understand the situation before leaving. Oh, this is our bedroom, and over there is my wifes study Sun Xiangming pushed open the bedroom door. Unlike the disorder in the absent housewifes room and the living room, the bedroom was in disarray. There was a small bed next to therge one, likely where the child slept. Clothes from the dirtyundry basket had spilled out onto the floor. Sun Xiangming forced a bitter smile and his eyes reddened again. Forgive the mess. Normally, she takes care of these things. Now Im busy with work and looking after the child, its really Fang Xin and the two police officers nced around briefly and didnt find anything suspicious, especially when he mentioned Ding Xue. His demeanor wasnt excessively mournful, and they could detect genuine emotions from his bodynguage, eye expressions, and subtle facial cues. Those who worked in criminal investigation were astute individuals. A quick assessment gave them an idea, so they retreated and walked towards the adjacent study. Theputer was still on, and a number of books were lined up on the nearby bookshelf, covering topics ranging from finance to education. Fang Xin casually pulled out a book from the shelf, titled Educational Psychology. She lightly brushed off the dust from its cover, flipped through a few pages, and then ced it back. Zheng Chengruis attention was drawn to theputer. Can we check this? Sure, please go ahead, Sun Xiangming walked over and entered the password, indicating that they were free to use it. Zheng Chengrui opened hisptop and began to tinker with theputer. Who usually uses thisputer? I, and my wife, both use it. I oftene back to work overtime after finishing work, and sometimes she prepares lessons on it. Theputer desktop disyed a family photo of three, with the little girl nestled between her father and mother, holding a spoon and smiling brightly. Fang Xin stared at the photo for a moment, feeling the impermanence of life. In the blink of an eye, a once happy family of three had fallen apart. Just then, she suddenly sensed a gaze upon herself. Swiftly turning her head, she saw a young girl standing in the shadow of the doorway. With a cry, the girl rushed over and embraced Sun Xiangmings leg. Daddy, mommy I want mommy Sun Xiangming became flustered, handing her tissues to wipe her tears and lifting her into his arms to console her. Perhaps his awkwardforting was hurting the little girl, for she cried even louder, repeatedly crying out for her mother. Sorry for the interruption, with the room crowded, the man had no choice but to carry the child outside and sit on the sofa, patiently soothing her. Fang Xin peered through the doorway and saw him handing a toy to Sun Ya. As he interacted with his daughter, a rare hint of a strained smile appeared on his face. Losing a mother in childhood, and a wife in middle age it was a sorrowful sight to behold. How is their marital rtionship? Another team of investigators arrived at Sun Xiangmings mother-inws house to gather information. The elderly woman was alone in the quiet house, with two portraits disyed on the ancestral altar. One was of her deceased husband, while the other was of the deceased Ding Xue. As she spoke, she began to wipe away tears. me it all on me I shouldnt have married Little Xue to him in the first ce The investigators exchanged a nce, their expressions growing more serious. Please tell us in detail, truthfully. Just state the facts as youve seen them, without exaggeration. The elderly woman choked back her emotions for a moment before reluctantly speaking, I dont live with them, so Im not entirely sure about their day-to-day interactions. But when they visited during holidays, they seemed fine. asionally, theyd have small disagreements Did they ever fight? Physically, I mean. The elderly woman pondered for a moment. No, not really. Even if that cowardly grandson had a hundred times more courage, he wouldnt darey a finger on my daughter. As she continued, her tone became more impassioned. What do you mean by that? It was Sun Xiangming who actively pursued my daughter The elderly woman heaved a sigh when she reached this point, her eyes reddening as she looked at the portraits on the table. He pursued her for quite a while, a year or two maybe, before my daughter agreed. He was just a junior employee, hailing from a rural family with no retirement pension for his parents. Their family situation wasnt very good. When they got married, we didnt ask for a dowry from his family. In fact, we even provided a significant dowry to them. We just wanted him to treat my daughter well. After all, my husband passed away early, and shes my only daughter. After the elderly woman finished speaking, she began to cry again, grabbing hold of the investigators hand and seemingly preparing to kneel before them. I beg you, please catch the murderer and bring justice for my daughter. ***** Looking for the principal? Shes not here at the moment, shes on substitute teaching duty. Youll have to wait a bit, a staff member set down two cups of tap water in front of them and then went off to attend to their own tasks. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow, Even as a principal, she still needs to do substitute teaching? Of course. Our Jiangcheng First High School is a prestigious institution. From top to bottom, everyone needs to meet certain standards in their professional abilities. Even the principal, apart from administrative duties, has to allocate time for teaching. Especially with the college entrance exams approaching and this incident urring, its not easy to find good teachers at such short notice Speaking of this, the staff members expression grew somewhat troubled. With the college entrance exams followed immediately by the autumn enrollment, the recent tumultuous news could indeed have some impact. After the people left, Lin Yan took a sip of tap water, but the peculiar taste of the stic cup made her put it down again. She poked Song Yuhangs arm. Hey, what do you think? We dont discuss the case outside the Public Security Bureau. Song Yuhang flipped through the magazines and journals on the table, her expression devoid of emotion. Is it so hard for you to say a few more words to me each time? It is, she turned a page in the campus magazine, Im afraid Ill make you mad. Lin Yan picked up the water ss from the table, as if she was about to throw it, when the door was gently pushed open. A woman entered, holding teaching materials against her chest. She appeared to be around forty years old, maintaining a graceful figure. A faint smile graced her lips, and she paused for a moment in surprise upon seeing someone in the office. It was none other than Ms. Li, the teacher Lin Yan had just seen in the corridor. The staff member quickly interjected, These two are police officers from the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau, here to understand the case. The woman finally regained herposure and stepped forward to shake hands. Hello, Im Li Shiping, Vice Principal of Jiangcheng City First High School. Song Yuhang, looking at the hand extended towards her with a smile, also shook it. Deputy Team Leader of the Criminal Investigation Division at the Municipal Public Security Bureau, Song Yuhang. Hello, Deputy Song. And this is? Her gaze shifted, and due to her longstanding role in education, the woman exuded an indescribably gentle and refined demeanor. The forensic expert, Lin Yan, but lets skip the handshake. Dealing with corpses all year round brings bad luck. Lin Yan casually remarked. Li Shipings face stiffened momentarily, but she managed to maintain a smile and invited them to take a seat. Meanwhile, Song Yuhang was on the other side, gathering information. The questions were repetitive, which made her impatient. She stood up and looked around. The office wasnt spacious, furnished with wooden desks and chairs, along with a leather sofa. She touched the desk and gave it a light tapit was indeed made of redwood. Several books were ced on the nearby bookshelf, mostly rted to education, with a few English originals mixed in. They looked quite schrly. She pulled out a school magazine from her bag, flipped through it, and caught Li Shipings gaze. She quickly stuffed it back, then went on to y with the globe on the persons desk, spinning it vigorously. Seemingly absorbed in her actions, she showed no signs of tiring. Unexpectedly, a forceful move sent the globe flying off the desk,nding by Song Yuhangs feet. Song Yuhang, usuallyposed, tightened her throat. Perhaps bringing Lin Yan along wasnt such a good idea. Sorry, my apologies. Please continue, she chuckled, walking over to pick up the globe and cing it back onto its stand. As she lifted her gaze, it coincidentally fell upon an old photograph disyed in a cab window. It was a group photo of the school staff, with the deceased Ding Xue standing in the upper right corner, smiling as she looked at them. This was thest time I saw her She paused after speaking, her gaze lowered slightly, seemingly unable to continue. How could something like this happen Song Yuhang closed her notebook, Thank you for your cooperation. If necessary, please continue to assist us in the investigation. We also n to visit your school principal. May I ask Li Shiping lifted her tea and took a sip, Im sorry, Principal Ge is currently not in Jiangcheng City. He went to the provincial capital for a business trip and a meetingst Friday. When he returns, I will contact you as soon as possible. Song Yuhang stood up, Alright, we wont disturb you any longer. Li Shiping also got up to see them off, Its okay, cooperating with the police is our duty. Personally, I also hope the police can catch the culprit as soon as possible and bring justice to my colleague. Lin Yan was the first to leave, but she was stopped by someone. She halted, hands in her pockets, looking at the person, Whats the matter? Li Shiping hesitated several times before speaking, After all, we were colleagues. She was a talent I personally recruited. I want to know Want to know if her death was painful? Lin Yan shifted her posture, crossed her arms, and stood there with a somewhat malicious smile on her face. Song Yuhang couldnt stop her in time Um, among all the bizarre ways to die, drowning should be the most agonizing. If it were a fatal stab wound, that would be easier, but drowning forces you to feel every minute and second as oxygen is slowly stripped from your lungs. Youll struggle, youll feel pain, youll scream, yet every time you open your mouth, water will pour in, and youll lose strength in your limbs. Youll sink gradually until you cant resurface anymore. When you finally do, itll be dayster, your body covered in livor mortis, skin peeling off, waterborne microorganisms feasting on your face. Youll be unrecognizable, infested with clusters of breeding maggots The more she said, the more outrageous it became. Song Yuhang suddenly raised her voice, Lin Yan! Li Shiping leaned against the door frame, her face turning pale. Lin Yan shrugged innocently, batting her eyes, She made me say it. Did I say something wrong? Police, Officer, Song. She deliberately emphasized thest few words, clearly provoking. Song Yuhang was quite annoyed by her, You Li Shiping regained herposure and forced a smile, Its okay. Solving the case is a big task for you all. Solving it sooner will also benefit the reputation of Jiangcheng City First High School. If you need any help, please dont hesitate to ask. Song Yuhang nodded, afraid that Lin Yan might say something impudent again. She grabbed her clothes and practically dragged her away. As they reached an open space, Lin Yan suddenly jerked her hand away, What are you doing?! Let go! She had held on tightly, and Lin Yans sudden movement caught her off guard. The button on her cor popped open, leaving both of them panting. Especially Lin Yan, her fair skin slightly flushed, and her eyes red at her with a hint of excitement. Like a defiant and fierce beast. Who do you think you are? What I say and do is none of your business! Song Yuhangs anger had subsided for the most part, but hearing her bring up the matter reignited her fury, Do you even realize that those few sentences you just uttered revealed details of the case?! Under any circumstances, the police should strictly maintain confidentiality of the case that is still under investigation! What police?! What you and us! You are you! I am me! Stop lumping me in with you bunch of useless idiots! Do you deserve it? You dont deserve it! After saying this, Lin Yan spat forcefully on the ground twice and forcefully pulled back the cor that had been yanked down by Song Yuhang. That small, rounded and delicate shoulder was finally out of sight. When it came to quarreling, even ten Song Yuhangs were no match for her. Lin Yan looked satisfied as she observed the ever-changing color of her face, her throat moving up and down, her hands clenched into fists. She remembered the day she first arrived at the city police bureau, Song Yuhangs show of authority. A mocking smile tugged at the corner of her lips. It seemed that she always wore this kind of expressiondisdainful, mocking, indifferent, and nonchnt. In any case, she had never really smiled genuinely. Lin Yan took a step forward. She wasnt wearing high heels today, and Song Yuhang was slightly taller than her. She reached out and pulled at the cor of Lin Yans clothes, her teeth clenched, and her gaze locked onto those light brown eyes. And another thing, stop tugging at me damn it. Otherwise, dont think that just because youre a woman, I wont use you of sexual harassment. As the formidable head of the Criminal Investigation Division, being warned with her cor pulled, she should have been angry, should have been furious, and should have thrown a punch. However, Song Yuhangs fist clenched and then rxed, rxed and then clenched again. Her breathing, due to rapid adjustments, became somewhat unstable. She stared into those eyes, where her own reflection resided. Finally, she recalled what she had been thinking. When she identally pulled open her clothes earlier, there was an oddly shaped tattoo on her shoulder socket. It resembled some ancient script, yet it also resembled an unfamiliar ancient symbol. In the moment of her distraction, Lin Yan had already released her and stepped back, her tone turning cold. From now on, you investigate your own matters, and Ill investigate mine. Id like you to remember that, in terms of our positions, were equals. What I, Lin Yan, detest most is someone pointing fingers and meddling in my affairs. She had another unfinished sentence: Whoever blocks my path, Ill make sure they dont have a good ending. For some reason, she faintly hoped that there would never be a day when those words would be said to her. After Lin Yan left, Song Yuhang opened her palm, a small beige button clenched tightly in her hand, damp from sweat. She had thought about discarding it, but perhaps it was due to professional habitsmaller things often revealed more. She ended up wrapping it in a tissue and stowing it in her pocket.
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Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Rtionship How about this? Absolutely explosive material, Ill only take this price The young man with a gold chain extended two fingers and waggled them. The person across, with bleached blonde hair in an explosive hairstyle, held a cigarette in their mouth and stood there. An old Canon camera hung around their neck. Upon seeing his gesture, they exhaled a smoke ring, turned around without a second word, and walked away. Hey, dont go, wait a moment, just take a look! The young man grew anxious, caught up, and stuffed the photos into her embrace. Its definitely worth this price, otherwise Ill even give you a discount and help me with a few sets of papers The woman held a cigarette in her hand and finally gave him a half-smile. Alright, one thousand yuan, no more. Give me the papers. While the young man was busy rummaging through his backpack with his head down, the woman flipped over the photos. Upon a nce, they were taken in secret; the pixels werent very clear. However, well, the fuzzier the better for tabloid news. Blurriness could spark peoples imaginations. The woman in the photo was none other than Ding Xue. The man sprawled over her was another man whose name couldnt be recalled. Yet, there was a hint of familiarity, though the memory of who he was couldnt be retrieved. Well, at least he wasnt her husband. Whats this She deliberately flung the photo dismissively with a whooshing sound. The young man handed over the exam papers, saying, An extramarital affair! This is a sensational scoop about our school principal. Ive evene up with a headline for you: Prominent Female Teacher at Jiang City No. 1 High School Cheats with Superior, Meets Tragic End Due to Love Affairs!'' He was boasting with great satisfaction when the woman slipped the photo into her bag and casually pointed behind him, saying, Hey, whos that over there? Isnt that your teacher? The young man instinctively turned around, and the woman took off running. Nodamn it! What the hell! Before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly snapped back to reality. The woman had already dashed to the bus stop at the school gate. The bus had just arrived, and she skillfully squeezed into the crowd and boarded the bus. Just as the bus doors were about to close, she waved at him. The young man was infuriated, steam practicallying out of his ears. He angrily spat on the ground a few times and muttered, Damn it, dont let me see you again! Lin Yan set down the newspaper, walked out of the newsstand, and hailed a taxi. Raising her hand, she called out, Follow the bus in front. Following the vice principals visit, Song Yuhang continued to make her rounds, visiting several other teachers one after another. Their responses were either I didnt know, Im sorry, or I wasnt acquainted with Ms. Ding, and various other evasive statements. When asked if the deceased had any conflicts with anyone, almost everyone gave the same answer. I dont think so. Ms. Ding was a very kind person. However, she was quite close to a student, you know, something thats considered taboo in school That hesitant expression left an unsettling feeling. Song Yuhang closed her notebook and decided to meet with the student named Zhou Mo. Hello? Editor-in-chief, uh you say She walked while nodding and bowing slightly. Me? Im just out gathering news. What the hell kind of news can you gather? You cant even write a good article! All youe up with are trivial matters! We need something hot! Do you understand? We need attention-grabbing stories! If our sales dont go up this month, you better roll up your stuff and get lost! A middle-aged mans angry roar echoed in her ear. Ning Que moved her phone slightly away but still wore a yful smile. Yes, yes, I understand. Dont worry, this time its definitely a big selling point. I just got a massive scoop about that female teacher from Jiang City No. 1 High School who died Before her words could finish, her path was blocked by someone, casting a shadow on the pavement. She slowly raised her head. A woman stood there with her arms crossed, a half-smile on her face. Her countenance was quite pleasant to look at, though her expression carried a hint of ill intent. Ning Que thought to herself, this doesnt look good, could this person be a colleague? As she attempted to go around, every step she took, Lin Yan matched it. When she veered left, Lin Yan also went left; when she moved right, Lin Yan followed suit. Clearing her throat, Ning Que put on a ttering smile, Is this someone looking for me? Lin Yan halted her steps and pointed to the bag on her back, saying, Give me the photos. The woman tightened her grip on the bag strap and hesitated, Colleague? Then you should know the rules. Exclusive reporting isnt possible Lin Yan pulled out a few red bills from her wallet and waved them, Money is the rule. Take the money and scram. Leave the photos with me. Ning Ques thoughts raced. The stack of money was substantial, but it couldntpare to the stability of her long-term job. If the magazines sales truly didnt improve this time, she would likely be the first to be let go. She had worked hard to secure her job in Jiang City; she couldnt be dismissed so easily. Alright, alright, Ning Que said, reaching for her bag and slowly pulling it out. Lin Yan was growing impatient, Hurry up. Before her words could fully sink in, a thick stack of papers came flying towards her, scattering and obstructing her view. Ning Que took advantage of the distraction and bolted. Seeing her attempt to escape again, jumping onto a roadside motorcycle to solicit a ride, Lin Yan caught up in a few strides. She delivered a flying kick towards the back of Ning Que, who tumbled onto the road, scattering pedestrians like startled birds. Lin Yan grabbed her cor and pulled her back, pping her face with the money while maintaining a cool tone, If you wont drink the toast, youll have to drink the penalty. Observing that the frail-looking Ning Que still had some strength left, Lin Yan struggled with her for a moment. Eventually, she forcefully sat on Ning Ques back, nearly squashing her. Ning Ques eyes rolled back, and she was on the verge of foaming at the mouth. Lin Yan used one hand to firmly hold onto Ning Ques head, preventing her from moving, while her other hand snatched the backpack off her arm. She opened it and rummaged through, finding a camera, a recording pen, and various other items. Inside the innerpartment, there was a photo tucked away. She took it out and slipped it into her own pocket. Ning Que still attempted to struggle, but Lin Yan grabbed her by the hair and lifted her up, saying, Trying to be lecherous with me? Youre still too green. Do you know who I am? Im the ancestor of lecherousness! Ill let you off this time, scram! After saying that, she released Ning Que and stood up. Nearby, a patrolling police officer ran over with an electrified baton in hand, asking, Whats going on?! Lin Yan stepped back two paces, saying, Nothing nothings going on. After saying that, she bolted, running away faster than a rabbit. With the assistance of the police officer, Ning Que managed to stand up. Are you okay? Did you lose something? Come with me to the police station to make a statement. Well make sure to help you recover your belongings. The kick from Lin Yan had been quite forceful, leaving her back tingling. Ning Que brushed off the police officers hand and limped over to pick up the scattered items and papers from the ground. Im fine, no need. She watched the direction Lin Yan went, crumpling the papers in her hand with force. Hello, is anyone there? Song Yuhang lightly knocked on the door twice, receiving no response. She took a step back and surveyed the entire building. This was the western district of Jiang City, a world apart from the eastern side separated by a river. The so-called building was just a three-story bungalow. Clothes of both adults and children hung outside, and a web of power lines segmented the sky. The narrow alley could only amodate electric scooters. Not far from her feet was a sewage ditch emitting a foul stench. Her weekend home was right here. A makeshift shack beneath the bungalow, constructed from corrugated iron. Under the zing sun, it heated up intensely. A nearly lifeless sunflower sat by the entrance. Song Yuhang turned around and peered through the rusty windows into the interior. The curtains were drawn, casting a pitch-ck darkness inside. Her gazended on the iron lock hanging at the entrance. She reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of wire. Did you get rid of everything? The KTV was awash with colorful lights, causing his face to alternate between shades of blue and white. The young man lowered his head and softly replied, Yeah. Good. Here, I know youre short on money. Take this, and if its not enough, let me know. A stack of Chinese yuan was ced on the table, a substantial amount. The young man remained unmoved, his head still buried. The person speaking gave him a push. Are you stupid or something? Are you really thinking of telling They abruptly stopped, swallowing their saliva, and rephrased, Theres less than a month left until the college entrance exams. Think it through. Youve spent so many years studying, endured all the hardships. Just when youre about to break through, youre willing to give up like this? Are you content with living your whole life like this, being a coward, being poor? The young mans throat moved, and his voice turned hoarse, But also Youre different from people like us. As for me, it doesnt matter if I dont get into college. I can always go abroad and get a degree somehow. But if you cant get into college, you might be stuck forever. Do you really want to live your whole life in that pigsty of yours? Xiao Zhou, do you know why people need to study? They talk about having the ambition to benefit the world and its people, to carry on the teachings of the past, and to bring peace to future generations. Its all idealistic talk, and its nice to have those ideals, but its okay if you dont. Because for most of us, just staying alive takes all our strength. So, we strive to learn in order to live better, to change our lives, to buy the things we want, and to pursue the people we like. Sess isnt solely confined to the path of studying, but studying is indeed a shortcut to sess. It doesnt require you to pay upfront, it just demands your constant effort. Xiao Zhou, the teachers dont want you to drop out. You need to keep pushing forward. The words were still echoing, yet the person in question had alreadyid to rest eternally beneath the ground. The young man hugged his head with his hands, emitting a fragile cry from his throat. Inside the private room, the music red loudly, but nobody stopped his outburst. After a while, the music ceased, and the young man slowly raised his head. His gazended on the stack of Chinese yuan in front of him. His throat moved, and he reached out to take it. At noon, the various teams regrouped for a brief analysis of the case. Zheng Chengrui spoke first, Weve examined theputer used by the deceased, Ding Xue, during her lifetime. There was nothing unusual. However, while checking hermonly usedmunication tools, we found traces of deleted chat records. Song Yuhang leaned her chin on her hand, resting on the chair. With whom? When can the records be recovered? A photo was erged on the screen, showing a man wearing gold-rimmed sses and a well-tailored suit, slightly on the plump side. The current principal of Jiang City No. 1 High School, Ge Jun. Song Yuhang understood immediately, This Ge Jun was on a business trip to the provincial capitalst Friday, the day of the incident. Hes a suspect. Contact the provincial office and request him toe back for questioning. Zhang Jinhai tapped his teacup thoughtfully. That might not be appropriate. After all, hes the principal of a key city school and a representative of the Peoples Congress. Lets wait until we have concrete evidence from the recovered chat records before taking action. All eyes turned to Song Yuhang, but she showed no particr reaction, twirling a pen in her hand with a faint expression. What did Group 2 find out? A detective stood up with a notebook in hand. We visited several major second-hand markets in the city, but we didnt find any phones of the same model as the deceased, Ding Xue. This model is quite new and not cheap. It might not be easy toe across one for sale anytime soon. Another detective continued, Additionally, we also visited the mothers house of the deceased, Ding Xue. We learned that her marital rtionship with her husband was rtively harmonious. They had arguments but no cases of domestic violence. Fang Xin also stood up, saying, Through interviews with neighbors, we confirmed that Ding Xue and Sun Xiangming rarely fought, and on the night of the incident, Sun Xiangming has an alibi. Fang Xin presented a transcript, which was taken from a neighbor living next to Sun Xiangmings house. ording to the neighbor, he worked overtime that evening and returned home after midnight. When he arrived, Sun Xiangming was at the door receiving a food delivery, and they exchanged greetings. We also investigated the street food stall downstairs. Indeed, it was Sun Xiangming who ordered the meal. We also spoke to Sun Xiangmings supervisor at his workce, and its confirmed that he was assigned work that evening. His im of working from home overtime is not a lie. Song Yuhang furrowed her brow. What about surveince footage? This is the surveince at the entrance of the building unit in the residentialplex. We watched it all night without blinking, and we didnt see him leave. Are there any other exits? No, weve checked. Even the fire exit leads to the side of the building unit entrance, so to leave, hed have to pass by that camera. Which means, whether its the motive, the timing of the crime, or his alibi, Sun Xiangming doesnt fit. Song, should we lift the surveince on him? Zhang Jinhais gaze shifted. He and Song Yuhang often had differing opinions. In the investigation, Song tended to be more radical, while Zhang leaned toward caution. However, his rank was a level higher than hers, and most of the time, unless Song persisted, they would defer to his judgment. As expected. The person sitting opposite nodded. I have no objections. At this moment, the video happened to show the segment where the deceased, Ding Xue, walked out. The camera was positioned in front of the building unit, capturing everything clearly. One could see her stumbling, looking panicked, and constantly ncing behind her. However, there was no one behind her. Stop, rewind and y it again. Zheng Chengrui pressed the pause button, and the video started rewinding. Once again, she hurriedly ran out, looking around frantically, but there was no one around. She seemed as if she had seen a ghost, creating a scene that inexplicably sent shivers down ones spine. Song Yuhang frowned. Why was she running? Could it be because she was in a hurry to get to school? Teachers are used to seeing students fight, so why would she be so agitated? Stopzoom in. Song Yuhang paid close attention to her repeated nces over her shoulder. Who was chasing her? Or perhaps, she was afraid of something? The people watching the video were puzzled. Zhang Jinhai also furrowed his brow. In any case, for now, lets do this. Well temporarily suspend the investigation on Sun Xiangming. While its necessary to investigate the deceaseds immediate family as a procedural step, we shouldnt jump to conclusions that hes the murderer. In our investigation, evidence is key. The others nodded in agreement. I suggest that the next step of our investigation focuses on this student named Zhou Mo and also on Ge Jun. The technical investigation team should work diligently to quickly recover the chat records. Yes, Chief Zhang, Zheng Chengrui raised his chubby hand and saluted. Song Yuhang twirled the pen in her hand and stopped at her fingertip. She had been sitting with her chin resting on her hand, somewhat rxed, but now she straightened up and focused on the surveince footage. Ive also reviewed the surveince. She left the gate of No.1 High School at around 10:30 AM. Logically, she should have been heading home at that time, but she went in thepletely opposite direction. That was a small path,cking proper city infrastructure, and the surveince was cut off after about five hundred meters. Song Yuhang tapped her pen on the table twice. Lets make a bold assumption: she didnt end up at the Lianchi Park as a dumped body, but rather went there herself. So why did she choose that specific time to go to Lianchi Park? Zhang Jinhai took a sip of his tea and motioned for it to be refilled. We cant rule out the possibility that there might be some undisclosed rtionship between the deceased, Ding Xue, and Ge Jun. We need to investigate this thoroughly. The general direction of the investigation is correct, so she didnt say more. She casually nced around and noticed an empty seat in the technical investigation team. Wheres Dr. Lin? Fang Xin quickly followed up, Shes tinkering with equipment in the autopsy room. TL Im sorry for the inconsistent updatestely. My nose allergy has been ring up more than usual for the past weeks. If I didnt update tomorrow or the following days, just know that my allergy is acting up. Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Interrogation Since thest autopsy, Lin Yan has taken 20g of samples left behind and carried out organic degradation to separate the residue. She proceeded with cleaning, centrifugation, and drop preparation for microscopic examination in an orderly manner. This was the first time Song Yuhang had seen her wearing a white coat, her curly hair pinned up, revealing the white and jade-like back of her neck. She thought that someone like Lin Yan wouldnt be able to settle down and conduct research seriously. Unexpectedly, she was very dedicated, changing magnifications on the microscope several times, observing and recording simultaneously. Shes locked herself in theb since she came back, Fang Xin shielded her face with a folder and lowered her voice. If Team Leader Song is looking for her, Ill go and call her. From now on, you investigate your matters, and Ill investigate mine. Upon thinking of this, Song Yuhang opened her mouth and then amended, Never mind, let her be busy. Just inform me of the results as soon as theyre avable. Lin Yan spent the whole afternoon in the pathologyboratory. By the time she emerged, the sun had set behind the western mountains. She hung her white coat on a hanger and ran her fingers through her tousled hair. Walking over, she neatly tied it up with a ck hairband. Dr. Lin, once youre done,e have something to eat, a few technicians were sitting together, eating instant noodles. No need, Im not eating, she picked up her wristwatch from the table and put it on, hesitating to speak further, Song Fang Xin quickly continued, Oh, Captain Song came by in the afternoon, saw you were still conducting experiments, and then left. Forensic Doctor Lin hmphed from her nose, showing her understanding of the situation. I havent, I dont know anything about it, really, I have a normal superior-subordinate rtionship with her The person sitting across from them was still stubbornly resisting the polices questioning. If you dont have any evidence, I might just use you of nder. Song Yuhang stood up from her chair, motioning for Zheng Chengrui to turn theputer screen around for her to see. Starting from March ofst year, you subjected Ding Xue to over a year of sexual harassment, including but not limited to verbal harassment. Principal Ge, you have a family and reputation to uphold. If your wife were to find out, she would be deeply disappointed. The obscene and vulgarnguage in the chat logs was appalling, and they included explicit photos he had sent to Ding Xue to provoke her. Throughout the prolonged period of harassment, Ding Xue had been enduring due to his superior position. She had politely declined, firmly refused, but all of this seemed to have infuriated Principal Ge. It led to him losing his temper and sending Ding Xue a message on the evening of May 14th. Refusing a toast only leads to being forced to drink a forfeit. You will regret this! The chat records were shocking to the eye, and Ge Jun was drenched in a cold sweat, yet he still persevered, wiping his forehead with a handkerchief. This cant be true, you must have fabricated this evidence to frame me. His words had just fallen when the door to the interrogation room was pushed open by someone, followed by several obstructing police officers who couldnt stop it in time. Lin Yan pped the photo onto the table, Then how do you exin this? In the photo, a man and a woman were intimately lying together. The woman seemed to be intoxicated, while the man was leaning in a lecherous manner to kiss her face. Cold sweat streamed down Ge Juns forehead in an instant, his face alternating between pale and green. He clenched his teeth, determined to deny it to the death. I want you to understand clearly, youve been identified as the prime suspect by the police. No matter how crafty your arguments may be, we will ultimately find evidence to bring you to justice. As the esteemed head of a school, you cannot be unaware that even if you remain tight-lipped, solid evidence can secure a conviction. Think about your family, your parents, your wife, your children Do you really want them to bear the shame of having a murderer as their son/husband/father? They wont be able to hold their heads up high again. Cooperate and you might receive leniency, resist and the consequences will be severe. If you tell the truth, well make sure to note it in the case report. Perhaps when ites to trial, there will still be a chance to plead for a reduced sentence. A sons duty to his parents is waiting, but if you spend your life in prison, when your parents pass away, you might not even have the privilege to be by their bedside. Youre still a teacher, a principal, an educational pioneer. Is this the example you want to set for your children, for your students? Listen, with this eloquence, this kind of psychological maniption, Lin Yans heart was moved. When it came to parents and children, there was finally a flicker of emotion in Ge Juns expression. Song Yuhang noticed him nervously fidgeting with his hands under the table and added the final push. Rest assured, our police force will never wrong a good person, but we will also never let any wrongdoer go. Ge Jun struggled repeatedly, his expression changing, and he finally said, I didnt kill her, I really didnt kill her. Although I said some harsh things about wanting to harm her, I never thought she would die! For some reason, Lin Yan instinctively looked at Song Yuhang, and her gaze gently drifted over. As they locked eyes, both of them looked away simultaneously. Song Yuhang continued with the questioning, What were you doing on the evening of May 14th? I I really went under the scrutiny of the detectives in the room, his voice grew quieter, using a business trip as an excuse I went to meet my lover I really didnt kill her, if you dont believe me, go investigate! In a sh, he spilled all the details about his lover, and an investigator took the paper out to verify. After a short while, the person came back with a somewhat unpleasant expression, leaning in to whisper in her ear, Captain Song, what he said is true. We verified the records of entry and exit at the hotel he stayed in the provincial capital, along with surveince videos. We also questioned the front desk. He and his lover checked in at 7 p.m. and didnt leave until the next morning. They even had dinner delivered to the hotel. Ge Jun wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, See, I told you, Im not lying. Officers, Ive said it all. Shouldnt you release me now? Song Yuhang suddenly clenched her lips tightly, the lead, broken again. Meanwhile, Lin Yan leaned back in her chair, a hint of an enigmatic smile forming on her lips. Captain Song, what do we do now? We worked hard to get him back, are we really going to Fang Xins voice also lowered. As a woman, she found these hypocritical gentlemen particrly repulsive, sharing a sense of resentment and indignation. Song Yuhang stood up, Let him go. After all, the guys outside have been waiting for a while. Thank you, thank you. Everyone has worked hard. Another day, I will definitely invite you all for tea, Ge Jun nodded and bowed, a non-stop smile on his face. Duan Cheng nudged Zheng Chengrui, Hey, do you think hes thinking that he found the right lover? If he didnt have that lover, he wouldnt be able to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River. The chubby guy pushed his sses and patted his round belly, When will this case finally end? I want to eat roasted pigeon, grilled pig trotters, crayfish, braised chicken feet Duan Chengs stomach also timely made a sound, Alright, shut up now. Ge Jun walked out of the interrogation room, his smile frozen on his face. Several well-dressed young men stood in front of him, dressed in matching ck uniforms, their chests adorned with prosecutor badges. One of them extended his identification towards him. Jiangcheng City Peoples Procuratorate. We suspect youve engaged in significant vitions of rules and regtions during your tenure at Jiangcheng No. 1 High School. Pleasee with us. He looked back, only to see Song Yuhang and a few others silently blocking his way. I told you, I wont let any wrongdoer escape. As expected. Seeing that no significant results were emerging from Ge Juns side of the interrogation, a faint smirk curled at the corner of Lin Yans lips. She reached out to take the photo back from the table, only to have someones hand firmly hold it down. Looking up, she met Song Yuhangs slightly cold gaze. Where did you get this from? You mind your business. Didnt I say you investigate yours, and Ill investigate mine? Lin Yan attempted to pull the photo away, exerting a bit of force. The two of them were locked in a standoff. Evidence that doesnt follow the proper procedure cant be presented as court evidence. I dont care whether its a white cat or a ck cat. A cat that catches mice is a good cat. If I hadnt shown him the evidence, could you have extracted the confession? Lin Yan stood her ground, facing her with a confrontational stance. The police emphasize the process in handling cases, but even more so, they emphasize the results. Stop trying to fool me with your tricks. Just because Im wearing this uniform doesnt mean I approve of your methods. Ive said it before, in my eyes, all of you She took a step forward and leaned down to whisper in her ear. are just useless. Satisfied by the rising and falling of the persons chest, she calmed herself in an instant. Since you dislike us so much, why do you still associate with us, Forensic Doctor Lin? Arent you disgusted? She really knows how to hit others sore spots. Lin Yan clenched her teeth in frustration, Whats disgusting is your inaction, your inefficiency, your ipetence, not me! Song Yuhangs clear gaze shifted over, calm andposed, Actually, Ive always been curious, why do you dislike our police force so much? Lin Yan released her grip on the photo, Noment. Enough, she had said too much to Song Yuhang. She turned to leave, but a slightly subdued voice reached her from behind, Forensic Doctor Lin, I have a piece of advice. Lin Yans steps paused. Dont take extreme measures in everything you do, or youll only reap what you sow. It was a little after 5 in the afternoon, during the evening rush hour. The line of cars for picking up and dropping off children extended along the school gate. Lin Yan found a coffee shop by the street and sat down. Her view was clear, and through the wide floor-to-ceiling windows, separated by a zebra crossing, was the Qiming Star Kindergarten. She ordered atte, sipping it slowly, lost in thought as she absentmindedly flipped through the magazines and books in the cafe. The sky gradually darkened, thest traces of sunlight fading away. One by one, the children finished leaving for the day. The teachers were also preparing to close the school gate. A few young children still leaned on the iron railing, eagerly looking outside. Little Ya, be good. The teacher has already called your dad, hell be here to pick you up soon. The teacher patted her head and then went off to attend to her tasks. A ck silhouette blocked the sunlight as a man held out a lollipop to her, saying, Are you Little Ya? Im a friend of your dads. He asked me to pick you up. The young child looked at him with innocent eyes, then nced at the candy in his hand, swallowing nervously. As the man opened the iron gate and moved to pick the child up, someone grabbed him. Put her down. Youre not a friend of her dads. Lin Yans gaze turned toward them, a slight curve forming at the corner of her lips. You really helped out just now. If it werent for you, this child could have been in danger today. Li Shiping held Ding Ya in her arms, giving Lin Yan a grateful smile. The child behaved well, lying quietly in her embrace, not seeming shy. Lin Yan smiled, I was just passing by. I happened to see you struggling, so I lent a hand. I wouldnt have guessed that Forensic Doctor Lin had such good skills. This statement wasnt false. Just a moment ago, the human trafficker had been dragging Ding Ya towards a van on the side of the road, and Li Shiping couldnt hold her back no matter how hard she tried. Lin Yan appeared out of nowhere, holding a mechanical rod in her hand. In a swift move, she struck the assant with the rod, seizing the opportunity to snatch the child away while he was in pain. Only then did the danger pass. The other person saw the situation turning unfavorable and quickly got up, jumping into the car and driving away. Li Shiping still had lingering fear in her heart. However, she was someone who had experienced storms before, so although herplexion was a bit pale, she remainedposed. Just for self-defense. With a click, the mechanical rod returned to the size of a pen, easily tucked away into her pocket. Why did Principal Lie here? I remember this ce is quite a distance from No. 1 High School, right? Oh, I live around here. I was just heading home. Its quite a coincidence today, and I also have to thank Forensic Doctor Lin for helping me out Before she finished speaking, a man ran over from a distance, looking disheveled. Ya Ya, Ya Ya, are you okay? With that, he directly took the child from Li Shipings arms. Themotion from earlier had attracted attention, and both the kindergarten teachers and security personnel hade out. I was wondering about this parent. How can you be so neglectful? Being thest one to pick up your child every day, busy with work, but you cant overlook your child, right? If it werent for these two kind-hearted individuals helping out, a big incident might have happened today. Im sorry, Im sorry. Ill pay more attention next time, I promise. Sun Xiangming nodded and bowed to the teacher, his gaze briefly passing over Li Shipings face. Lin Yan saw his throat move slightly, and then he turned to her and spoke, Thank you, Forensic Doctor Lin, for your help today. No need, it was just a small effort. The situation is resolved now. Im heading off. She waved to them and turned to leave. Out of the corner of her eye, Li Shiping stood still, watching Sun Xiangming walk away. Ding Yay quietly on her fathers shoulder, her eyes still glistening with tears. So, Sun Xiangming opened the bag he was holding, took out a small fish tank, and tried tofort her, saying, Look, Dad bought something for you. Its your favorite goldfish. Not long after Li Shiping returned home, there was a knock at the door. She got up and peered through the peephole. It was Song Yuhang. She quickly used a tissue to dab her eyes before opening the door for her. Officer Song, is there something you need sote in the evening? Song Yuhang stood alone outside the door, dressed casually and carrying a shoulder bag. I apologize for the disturbance. Ivee to inquire about the situation. Its alright, pleasee in. Li Shiping stepped aside in the hallway and retrieved a pair of guest slippers from the entrance shoe cab for her. Thank you. Officer Song, what would you like to drink? As Li Shiping changed her shoes, she walked into the open-n kitchen, preparing to make coffee for her. No need to trouble yourself, in water is fine. Do you live alone? Yes, Ive been living alone since my divorce from my ex-husband. She noticed that a used ss was ced on the counter, while she held her own cup along with the ss of water for Song Yuhang. And what about your child? I dont have any children. She said it calmly and took a sip of her coffee. Song Yuhang didnt press further and took out paper and a pen from her bag, sitting down. As the routine questioning came to an end, Song Yuhang posed another question, What was your impression of Ding Xue? The woman held the ss for a moment, lost in thought, before responding, Oh, I had a favorable impression of her. Among the young teachers, she was quite skilled in teaching, knowledgeable, and treated her students equally I heard from Suns neighbors that their marital rtionship wasnt very good. Did she mention anything about it at school? Li Shiping pondered for a moment, then replied, No, I havent heard her mention her husband. Never mentioned it? Never. Do you know this student from the weekend? I know, hes one of the problematic students in the third year. I saw his name on the report cards posted at the school gate. How could he be a problematic student? Li Shiping fell silent for a moment, and Song Yuhang observed her expression, sensing that there was something difficult to express. You dont know he he She seemed hesitant to speak. Harassing teachers, right? Li Shipings silence could be taken as an admission. Whats your opinion of Principal Ge? I heard hes under investigation, is that true? Li Shiping responded with a question instead of answering immediately. Song Yuhang nodded. Thats right, you seem to be well-informed. To be honest, there have been rumors circting in the school about his improper conduct Do you think he has a significant connection to Ding Xues death? Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Weak After leaving Li Shipings residence, Song Yuhang hailed a taxi and provided the destination. She then slightly closed her eyes and rested. Miss, weve arrived at the Randy Bar. Alright, thank you. She handed over money, opened the door, and got out of the car. She nced at the massive neon sign and could even hear the deafening music from the roadside. Several young individuals with colorful dyed hair were smoking by the entrance of the bar. As soon as they saw her, they approached to solicit her: Miss, want to have a drink? Today, drinks are on special at 20% off. Song Yuhang took out her identification from her pocket: Police, Im looking for someone named Zhou Mo. The group of people instantly showed ack of interest on their faces. Those engaged in this kind of business were most afraid of police showing up at their establishment it was bad luck. A young man with green-dyed hair weakly pushed open the door: Zhou Mo, someones looking for you. A guy was busy cleaning sses behind the bar counter. Suddenly, he looked up, his gaze met Song Yuhangs, and then he lowered his head again to continue his work. Song Yuhang knew he was the person she was looking for. She walked over and tapped the bar counter: Police, Im here to inquire about a situation. Due to still being in school, Zhou Mo hadnt adopted any peculiar hairstyles. He was dressed in the bars uniform, appearing as a clean and refreshing young man. Seeing that identification, he didnt even furrow his brow: About Teacher Ding, right? Before Song Yuhang could speak, he continued, I have no knowledge about it. I think you might have the wrong person. After Teacher Ding dropped me off at my dorm that evening, I stayed in my room resting the whole time. My roommate and the dorm supervisor can vouch for me. This guy even knew about the concept of an alibi. Song Yuhang remainedposed: Currently, theres no evidence indicating that you killed her. Theres no need to get so worked up. Im just here today to understand a bit more. How was your rtionship with her on regr days? Or were there any people she was particrly close to As she finished speaking, a customer called out, Wheres my drink?! Why hasnt it been served yet! Zhou Mo carried a tray outside, saying, Excuse me, make way, I still have to work. Song Yuhang reached out to halt his path, signaling him to wait for a moment. Dont you want to know who killed her? The young mans steps faltered, and after a brief moment, he chuckled in a sarcastic manner. Officer Song, I havent turned eighteen yet this year. As far as I know, questioning minors individually might not be legal. Pretty smart, indeed. Song Yuhang was taken aback, as he had already entered the crowd with the tray in hand. Sorry to keep you waiting. Heres your Long Ind Iced Tea. Enjoy. As he turned around, one of his colleagues happened to pass by. Zhou Mo handed over the tray, took off his apron, and whispered, A cop is looking for me. Keep an eye on the front, Im heading to the back. It was the guy with green-dyed hair. He nodded, and the two exchanged positions. Zhou Mo disappeared into the bustling crowd. The bar switched to a more intense dance track, and the multicolored lights dazzled to the point where ones eyes couldnt focus. Coupled with the constant movement of people, Song Yuhang followed for a short distance before realizing she had lost her target. A faintly amused smile curved on her lips until someone lightly tapped her shoulder. Subconsciously, she was about to execute a shoulder throw, grabbing onto the persons wrist. The touch was tender and boneless, and a hint of sweet perfume floated into her nostrils. Lin Yan leaned in close to her ear, whispering something she couldnt quite make out. His warm breath brushed her neck softly, causing a slight tickle. Song Yuhang let go of her grip, taking a step back to stand her ground. What did you say? Lin Yan held a mojito in her hand, her eyes carrying a smile as she nced at Song Yuhang. I said, it seems even Detective Song can have off days. Song Yuhang pressed her lips together, catching that sentence clearly. Why are you here? Investigating a case, what else? Ive said it before, young people nowadays dont fall for your tricks anymore. Look at thisdy. Lin Yan handed the ss to her, giving a flirtatious flip of her hair. She adjusted her off-shoulder dress, entuating her full curves. Before Song Yuhang could ring the bell, a waiter immediately came over to attend to her. The guy with green-dyed hair chimed in, Miss, what would you like to drink? Song Yuhang turned her expressionless face away. You have the most expensive liquor, and also, bring out some of you handsome young folks to keep mepany, Lin Yan pretended to be drunk, her footing unsteady. She stumbled over and hooked her arm around the guy with green-dyed hairs neck, who helped her to a seat in the booth. Two bottles of Louis XIII, the guy with green-dyed hair instructed a young person behind him. He then turned back to her, looking at her with a slightly swollen face, almost blinded by the designerbels all over her. Lin Yan leaned back from the booth and again looped her arm around his neck, unreservedly this time. Her gaze was unfocused, and her speech was slurred, I heard heard you have this handsome guy named Zhou Mo Sis has plenty of money Let hime out and drink with me Its all yours. As she spoke, she randomly pulled out a stack of Chinese Yuan from her LV bag and stuffed it into his embrace. The guy with green-dyed hair was almost drooling, but after a moment of consideration, he hesitated briefly before saying, Sis Hes not here today. How about letting someone else keep youpany? Equally considerate, attentive, and well-behaved. Lin Yans mind was spinning, and a seductive smile appeared on her face. She reached out and pulled him down, saying, Alright then, I think we dont need anyone else. Just you. As long as you can make sister happy, all this money is yours~ Song Yuhang was separated from them by only a corridor. She watched as Lin Yan and a few young people in the booth exchanged toasts. Amid the sea of red and green, Lin Yan giggled, her movements erratic. She lowered her head, seemingly overwhelmed by the alcohol, burying her head in the guys embrace. Her voice was gentle and soft, her demeanor delicate. Her eyes were full of ripples, seemingly in distress. Its a shame that little brother isnt here. Sister wanted to support him. As for me, I like these younger puppies. Embraced like this, the guy with green-dyed hair felt his bones turn soft, and he hardly cared about anything else. Support? That kid isnt short on moneytely. Lin Yany on hisp, allowing him to feed her a sip of the drink. Oh? Whys that? If hes not short on money, why would a student like hime work in a ce like this? The guy with green-dyed hair was also quite intoxicated, and he blurted out, I dont know what rich benefactor that kid has gotten close totely. I saw him wearing an Omega watch yesterday. Though the Omega brand might not be as luxurious as Rolex, for a student, it still counted as a form of affordable luxury. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow slightly. Oh? Is it a guy or a girl? Daring topete with me for someone. Dont they know who I am Song Yuhang was engrossed in listening. She picked up her ss and took a sip, suddenly feeling something amiss. Wasnt this the same drink Lin Yan had just sipped from? She frowned and quickly set the ss down, the refreshing scent of the alcohol lingering on her lips. The group of them revelled and drank until the bar closedte into the night. Lin Yan had also acquired the information she wanted. Out of the corner of her eye, she nced over to where that person was still sitting upright in their chair, their untouched drink before them. Miss Lin staggered as she stood up, tossing a stack of money onto the table. Enough, weve had our drinks, had our fun. Lets go, lets go. With that said, she turned around to leave, but the guy with green-dyed hair quickly stopped her. He exchanged a nce with a few others nearby, and they followed them out. As the crowd dispersed, Song Yuhang was left pondering the events of the night. She watched as they left, the unanswered questions still lingering in her mind. Song Yuhang pulled up her hoodie zipper and ced her hat on her head. Settling her bill, she headed towards the exit. Hey, miss, slow down a bit, the car is over here, Lin Yans steps were unsteady, her gaze unfocused. She would asionally bend over, feigning difort, her face growing pale. For a while, even Song Yuhang couldnt tell if Lin Yan was genuinely drunk or just pretending. She could only follow along. As the car ahead came into view, it wasnt Song Yuhangs vehicle. Lin Yan let out a faint coldugh deep within. Damn it, still trying to take advantage. The guy with green-dyed hair instructed someone to open the car door, preparing to help Lin Yan get in. Lin Yan appeared unsteady on her feet and held onto his waist for support. However, her right hand subtly and like a snake slithered up to the third segment of his spine. A blow to that spot under gravity would cause severe damage if not death. Before she could make a move, she suddenly felt a light touch on her body. The guy with green-dyed hair had been pulled away from her. Lin Yan even seemed slightly disappointed. She rxed her previously tensed right hand and instead put her arm around the neers waist, resting her head on his shoulder. Darling, youre here. I feel so ufortable. Can you take me home, pretty please~ She deliberately used a sweet and cloying tone that sent shivers down peoples spines. Both of them shuddered simultaneously. Song Yuhang remained expressionless as she lowered her head to observe Lin Yan. During that fleeting moment of eye contact, both individuals concealed their thoughts. Lin Yan blinked her innocent eyes, tightened her embrace a little, and even grasped her clothing slightly. She buried her head in the neers chest. Song Yuhang suppressed the urge to throw Lin Yan out and instead wrapped her arm around Lin Yans shoulder, leading her outside. Several people noticed the situation turning sour and their expressions turned unfriendly. One of them, seemingly emboldened by alcohol, approached aggressively as if to snatch Lin Yan away. Song Yuhang swiftly shifted Lin Yan from her left hand to her right, and with a swift backhanded elbow strike to a vulnerable spot, the aggressor staggered back several steps, gasping in pain. Damn it, get them! The others rushed forward in a disorganized manner. Song Yuhang pushed Lin Yan behind her and without looking back, whispered, Call the police. Oh dear, I forgot to bring my phone. Isnt Detective Song the top-notch criminal investigator in Jiangcheng City? Why bother calling the police? The drunkenness evaporated from Lin Yans face. She stood up straight and wished she had a bowl of sunflower seeds and a foldable stool to enjoy the show, truly amused. Just then, one of the troublemakers swung a punch towards Song Yuhangs head. She leaned to the side, avoiding the blow. With her extensivebat experience, she immediately executed a sweeping leg kick, toppling the attacker to the ground in a swift and precise motion. Catching a glimpse of someone attempting a sneak attack from behind, she swiftly turned her head and evaded the attack. Seizing the assants arm, she performed a back throw with ease. Another person charged at her with a baseball bat, but Song Yuhang didnt show any signs of fear when facing multiple opponents. Her fighting style was rapid and fierce, maintaining a bnce between stability and agility. Sheunched a knee strike that sent the guy with green-dyed hair flying, preventing him from escaping. She grabbed his wrist, twisting it as he writhed in pain. The guy with green-dyed hair howled in agony and attempted to use his head to headbutt her. In response, Song Yuhang delivered a powerful hook punch that sttered his nose with blood. She pushed him backward, her strength not inferior to that of a male detective. The impact of him colliding with the car created a loud bang that disoriented him. As he staggered, she used her free hand to pry the baseball bat from his loosened grip. Tossing it far away, she took handcuffs from her pocket and secured him firmly to the car door. As Lin Yan looked down at the fallen baseball bat at her feet, herughter faded, and she contemted making a run for it. The police car hadnt arrived yet, and the fallen thugs were now crying and begging for mercy on the ground. Turning back, Song Yuhang looked at Lin Yan with a somewhat profound gaze. Quite a performance, Dr. Lin. Where are you nning to go? Lin Yan was about to reply when a sudden wave of nausea overcame her. She couldnt hold it back and ended up leaning against a utility pole, retching. She had intended to test Song Yuhangs skills with those thugs, and Song Yuhang had deliberately disyed her proficiency in dealing with them. After all, there was no need for such ferocity when handling a few local ruffians. She was clearly conveying through her actions: Dont take reckless actions. Song Yuhang was a smart person and still remembered their encounter in the file room. Her suspicions about Lin Yan had never fully disappeared. Thinking about these things, Lin Yans coughing became more severe, and she leaned against the utility pole, bending over. The alcohol had hit her hard, and vomiting was especially unpleasant. She couldnt even stand properly. Her neck, as white as jade, was exposed under the streetlight, looking pale and fragile. When the police car arrived, she shifted her gaze from the silhouette under the streetlight back to the group of mboyant thugs. After getting them into the police car, Song Yuhang turned and looked at Lin Yan. She then walked over to Fang Xin and asked for some tissues. Here. As Lin Yan looked at the tissues handed to her, she hesitated for a moment, a hint of impurity at the corner of her lips. She raised her head, her eyes glowing with heat. No need, Im not drunk. Seeing that she wasnt receptive, Song Yuhang didnt say anything more and turned to leave. After a while, she began feeling better. Leaning against the wall, she walked out of the alley. To her surprise, the police lights were still shing; Song Yuhang hadnt left yet. She was leaning casually against the car door, hands in her pockets, cap still on her head. She wore a simple gray T-shirt and ck pants, radiating a gentle and serene vibe, like the older student waiting for a girl from the next ss to finish her lessons. It was hard to believe that the same person had just exhibited such sharp and fierce moves. Lin Yan didnt know why the thought suddenly popped into her mind. Her whole body shuddered, and she felt disgusted by her own thoughts for the second time tonight. Are you cold? Seeing her still pale and shivering, Song Yuhang nced at her exposed shoulders and corbone, then considerately handed over her own coat. Lin Yan didnt intend to take it. Arent you angry? Dr. Lin is full of schemes. If I get angry at every little thing, I might just get infuriated to death. With that statement, Lin Yan gritted her teeth again in resentment. Swiftly snatching the coat from her hands, she slipped into the car. Maybe you should just keep quiet! Song Yuhang smiled and got into the car with her, saying, Duan Cheng, lets go. On the way back, she finally quieted down a bit. Perhaps due tock of proper resttely and the effects of alcohol, she fell asleep in no time. She was still wrapped in Song Yuhangs coat. It seemed like she never used perfume or makeup. There was a faint scent of sunshine on her clothes. Half in a dreamy state, Lin Yan thought to herself that it smelled like the kind of pleasant scent you get when you take a nket out into the winter sun and let it air out for an afternoon. She fell asleeppletely wrapped in this scent. The alley was narrow and difficult to navigate, with uneven roads that caused further jolts. Lin Yans head tilted over and rested on Song Yuhangs shoulder. She intended to reach out and steady her, but identally brushed against her breath. A gentle warmth brushed against her fingertips. The car interior was dimly lit. Lin Yans exceptionally fair skin glowed in the darkness. Her eyes were closed, breathing steady, and she had fallen asleep. The delicate vulnerability of her exposed neck was under her gaze. Song Yuhang came from a family with a military and police background; her father was a special forces officer, and her older brother was in the anti-narcotics division. She had learned martial arts and military training from a young age, not traditional exercises, but military-style boxing. By the age of seven or eight, she had joined the provincial team to specialize in freestylebat. Her father and brother didnt allow her to be weak, and her own pride drove her to strive to catch up with her brother. As she grew older, her height far surpassed that of her peers. With arge frame that looked lean, it was actually the result of years of muscle training. She had a strong and sturdy build, and she might consider bing a fitness trainer if she ever took her clothes off, revealing the muscles she had developed over time. She had never known what fragility meant. Today, for the first time, she experienced the taste of that word through Lin Yan. That pale nape of the neck, a slight exertion from her could easily bend it under her hands. No wonder she felt the urge. Fragile things often stirred a desire for destruction in people. This was a lesson she had learned from countless confrontations with ruthless criminals. Song Yuhang inexplicably felt a bit dry in her throat. Team Leader Song, weve arrived, Duan Cheng turned off the engine and parked the car at the entrance of the police station. Lin Yan sat up, looking weary. She yawned and as she did, her uniform jacket slipped off her shoulders. By the time she bent down to pick it up, Song Yuhang had already jumped out of the car. The jacket might have picked up a bit of dirt and the pungent smell of alcohol. Lin Yan got out of the car and raised an eyebrow at her. Hey, Ill wash it and then give it back to you. Song Yuhang nodded and without saying a word, she headed into the police station, her pace swift. Lin Yan hadnt fully regained her energy yet. Hey, why are you in such a hurry? Her question caused the person ahead to momentarily pause. Song Yuhang moved her lips slightly but didnt turn around. Interrogation. Beneath her seemingly unruffled exterior, only she knew the kind of guilt she had just given birth to. Chapter 16 Chapter 16 Hidden Circumstances If it werent for stumbling upon the corpses this time, these folks might not have ended up in this situation. At this moment, they would have been crouching in a corner, honestly holding their heads against the wall. The effects of the alcohol had mostly worn off, and Lu Mao had be fearful from the beating. When he saw her appear in front of him, his legs and stomach started to feel weak. Song Yuhang twisted open a bottle of mineral water and took a sip. She imitated Lin Yans manner of wiping off the water stain from her lips and said, Dont be afraid. Attacking a police officer isnt a major charge; youll probably get a three to five-year sentence and a fine. The group immediately eximed, Officer Song, Team Leader Song, oh mydy! We drank too much, really too much. We dont usually act like this. How could we dare to have such thoughts? Even with the courage of ten dogs, we wouldnt dare. But you cant me us entirely, after all While Lu Mao was speaking, he kept ncing at Lin Yan from the corner of his eye. Who would have thought such a fiery hot girl turned out to be a detective! This is really unlikeable, an utter waste. Acting is acting, and Lin Yan is focused on her performance. Seeing his lecherous gaze sticking to her body makes her feel disgusted. Sitting in the chair, she couldnt help but kick out, aiming right at him. The guy with green hair dodged backward, still wearing a yful smile. Youre hitting someone, theyre hitting someone! The police are using violence! This time, I definitely didnt start it first! Once she enters the police station, if shes going to hit someone, itll be during the process of extracting a confession through torture. Several people came forward to restrain her. Lin Yan pushed herself up from the ground and muttered, Damn it She hadnt finished speaking when a shadow descended before her. Song Yuhang was tall, blocking out a significant portion of the overhead light. She tilted her chin slightly, gazing at the interrogation room, her voice taking on a slightly chilly tone. Please, one by one. No one can escape. This group of people not only dabbled in scavenging corpses but were also colleagues from the weekends. Lu Mao even provided cover to help them evade police inquiries. Observing the clearly defined roles within the corpse retrieval team, it was likely this wasnt the first time they had engaged in such hical activities. Tonight, a thorough interrogation was undoubtedly in order. Get up, get up, go inside, several inclothes detectives pulled the people up one by one and ushered them inside, leaving only thest one. Song Yuhang looked at him and twisted the cap back onto the mineral water bottle, saying, Ill personally handle this one. Experience counts, indeed. Even before Jiang disappeared from her sight over the weekend, Song Yuhang had already arranged inclothes officers to surround the bars various entrances and exits, catching someone red-handed. The reason she didnt intervene when Lin Yan approached was that Jiang was a tough nut to crack. She wanted to extract more information from others mouths. Inside the station, they might not be willing to speak the truth. Cross-referencing the information with what Lin Yan obtained, the ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood was inherent. Sis, are you okay? Duan Cheng asked, noticing her somewhat dispirited demeanor. He brought a ss of water over and ced it by her side. Lin Yan lifted her head from her arms curve. Im fine. Are they still interrogating? Yeah, Duan Cheng replied, checking his watch. Its been over an hour. Lin Yan pulled open a drawer, poured out two pieces of chewing gum from a box, chewed on them for a moment, then returned them to the box. She picked up the ss of lukewarm water and drank it all in one go, wiped her lips, and stood up. Ill go take a look. Coincidentally, the diatom test results are also out. ording to regtions, without concrete evidence and since she didnt participate in scavenging the bodies, the questioning was restricted to an inquiry rather than an interrogation. Moreover, for minors, a guardian must be present during the statement process. Over the weekend, he stubbornly refused to say anything about this. The police officer apanying the inquiry suppressed their frustration and mmed the pen onto the table. Dont think we dont know your parents are both deceased. Where would you get a guardian? The person sitting across from him chuckled and leaned back in the chair. Well, then I dont know. Comrade Officer, like Ive said, I was really sleeping in the dormitory when something happened to Teacher Ding that day. If you dont believe me, go ask my ssmates or the dormitory manager. You She seemed about to get angry but was held back. Lin Yan turned off the camera and gestured for him to stand up. The other person pursed their lips. This ones a tough nut to crack Lin Yan reached over and took the recording pen in front of Song Yuhang, turning it off as well. Song Yuhang nced at her but didnt intervene. This isnt an interrogation. Right now, Im not talking to you as a police officer. Im just an ordinary person seeking the truth. Teacher Ding is still young, and her child is so little. She should have had a better life ahead of her. What do you think? The chair beside them shifted, and Lin Yan sat down, taking notes. Her gaze carried a hint of pity as she looked at him. Song Yuhang took an envelope out of an evidence bag and pushed it over. This was found on Ding Xues desk. Its a letter you wrote to her, and she kept it. I believe she also replied to your letters. You talked about life, ideals, and everything under the sun. You said life was hopeless, and she helped you step out of the quagmire step by step. When your grades were at the bottom in your first year, she arranged extra lessons for you, imparted knowledge, gave you confidence andposure. She even used her sry to cover your tuition fees. Is this how you repay her? And your clothes, did she sew those buttons for you? Song Yuhang turned her head slightly, a rare hint of sharpness in her light brown pupils. You can afford an Omega watch, yet youre unwilling to part with a single old piece of clothing. The person sitting across from her flinched in her gaze, pulling down their sleeve to cover the watch on their wrist. I dont know what youre talking about. I found this watch Lin Yan straightened her posture, her eyes pitch-ck as she looked at him. Admit it, you liked her. In the adjacent interrogation room, the lights were bright, and the fluorescent lights were ring. Staring at them for too long made the eyes start to ache. This was a form of silent maniption. Dealing with these troublemakers, there was no need to be as polite as in the neighboring room. The charges against you right now are not light: harboring a criminal suspect, assaulting a police officer, sexual harassment of a woman. If we go through all these charges, you could be looking at a sentence of seven to eight years in prison, at the very least. It might be better for you toe clean. If you provide significant clues to solve the case, the court might not necessarily give you a harsh sentence. The two officers in uniform on the opposite side had serious expressions. From the moment they entered until now, they hadnt spoken a single unnecessary word. They were stern and businesslike. In his mind, Lu Mao was contemting. He was incredibly hungry, hadnt taken a sip of water, and his mouth felt dry and his tongue parched. His vision was even starting to blur. Listen, listen, do you have water? I want some water. The officer sitting near the door signaled outside with his eyes, and in no time, someone came in with a cup of hot water for him. Tell me, when did Zhou Mo start working at your shop? About three months ago, I think. On the evening of May 14th, did he go to work? Lu Mao shook his head vigorously, like a tambourine. No, no, he didnt. He was short on money, so he used toe almost every night. I remember that day clearly; he took a day off, and I covered his shift. Did he tell you why? No, we didnt ask about that. He didnt show up all night? No. Think again, has he exhibited any unusual behaviortely or been in contact with anyone? Im thinking, Lu Mao rolled his eyes, then suddenly pped his thigh. I remember now! The next day, he showed up to work early. That day happened to be a birthday party for one of our regr customers. It was quite lively. The two detectives exchanged a nce. Whats strange about it? The one who had the birthday party, Chen Hao. Hes a wealthy second generation and also from their school. The strange thing is that the two of them were actually very close, like brothers. Lu Mao remembered when Zhou Mo had just started working at the bar, Chen Hao had insulted him and called him poor. He had even pressed his head down and made him lick the spilled alcohol off the floor. How could anyone tolerate that? Lu Mao couldnt bear it and ended up in a physical altercation with Zhou Mo that time, resulting in Zhou Mo losing quite a bit of money and almost getting fired. Lu Mao shrugged. They managed to reconcile. Isnt that strange, Officer? The two detectives exchanged a nce, and one of them stood up and walked out, presumably to report to their superior. Lu Mao grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth, and raised his handcuffed hands. Officer, Ive said everything I should. Can you let me go now? The seated officer capped their pen without paying him any attention. Whether to release you or not is decided by the higher-ups. Captain Song, a police officer hurriedly came in through the door and whispered something in her ear, cing a document in front of her at the same time. Zhou Mo on the other side seemed uneasy, shifting in his seat. He began to swallow frequently, and Song Yuhang gestured for someone below to bring him a ss of water. She flipped through a few pages,posed and unaffected. That watch, Chen Hao gave it to you, didnt he? Her voice was clear andposed, her words direct and confident. No matter when, she remained unfazed, as if she had everything under control. Under this overwhelming aura, Zhou Mos facade gradually crumbled. He started trembling, his lips quivering as if trying to articte something. His hands were sped together, incessantly picking at the dead skin around his nails. She took in all of this with a nce. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Song Yuhangs lips, her demeanor appearing calm yet dangerous. Let me guess, why would he give you a watch? There arent many things that can reconcile enemies overnight, unless you both share amon secret. This secret must be so significant that it made you put aside your differences. I cant imagine what kind of secret two ordinary high school students could have, unless Her expression turned cold, her voice chilling as she stated, You, have killed someone. Zhou Mo had been bowing his head, but as she continued speaking, his agony became more evident. His hands clenched into fists, his teeth grinding in frustration. Upon hearing this, he suddenly stood up, pushing the table in front of him away, his eyes reddened as he roared, No, it wasnt me! Youre talking nonsense! How could I have killed her if I loved her so much?! Lin Yan, sitting across from him, was startled. Instinctively, she leaned back a bit, covering her chest. Wow, quite fierce. Song Yuhang mmed her hand on the table as she stood up. She seemed to possess a natural talent for controlling various atmospheres effortlessly. With amanding tone, she said, Sit down! Several detectives rushed in, restraining him and forcing him back into the chair. The mask he had been wearingpletely shattered. He covered his face and began to cry, intermittently at first, and then it escted into loud, heart-wrenching sobs. I didnt I didnt kill her I really didnt Im sorry Im so sorry Do you think what hes saying is true or false? Lin Yan sat in the office chair, stirring her coffee. She had her feet propped up on the table and turned her head to look at Song Yuhang. Even after two days and nights without sleep, Song Yuhang looked as if she hadnt tired at all. She flipped through the test reports handed over by Lin Yan. Whether its true or false, well know once Chen Hao returns. The field operatives were already out to apprehend the suspect. The truth would likelye to light within two hours at most. Lin Yan took a sip of coffee, her face wrinkling in bitterness. Im still quite puzzled. Chen Hao is Gao Juns nephew. Its not wrong for him to want to find out if his uncle is having an affair. Zhou Mo likes Ding Xue, and its not wrong for him to want to know if shes having an inappropriate rtionship with his superior. So, they secretly sneaked out of school and followed her to Lianchi Park. Unless Gao Jun knows how to clone himself, he wouldnt have appeared in Lianchi Park that night. So, who was Ding Xue meeting there? Song Yuhang paused her flipping through the pages, raising her gaze to look at her. In her eyes, there was a glint of meaning that she couldnt quite discern, which sent shivers down her spine. It was the same kind of half-smile, half-mysterious look she had in the interrogation room. Lin Yan quickly averted her gaze. After a brief pause, she said, Thats also my question. ording to Zhou Mos testimony, they followed Ding Xue to Lianchi Park. By that time, it was already past 11 PM, and the park was deserted. Ding Xue took a path that seemed familiar to her. They soon crossed the stone arch bridge and entered an area with dense trees and thick foliage. The sky was very dark at that time. Fearing they might lose track, they alternated between chasing quickly and cautiously, eventually catching up. The railing of the stone arch bridge wasnt high, just waist-high. Ding Xue seemed to stumble as she walked. Worried about her safety, Zhou Mo took a few steps forward and shouted, Teacher Ding! It was at that moment, in response to his call, that there was a ssh as she fell into the water. Like a madman, Zhou Mo rushed forward without even removing his clothes. He dove into the water and managed to pull her out, but she was already out of breath. He wanted to call the police and request an ambnce, but Chen Hao firmly held him back. In the darkness, the two teenagers confronted each other. Zhou Mo waspletely soaked, and Chen Hao had a bleeding lip from being punched. Both were breathing heavily, and in the silence of the world, only the anxious sound of their heartbeats grew louder. Chen Hao climbed up from the ground and pounced on him, shaking his shoulders. You cant call the police! Theyll suspect us of murder! My life will be over! By the time he finished speaking, his voice was trembling with tears, I dont want to go to jail Zhou Mo I dont want to go to jail. The body in his arms was growing cold. Zhou Mo held her and let out a choked sound from his throat. He was softly sobbing, holding back his tears out of suppression and fear, biting his own fingers until they hurt. Teacher Ding Its not me Its not me What should I do What should I do He kept hitting his own head with his fists while speaking, then he let go of Ding Xue and lunged at Chen Hao, grabbing his cor and shouting at him with tears streaming down his face, Its all your fault! All your fault! What kind of terrible idea did youe up with? If we hadnt been trailing her, she wouldnt havee this way, and she wouldnt have fallen into the water! Give back my Teacher Ding! Give her back to me! He was strong, shoving Chen Hao into the muddy pool by the shore and pressing his head down with force. Chen Hao was gradually running out of breath, his hands iling in the air. With hisst bit of strength, he grabbed Zhou Mos sleeve. Zhou Zhou Mo You wanted to go to school, right? To get into the advanced ss, right? I I can help you Let go of me cough I can give you money Zhou Mos hands couldnt muster any more strength, and he choked back his sobs, falling to his knees in the muddy ground, facing Teacher Ding, softly sobbing. Chen Hao spat out the mud from his mouth, got up, and walked over to pat Zhou Mos shoulder. As long as you dont talk, and I dont talk, no one will know about todays incident. Well just consider it as if she she A chilly breeze rustled through the reeds, and the pale moonlight shone down, making their faces just as pale as Ding Xues. Chen Hao swallowed a mouthful of saliva. Drowned herself. Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Search Song Yuhang tapped her pen tip twice on the test report she handed over. Tell me about this little algal ring. Lin Yan was originally sitting across from her, but with a swift movement, she slid her chair over to her side. Leaning slightly, she said, Youre so capable, dont you know everything? Beg me, beg me, and Ill tell you. She had returned and changed her clothes. She wore the police uniform loosely, without a tie, leaving two buttons undone, revealing her slender vicle. The delicate nape of her neck was hidden in the voluminous brown curls. Song Yuhang subtly shifted her gaze away, turned on theputer, and showed no intention of engaging in small talk with her. Lin Yan reached out and covered it again with her hand. At this moment, the office was empty, and she lowered her voice to speak, sounding somewhat resentful. You knew early on that they had sent people to intercept him over the weekend. It was a statement, not a question. Song Yuhang raised her gaze, meeting her intense eyes. Arent you just watching from the sidelines? Lin Yan smiled slightly, the trace of frost in her eyes disappearing in an instant. She returned to her usual, casual expression. Thats because I know Captain Song, you definitely have the upper hand. Song Yuhang also agreed, curling her lips. Youre too kind. I also know that if I didnt step in, Dr. Lin would surely find a way to handle it herself. Lin Yan withdrew her hand and propped up her chin, tilting her head to look at her. Her eyes gently rippled with a variety of emotions, exuding a charming demeanor. Captain Song, you really praise me. Since thats the case, why bother saving me? Song Yuhang pursed her lips slightly, not saying much. However, Lin Yanughed softly again, her eyes narrowing slightly, like a triumphant little fox. Without looking at her, Song Yuhang opened theputer herself. If it were someone else, I would still save them. Oh~ Youre really broad-minded, that faint hint of perfume drifted over again. Lin Yan reached out and closed herputer once more. Song Yuhang frowned. You But she had already turned away, opening her ownputer. As for the little algal ring, its a type of diatom in the order Centrales,monly found in seawater. Its abundant along the southeastern coast of our country, so its not that unusual. However, when ced within this case, it bes quite special. The assumption that the killer drowned the victim at the seaside park and then returned to dispose of the body doesnt hold, leading to only one possible conclusion. She drowned within the city limits of Jiangcheng, and this ce has seawater. The two exchanged a nce. An aquarium. Captain Song, the person has arrived, an officer entered and knocked on the door. Song Yuhang stood up and put on a wide-brimmed hat. Alright, Iming. Lin Yan also stood up and followed, saying, Im going too. Song Yuhang turned around to look at her and said, You should rest. Lin Yan slightly curved her lips. You care about me. Song Yuhang smiled in a way that didnt quite reach her eyes. Youre always so blindly confident. Isnt it natural for a superior to care about a subordinate? I, Song Yuhang, havent be so heartless yet. In terms of their roles, she was the deputy team leader of the Criminal Investigation Division responsible for solving cases, while Lin Yan was in charge of the Technical Investigation Unit, making them peers in rank. However, in terms of police ranks, considering Song Yuhangs long tenure, she was already a Second-level Police Superintendent, and a higher rank naturally holds more authority. Lin Yan picked up a folder as if to throw it, her foot already stepping out of the office. As soon as she stepped out, the previously yful Lin Yan had regained herposure. She stretchedzily, rubbing her slightly sore neck. Ah, Im going home to sleep. Master, go to Qing Shan Vi, Lin Yan stated the location and then sat in the back seat with her eyes closed, resting. In no time, they arrived at their destination. Lin Yan got out of the car, and the butler was already waiting at the entrance with the servants, ready to take what she was holding. Miss, why didnt you inform us in advance when you wereing back? You havent had a proper meal in two days, Ill have something prepared for you Lin Yan waved her hand to signal that it wasnt necessary. I want to rest for a while, dont let anyone disturb me. She took a couple of steps, then turned back to look at the coat in the butlers hand. The clothes have been washed, dont throw them away. Yes, Miss, the butler obediently lowered his head, but he couldnt help feeling surprised in his heart. Lin Yans clothes filled the clothing room to the point where there wasnt enough space. She often wore clothes for a day and discarded them the next. Not to mention washing them and storing them, she usually couldnt be bothered. This was the first time she had voluntarily asked to leave something behind. Whenever she returned home, she would always spend some time in the attic. Lin Yan poured herself a ss of red wine and leaned against the table, sipping it slowly. As the drowsiness faded, her thoughts became clearer. Her fingertips lightly traced the slender neck of the tall ss. When the ss of red wine was empty, Lin Yan still dialed that phone number. She woke up again as the sun was setting. Her phone vibrated on the table, and Lin Yan extended her arm to pick it up. Her voice was still hoarse as she answered, Hello? Song Yuhang took the phone from Fang Xins hand. Hello, its me, Song Yuhang. Lin Yan rolled her eyes irritably and started getting dressed. I know its you. Whats the matter? Speak. Weve searched all the aquariums in Jiangcheng, but we havent found any trace of Ding Xue visiting. After the call ended, Fang Xin cheerfully leaned over and showed her the string of numbers. Captain Song, why dont you save it too? Itll be convenient for futuremunication. Song Yuhang nced at it for a moment, but still instinctively declined. Never mind, theres no need. If theres something at the bureau, I can just call the Technical Investigation Unit directly. And isnt there still you guys for field work? Fang Xin covered her mouth and chuckled, her expression showing a hint of amusement. Song Yuhang asked, Whats going on? Duan Cheng and Zheng Chengrui turned their heads and said in unison, Thats exactly what Dr. Lin said that day. See, I told you so. I guessed it right. Tomorrows chicken leg is mine. I was the one who said it first, so it should be mine. Why does a girl like you eat so much meat? Cant girls eat meat? Why do you still have such old-fashioned stereotypes? Watching the lively debate over there, Song Yuhang shook her head slightly and walked to the side. Hows it going? The diver had juste ashore from the water,pletely wet. They took off their diving mask, took deep breaths, and leaned on their knees to catch their breath before saying, Not good. The water isnt deep, but the conditions underwater areplicated. There are undercurrents and reefs, and its getting dark. You cant see anything clearly, which makes it difficult. ording to the information provided by Zhou Mo and Chen Hao, after they put the person in a stic bag found in a nearby trash can, they also threw Ding Xues belongings into the water. They had been searching along this river for the entire afternoon with no progress. The assault boat on the river had also stopped. Song Yuhang had just finished checking the situation at the aquariums within Jiangcheng and rushed over. The weather was hot, and the heat of summer hadnt dissipated yet. Mosquitoes buzzed around the reeds, making it even more stifling and ufortable. So, rewinding the clock, everything reverted back to the starting point. In most murder cases, they typically revolve around love, revenge, or money. Money-rted motives and revenge motives have been ruled out in the further investigative work. There were emotional entanglements involving Ding Xue, Ge Jun, Zhou Mo, and Sun Xiangming. Considering the timing of the crime, Ge Jun and Sun Xiangming are eliminated as suspects. That leaves Zhou Mo and Chen Hao. At that time, there were only the two of them here. Its not impossible that they conspired to im that Ding Xues death was an idental drowning. But she always had a question: why here, why Lianchi Park? Is there something special about this ce? And theres something unusual about the way she rushed out of her own house. Song Yuhang had a stalk of dogtail grass in her mouth, and she bit down on it, releasing a hint of bitterness. Suddenly, she sat up and realized the ring! Sun Xiangming wasnt wearing a wedding ring! Remember, he was lying. A wedding ring carries significant meaning. How could a loving and harmonious couple not wear wedding rings? She had actually seen many couples whose rtionships had broken down treat these rings with indifference. Fang Xin, she stood up and called Fang Xins name. Fang Xin quickly ran over and asked, Whats wrong, Captain Song? The ring fromst time, did you find anything? These past few days had been so chaotic that she had forgotten about something so important. There wasnt anything particrly significant. Its a pretty ordinary white gold ring in terms of material. Song Yuhang furrowed her brow. Let me ask you, if your husband gave you a white gold ring when you got married, what would you think? Why would I marry someone so cheap? If he cant afford a diamond, at the very least it should be gold or tinum, came a voice from afar before Fang Xin could reply. Lin Yan pushed aside the trailing willow branches and entered. Whats up? Is Captain Song getting married? As long as the groom isnt my brother, he cant afford a diamond ring, but I can get one for you. She said with a mischievous smile, her eyes full of affection as they kept ncing at Song Yuhang. Fang Xin covered her chest, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. This this was too stimting! Captain Songs partner is Dr. Lins brother?! And Dr. Lins brother is going to give her a diamond ring??? What should she do? Shes discovered such a huge affair. Will she be silenced? Meanwhile, Fang Xins imagination had conjured up a melodramatic tale of power struggles and love triangles among wealthy families, leaving her thunderstruck. Song Yuhang had already turned around and was looking at her. There wasnt much emotion in her expression; Fang Xin had gotten used to it. No need. With Dr. Lin, I wouldnt even want a pull-tab ring. In just a second, Lin Yans previously smiling face turned sour. She was almost about to take off her high heels and hit her. Fang Xin, dont stop me! If you keep talking like that, Ill However, you did say something right, Song Yuhang interjected, her hands casually tucked into her pockets as she looked at her. Why would I marry someone so cheap? So, this ring might be something she cherished, but it might not necessarily be a gift from Sun Xiangming. A few people dispersed and walked out, and Song Yuhang took out her phone and made a call, Sun Xiangming is a major suspect in a crime. Apply for a search warrant from the prosecutors office immediately. The surveince team should keep an eye on the entrances of the neighborhood! If you let even a fly escape, dont bothering back! A drop of water fell onto Lin Yans forehead. She looked up and realized that at some point, the clear weather had turned into a sky filled with dark clouds. The distant rumble of thunder reached their ears, and lightning tore through the sky. A typhoon was approaching. Police lights flickered, and police cars sped through the streets as rain meandered down the car windows. Lin Yan grabbed her forensic kit and got out of the car, immediately sttering mud on her pant legs. Several members of the technical investigation team followed her one after the other. Song Yuhang didnt wear her uniform in case a violent arrest was necessary, but Lin Yan knew that she had a gun with live ammunition in the holster around her waist. Lin Yan licked her chapped lips and also entered the buildings corridor. One of the inclothes investigators posing as property management knocked on the door, Hello, property management. Can you please open the door? Theres a report of a water leak in your bathroom downstairs. Sun Xiangming put down the child and peeked through the peephole. As he started to open the door just a crack, a group of investigators lunged forward, forcing the door open and pinning him to the ground. Song Yuhang handcuffed him and held the search warrant in front of his eyes, saying, Police. We now suspect you of a serious crime. Pleasee with us. Unexpectedly, Sun Xiangming didnt resist. He remained silent as he was pulled up from the ground, his face devoid of expression. As they were about to leave the house, he turned to look at his daughter still sitting on the couch ying with toys. He moved his lips, My daughter Song Yuhang pushed him out of the house, saying, Dont worry, weve already informed the childs grandmother toe pick her up. Lin Yan stood outside the door, the rain pouring heavily. Her uniform had gotten wet on one side froming up, yet it highlighted her tall and graceful figure, and her gaze was sharp. In that fleeting moment of exchanged nces, she nodded slightly: Leave it to me. Remember. Song Yuhang understood her message, and she gave a subtle nod in response. With the suspect in tow, she walked away briskly. After everyone had left, Lin Yan took gloves out of the forensic kit and swiftly put them on, flexing her fingers. Search thoroughly, especially under the carpet, on furniture, around the edges of cups, and any easily overlooked details. Dont let even a trace of blood or a single fingerprint slip by. Yes! They all responded in unison and began to diligently carry out the task. Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Truth Say, what were you doing on the evening of May 14th? Didnt I already tell you? I was working from home. It had been over two hours since they brought him in. A new set of people took turns asking questions, employing one of the interrogation techniques. Under the high tension, as long as he lied, they would repeatedly inquire about the details, and ws would eventually surface. Sun Xiangmings mouth felt dry from talking, he licked his lips, but no one offered him water. Officer, may I ask why you suspect me? During a brief pause, he took the initiative to speak, still maintaining an honest and sincere appearance. The criminal investigation personnel sitting across from him exchanged a nce. Noment. Dont change the subject. Yes, I admit that Xiaoxue and I sometimes argue. But isnt it normal for couples to argue about trivial matters like child education while living together? Officer, are you trying to say youve never argued with your spouse at home? This question left Zhang Jinhai momentarily speechless. He lifted his teacup and took a sip of tea, while the investigator beside him mmed her pen down. Tell the truth! Do you really have to wait until we find evidence through a search before you give up? Let me tell you, this wont reduce your sentence. If anything, the court will hand down a stricter punishment! A lifetime behind bars would be the lighter sentence! Song Yuhang was monitoring from outside, frowning deeply. She knocked on the door, signaling for the two of them to switch out. Zhang Jinhai came out, his expression not looking very good. Team Leader Song, were you a bit impulsive this time? ording to regtions, we can only detain him for 24 hours. If we dont have solid evidence pointing to him as the murderer within that time frame, well have to release him. Implied within his words was the concern that if news spread about the cycle of arresting and releasing, the reputation of the citys police department would be tarnished. Director Feng also arrived, sitting to the side and stirring the foam in his teacup. His brow furrowed deeply. To establish guilt and decide the sentence, in a case like this without any eyewitnesses, both testimony and evidence were crucial. Song Yuhang looked at him and spoke, addressing Director Feng: Within 24 hours, I will obtain a confession of his culpability for the murder. As for evidence, I trust Forensic Doctor Lin. Fang Xin sprayed luminol reagent onto the coffee table. In order to observe anytent blood reactions, the room remained unlit, casting a dim light that left everyones faces faintly discernible. However, what was disheartening was that they had nearlybed through the entire living room without finding any valuable fingerprints or traces of blood. Lin Yan, using a shlight, headed towards the bedroom. Continue searching. Less than 18 hours remained until the 24-hour deadline. Song Yuhang entered the interrogation room and sat down across from him, holding a notebook. Sun Xiangming lowered his head and yawned, clearly bing weary of the questioning. Without even looking up, he began to speak, I really didntmit the murder Although he said this with sleepy eyes, his expression was calm and open, devoid of any unnecessary movements. Song Yuhang pushed a ss of water towards him. Dont be nervous, Im here just to have a conversation with you. Sun Xiangming nced at the ss, licked his lips, but didnt make a move to drink. Song Yuhang leaned back in her chair, adopting a rxed posture. Go ahead and drink. Theres nothing to worry about. We live in a society governed by the rule ofw. We wont mistreat a suspect. Sun Xiangming took the ss slowly, sipping a couple of times and then downing the rest in one go. Song Yuhang gestured for someone to refill it. Sun Xiangming wiped his lips and put the ss down. I really didnt kill her Song Yuhang rxed even further in her seat, legs naturally apart, hermanding eyebrows rxing. The intense aura around her dissipated, making her appear more approachable. We wont talk about that today. Lets discuss how you got to know her. A click The bedroom light switched on. The childs bed was ced by the side of the bed, taking up arge portion of the pathway. Lin Yan carefully squeezed through. The room wasnt spacious; it was packed to the brim. Despite the child being three years old, she still slept with her parents. How do the couple manage their intimate life? Lin Yan lifted the covers, a strong odor of childs body emanating and filling her nostrils. She reached out to touch, the bedding damp and cold; it seemed like the child had wet the bed a while ago. With the summers quick drying, she wondered how long it took for it to be like this. She wrinkled her nose in disgust, adjusted the covers, and then proceeded to search the adults bed, sequentially lifting the covers and pillows to collect hairs. However, she still didnt find any valuable clues. Meanwhile, Song Yuhangs conversation had also reached an impasse. He wasnt refusing to say anything at all. Sun Xiangming was quite intelligent, much more cunning than he appeared on the surface. He understood that saying too much in front of the police could lead to mistakes. So, whenever Song Yuhang asked a question, he responded, not resisting but also not being overly cooperative. We got to know each other through a blind date. I heard from Ding Xues mother that you were very fond of her at that time and pursued her for a long time. When there were no questions, he maintained silence. Song Yuhang wasnt in a hurry either. She took a sip of tea and refilled her cup. Do you know Ge Jun? Hes the principal of their school. Sun Xiangming raised an eyebrow slightly. I know, heard he got arrested too. Yes, he harassed your wife, and hes got a history of bad behavior. Hes getting what he deserves. She saw a subtle curl of his lip, quickly returning to a calm demeanor. That smile could be interpreted as happiness, but it was more strongly tinged with a sense of irony. The person who had been harassing your wife for a long time finally faced justice. Arent you happy? Sun Xiangming didnt say anything, his jaw tense. He noticed Song Yuhang scrutinizing him, and then he spoke, Happy, of course Im happy. Song Yuhang shook her head. Youre not happy because the real person who had been harassing her isnt Ge Jun. Sun Xiangmings hands under the table clenched together. He was struggling, he was contemting, yet his outward appearance still seemedposed and calm, without a trace of vulnerability. Such a person is difficult to deal with. If it were anyone else facing experienced detectives, even enduring a single round of questioning would be considered impressive, let alone going through repeated interrogations. Of course, there are exceptionsthose who dont lie. No matter how much you ask, the oue remains the same for such individuals. However, all signs indicated that Sun Xiangmings rtionship with his wife had deteriorated, making him the most likely person to have killed Ding Xue. He had been unwilling to admit it, leaving the question of whether there were hidden circumstances or if he genuinely hadntmitted the murder. This doubt remained in her heart throughout. The cause of Ding Xues death was drowning, but the exact time and ce of her drowning remained a mystery. Ill personally search the bathroom, Lin Yan took the luminol reagent from Fang Xins hand and opened the curtain before stepping inside. Floor tiles, sink, bathtub Any corner that could be thought of was meticulously examined, not a single detail overlooked. Lin Yan crouched on the floor, turned off the light, and used a shlight to illuminate the crevices beneath the bathtub. Still, she found nothing, as if it had been thoroughly cleaned. Feeling a bit disheartened, she received a phone call from Song Yuhang at that moment. Time was pressing, and neither of them wasted words. Song Yuhang got straight to the point as she opened the door, Hows the situation? Lin Yan held the phone between her shoulder and chin, her hands not stopping, We havent found any valuable clues. There was a brief pause on the other end, and Lin Yan could hear the pitter-patter of rain. She must not be in the interrogation room, which meant there was still no progress on that end. If they couldnt obtain crucial evidence here, they would have to release the suspect in 24 hours, which was uneptable to both of them. Clearing her throat, Lin Yan was about to speak. Her slightly hoarse voice came through, Its okay, do your best. Oh, Team Leader Song, youre switching gears today? I wouldnt be too surprised by that, Lin Yan remarked, using her hand to feel the inside of the bathtub. Outside the interrogation room, Song Yuhang stood facing the floor-to-ceiling window, watching raindrops trace lines on the ss, a cigarette held between her fingers. She rarely smoked, unless it was absolutely necessary to calm herself down and think. Those moments were few and far between. Actually, theres something I find curious. Sun Xiangming doesnt deny that his rtionship with his wife deteriorated, but he consistently denies the fact that hemitted the murder. Its not so much a denial as he seems to genuinely believe he didnt kill her. Lin Yans hand twitched, and a vague memory flitted through her mind, but it was fleeting, and she couldnt grasp onto anything. Song Yuhang was about to hang up the phone; the cigarette was almost burning her fingers. She extinguished it in the ashtray. On the other end, it seemed like Lin Yan sensed something and stood up. Wait, even though we havent found direct evidence pointing to him as the murderer, weve made some discoveries. See if you can use this to get him to talk. What do you mean? Ive noticed that Sun Xiangming might have tendencies towards child abuse. She said if she doesnt want a second child, she wont have one! Its been years since she got married, and she cant even give birth to a son, like a hen that canty eggs! Good riddance, at least she died cleanly! Those few sentences from Sun Xiangmings mother during the night at the funeral parlor suddenly shed into her mind. Song Yuhang abruptly turned around and walked briskly towards the interrogation room. Alright, I understand. The busy criminal investigation team had been working for most of the night without eating or drinking. However, Sun Xiangming had already eaten. He held a cup of soy milk and there were two steamed buns in a stic bag in front of him. He took a bite of the steamed bun and swallowed it. When someone entered, he extended his arm and offered her the remaining buns. Officer Song, havent eaten yet? How about two? Song Yuhang sat down across from him. No need, are you full? If youre not full, we can get you two more. Sun Xiangming quickly finished off the remaining two buns, and gulped down the cup of soy milk. He instantly felt more energized and much morefortable. He let out a satisfied burp and looked up at the clock hanging on the wall. Ive eaten, when can I have some rest? No rush, its still early. I have some questions Id like to ask you, Mr. Sun, Song Yuhang straightened her back, shifting from her previously rxed posture to a more rigid one. Her expression turned slightly cold and serious. Ding Xue had an affair. She stated it as a fact. Sun Xiangmings pupils contracted, but he remained silent. The reason you didnt want to tell us who that person was is because you didnt know, right? Let me guess. Hes wealthier than you, more considerate than you, smarter than you, better at making girls happy than you, and, most importantly, you couldnt match up to him in bed. Has Ding Xue refused to let you touch her for a long time, since you had the child? Her voice was hushed, amidst the howling wind and rain outside, it carried a certain air of mystery. As her voice trailed off, Sun Xiangmings lips pressed into a straight line. I guess when you first got married, you really liked Ding Xue. But influenced by your mother, as time went on, you felt that Ding Xue was perfect in every way except for not being able to bear a child. After finally having a child, it turned out to be a girl. You wanted her to have a second child, but she disagreed, right? I dont know what youre talking about, Sun Xiangming countered her with more intensity than before. Yes, I admit, I do have some preference for boys. But I truly didnt kill her. If you dont believe me, investigate. She was perfectly fine when she left home. Song Yuhang smiled faintly, You finally admitted it. Sun Xiangming was taken aback, You She rxed back into her chair, The problem is, on that night when she left your house in a panic, I couldnt understand what she was afraid of. It turns out she was afraid of you. You didnt directly kill her, you did it indirectly! She pulled a cigarette from the box on the table, lit it up, and as the smoke curled around her, she saw Sun Xiangmings expression change. Unlike Lin Yans seductive smoking style, when Song Yuhang smoked, her entire presence became stronger and more confident, emanating a powerful psychological intimidation. It seemed like nothing could escape her scrutiny. Let me guess, on that night, you wanted to have sex with her, but she refused, saying she had an appointmentter. You had a heated argument in front of the child, and it escted into a loud fight. The child was crying throughout, and in a fit of anger, you couldnt control yourself and pped her. Ding Xue questioned why you were taking your frustration out on the child, saying you were useless and a failure. You couldnt earn money, you werent a good father, and you never took care of the family. Did she also say Someone like you, wanting a second child? You must be dreaming! Song Yuhang imitated that domineering posture, almost perfectly. Sun Xiangming started breathing heavily, his hands sping and fidgeting under the table, and the veins on his forehead were pulsating. When a woman gets angry, most of them bring up old issues, no matter how gentle and refined they may appear on the outside. Its the same for every woman when theyre facing someone they dont love. She criticized your rural background, yourck of ambition in your job, and even your honest but reticent personality. She went on to criticize your mothers favoritism towards your brothers over sisters. She might have even saidmarrying you was like inheriting generations of bad luck. A touch of pity filled Song Yuhangs eyes, though it wasnt clear for whom. She exhaled a smoke ring slowly before speaking. Unfortunately, she forgot that the more honest and straightforward a person appears, the more twisted they can be when things take a dark turn. As she said this, she couldnt help but think of the scenest night when she ced her hand on Lin Yans neck. She subconsciously furrowed her brows and extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray. The entire process took less than three seconds, executed with remarkable fluidity. Neither the apanying detectives nor Sun Xiangming, who was sitting across from her, noticed any abnormality. Sun Xiangmings perfectly crafted faade finally showed a crack as he unknowingly clenched the edge of the table, pressing down on some wood shavings. Song Yuhang leaned slightly forward, delivering the final blow: You loved her so much, you gave everything to marry her, but she never loved you in return. She didnt even love the daughter you forced her to bear, did she? A hint of pity welled up in her eyes, particrly jarring in Sun Xiangmings gaze. Youre quite pitiable. Even on her deathbed, she didnt reveal the identity of that person to you. Bam! A loud sound echoed as the handcuffs mmed onto the table. Sun Xiangming abruptly stood up, his eyes bloodshot, staring fiercely at her as he roared, The one who doesnt care about the family is her! The one who had an affair is her! She deserves to die! She deserves to die! Song Yuhang watched him go mad in silence, a faint smile curving at the corner of her lips. Several detectives rushed in and quickly restrained him onto the chair. Despite that, Sun Xiangming covered his face and began to cry. Giggle giggle giggle He emitted a chilling sound from his mouth. While Song Yuhang thought he was crying, he moved one hand away, revealing half of his bloodshot eye as he looked at her with a smile. The officer who was sitting next to her during the interrogation, looking visibly disturbed, berated loudly, Why are youughing?! Whats there tough about?! He hadnt fully emerged from that state of madness yet, still covering his face whileughing for a while. The wall clock passed midnight and began to chime the time. Sun Xiangming released his hand from his face, miraculously calming down. This time, it was him who rxed while Song Yuhang remainedposed. He gazed at her with a mocking smile in his eyes. What difference does it make if you know? Fingerprints, bloodstains, hair if theres any evidence pointing to me as the murderer, go ahead and search for it. If you cant find it He also leaned in slightly, getting closer to Song Yuhang, By the break of dawn, youll have to release me. Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Confrontation A thunderbolt cracked across the sky, momentarily illuminating the room with a sh of lightning. Inside the makeshift training room, everyone was busy with their tasks, moving hurriedly and with a solemn demeanor. No one spoke. Amidst the lingering haze, asional coughs and the sound of keyboard typing could be heard. Song Yuhang massaged her temples. It had been a week since she had properly rested. Several blood blisters had formed in her mouth due to her restlessness. She used her tongue to push against them, using the pain to fend off her weariness. The telephone on the desk rang urgently. Someone answered it swiftly and then turned to call her, Team Leader Song, weve got a new lead! With a swift stride, Song Yuhang rushed over, her voice somewhat unsteady, Hello?! Fang Xin held the phone for her, while Lin Yany on the floor, measuring the traces on the ground with a tape measure. Her usually boisterous voice sounded soforting in this moment. 1507060! I understand now! Its the fish tank! Fish tank! I couldnt figure out where Ding Xue drowned before. Even after searching the entire house, I couldnt find any clues. Until I found this. Lin Yan shook the small fish tank in her hand. Its probably a goldfish tank he bought for his daughter to y with. He took good care of them. These things are delicate; a novice would have them dead in a day. He was experienced. Furthermore, we discovered that the living room only had a sofa and dining table. Unexpectedly, a bookshelf was ced abruptly in the area that should have separated the living room and the foyer. Moving the shelf, we found a not-so-obvious white scratch. After measuring, its 1507060, matching themon dimensions of a saltwater fish breeding tank on the market. As she said this, she looked out the window. It was pouring rain outside, and the lightnings brightness traced across her cold brow. Lin Yans voice lowered, This is the location of the first discovery. Im certain that the cause of death for the victim, Ding Xue, was dyed drowning1. A faint smile finally graced the corner of Song Yuhangs lips, as if a burden had been lifted. Youve worked hard. Leave the rest to me from here. Entering the interrogation room once again, Song Yuhang was there only to bid him farewell. The next time they met might be in a courtroom or on the execution grounds. Did you drown her in the fish tank? She stood at the doorway, staring at him coldly. Sun Xiangming suddenly clenched his jaw. He had been reclining on the bench, but now he sat up abruptly, looking at her with a hint of gritted teeth. You dont need to ask how I knew. If you dont want others to know, dont do it. After she finished speaking, Sun Xiangming looked at the police officer before him, her calm and resolute demeanor, and heughed again. It was aughter that seemed mocking yet also filled with disdain. What does it matter if you know? What you cant find, you cant use to convict me. When day breaks, Ill still walk out of here. Song Yuhang looked at him, her disgust now openly visible in her eyes. Actually, Im quite curious. When you were gripping her by the back of her neck and pushing her into the water, what were you thinking? Was it relief or regret? If it was truly relief, Ding Xue would have died at home a long time ago, not surviving those few extra hours. It was said that the phone call made from the school had saved her. Little did they know, the boundary between good and evil rested on a single thought. After she finished speaking, she turned and strode away, ignoring Sun Xiangmings futile attempt to m into the iron door. He cried, shouted, and cursed until his throat was hoarse, but she didnt look back. All members of the field team, move out! Use Suns home as the center and cover all garbage dumps, recycling stations, flea markets, second-hand trading centers, and stores selling used fishing equipment within a ten-kilometer radius. Dig up every inch if you have to. Understood?! Rain slid over her temples, wetting one side of her uniform quickly. The young detectives in front of her stared sharply and shouted in unison, Yes! Move out! The car doors locked, and the police car once again left the city bureau, charging into the pouring rain. Sister Lan, Team Song is on their way here. What about us? Fang Xin asked, holding her phone. Lin Yan took off her gloves and put them into an evidence bag. Do whatever you need to do. Ivepleted my task. Her phone, nestled in her pocket, vibrated slightly. She waved nonchntly. Carry on with your tasks. Ill go find a restroom. The garbage dump for ourplex is right here. The property management staff led the group toward the back of the building using a shlight. The rain fell heavily and rapidly, pooling sewage into trickling streams in the low areas. Combined with the rains wash, the stench became even more unbearable. Song Yuhang wore a raincoat. She was tall, and even the properly fitting pants seemed a bit short, exposing a small portion of her ankles. She waded through the water, sweeping her shlight around. Did anyonee to throw away something big in the past few days? Dealing with such arge fish tank would inevitably involve selling it as scrap, reselling it, or smashing it to pieces and discarding it. Regardless of the method, it wouldnt go unnoticed. One of the propertypany employees pped his forehead suddenly. Yes, yes! A few days ago, the owner of 504 brought down a really big cardboard box, saying it was construction waste. It was strangely heavy. I even helped with carrying it. Where is it? The garbage heap wasntrge, and there was nothing left to find. Its been taken away long ago. Officer, what are you rummaging through trash for in the middle of the night? The property staff yawned incessantly, clearly displeased about being pulled out of their bed in the middle of the night. Where was it taken? To thendfill site in the north of the city. Without a second word, Song Yuhang turned and walked away. The property staff hurried a couple of steps after her. Hey, hey! You probably wont find anything now if you go. ording to municipal regtions, all garbage is processed and destroyed on the same day. Its either buried or incinerated. As she reached the entrance of the building, the forensic team also happened toe down. Lin Yan shielded herself from the rain with her hand and looked up at the dark gray sky. The watch on her wrist emitted a faint glow in the darkness. Theres less than six hours until dawn; time is running out. Song Yuhang walked past her, bringing a gust of damp wind. Lin Yan lifted her gaze slightly. I think you should know that even if we find the fish tank, any residual fingerprints on it might no longer exist due to the heavy rains washing. Song Yuhangs steps faltered slightly, and she turned to look at Lin Yan. Lin Yan gazed into those brown eyes. Lets consider the worst-case scenario: even if his fingerprints happened to survive on the fish tank, what difference would it make? It wouldnt lead to a death penalty. As she said these words, a faintly mocking smile tugged at the corner of her lips. The cause of death was dyed drowning. From a subjective perspective, it didnt result in immediate death at the time. Plus, there was a three-year-old child involved. In a case Ive assessed, the perpetrator stabbed the other person over thirty times due to emotional entanglements. Was that cruel? Terrifying? Insane? But because it was the killer who dialed the emergency call and the victim died while being transported to the hospital, the final verdict was a suspended death sentence. He hasnt been executed yet. Song Yuhang, give it up. Sun Xiangming knew early on that he wouldnt die. Hes confident and fearless. Your pursuit in this matter is like searching for a needle in the ocean. From within that mocking smile, she extracted a cold trace of hatred. The four-pointed star on her shoulder gleamed in the rain, entuating the sharpness of her brows and eyes. The two of them stood there, separated by the curtain of rain, locked in a chilly stare-down. And so what if thats the case? I admit, our countrys currentws might have their ws. But does that mean Dr. Lin has to cross the moral and legal boundaries to be that de of murder, seeking revenge through vengeance? A cold smile spread across Lin Yans lips, her voice dripping with resentment. Heaven and earth are not benevolent, treating all things as straw dogs. I am carrying out the will of heaven. Whats there to be forbidden? Song Yuhang took a step forward. She was tall, blocking out the faint remaining light under the dim streemp. Lin Yan was enveloped in her shadow, tilting her head back. Rainwater trickled down her sharp chin. I wont give you that opportunity. And if that day everes, even if its an unsheathed precious sword, I wont hesitate to personally shatter it and bury its edge in the sand. Song Yuhang looked down at her from a higher vantage point, her pale brown eyes still devoid of emotion. Yet, Lin Yan believed that she could indeed say what she meant. As she thought about the prospect of bing adversaries with someone like this in the future, Lin Yans lips curved into a smile. Her entire bodys blood seemed to boil, carrying a sense of excitement akin to encountering a worthy opponent in a game of chess. She lifted her gaze, took a gentle step forward, tiptoed, and softly ced her hand on Song Yuhangs shoulder. To an outsiders eye, it appeared as if two intimate individuals were exchanging whispers. Lin Yan embraced her shoulders and breathed by her ear, Is that so? Im looking forward to that day. Song Yuhang remainedposed, tilting her head slightly and bringing it close to Lin Yans ear. She couldnt back down; backing down would be admitting defeat. I will. You wont have to wait too long. Lin Yans hand slid down her shoulder, following the rains path. Just like Song Yuhang, she was highly skilled in reading between the lines. Her innate talents in certain aspects were simply too astute, bordering on being overly clever. She hadnt dodged, hadnt moved, and had even directly responded. However, her tensed body had betrayed her long before. With a slight smile, Lin Yan took the opportunity to raise herself up, much like a poised kiss. Her ear grazed Song Yuhangs lips, the sensation both cool and soft, causing a momentary shiver. This was an instinctive response unrted to romance. Team Song someone called out. Song Yuhang discreetly took a step back, once again raising her gaze to look at Lin Yan. Truly a person who remainedposed even in the face of Mount Tai copsing, within a few fleeting moments, her calm demeanor had been restored. But before that happens, I have other matters to attend to. How thew is applied is a matter of thew. Solving cases, gathering evidence, and seeking the truth are my responsibilities. I hold my head high in front of the heavens and have no regrets before the earth. I am true to the uniform I wear, and I am true to my conscience. As she spoke, her tone was exceptionally calm. It wasnt like she was making an oath or a rash deration; it was something that had matured over time. She had long passed that age. The fiery passion had transformed into a professional ethic to be remembered at all times. In the mundane world of criminal investigation work, it hadnt diminished her enthusiasm but had instead turned into an unceasing river. The calmer it appeared, the more powerful the undercurrents. Lin Yan shuddered all over, biting her lip tightly as she looked sharply at Song Yuhang. However, Song Yuhang had already led her team onto the vehicle. With amand issued, everyone rushed to thendfill site in the northern part of the city. The Criminal Investigation Division of the Jiangcheng Police Department mobilized its entire force, including those who were on their days off, on leave, and even auxiliary officers who were avable. Director Feng stood by the window. The rain outside had never ceased. The tea in his hand had turned cold, but he didnt bother to rece it. He took a sip and set it down. A police officer entered, looking troubled. Director Feng, Sun Xiangmingswyer has arrived. Theyre asking us to release him. Go tell them that the time hasnte yet, and we cant release this person, he ced the tea cup on the table and paced back and forth restlessly with his hands behind his back. Have someone contact Song Yuhang. How much time has passed? Not a single word, what are they all doing? The officer hesitated to speak. Director Feng stopped and looked at him. Whats the matter now? The reporters have arrived too. The Prosecutors Office has also sent someone to gather information. Deputy Chief Zhang is currently handling it. Would you like to go over Before he could finish saying the word see, he saw Director Feng Jian raise his eyebrows and explode in anger, Damn reporters, theyre all like dogs with sensitive noses. As soon as they smell meat buns, they swarm in, afraid of missing out and not even leaving a hot dog turd for themselves to eat! The officer wanted tough but stifled it, quickly standing at attention without ncing around. Go tell them that were not giving interviews. Theres nothing much to say about this case. Everything will wait for official notification. Team Leader Song, here, wipe yourself, sitting in the car, Fang Xin saw that Song Yuhang waspletely soaked. She pulled out a tissue from her pocket and handed it over. Thank you. Song Yuhang sat in the front seat, turned around, and took the tissue to wipe the water droplets from her forehead. However, someone in the back asked another question. Team Leader Song, are you okay? Your ears are even red. Youre not running a fever, are you? After all, youve been busy for a few days without much rest Not mentioning it was better, as soon as she did, the area that Lin Yan had touched felt like it was burning up. Even though she wasnt in the car, that faint and elusive floral scent lingered around her, refusing to dissipate. Song Yuhang rolled down the car window, letting the cool night breeze mixed with raindrops waft in slightly. Its okay, its inevitable for it to be stuffy during a typhoon. As thergest waste processing center in Jiangcheng City, tens of thousands of tons of garbage were brought here daily for centralizedndfilling. Over the years, the umted garbage had formed into small hills. Before even driving in, the stench was already noticeable. Song Yuhang put on a mask, hopped out of the car, and immediately found the sewage covering her shoes. The team followed her, wading through the mess with each step. The staff member leading the way in front was almost suffocated by the smell. He waved his hand and stopped, panting heavily. The garbage brought in a few days ago was dumped over there. Following the direction of his pointing finger, they looked and saw a dark mass, piled up like small hills. Duan Chengs face turned pale: This how are we supposed to find anything here? Song Yuhang didnt look back. She instructed her team of detectives to put on gloves, wear stic shoes, and take necessary protective measures. Then, she led the way into the garbage pile. Action spoke louder than words. When the leader was taking such measures, others also followed suit, pinching their noses and joining in. Many times, there were no shortcuts to solving a case, only the day-to-day dedication and effort. This was the true path to stopping crime. Doing things like rummaging through garbage, digging through manure pitsSong Yuhang had lost count of how many times she had done them. Sweat clung to her forehead, trickling out, but before it could even feel warm, the icy rain extinguished it. Water droplets trailed down her chin, and she couldnt tell whether it was rain or sweat. The sky was dim, the rain unrelenting, and visibility faded after just a few meters. Rainwater blinked into her eyes, gradually blurring her vision. She removed her hood, wiped her face with a clean shoulder, and nced at her wristwatch. 3:30 in the early morning. Impatience was the most urate depiction of her current state. HissOuch! It was unclear whether he had touched a metal object or an iron hook, but one of the criminal investigation officers had been pricked. He immediately took off his glove and started shouting in pain. Beside him, colleagues were digging through the garbage with their shlights, and some of them grumbled with dissatisfaction, Weve been getting pricked who knows how many times while digging through this garbage. Born with bad luck, some people dont even bother showing up. Not to mention garbage, they havent even been rained on a bit. Song Yuhang turned around, her lips forming a straight line. She walked to the side, removed her gloves, and retrieved her phone from the inner pocket of her raincoat. She wiped the water droplets off, but they quickly got wet again from the rain. After a few attempts, she managed to turn on the phone. She dialed an unlisted number, and the call was quickly answered. Hello? Help me keep an eye on someone. Amidst lightning and thunder, the howling wind swept through the wilderness, creating a haunting echo. Her voice was hoarse, giving an inexplicable sense of unease to anyone who heard it.
  1. Dyed or secondary drowninghappens when water gets into the lungs and irritates the lining of the lungs. From there, fluid the builds up and can cause a pulmonary edema. In this case, youd notice trouble breathing almost immediately and the symptoms would worsen over the next few hours.
Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Opponent When Lin Yan finished smoking a cigarette, the car arrived. She opened the car door, got in, and caught a glimpse of a car not far behind starting its engine through the rearview mirror. Miss, where to? Lin Yan fastened her seatbelt. I havent decided yet. Just drive around, driver. After circling the city for a few rounds, that car was still relentlessly tailing behind. The way they were following was clever; the distance was significant, yet they always managed to catch up just as she was about to disappear. A faint smile curved at the corner of Lin Yans lips. How intriguing. Driver, take me to the Municipal Public Security Bureau. Even before dawn, a swarm of media reporters had gathered at the entrance of the municipal bureau. The moment she stepped out of the car, she was surrounded, various types of microphones and cameras thrust before her. Miss Lin, Miss Lin, weve heard that you conducted the analysis for this case. Miss Lin, is the perpetrator the victims husband or someone else? Weve heard that the victim had a tumultuous personal life and was involved with the principal of Jiangcheng No.1 High School. Could this be a motive for the murder? She didnt say a word, extending her hand to clear a path. Someone behind her continued to pursue, saying, Miss Lin, Miss Lin, please share something about this case When they reached the lobby, the pursuing person was blocked by arriving police officers. She had managed to sessfully break free. Zhang Jinhai, who was hosting the individuals sent by the procuratorate1, showed a trace of delight upon her return and greeted her warmly. Well, Forensic Doctor Lin is back. Hows the case progressing? Lin Yan responded indifferently, Ah, I suppose its not looking promising. Zhang Jinhai pped his thigh, stood up with a troubled expression, and sighed, Ah, I knew it. This time its a mess. What kind of situation is this? Even if they find evidence, it might not necessarily In front of the prosecutor, he swallowed the second half of his sentence. Seeing Lin Yans displeased expression, he quickly offered his deference, Its good youre back, its good youre back. Forensic Doctor Lin, youve worked hard this time. Go and rest. He had been waiting for this remark. Lin Yan nodded slightly, Alright, Ill go take a nap. Let another forensic expert handle the case today. After she left, Zhang Jinhai sat down again and engaged in a conversation with several prosecutors, This is Lin Yan, our newly recruited expert at the municipal bureau. Forensic Doctor Lin doesnt seem as unsociable as the rumors suggest Wearing wet clothes was ufortable. Lin Yan walked while taking off her coat, holding it in her hand. She cast a subtle nce behind her. Her little tail that had been following her disappeared. People wereing and going in the corridors of the Municipal Public Security Bureau. She pushed open the door of the duty room and walked in, flinging her coat onto the sofa. With a thud, she copsed onto the iron-framed bed, beginning to recuperate. As time passed by, people continued to enter and exit the duty room, fetching items. Lin Yan was sleeping deeply; she was truly tired. It had been quite a while since she had worked at such a high intensity. It wasnt until the first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains crevices and illuminated the bed that Lin Yan opened her eyes. Weariness dissipated, reced by a refreshed demeanor. In the case of the murdered female teacher at Jiangcheng No.1 High School, Sun Xiangming, the deceaseds husband who was detained yesterday, has had hiswyer file an appeal. Due to insufficient evidence, he may be released this morning. Jiangcheng City Television is providing live coverage for you. The roomcked drawn curtains, and it remained entirely dark. The television was still on, and the female hosts voice carried on ceaselessly. The scene shifted, capturing Sun Xiangming walking out apanied by his parents andwyer. He bowed to the media reporters and the crowd of onlookers. Thank you all for your concern. I believe we should better understand and support the efforts of the police. After all, they are also working to solve the case and clear my wifes name. As he reached this point, his eyes reddened once again. In full view of everyone, he wiped away his tears, his voice choking up. He couldnt manage another word, so he simply waved to signal the media to cease filming. Later on, he and his parents got into a taxi, disappearing from the publics sight. With a bang, the remote control was hurled and struck the TV screen, abruptly halting the mor of sounds, and restoring a silence to the world. The person seated in front of the television gritted their teeth, clutching their own hair, and let out a roar from deep within their throat. The once delicately defined features gradually twisted into an ominous and distorted expression. Early morning at the municipal bureau was the busiest time, with bustling personnel shuttling to and fro, the brisk footfalls of detectives, and ordinary citizensing in for various errands. Additionally,pounded by the Sun Xiangming incident, managing the media and responding to ountability from the prosecutors office had escted into an even more demanding task. Director Feng paced back and forth in the office, remarking, We still need to assign a few people to monitor him. He must not be permitted to leave Jiangcheng City, not even for a moment. Public opinion is audaciously attempting to meddle with judicial justice. Its ludicrous! When he uttered these words, it was inevitable for people to recall the legend that had circted in the Jiangcheng City police circle for many years. Iron shoulders bear the weight of duty, heart forges the soul of a cop this was the motto Zhao Junfeng had gifted him when he took office as the director of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau. Despite his current age and his physique showing signs of corpulence, and his agility not being what it used to be, in his youth, he had captured drug traffickers across provinces, confronted criminals at the border, carried out life-or-death hostage rescues, and had even taken a bullet during a battle that destroyed a drug production den, clutching tightly to the thigh of the drug lord until reinforcement forces arrived. Feng Jianguo became famous through that particr battle, setting the stage for his subsequent steady rise in the ranks. Over the years, he no longer engaged in frontline action, his temper had gradually mellowed, but the air of authority in his voice as he spoke these words was enough to send a shiver through the junior officers. They immediately stood at attention, saluted, and with unwavering determination, replied, Yes, Chief. We pledge toplete the mission and ensure that Sun Xiangming doesnt leave our sight for even a single step! He turned around to leave, yet Director Feng turned back again and inquired, Wheres Song Yuhang? The young officer hesitated for a moment and responded, She should be on her way back. Watching Director Fengs expression, the young officer sympathetically closed the door for him, thinking to himself: Team Leader Song is surely facing a tough situation this time. At the very least, shes going to receive some form of reprimand. Lost in his thoughts, he inadvertently collided with a janitor working in the corridor, causing the broom to fall to the ground. He bent down, picked it up, and handed it back, saying, Im sorry. The janitor wore a standardized hat and a mask, hunching over with age apparent on their face. Their voice sounded especially husky and hoarse. No problem. Having said that, they continued to sweep the dust from the tiled aisle. The officer, clutching a folder, kept moving forward. All of a sudden, something seemed amiss. This janitor appeared unfamiliar. Could they be new here? He turned around to look, but the corridor was utterly vacant. In an instant, he felt a chill run down his spine and cursed under his breath, Damn it, seeing ghosts in broad daylight. Song Yuhang leaned against the car door, blood trickling down her fingertips. Her fingers were marred by the shards of discarded ss in the trash heap, resulting in a bloody mess. Fang Xin handed her a pack of tissues, intending to help cover her wounds. Song Yuhang subtly evaded, Its alright, just a minor injury. Tell the guys, lets call it a day. Though the rain had ceased, the sky remained overcast. Patches of clouds hung low, as though brewing arger storm. Having gone without sleep all night, Song Yuhangs eyes were bloodshot, her hair disheveled, and her clothes carried the stench of rubbish. Others were in simr states. Upon entering the car, they slumped into their seats. No one exchanged words, and the atmosphere weighed heavily, somber. Before long, snores filled the air. Duan Cheng yawned ceaselessly, striving to stay awake while driving. Song Yuhang leaned against the back of her seat, her tense lips gradually rxing. Herplexion, pale from a night of vignce, finally revealed signs of fatigue after all, she wasnt made of iron. Everyone in the car was mentally and physically fatigued, and she was no exception. To the point that her typically lucid and smooth thoughts had grown somewhat distant. At times, it was the face of the deceased, Ding Xue. At times, it was Sun Xiangming, separated by iron bars, smiling at her in a spine-chilling manner. The scene shifted andscape nketed in white. It was as if she found herself amidst a thicket of reeds, her fingers delicately brushing over the rushes. The wind lifted skyward, and it descended upon her brow. She heard someone saying in a leisurely manner, He cant afford a diamond ring, so Ill gift one to you. Another familiar female voice chimed in, No need. With Forensic Doctor Lins words, I wouldnt even want a pull tab from a soda can. In her dreams, she furrowed her brow, following that voice, only to tumble into an icy swamp. They locked gazes like wild beasts, seemingly ready to pounce and snap each others necks. Since heaven and earth are heartless, why cant I take justice into my own hands? Taking justice into her own hands. For whom, and in which direction does the path lead? Song Yuhang pondered over these words, feeling like a sudden lightning bolt had shattered through the confusion. She abruptly sat up, her coat slipping off her shoulders, her expression shifting and uncertain. Duan Cheng, change the route. Dont head back to the bureau. Go straight to Sun Xiangmings house! Duan Chengs eyelids were currently in a battle, and her sudden outburst startled him so much that he seemed to have lost his wits. Stammering, he asked, Wha Whats wrong, Team Leader Song? This case isnt over yet. Hurry up! If we dy any longer, it will be toote! With haste, Song Yuhang fumbled her way into her pocket to retrieve her phone, beginning to call the undercover agents stationed near Sun Xiangmings house. In that moment of sudden realization, she grasped more pieces of the puzzle. During her first visit to the school with Forensic Doctor Lin, when Li Shiping had relentlessly questioned Lin Yan about Ding Xues cause of death, it wasnt merely curiosity that drove her. It stemmed from concern for another person. She also recollected their visit to Lis house, where numerous awards adorned the walls all championship titles from teachingpetitions. Song Yuhang casually inquired, Are you a chemistry teacher? Li Shiping took a sip of coffee. Yes, Ive been interested in this field since junior high, she said. I initially wanted to be a scientist, but fate had other ns, and I ended up bing a teacher. Why would someone who teaches chemistry have so many English original works in their office? The answer was self-evident. There were also exceedingly clean photos in the disy case. And that ring S could stand for both Song and Sun, of course, it could also be Shi! Lin Yan might have noticed the same details she did. So, what exactly was obstructing her vision? Was it the unwillingness to believe that such emotions could still exist in the world, or At the thought of this, she felt a hidden fear surging throughout her body. Song Yuhang bit her lower lip, tasting blood along with a trace of rust on her tongue. She abruptly pushed her hair back, tucking all the loose strands away from her forehead, her eyes a fiery red. Duan Cheng, drive faster! It was toote. Hello, your takeout has arrived, a knocking sound came from the door. Sun Xiangming had just finished showering and was drying his hair. He leaned over to the peephole to take a look. It was the popr street food stall from downstairs, dressed in their uniform with their logo. The delivery person held a bag and took a step back, about to call him. Coming,ing, he ced his towel by the entrance, cracked the door open slightly, and extended his arm to get the order. However, the delivery person didnt hand it over immediately. Instead, they said, Sir, could you please give us a positive review? Just a briefment on the taste of our dishes would be great. Its a request from the owner. Can you help us out? In the middle of the scorching summer, the person in front of him was still d in long-sleeved work clothes. They wore a cap with the store logo, and even a mask to maintain hygiene. Only a pair of eyes was visible, carrying a faint plea. A hint of sweat trickled from beneath the caps brim. Impatiently, Sun Xiangming took the pen and paper handed to him. He wrote on the receipt while speaking, The stir-fried ms I orderedst time tasted good, but they werent properly cleaned. I ended up consuming quite a bit of sand and grit. Make sure to convey this to your boss Before he could finish speaking, the delivery person nodded and bowed, saying, Yes, yes, I understand. A faint glint of chilliness seemed to escape from the loose sleeve cuff. Suddenly, Sun Xiangming felt that something was off. He raised his gaze to meet the persons eyes, and they were still smiling at him. For some inexplicable reason, he felt that he recognized the face, and a tingling sensation crept over his scalp. Midway through writing, he refused to continue, stuffing the receipt and pen back into the delivery persons hand. He took the takeout from the persons hand and was about to close the door. In that split second, Li Shiping moved. She didnt know where she found the strength, but she grabbed his arm tightly, using the door to press and crush his arm with forceful impacts. Sun Xiangming felt like his bones were being crushed. He let out a heart-wrenching scream from his throat. A person in ck leapt up from the courtyard on the fourth floor, entering the fire escape. The heavy iron door was pushed open, and the person instantly fell down limply. Except for underwear, their clothes were stripped clean. Upon touching their necks pulse, there was still a faint breath. There was a small needle hole on their neck; they likely had been drugged. The neer didnt dy and swiftly moved along the fire escape, ascending the emergency exit. As they were about to push open the iron door and reach the fifth floor, a tall man emerged from the adjacent restroom. He was dressed in inclothes and had a tiny microphone earpiece. An undercover agent! Reporter. A slight sense of surprise flickered in the neers mind. Soon after, a determined glint abruptly appeared in their eyes. The two individuals grappled and tumbled into the room, crashing into the entryway. The takeout spilled all over the floor. Sun Xiangming tried to yell, but the woman swiftly picked up a towel that had fallen to the ground, attempting to cover his mouth. The gender-based difference in strength became apparent. Sun Xiangming regained his focus and grasped her neck, pushing her away, then counterattacked by pinning her to the ground, his grip firm on her throat. The needle syringe from his sleeve dropped to the ground. Li Shipingsplexion gradually turned pale, and she struggled futilely, trying to break free of his grip on her throat. Her head tilted to the side, and as she caught sight of the fallen syringe, a surge of intense hatred suddenly ignited in her eyes. It was this surge of determination thatpelled her to act. She slowly opened her fingers and managed to retrieve the syringe, reminiscent of the first time she met Ding Xue. She had known Ding Xue long before Sun Xiangming did. At that time, she was a teacher, and Ding Xue was her student. On that day, right after a fight with her husband, she arrived at the school to check her assigned duty. Good morning, Teacher Li. Good morning. Morning. Students were gradually entering the school, and young girls with ponytails were skipping along the long street. At that time, the spring was in full bloom, willow catkins were dancing in the air, and the atmosphere was filled with fine dust particles. Seeing that she was about to bete, she still took a moment to pluck a small flower or catch a floating willow fluff. She furrowed her brows and then noticed her lingering at the small pancake stall near the school gate, Hurry up! Dont you know youll bete?! Ding Xue turned her head, reluctantly patting her stomach and putting money into the pancake vendors iron box, Uncle, please keep it for me. Ille to get it tomorrow morning. The old man chuckled, Alright, youngdy, go quickly, dont bete. She carried arge backpack and ran into the campus with the ringing bell. When she passed by, she suddenly stopped and handed the freshly picked rose to her. The young girls eyes gleamed, and her tone was crisp, Teacher, your eyes look really red. Dont be unhappy. I promise I wont bete tomorrow! Im giving you this flower, so smile more~ Who wouldnt love such an innocent and bright young person? Ding Xue entered her life in such a hasty manner, and she stayed there for decades. Do you know whats the one thing I regret the most? Li Shiping injected thest bit of liquid from the syringe into his veins. She spoke calmly, yet her trembling couldnt be restrained. When the syringe emptied, she knelt down, covering her face and sobbing. Its me, its me who advised her to get married. Its me, its me I harmed her. If only I had been a bit braver back then, she wouldnt have encountered scum like Sun Xiangming, and we wouldnt be in the situation we are today. The ck-d figure standing in the shadows by the door moved their lips, but ultimately, they said nothing. Sun Xiangmingy quietly on the floor, foaming at the mouth, devoid of vitality. He was dead. Ding Xue is dead. Li Shiping followed suit in death. In the darkness, she swallowed nervously, fully ingesting the pill hidden beneath her tongue. Then, she retrieved her phone from her pocket. The lock screen password was her birthday. She wished to catch another glimpse of her, but her vision started to blur. She thought it was tears, yet the spots on her phone were bloodstains. She wiped the blood off her phone, revealing the warm smile of a young girl. It was the year after Ding Xue graduated and returned to teach at Jiangcheng No. 1 High School. On a breezy summer night scented with lotus blossoms in Lianchi Park, she confessed her feelings to the person she had secretly admired for years. She still remembered that refreshing evening when the cool breeze tousled her hair, her slightly flushed face, and the shy gaze. Despite being an adult, she was nervous to the point of being flustered. When Li Shiping leaned in to kiss her, she didnt resist. In reality, her fingers were so tense that they tightly clutched her own clothing corner. Li Shiping was smiling when a cough interrupted her, and stters of blood stained the screen. She anxiously wiped her phone against her clothes, using her bloodied lips to give it a final kiss. cing the phone on her chest, she closed her eyes slowly. Li Shiping! The person in ck rushed forward, shaking her shoulders, but it was already toote. Sirens sounded from below, and Song Yuhang jumped out of the car, loading a bullet into the chamber. Team One, surround the building and dont let a single fly escape. Team Two, breach the door and apprehend the suspect. If met with violent resistance, shoot without hesitation. As if already hearing the footsteps of the detectives tactical boots echoing in the corridor, they calmlyid Li Shiping t on the ground. They took gloves from their pocket and put them on, taking a towel to wipe clean every spot they touched, including fingerprints, bloodstains, and footprints, even the doorknob. Swift and precise in their cleaning, they even plucked two hairs from Li Shipings shoulder. Finally, with utmost caution, they retreated to the door, set the air conditioning to sixteen degrees, and gently closed it. In that instant of turning around, Song Yuhang ascended the stairs, swiftly drawing her gun from the holster on her waist. Stop! Police! Dont move, or Ill shoot! Separated by about a dozen meters, the person in ck started to run, a bullet grazing their leg as it whizzed by, leaving two marks on the floor. Song Yuhang darted out like a nimble leopard. She also didnt forget to instruct herrades from the other team, Target spotted, target spotted. Guard the fire escape and dont let them escape! Several detectives emerged from the fire escape passage in an instant,unching their punches and kicks directly toward the person in ck. Not interested in prolongedbat, the person in ck bent their body to evade the attacks. They were just about to reach the balconys edge. As their hand grasped the railing, a sudden intense pain struck their lower back. They were kicked down, tumbling in a disheveled manner. Rolling on the ground, they narrowly avoided Song Yuhangs oing kick. Swiftly regaining their footing, they delivered a fierce and cunning uppercut. Their punches shed, causing both sides to step back. Song Yuhang swung her arm to remove the persons face mask, but her arm was twisted in response. They engaged in a tense struggle, each trying to gain an advantage. Out of the corner of her eye, Song Yuhang spotted an exposed water pipe on the wall behind them. She exerted force in her legs and, using the momentum, gripped the persons shoulders tightly like a pair of pliers, pushing them against the wall. With a resounding bang, the walls ster crumbled and fell to the ground. Eardrums buzzed from the impact. A regr person would likely have been knocked out cold by such a blow, but the person in ck was skilled inbat just as much as Song Yuhang. Exerting their strength, they held onto the protruding parts of the water pipe on both ends, propelling themselves into the air with a forceful leap, and their feet struck forward fiercely. Their legwork was exceptional, catching Song Yuhang off guard and hitting her right in the vulnerable abdomen. She lost her grip, and she was sent flying, crashing into the opposite wall and coughing up a mouthful of blood. Seeing the two separate, the other detectives behind Song Yuhang quickly drew their guns. However, the person in ck had no intention of continuing the fight. They propped themselves on the balcony railing and leaped down from the fifth-floor atrium. Song Yuhang lunged forward, half of her body extending beyond the balcony. She managed to tear off a piece of Their clothing as they plummeted. The person in ck descended like a broken kite, their movements swift, precise, and fierce. With a loud ng, a ck stick firmly caught onto the railing of the second floor, stabilizing their position mid-air. They executed a pull-up maneuver, flipping over the railing, and stumbled away into the corridor. Frustration boiled in Song Yuhang as she fiercely struck the railing with her fist. Damn it, lets chase!
  1. The Procuratorateacts as a public prosecutor for criminal cases, conducting both the relevant investigations and prosecutions of such cases, as is typical of inquisitorial systems used in civilw jurisdictions.
Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Suspicion The sound of footsteps mingled and came from upstairs. The person in ck swiftly hid in a cluttered utility room filled with cleaning tools. They wiped the sweat from their forehead, pressed the tiny microphone on their cor, and gasped for breath heavily. Keep her busy for ten minutes! The footsteps drew nearer, and Song Yuhang, holding her gun alongside several detectives, advanced in a tactical formation. The person in ck pressed against the wall, gripping tightly onto a ck mechanical rod. They struggled to regte their breath, swallowed hard, and from the back of their head to the tip of their toes, their body tensed into a straight line. The rod was poised in their hand, their entire demeanor resembling a coiled and ready wild beast. The footsteps were just inches away. Silently, they counted: one, two, three Song Yuhangs hand gripped the doorknob, and the fragile wooden door creaked softly under their touch. In that instant, the person in ck felt their knuckles, clutching the mechanical rod, turn white. With a gentle movement of their feet, they were about to burst out and escape, when suddenly, a few gunshots rang out from outside the door. There they are! Dont let them get away! Several detectives fired their guns as they chased after them. The ck figure leaped directly from the corner of the staircase,nding on the first floor. The slightly ajar wooden door faintly revealed a glimmer of light, and the footsteps outside the door faded away. The person in ck slumped, sliding down along the wall, emitting a few suppressed coughs from their throat. A trace of a smile appeared at the corner of their lips, and there were faint red marks left on the back of their hand. Damn, it was quite impressive that they could push them to this extent. ncing at their wristwatch, they realized time was running short. They couldnt afford any more dy. Bracing themselves with the mechanical rod, they stood up, removed their wind cap, shed the inconspicuous clothes, and picked up a few dirty cleaning uniforms from the utility room. They put on the attire and smeared some mud on their face. With a transformed appearance, they confidently walked out. Go in groups, encircle from the sides. Several inclothes officers who were squatting downstairs rushed forward when they saw someoneing out, wielding their electric batons. The person in ck was skilled; they twisted one persons wrist, seized their arm, and swiftly delivered a knee strike. The knee was one of the toughest parts of the human body. With the force equivalent to a heavy blow, the pain surged through the persons organs and abdomen. The inclothes officer spat out blood and was sent flying on the spot! Another inclothes officer lunged forward, aiming a blow straight at the back of their head, intending to render them powerless on the spot. The person in ck grabbed the shoulder of the person in front of them and executed a mid-air flying kick, a move quite simr to the one they used to kick Song Yuhang upstairs earlier. If it werent for the detective instinctively using their electric baton to block, their jaw would have been shattered by the kick. Despite that, they still staggered back several steps, their eardrums buzzing. A mouthful of bloodied broken teeth was coughed out. The pitch-ck barrel of a gun was aimed at them. Song Yuhang slightly tightened the trigger, but she couldnt shake off the feeling that something was off. This person in ck possessed even more agile and domineering skills than the one just moments ago. The former individuals skills were indeed exceptional, but they couldnt be described as domineering. Having engaged in a fight with them before, they understood that the knee strike required not only quick reflexes and excellent core strength but also a considerable amount of force to send a burly person standing at around six feet and weighing over two hundred pounds flying. The person from a moment agocked in strength despite their agility; otherwise, if they had delivered that same kick, Song Yuhang wouldnt be standing here now. Furthermore, the person who had escaped earlier was clearly injured, yet this person moved with agility in their legs and feet. They easily evaded the well-trained detectives surrounding them, almost as if they were ying around, showing no urgency to flee. rm bells rang loudly in Song Yuhangs mind as she holstered her gun and lunged forward, shouting, Capture them alive! The person seemed to sense something. They used a recently captured detective, pushing them back, and in the span of a few steps, slipped through the encirclement. Amid the hail of bullets that followed, they weaved left and right, executed evasive maneuvers close to the ground, and rolled, narrowly avoiding the bullets grazing their ears. Ahead stood a two-meter-tall enclosing wall. The person in ck seized a tree branch for leverage, propelling themselves upward with force, and with one hand firmly grasping the top of the wall. The branch they had just pulled snapped into fragments upon being struck by bullets. The person in ck didnt hesitate. With a powerful push of their legs and a quick climb with their arms, they hoisted themselves over the wall, causing sparks to fly as bullets hit the shattered tiles. When Song Yuhang led her team outside in pursuit, the bustling street was filled with people, but the person had vanished without a trace. Feeling a bit restless, she paced back and forth for a few rounds, ultimately unable to resist mming her fist against a utility pole. Her shoulder-length hair, tied up earlier, had been noticed and remembered by someone. The loose strands at her forehead were pinned back with a hairpin, revealing a smooth, round forehead and a pair of fiery red eyes. She almost gritted her teeth as she spoke, Call Forensic Doctor Lin. Ask her what the hell is going on. ***** Im sorry, the phone you have dialed is currently not being answered The mobile screen ced by the pillow went dark and then lit up again, repeatedly cycling through this pattern. The receiver continued to emit the cold, automated notification tone. Duan Cheng hung up the phone, his expression growing somewhat anxious. He couldntprehend how Forensic Doctor Lin had be a suspect involved in this case. After all, two people had died suddenly, and the usations werent trivial. Captain Song, no no ones answering Who else is still in the forensics unit? The scene had already been cordoned off; the police tape extended to the ground floor of the building unit, and the shing police lights entuated that face, making it appear even more austere and cold. Duan Cheng quickly called Zheng Chengrui while dialing the number, saying, Old Zheng Is Old Zheng there? Ask him to take a look. Song Yuhang responded with a faint Hmm, and added, Bring a few more people. Bring a few more people What does that mean? Duan Cheng didnt dare to specte further. The call was quickly connected, and as Zheng Chengrui was listening, a chicken leg he was holding dropped onto the keyboard with a tter. A group of detectives hurriedly strode through the corridor, heading directly to the duty room. Zheng Chengrui cleared his throat and knocked on the door, Forensic Doctor Lin, Forensic Doctor Lin, are you there? The room was quiet, with no one answering his call. The chubby officer swallowed nervously, stepped back, and let another detective knock on the door. Still, there was no response. Several of them exchanged nces. The chubby officer stepped back, preparing to force the door open. Just then, Lin Yan appeared in the corridor, carrying a basin in her hands and a towel hanging around her neck. Water dripped from her wet hair as she stood there in a tank top and shorts. It seemed like she had just returned from the shower room near the autopsy area. Her expression turned a bit sour. Well, whats this big group of people gathered here for? The chubby officer, in the process of extending his leg to kick the door, quickly pulled it back as if struck by lightning, and stered a fawning smile on his face. No no Captain Song is looking for you. Lin Yan gestured for them to make way, stepping through the middle. She tucked the basin under the bed and reached beside the pillow for her phone. An unsigned number shed on the screen. She pressed the answer button. Song Yuhangs voice carried an iciness that seemed to have persisted for millennia, with a hint of gritted teeth if one listened carefully. Li Shiping is dead. ***** The air conditioning inside the room was set very low, and as soon as Lin Yan entered, she shivered from the cold. The footprints for scene investigation had already beenid out to avoid disrupting the area. Sun Xiangmingy face down on the ground, and a syringe had fallen beside him. Li Shipingy nearby, blood stains lingering around her lips, and her hand clutched a phone tightly. Forensic work was already in progress. Wearing gloves, she approached Sun Xiangmings body. Together with Duan Cheng, they turned him over. Due to the stiffness of the body, it took some effort. Lin Yan handed the investigation light to someone else and gently tilted his chin with her right hand. Under the light, a small needle hole was visibly present on his neck. Fang Xin picked up the syringe that had fallen on the ground, ced it into an evidence bag, and handed it to her. Preliminary analysis indicates that only one persons fingerprints are on this. Well need to conduct a fingerprintparison back at the bureau to determine the specific individual. Song Yuhang took it over and examined it closely for a while, but her peripheral visionnded on the other person. The look in those eyes was indescribably icy, piercing, and carried a trace of disgust. The person under scrutiny pried open Sun Xiangmings mouth, removed their mask, and slightly bent down, leaving Duan Cheng dumbfounded. He thought she was about to engage in an intimate interaction with the deceased. Lin Forensic Doctor Lin Lin Yan indeed crouched low, one hand supporting herself on the ground, noses nearly touching. She lightly sniffed, seemingly uncertain, and bent down again, repeating the process. A bitter almond smell. After confirming it several times, she finally straightened up. Death from central respiratory failure caused by cyanide poisoning, whether from organic or inorganic cyanides, will require further autopsy to confirm. Her words were directed at Song Yuhang, though the other person seemedpletely indifferent. Song Yuhang pulled aside the window curtains. The outside sky remained dim. She exerted force to push the window, but it didnt budge. It was welded shut, indicating that a third person present couldnt have climbed in through the window. She returned to the doorway. The traces of the struggle were mainly concentrated near the entrance. The door lock remained intact, and there werepressed marks on the side of the door. Gently touching it with gloved fingers caused some wood chips to fall. She instructed the team to take photos and collect samples. Since the door lock was undamaged, it indicated that this person didnt force their way in. They knew Sun Xiangming and Li Shiping, and perhaps it was Li Shiping who willingly opened the door for them. Why would that be? Was Li Shiping not afraid because it was the police who hade? Or had she known beforehand that the person woulde? Song Yuhangs gaze shifted to nce over. Lin Yan was crouched on the ground, performing a preliminary autopsy on Li Shiping. Most of her alluring face was obscured by a mask, and her hair was neatly tucked under her hat, revealing a slender and fair nape of the neck. She walked over with long strides. An abrupt shadow fell in front, blocking the light from the investigationmp. Lin Yan impatiently raised her gaze. Move aside, cant you see youre blocking the light? Song Yuhang stared into her eyes, her gaze profound as if she wanted to uncover a flower on her face. The intensity of her gaze made Lin Yans skin prickle. She forced herself to remainposed, her eyes containing a hint of teasing. Whats this, Captain Song has taken an interest in me too? I wouldnt mind, after all, theres nothing better than dumplings when ites to food, and nothing more entertaining than a sister-inw, dont you think? Fang Xin cleared her throat, turning her face away and tugging at Duan Chengs clothes. Duan Cheng still held a magnifying ss in his hand, observing the deceaseds oral cavity, when he was suddenly pulled away by someone tugging at his cor. Ah Ah, I havent finished looking You can continueter! As their eyes met, Song Yuhang crouched down, seemingly intimately wrapping her arm around her shoulder. Only she knew the amount of force she used. Lin Yan winced from the pain of her grip; her bones felt like they were about to shatter. Yet, she couldnt retreat, nor could she retaliate. Just like that night, they leaned in closely, whispering in each others ears. Li Shiping is dead, she practically ground her teeth as she spoke. Lin Yan gestured towards the body in front of them, her expression slightly innocent. I know, didnt Ie here for this matter? Ding Xue is dead, Sun Xiangming is dead too. Theyre all dead. Are you satisfied now? Her slightly cool lips almost touched her own ear. Lin Yan turned her head, and if it werent for the mask between them, she would have almost received a close, heated kiss. She looked into the nonchnt hazel eyes of the person before her and casually said, What do I have to be happy about? I just wanted to get a little more sleep. Her expression was calm, with no trace of unnecessary evasion in her brows or at the corners of her eyes. Dealing with someone like Lin Yan was much more challenging than Sun Xiangming. Song Yuhang still held her shoulder firmly, unmoving, as she gazed into those deep ck pupils. Inside, it was empty and deste, with only her own reflection. She also chuckled, Forensic Doctor Lin has a great mindset if she can still fall asleep. Did you hear the cries of Sun Xiangmings parents and daughter downstairs? White-haired parents send off ck-haired children, both parents lost in childhood, long nights with many dreams, an empty hell, and demons in the human world. I hope Forensic Doctor Lin can sleep well every night. She spoke casually, leaning in once again, her voice lowered, carrying a hint of seduction. Her warmth gently brushed against Lin Yans earlobe. Lin Yan moved slightly, but Song Yuhang didnt allow her to evade. Her lips were almost brushing against her ear, tracing the elegant curve as they moved towards her neck. She gently sniffed, as if sighing, Forensic Doctor Lins perfume today is quite unique. Ill remember that. Team Leader Song, the crowd interviews around the area Someone walked over with paper and pen. Song Yuhang released her, stood up, and walked over, as if nothing had happened. Lin Yan lowered her gaze slightly, adjusted her shoulder that had been pinched sore, and her thin lips parted to utter a few words: Damn it, teasing me. She noted this debt, and sooner orter, she would settle the score with interest. As she looked at Ding Xues blood-drained face before her, Lin Yans attention briefly shifted. She reached out to take the phone from her chest, but her own phone started ringing. She gently sniffed, as if sighing, Forensic Doctor Lins perfume today is quite unique. Ill remember that. Team Leader Song, the crowd interviews around the area Someone walked over with paper and pen. Song Yuhang released her, stood up, and walked over, as if nothing had happened. Lin Yan lowered her gaze slightly, adjusted her shoulder that had been pinched sore, and her thin lips parted to utter a few words: Damn it, teasing me. She noted this debt, and sooner orter, she would settle the score with interest. As she looked at Ding Xues blood-drained face before her, Lin Yans attention briefly shifted. She reached out to take the phone from her chest, but her own phone started ringing. She removed her gloves and walked to the side to answer the phone, Hello? After hearing a few words from the other end, her expression changed dramatically. She took off her cap and rushed outside. Song Yuhang reached out to stop her, What are you doing?! Lin Yan forcefully tugged at her cor, pushing her aside, Move, dont stop me, or well have a problem! In those eyes that had always held mockery, disdain, coldness, or sarcasm, there was an unexpected hint of panic. In the time it took for Song Yuhang toe back to her senses, Lin Yan had already released her and dashed away. She rushed downstairs and immediately hailed a taxi. Driver, go to the Taian Mental Hospital. She buckled her seatbelt, her expression filled with anxiety. As the car slowly left the residential area, the body bag was also being lowered from upstairs. Upon seeing the body bag, the two elderly individuals copsed to the ground, wailing loudly. In Mrs. Dings arms, she held Ding Ya as the child cried loudly, extending her arms to reach for her father. While holding her back, she wiped away a tear. Song Yuhang looked up at the sky as a light drizzle began to fall again. She recalled the time she had visited Li Shipings home and the smile on her face when she talked about Ding Xue. She was an excellent teacher, a kind person, very gentle, knowledgeable and reasonable. She treated her students equally Even though she had passed away, even though she was no longer here, it seemed that loving someone meant that no matter when or where you thought of them, a warm smile would unconsciously spread across your face. Her gaze followed the departing car of Lin Yan, the faint echoes of the miniature microphone hung in her ears. Are you still following? Song Yuhang lowered her voice, Yes, lets follow. Shes cunning, be cautious.
Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Mirror Miss, that car is still following you. Lin Yan raised her phone and nced through the rearview mirror. She truly had no mood today to deal with anyone further. She tugged at the corner of her lips, uttering a chilling and emotionless sentence. Dispose of it. After hanging up the call, a ck Santana emerged from around the corner on the mountain road, passing by the taxi she was riding in. Leaning back in her seat, Lin Yans gaze drifted into the vast emptiness of the mountainous wilderness. However, her hand gradually tightened around the phone. Miss, weve arrived at the Taian Mental Hospital. Lin Yan tossed a few bills out of her wallet, pushed open the car door, and hurriedly entered the hospital, running all the way. A doctor had been waiting at the entrance, guiding her upstairs with an apologetic expression. Miss, the patient suddenly had an episode and no one could get close. Thats why we called you Lin Yan strode swiftly, almost sprinting, suppressing her anger. How long has this been going on? Why are you notifying me now? How have you been taking care of things? Whats the current situation? The mental hospital wasntrge, a three-story building. Passing through the long corridor on the second floor, the innermost room housed a special patient. The usually locked iron door was wide open. Lin Yan dashed forward in a single swift motion. Just as her hand grasped the door frame, she saw a blue and white figure rushing towards her, a cold glint shing in their hand. The doctor nearby had a frightened expression on his face. Miss Lin, be careful! Lin Yan quickly moved to the side, narrowly avoiding the scissors that brushed against her chest. The elderly person in front of her, with gray and bent hair, mumbled with scissors in hand and then turned back. Chu Nan, Chu Nan The old person said while caressing a yellowed photograph in their hand. They pressed it against their cheek, then carefully tucked it back into their embrace. Every so often, they took it out to look at it again, in an endless cycle. While speaking, they dragged their unsteady steps, a urinary bag hanging from their waist, leaking with each step, and the murky yellow liquid trickled down their pants. Hearing that name once again from someone elses lips, Lin Yans eyes also reddened, her palms clenched into fists. She tilted her head back as if to swallow all the bitterness back down. After taking several deep breaths, she took a gentle step forward, her throat moved slightly, and she called out the name, Aunt Chen The person referred to as Aunt Chen lifted the nket and threw the pillow onto the ground. Chu Nan, Chu Nan, where are you Dont y hide and seek with Mommy Trembling, she leaned over the bed. There was no one under it. The old person stood up, trembling all over, their lips quivering. Their eyes turned slightly red as they searched in other ces. Chu Nan, stop hiding Come out quickly. The small room contained only a bed, a wardrobe, and not even a desk, leaving nothing to the imagination. The old person turned back and forth, but came up with nothing. Their urine had already soaked half of their pants, yet they remained oblivious, gently caressing the paper in their embrace with a gentle expression. Chu Nan, its time toe home for dinner. Mom made your favorite braised fish. After eating, we can go y shuttlecock. Chu Nan, Ive put milk in your school bag. Remember to drink it. Chu Nan, its getting dark. Its time to sleep. Mom will tuck you in. As they spoke, they used their own clothes to cover the person thoroughly, cradling the photograph as if soothing a baby, gently rocking it. The pair of scissors that had been in their hand was now ced on the bed. Lin Yan took a step closer, and the old person seemed to suddenly awaken, their expression bing somewhat unpredictable. She took out the photograph again, staring at it. Chu Nan, its dawn. Why havent youe back yet? Lin Yan swallowed hard, wanting to approach and console her. Aunt Chen, Chu Nan, shes already The old person tilted their head to look at her, their expression unfamiliar, as if they were also glimpsing a group of people behind her. Behind Lin Yan was only a pristine white wall. Hello, is this the family of Chen Chu Nan from the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau? Your daughters body has been found. Im very sorry, when we found her, she was already in this condition. The forensic and trace analysis departments did their best In her eyes, Lin Yan transformed into an odd array of lights at times menacing, and at other times fragmenting into pieces. To call it a body was really just a pile of decaying flesh lying on the autopsy table. Through the distant passage of time, she saw the past: the stark lights in the funeral home that night, herself wailing and copsing onto the ground, and also herself kneeling before the police, clutching at their legs, begging them to solve the case as quickly as possible. One month went by. Two months went by. Three months went by. She wandered day and night at the entrance of the citys Public Security Bureau. One year went by. She went to petition and was driven out, copsing on the street. Two years went by. The whistleblower letters she sent to the Provincial Public Security Department, the Discipline Inspection Commission, and the Supervisory Department seemed to sink like a stone in the sea. Three years went by. She sold her house, ended up on the streets, keptpany with beggars, and wherever she went, she carried a stack of missing person notices in her arms. And so, with a broken bowl in hand, leaning on a stick, wearing open-toed cloth shoes, she walked out of Jiangcheng, out of the coastal province, and journeyed across the length and breadth of the country. Five years went by, and she became insane. Tears welled up in those clouded and worn eyes. Holding a pair of scissors, she trembled as she stood up, step by step approaching Lin Yan. Its you Its you You killed her And all of you too! She waved the scissors haphazardly in the air. Lin Yan stepped back, using her gaze to signal the others to quickly restrain her. Aunt Chen Her voice was raspy, her opening words difficult. After repeatedly restraining her emotions, she finally managed to say aplete sentence. Please put the scissors down first. Ill take you to find Chu Nan. Trust me I I will definitely find her. As she neared Aunt Chen, several medical personnel quietly maneuvered around from behind. Sensing something, she abruptly turned around, and the gleaming edge of the scissors gestured towards the faces of the medical staff. Ill kill you! Ill kill you! In the nick of time, Lin Yan sprang up, gripping her waist tightly from behind and pulling her back. The elderly person struggled, wailed, their voice incredibly mournful. The sharp scissor tips descended toward Lin Yans hand back, stabbing into it one by one. She didnt dodge, nor did she want to. She let the sharp scissors create a few small holes on the back of her hand. The rushing medical staff quickly pressed the person down to the ground, and with the administration of a sedative, the elderly person finally grew calm. Lin Yan gently lifted the person from the ground and ced them on the bed. She wasnt very strong, but Aunt Chen was exceptionally light, having be skin and bones due to her thinness. The medical staff helped her change into clean clothes and rece the bedding. Lin Yan turned around, closed the door, and her subordinate handed her tissues. Miss, would you like to take a look? She lowered her head to inspect her hand, which was still bleeding. She thought to herself: What is this slight painpared to Aunt Chen,pared to Chu Nan? Shes been perfectly fine all along, how could she suddenly The subordinates sentence was interrupted by the chilling re from Lin Yan, silencing him. That expression in her eyes bore a striking resemnce to the person who had just been recklessly wielding the scissors. He had no doubt that saying another word might result in his neck being twisted. Unintentionally, he took a step back, sweat beading on his forehead. Go away. Relieved, he gave a slight bow and hastened his steps to leave. The corridor was cloaked in silence, interrupted only by the gentle breeze. Lin Yan slid down against the wall, resting her back against it, and buried her head in her arms. Her voice trembled subtly, Today its Chu Nans birthday. ***** The room was hushed, as if quietened by the presence of a frigid cicada. Song Yuhang led the group, standing in front, absorbing the stters of spittle from Director Feng. Youre all a bunch of good-for-nothings! Ipetent fools! The entire detective squad has let themselves be manipted, unable to catch the perpetrator, and not even able to determine their gender. Taxpayers money is being squandered on you useless bunch!!! Feng Jianguos fury escted with every word, his table reverberating with a thunderous crash. You all swagger during training, boasting about being unbeatable, dering yourselves the best in the world. But when faced with a real challenge, you cant even put up a decent fight! The two team members injured by the men in ck were still lying in the hospital. One had a bruised liver, while the other had a fractured jaw. The room was hushed, as if quietened by the presence of a frigid cicada. Song Yuhang led the group, standing in front, absorbing the stters of spittle from Director Feng. Youre all a bunch of good-for-nothings! Ipetent fools! The entire detective squad has let themselves be manipted, unable to catch the perpetrator, and not even able to determine their gender. Taxpayers money is being squandered on you useless bunch!!! Feng Jianguos fury escted with every word, his table reverberating with a thunderous crash. You all swagger during training, boasting about being unbeatable, dering yourselves the best in the world. But when faced with a real challenge, you cant even put up a decent fight! The two team members injured by the men in ck were still lying in the hospital. One had a bruised liver, while the other had a fractured jaw. There are indications of a struggle at the crime scene. The deceased Sun Xiangming has extensive abrasions on the left wrist and underarm, consistent with thepression marks on the side of the entrance. His skin tissue was also found in wood shavings. The deceased Li Shiping, a female, has four inconspicuous ligature marks on the left side of the neck, one on the right side, both matching Sun Xiangmings fingerprints. Fibers from Li Shipings clothing were extracted from her nails, and upon analysis, they match the pajamas worn by Sun Xiangming. As a result, we believe that a vigorous struggle transpired between the victims Sun Xiangming and Li Shiping. Despite being at a disadvantage, Li Shiping managed to inject a syringe containing cyanide solution into Sun Xiangmings neck at a critical juncture, resulting in a lethal blow. Regarding Li Shiping, aside from the ligature marks left by Sun Xiangming, no other external injuries are present on her body. We are initially inclined to consider it as suicide. Feng Jianguo rubbed his brow, grappling with a sense of frustration, So, how do we ount for the appearance of that ck-clothed person at the scene? Song Yuhang moved her lips, her voice hoarse, The crime scene was handled very cleanly. Even the doorknob was wiped down. If we hadnt arrived in time, it would have been a scenario of premeditated revenge killing followed by fear-induced suicide! This person has a keen sense of counter-surveince and is experienced, or perhaps In essence, its someone from within the police force! She didnt finish her sentence, as Chief Feng waved his hand, signaling for everyone to disperse. Following the others, Song Yuhang started to leave. Chief Feng took a sip of his tea, then called out her name. Song Yuhang, please stay. ***** The Technical Investigation Office. Fang Xin leaned against the desk, standing, holding a cartoon porcin cup in her hand, still pondering over Ding Xues case: Was the cause of death really dyed drowning? Duan Cheng reclined in his chair, holding an official exam preparation book in his hand, with a shy swimsuit magazine concealed within. How could it be fake? After all, it was determined by Dr. Lin, who is renowned as an authority in Binhai, no, even nationwide. Fang Xin took a sip of her milk tea, her gaze carrying a hint of mncholy: Thats true, its just quite regrettable. Can you imagine, in thest few hours of her life, she was in so much pain, yet she still clung to the ce where she used to meet Li Shiping? That must have been an immense obsession. Perhaps those who work as detectives always participate in the lives of others as observers, feeling the bitterness and sweetness in the details, and then at some point, the human instinct of empathy allows them to sense the victims pain. Though its just a little, its enough to disrupt the tranquility of a young heart. After she finished speaking, no one else said a word. Zheng Chengrui also put down the chicken leg he was nibbling on, looked up at the rain outside, and watched as raindrops fell from banana leaves, hitting the window frame. In fact, I feel, he let out a satisfied burp, that this case has also taught us a lesson. Love leading to murder isnt limited to just romantic rtionships between a man and a woman. Even between people of the same sex, there can be heart-wrenching love stories. When Duan Cheng heard this, he burst intoughter and poked Zheng Chengruis round belly, Hey, Old Zheng, whats gotten into you today? Are you transforming into a love guru? The somber atmosphere was shattered as Zheng Chengrui pushed his hand away, saying, Get lost, get lost! None of that Old Zheng nonsense. Call me Brother Zheng! In the midst of themotion, Duan Chengs book fell to the ground. Fang Xin picked it up and held the shy magazine, saying, Hey, someone like you wants to take the civil service exam too? Let me see what this is Hmm, Sora Aoi, Maria Ozawa Before she could finish speaking, Duan Cheng blushed and snatched the magazine back, clutching it to his chest like a precious treasure. He muttered under his breath, I dont really want to take the civil service exam. I just want to be a photographer in our small county town and live an easy life. What about you? If you werent going to be a cop, what would you want to do? Fang Xin pondered for a moment and shook her head, I might be married by now, and as for Old Zheng Zheng Chengrui lifted his head from theputer and pushed up his sses, saying, A programmer, I suppose. Writing code, like the kind that automatically collects all the beautiful womens photos online with a single click Duan Cheng excitedly rushed over with a gleeful expression, Brother Zheng, youre my real bro! ***** Tell me, why do you suspect Lin Yan? When there were only two people, Director Fengs tone became gentler, and he gestured for her to sit. Song Yuhang took a seat on the couch, staring at the disposable paper cup in front of her. I Zhao Ting was your mentor, and he also showed favor to me. Back then, he sat in the position Im in now. He was the former chief of our Jiangcheng City Bureau. What youve lost today isnt just your own reputation, but the reputation of the entire Criminal Investigation Division and the entire City Bureau. Youve tarnished his reputation too! These words were more cutting than calling her a good-for-nothing. Song Yuhang rubbed her forehead, smoothed the disheveled hair from her forehead, and took a few deep breaths to steady herself. Its my fault. When I was a junior officer under Zhao Tings guidance, every time he emphasized in our meetings that solving cases couldnt be presumptuous or ambiguous. We had to speak based on facts, reason, and evidence. We are police officers, not bandits! You bear half the responsibility for Sun Xiangmings death. If you hadnt arrested and released him, maybe the situation wouldnt have alerted the suspect. And now Li Shiping is dead too. So, whats done is done. You thought the case was solved, but then the mysterious figure in ck appeared. Director Fengs expression was filled with frustration. He tapped the table with his index finger in a way that expressed his irritation. Song Yuhang, oh Song Yuhang, now youre assuming that Lin Yan is that person in ck. Wheres the reasoning? Wheres the evidence? Do you even know who Lin Yans father is? Do you know who she is? Believe it or not, just after you arrested Lin Yan, a phone call from the Municipal Party Committee could reach my desk. Handling a case cant be tainted with personal emotions. Youre an experienced detective, how could you make such a basic mistake? In the face of his earnest advice, his patient guidance, Song Yuhang merely bowed her head. Her eyes were reddened, seemingly holding back, yet ultimately not saying a word. She couldnt bring herself to say it. She usually didnt believe in any miraculous intuition or deductions. She only trusted the evidence she collected and hypotheses that aligned with logic. But Lin Yan was an exception. She didnt know where this intuition came from. She just had a faint sense of familiarity, that Lin Yan and the person in ck were somehow connected. Moreover, that person in ck was actually two individuals. At that time, she hadnt yet grasped one thing intuition must always be built upon a certain understanding of the other person. She knew that her own actions were a subconscious reflection of her inner self. If it were her, she might not necessarily act any differently. Genius and madness were not always far apart; it was those who were somewhat alike who could glimpse into each others hearts. Just like looking in a mirror, whether inside or outside the mirror, even if the environment changed, fundamentally, it was still the same person. As she was about to leave, Director Feng called out to her again, Didnt you ask me earlier why I transferred Lin Yan to our city bureau? Song Yuhang grasped the doorknob and turned around, her eyes bloodshot, showing signs of exhaustion from several days without sleep. Her voice was hoarse, Why? Someone like Lin Yan, if she cant be a friend, then shes an enemy. Shes a sharp de that doesnt hesitate to kill, and you are the best sheath. ***** Miss, what would you like to drink? Her gaze drifted aimlessly over the colorful array of beverages disyed on the bar counter. Seeing her hesitate, the bartender enthusiastically made a rmendation, We have a special offer on Long Ind Iced Tea today, expertly crafted from vodka, white rum, tequ, and more. Its especially suitable fordies! Song Yuhang stared nkly at his moving mouth, unable to make out what he was saying. Seeing herck of response, the bartender switched to another drink and gestured to it, Would you like to try our signature Mojito? Its made with white rum, lime, mint, and crushed ice, offering a refreshing taste She didnt catch much, but one word stood outMOJITO. She inexplicably recalled that night at the Randy Bar when Lin Yan handed her a ss, exuding a flirtatious charm as she flipped her hair. She casually asked, What kind of drink is this? With a charming smile, the other person replied, A Mojito. The bartender continued to chatter on, Especially suitable for free-spirited souls Song Yuhang took out money from her wallet and handed it over, saying, This one. ***** The wind chime at the entrance of the shop tinkled as a man entered, folding his umbre and walking straight to the bar to order a shot of depth charge. The bartender watched as he picked up his drink and walked over to the table where the woman had been lost in thought. ncing behind him, the man noticed only a curious little bartender peeking around and leaned his umbre against the table before taking a seat across from Song Yuhang. How did you Song Yuhang began to speak, but her words trailed off as she looked up. The man had already removed his duckbill cap, revealing a bandage wrapped around his head, stained with faint traces of blood. She immediately tightened her grip on the ss in her hand. The man put his hat back on. Im a professional hitman. I managed to save my own life. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth. I really underestimated her. The man took a sip from his ss. With the brim of his hat pressed low, his face was hard to discern. Shes extremely vignt, surrounded by skilled individuals. Ive been exposed already. Its not advisable for me to pursue further. From the crisp aroma of the liquor, Song Yuhang sensed a bitterness. She was unwilling, yet temporarily powerless against it. Youve worked hard. Rest well. This was her informant she had been working with for many years. Song Yuhang reached into her pocket and handed him a stack of money. The man took it and put it in his own pocket. He couldnt stay for too long; he was getting ready to leave. As he stood up, Song Yuhang noticed a slight curve of his lips. You seem like youve never had a drink during working hours. Song Yuhang was taken aback, identally making the ice in her ss clink loudly. Taking a vacation. The man didnt say anything more. He slung his shoulder bag over his shoulders and walked away briskly. After he left, Song Yuhang opened her palm. A thin piece of fabric had been crumpled up in her hand. It was something she had torn from the ck-d person. She hadnt handed it over as evidence to the authorities; she had kept it with her. Now, she raised her right hand to her nose and took a deep breath. The warmth brought by the alcohol didnt manage to melt the icy determination in her eyes. Lin Yan, Lin Yan. How many more surprises can you bring me?
Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Rainy Night When Lin Yan returned to the vi, it was alreadyte at night, and the rain showed no signs of stopping. The bodyguard held an umbre for her, escorting her out of the car. She hadnt expected anyone to be waiting for her at this hour. Through the curtain of rain, the dim light at the vi entrance cast the reflection of her slender figure on the pooled water. Song Yuhang stood quietly under an umbre, her face typically devoid of expression. However, Lin Yan sensed a suppressed atmosphere emanating from the tight corners of her lips. The neer had an unfriendly air about her. She didnt want to linger. Her mood wasnt great today, and she didnt bother with any greetings. Encounters with Chu Nan always left her mentally and physically drained, especially on this somewhat special day. As she walked past with the bodyguards protection, Song Yuhang made her move. No one had expected her to strike suddenly, her punch swift and fierce, targeting a vital spot on her abdomen. Lin Yan took a few steps back, supported by the bodyguard, and coughed while bending over. The two well-dressed bodyguards immediately stepped forward to shield her. Song Yuhang shook her hand, seemingly unsatisfied. Isnt Forensic Doctor Lin supposed to be skilled? Howe you couldnt even dodge a simple straight punch? She flexed her wrist, producing a cracking sound of bones. Or perhaps, summon the one who can fight toe out and y with me. The two bodyguards seemed ready to make a move, but Lin Yan stood upright and waved her hand, signaling them to step back, while also handing over her coat. This is something between her and me. The Lin familys servants seemed naturally obedient to her, even though they were aware of the unfriendly visitor. They followed their masters orders and retreated. For a moment, all was quiet, with only the sound of rain sshing on the trees and their heavy breathing. The moment Song Yuhangs umbre hit the ground, she sprung into action! Her agile figure was reflected in the puddle before her, and with lightning speed, she executed a crafty and fierce left front kick, hitting Lin Yans soft abdomen. The vital area was struck repeatedly, causing her to wince in pain and spit out a mouthful of blood. Before she could fully regain her defensive posture, Song Yuhang leaped in ce and drove her right leg straight towards Lin Yans face. Instinctively, Lin Yan raised her elbow to block the strike. If she hadnt, she would have been sent crashing to the ground with her head hitting the concrete. Despite her formidable strength, the impact pushed her back several steps. With a loud ng, she collided with the vis iron gate. Her arm ached, bearing the marks of the thick-soledbat boots in the form of bruises that she couldnt even lift. Song Yuhang closed in on her, her attacks swift and unstructured,nding blow after blow. Lin Yan dodged defensively, but a right hook found its way to her cheek, instantly causing a bruise to form around her eye. Song Yuhang grabbed her cor, panting heavily. Rainwater trickled down her chin, and perhaps due to the heavy rain, her eyes glistened with moisture. Attack already! She pinched Lin Yans neck and lifted her slightly, pressing her against the iron gate. If you dont strike, youll die. Lin Yan looked into those typically dim eyes, now bloodshot and ame. Her calmposure from before had vanished the moment she had arrived. She suddenly burst intoughter, Hahaha Her smile was both enchanting and resolute. Song Yuhang froze, her hand around Lin Yans neck trembling slightly. Lin Yan climbed up like a determined parasite, her voice resolute, Then kill me. Im heinously guilty, unforgivable for my ten sins. If you kill me, youll avenge Li Shiping, youll be upholding justice. She half-closed her eyes, as if sighing, Just do it already. I cant wait any longer. Rain poured down relentlessly, drenching both of them. Song Yuhang had never felt so cold, to the extent that her teeth chattered with a chuckle. For a while, she couldnt tell if she was shivering or grinding her teeth in anger. That person who went to Li Shipings house that night was you. She remembered the ss ced on the countertop. Ding Xue is your junior. If she wasnt mistaken, Ding Xue should be two years younger than Lin Yan. The day she drove to Jiangcheng First High School, her familiarity with the roads was no less than that of a local. So what if she is? Lin Yan looked at her indifferently, lips curved in a smile, as if being choked didnt matter to her at all. Song Yuhang applied a bit more pressure with her fingertip, forcing Lin Yan to tilt her head back to catch her breath, her toes suspended off the ground. All the initial clues in this case were provided by you. Forensic Doctor Lin, so skilled, had us spinning in circles. You knew who the killer was. She stated it as a certainty, looking down at Lin Yan. The heavy rain had sharpened her features as it washed over her. Song Yuhang was soaked through, her shirt clinging tightly to her body. Rainwater trickled down her chin and seeped into her cor. The taut muscles of her neck and the protruding veins constantly disyed her wild beauty. Different from men, and even more so from ordinary women. She always seemed to be the exception, to the point that Lin Yan couldnt categorize her. While the rain was chilly, the hand gripping her neck was scalding hot. For some reason, she recalled the heat when her lips had touched her ear that night. She found herself giggling as she thought about it. She knew how to provoke her, just as Song Yuhang knew how to step on her sore spots. How could they understand each other so well, even though they had only recently met? Lost in these thoughts, she had already started speaking, Yeah, I know, I know Ding Xue was drowned by Sun Xiangming. I know it was Li Shiping who killed him. I even know how Li Shiping died, poisoned with arsenic, a lethal toxin. She giggled, her tone both sinister and despairing, Bleeding from all seven openings, dying swiftly, not much pain. Do you want to know what she told me before her end? Shut up! Song Yuhang suddenly exerted force with her fingertip, lifting Lin Yan off the ground. Lin Yan coughed violently, struggling to kick her knee against Song Yuhangs, causing her to lose her bnce. The two of them tumbled into the bushes next to the vi. Branches snapped and cracked as arge section was crushed. Rain and mud sttered everywhere. Two tall, long-legged adult women grappling with each other wreaked havoc on thendscape. One punch after another, they targeted each others vulnerabilities. Song Yuhang grabbed her cor and roared, Youre the one in ck! Yes, its me. So what? Lin Yan fiercely used a knee strike to send her flying, then flipped over and caught her by the neck. Sheughed, both enchanting and flirtatious, a watery quality emanating from the corners of her eyes and eyebrows. Go ahead and report me, Officer Song. Do you have evidence? Will the prosecutors office believe you? Can you get an arrest warrant? Its quite the coincidence. If you had arrived a momentter, you might not even have found a whole corpse. Song Yuhangs eyes were bloodshot, a surge of hot blood rushing to her head. Without hesitation, she bent her knee and delivered a knee strike, simultaneously grabbing the back of Lin Yans clothes, forcefully shoving her and flipping her over. Lin Yan went from the flowerbeds thicket of shrubs tonding directly on the concrete, hitting the back of her head hard. It was painful, and her entire body felt like it might fall apart. The wounds on her hands soaked in water, revealing faint traces of red blood. Song Yuhang stumbled to her feet, pulling Lin Yan out of the mud and water. She looked at the face right before her, so attractive yet sending shivers down ones spine. Since you know that Sun Xiangming killed Ding Xue and have crucial evidence, why didnt you tell me?! She shook Lin Yans cor, her voice hoarse and vehement. I can personally arrest him. I wont spare any scum who has taken someones life! Lin Yans coughing intensified as she was shaken, Cough cough cough Its useless You know, right? Suddenly, she raised her gaze, her eyes shimmering with watery light. Before the child was born, Ding Xue wanted a divorce. Sun Xiangming was abusive; the most severe incident put her in the hospital with a ruptured spleen. She stayed there for a month. The hand gripping her stopped, and a sardonic smile curved Lin Yans lips again. Encouraged by Li Shiping, Ding Xue filed for divorce. Sun Xiangming disagreed, and they ended up in court. They mediated three times, but in the end, the divorce was denied. It was around this time that Ding Xue discovered she was pregnant. Song Yuhang released her grip, and Lin Yan fell to the ground. The makeshift rope of braided hair had long been torn apart, her long hair flowed out like seaweed in the water. There were blood marks on her face from tree branches and bruises inflicted by Song Yuhang, yet she still appeared breathtakingly beautiful. It was a kind of beauty that was haunting in its imperfection. The prolonged standoff had nearly exhausted the physical strength of both individuals. Lin Yany quietly on the ground, letting the rain wash over her body. She was so weak that she couldnt even lift her fingers, yet she felt a sense of release and satisfaction. It was as if the harder she fought, the easier it became to release the things that had been weighing on her heart. She was almost struggling to breathe. She often wondered, why do those despicable creatures who have harmed others get to live well? Why was she still alive and kicking? Why did it have to be her Chu Nan? So, when Li Shiping proposed that deal, she didnt refuse. Lying on the ground, Lin Yans eyes were blurred by two lines of tears. She had to thank this rain for preserving herst shred of dignity. Song Yuhang looked into those eyes, where there was a dead stillness. There were no stars and no reflections of herself. Driven by alcohol, she had vented, but was she truly happy now? Not really. She couldnt quite put a finger on what she was feeling a mixture of anger and injustice, tinged with a faint sense of disappointment. She was angry because she breached professional ethics by revealing clues to others, indirectly causing Sun Xiangmings death. She was angry because she used her professional knowledge to create a wless alibi for herself, skirting the edge of thew. The sense of injustice was fueled by why she could stand above thew, why she could feel no remorse, and why she could be beaten to the point of not being able to stand up and still grit her teeth without uttering a sorry. Lin Yans bones were truly strong. Song Yuhang let go of herpletely, slumping down in the mud and water. Perhaps the palpable disappointment in her eyes was too apparent. Lin Yan turned her head slightly and unexpectedly tugged at the corner of her lips. You might wonder, someone like me who was born into a life of ease, with wealth and power at home, why didnt I use my influence to put Sun Xiangming behind bars if I wanted to uphold justice? Lin Yans gaze turned vacant, and raindrops the size of beans stung her skin slightly upon impact. She spoke softly, Besides myself, I trust no one. A subtle movement in Song Yuhangs throat, the dim light making it hard to discern her expression. But Lin Yan seemed to know what she wanted to say, a somewhat grim smile tugging at her lips. Officer Song, dont hold any expectations for me. Im capable of anything. My name is Lin Yan, and I was born as an unpleasant child. That faint glimmer of hope was easily extinguished. The time at the provincial hall wasnt actually the first time Song Yuhang saw her in an interview. She had many asions where she could see her. As long as she was willing. On television, in the news, in newspapers, gossip magazines, and even at academic conferences. She could be seen navigating various situations with easeelegant,posed, calm, or sharp. On one asion, she would challenge the media in front of the camera, leaving them speechless. On another, shed roll up her sleeves and hurl curses in the middle of the street. She could even stand under the national emblem at the entrance of the police station, openly kissing her lover. Her life was unlike Song Yuhangs orderly existence. She even envied the naturally free and unrestrained spirit she possessed. She lived on her own terms, never caring about others opinions. The night she mourned with a bowed head in the forensic room after dissecting Ding Xue was the first time Song Yuhang caught a glimpse of the softness and kindness hidden beneath her tough exterior. However, she had to admit that Lin Yan was a deceiver, perhaps even the highest caliber of deceptive expertise, making her imprable. And the motive? Tell me why? Song Yuhang wiped her face, wiping away even the slightest trace of moisture in her eyes. Lin Yans gaze returned, and she looked up at the gray-ck sky, as if she could see that person waiting for her in the sky. No motive, thats the kind of person I am. Is that so? Song Yuhangs lips curled slightly. What were you looking for in the file room that day? 1990, if Im not mistaken, Forensic Doctor Lin was just turning eighteen that year, in her senior year of high school Before she could finish her sentence, that person suddenly looked over. The expression in those eyes changed abruptly, bing somewhat hostile. Propping herself up on her elbows, Lin Yan struggled to lift her upper body. Shut up The moment she heard that year, she almost felt a physical pain that choked her. Memories flooded back. Song Yuhang turned her head slightly to look at her, his gaze carrying a hint of knowing. Skills and appearance can be disguised, but temperament and personality cant be faked. Forensic Doctor Lin probably doesnt know, but you always use humor to cover up your guilt. And when I hit a nerve, you get defensive. See, just like now. Lin Yan tried to lift her upper body by pushing off the ground, but her arms wouldnt cooperate. Her fingers wed at the ground in vain before she fell back, sshing mud onto the cuffs of Song Yuhangs pants. Watching her panting and ring fiercely, her usually fair skin had a tinge of redness due to agitationeven the corners of her eyes were tinged with red. The slender and fragile neck was exposed before her, like a wild beast revealing its softest fur. The wet clothes clung to her body, rising and falling with her breath. Lin Yan was different from her in the endboth fragile and strong. Like a blooming Morning Glory flower on a cliff, she radiated her beauty at every moment. She couldnt help but recall the softness she had felt when their fists and feet collided earlier. At that moment, she hadnt thought too much about it, but now she realized that while Lin Yans skill was impressive, it was mostly finesse. Her own well-trained, solid muscles were a different story altogether. Song Yuhangs throat moved slightly as she slowly reached out her hand. Lin Yans body could only move her fingers and her head. Her mind was foggy, and she felt a bit cold. Just as her fingers touched her own clothes, Lin Yan suddenly shivered all over. She remembered what she needed to doher tattoo! Halfway through unbuttoning, that hidden ce finally revealed a hint. Just as Song Yuhang was nning to memorize the pattern, Lin Yan took action! She hadnt expected Lin Yan to still have the strength to retaliate. In an instant, Lin Yans seemingly fragile legs wrapped around her neck, and her waist and abdomen arched, executing a perfect escape from her grip. Not only that, but she also expertly disarmed one of Song Yuhangs arms. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsus signature move: the Armbar! In the blink of an eye, she had no time to react. Lin Yan hadnt given her any time to respond either. As she fell to the side, her arm was already pressing against Lin Yans lower abdomen. With her right arm straightened and a tremendous force applied, the sound of muscles and bones breaking was audible. A surge of intense pain made sweat beads the size of beans appear on Song Yuhangs forehead. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu truly deserved its reputation as the best ground fighting technique. Once countered and brought to the ground, it became difficult to escape. However, how much longer could she hold on in her current state? Suppressing the pain, Song Yuhang smirked, I really misjudged Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ck belts and above. Forgive me for being blunt cough Lin Yan gasped heavily, her words iplete, cough Your judgment has never been that good. No wonder. While she had agility, her strength wascking. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was precisely about winning against the strong with the weak, using flexibility to ovee strengthaprehensivebat style specializing in control and grappling. It suited her well. However, in the face of absolute strength, especially when Song Yuhang held the advantage of endurance, Lin Yan in her prime might have held her own against her, but now A glint of determination shed in Song Yuhangs eyes. Relying on her formidable upper body strength, she forcibly attempted to turn over with one hand on the ground. Amidst her struggle, bones emitted an unsettling sound, and she nearly contorted her entire body into an eerie curve. Lin Yan was startled, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Was she going mad?! If she kept struggling like this, would she lose her right hand?! In that split-second distraction, Song Yuhangs right elbow bent, hitting Lin Yans abdomen. Lin Yans fingers lost their strength and she slumped heavily to the ground. She closed her eyes, expecting the pain to follow suit. Just as the critical moment approached, Song Yuhang slipped her palm beneath Lin Yans head, and the two of them copsed together into the pooling water. A snap a crisp sound echoed as the object Lin Yan had fought so hard to conceal was revealed to the world. Fuming with rage, Lin Yan trembled uncontrobly, Song Yuhang, you you motherfker! I I fk She couldnt even manage a coherent sentence, repeatedly uttering those profanities. While catching her breath, she desperately attempted to evade, her arm pinned over her head in a reverse grip. As she tilted her head back, her slender neck was exposed once again to her gaze. Moreover, they were so close to each other. Song Yuhang could almost confirm that the piece of fabric before her was hers. Simr to how a forensic doctor could identify the type of drug poisoning solely by its smell, a detective could detect the scent of drugs solely by its odor. Furthermore, human beings had a keen memory for scents. She might forget the person, but she would never forget the scent on her. That vivid red tattoo resembled a birthmark. Song Yuhang raised her hand and gently traced over it, feeling the rough texture and uneven grain under her fingertips. It was Lin Yans most haunting past. This wasnt a tattoo; it was carved on with a knife! In astonishment, she lowered her gaze and met Lin Yans eyes. However, she saw Lin Yan gently close her eyes, her throat moving slightly, and tears sliding down from the corners of her eyes. It was as if she didnt want Song Yuhang to witness her in such a disheveled state. Lin Yan turned her head away, biting her lower lip and reddening her eyes, Seen enough? If youve seen enough, get up. As if awakening from a dream, Song Yuhang realized what she had done. This situation waspletely inappropriate. On a night of pouring rain, in darkness so thick one couldnt see their own fingers, she had, with overwhelming victory, pinned Lin Yans hands over her head, and even Song Yuhang felt like giving herself two ps. Tonight, she wasnt a police officer; she was a criminal. Lin Yan had every reason to cry, and those tears were scalding her. Startled, Song Yuhang quickly stood up, wiping the rainwater off her face. Her heartbeat pounded like a drum. She turned her back, feeling it improper to continue watching. Yet, she felt that this approach wasnt appropriate either; after all, she was the one who had caused Lin Yan to end up like this. So, gritting her teeth, she turned back around and extended her hand to Lin Yan. Get up. Lin Yan pushed away her hand and slowly propped herself up on the ground, pulling her fallen clothes back onto her shoulders. She felt as if her body had fallen apart, her head throbbing and swollen, and her fingers trembling uncontrobly, making her movements extremely slow. Rainwater trickled down her chin, making her palm-sized face appear even smaller. Song Yuhang couldnt help but recall how she had cried earlier, causing her heart to ache and feel bitter at the same time. This was a strange feeling, something she had never experienced before, leaving her somewhat perplexed. However, the rain was too heavy, and she still wanted to send her back. Song Yuhang squatted down slightly, Lin Lin Yan raised her gaze, her eyes vacant, devoid of any luster. Trembling, she tucked her lips back, recoiling slightly. In her heart, Song Yuhang quietly sighed with relief, Then wait here, Ill go call someone over. Her vis gate wasnt far away. The butler ran over with people and took Lin Yan under the umbre, wrapping her in another nket. Along with a few servants, they helped her inside. Song Yuhang watched as she was about to disappear behind the iron gate. Lin Yans footsteps paused, as if she sensed something. She turned around and stared at the puddle of umted water in front of her. She spoke her final words to her for tonight. Whether you believe it or not, I didnt kill Sun Xiangming, and I didnt kill Li Shiping either. Im just a witness, putting a not-so-perfect end to their love story with Ding Xue.
TL Im back! Sorry, I was sick this entire time. I hope i wont get sick again for at least a few years, I hate it
Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Scenic Tour At that time, it was your parents who provided the funds to buy the house, right? Did they pay the full amount? No The woman was sitting in front of theputer, answering a phone call. With one hand, she was typing on the keyboard to take notes. The sound of knocking on the door echoed, and she walked towards the entrance while holding the phone. She nced through the peephole, immediately switched the hand holding the phone, and at the same time, she turned to open the door for the other person. Im sorry, I have an urgent matter here at the moment. Ill contact youter. After hanging up the call, Song Yuhang also entered. She changed into guest slippers and looked up with a wry smile. Im the one who should apologize. Its quitete, and Im troubling you again. Seeing that she waspletely soaked and her face was a mix of blue and purple, Ji Jingxing fetched a clean towel from the bathroom and handed it to her. What happened to you? No wonder you didnt dare to go home. If Mother Song were to see this, she would probably nag quite a bit. After all, the lessons from her father and brother were there as cautionary tales. She was afraid that Song Yuhang might encounter some trouble again. Its nothing just got into a fight with someone, Song Yuhang said, using the towel to dry her damp hair. She nced through the slightly open door towards the bedroom. Is Xiaowei asleep? Yes, otherwise, if she knew you wereing, shed make a fuss, Ji Jingxing said, pouring a cup of hot coffee from the kitchen to warm her up. Song Yuhang sat on the sofa with a towel on her head, lost in thought. Since she entered the door, Ji Jingxing had sensed that something was off. She rarely spaced out like this, especially not in such a dazed manner. Over the years, Song Yuhangs visits to her had been few and far between. Thest time was when her brother passed away. Are you really okay? Ji Jingxing was still concerned. She took out the medical kit from the cab and opened it, searching inside for iodine and cotton swabs. Do you need to go to the hospital? Who was it that attacked you so harshly? The corner of her eye had been scratched by Lin Yans nail, causing a bloody gash that tore through the skin. The bloodstain was almost reaching her eye. If it went a little further, she might lose that eye. Song Yuhang touched it, and only now did a dull pain set in. At this moment, she couldnt help but think about the numerous blows she had dealt to Lin Yan, leaving her unable to stand. Would she be in pain now? Likely so, especially since she had cried. Thinking of those eyes soaked in tears, that sour and bitter sensation welled up in her heart again. She suddenly regretted her impulsiveness. Ji Jingxing paused in her actions, feeling that there was something indescribably subtle about her today. Going through a breakup? she teased deliberately. That person, however, shot a look at her all of a sudden, her tone stiff: No. Your denial is quite swift, Ji Jingxing chuckled, handing her the gauze in her hand. Alright, I know you havent been in love. Its about time you found someone to have a proper romance with. Im heading to bed now. I need to wake up early tomorrow to take Xiaowei to school. The guest toiletries are on the shelf in the bathroom. Dont sleep on the couch tonight; you can sleep in your brothers room. Xiaowei was a child born out of wedlock. Seven years ago, when her brother sacrificed himself, the whole family had advised Ji Jingxing to terminate the pregnancy, but she insisted on keeping the child. She raised her on her own, and being a single mother was indeed tough. Song Yuhang held a mixture of respect and affection for her sister-inw. Despite the small age gap, their rtionship was more akin to that of close friends who understood and cherished each other. She stood up and watched Ji Jingxing enter the bedroom, moving her lips slightly: Sis thank you. Ji Jingxing waved her hand, holding a coffee cup. She was wearing loose home attire and simple gray slippers. The cartoon pattern embroidered on them had faded over time. Those slippers were bought seven years ago, shortly after their marriage. Song Yuhang had been present that day as well. Ji Jingxing pursed her lips and mouthed, Good night. Song Yuhang replied, Good night. ***** General. Move the pawn. The chessboard was already in a fierce and intricate state of battle. A ck piece was shifted to a new position. The opponent fondled his red piece, hesitating. Sir, its time for your medicine. The woman held a bowl of soup, blowing on the pitch-ck concoction to cool it before bringing the spoon to his lips. The man wasnt young anymore, with white hair gracing his temples. Wrinkles adorned his face inyers, and a few faint age spots were visible. However, his beard was neatly trimmed. There was a resemnce between his face and Lin Yans, hinting at the handsomeness of his youth. Despite being in a wheelchair, he still possessed broad shoulders and long limbs. He turned his head and swallowed the medicine in one gulp, his face scrunching up from the bitterness. The woman slipped a piece of honey candy into his mouth, and he chewed it before spitting the pit into her palm. Then, he turned his attention back to the chessboard. Cannon. The opponent showed no impatience, smoothly withdrawing a piece, and incidentally capturing his general in the process. General, youve lost. Both of them burst intoughter. Lin Youyuan scattered the remaining pieces onto the chessboard. Enough, enough, youre still as cunning as ever. Mr. Lin. A person dressed in ck knocked and quickly entered the room. Lin Youyuan seemed to sense something, casually lifted the teacup and took a sip. What has Miss been up totely? The person in ck bent down and whispered softly in his ear, making a throat-slitting gesture: Should we? He nced at the person across from him and raised his hand to halt the suggestion. Theres no need for that. Lin Yan hasnt suffered any losses. Its not something bad. Understood. The person in ck respectfully bowed and then withdrew. The woman squatting beside him rolled her eyes, coquettishly leaning against his knee. Sir, its gettingte. You said youd apany me to buy a handbag tomorrow Lin Youyuan caressed her chin, and a smiling expression simr to Lin Yans emerged in his affectionate gaze. When has Sir ever deceived you? Escort our guest out. ****** Droplets of water slid down her arm, forming faint red streaks on the ground before seeping into the drain. The shower was turned on vigorously, enveloping her in mist. Her wet hair hung behind her like silk. She raised the handleless knife in her hand, facing the mirror, and shed at herself, one cut at a time. Blood droplets sshed into the washbasin, akin to vividly colored mandarin duck flowers blossoming in a pure white snowyndscape. She tilted her head back, breathing heavily, swallowing the suppressed pain into her throat. Trembling lips, sweat the size of beans forming on her forehead, one hand clutching the sink as her whole body shook. Until the fresh blood added a gruesome touch to the tattoo on her chest. With a ng, the knife slipped from Lin Yans hand into the washbasin. She slumped down, leaning against the bathtub, head hung low. She remained silent, seeming as if she had fallen asleep. Yet, two warm tears escaped from her tightly shut eyes, rolling down her cheeks and quickly joining the water droplets on the ground, vanishing into nothingness. ****** Auntie! Can you pick me up early from school today and take me to the amusement park? Mom hasnt taken me out to y for a long time Jiyi sat in the childs seat, but her hand stretched out, asking to be picked up. Ji Jingxing nced back while driving. Hey hey hey, sit properly. Mom told you, Auntie is very busy. Dont disturb her. Its okay, sis. The case is closed anyway. Ill pick up Xiaowei after school today, Song Yuhang stretched out her left hand awkwardly to pat Xiaoweis head, her smile showing a rare touch of gentleness. Is your arm still not working well? Ji Jingxing noticed from the corner of her eye. I think you should go to the hospital for a check-up. Yesterday it was just a painful sensation, but this morning it had swollen quite a bit. She couldnt even lift it up. Song Yuhang moved her shoulder and sighed. Alright, Ill go to the hospitalter. ****** Luckily, luckily. Your arm narrowly escaped a fracture. The doctor studied the X-ray for a moment, then walked over to her side and gently pressed on her swollen shoulder. Lifting her arm slightly, Song Yuhang clenched her lips and turned pale. Ill write you a prescription. Take it to the treatment room and get a bandage. Change the bandage and apply ointment once a day, and remember to take the oral medication on time. Song Yuhang stood up, put on her coat, and nodded slightly. Thank you, doctor. As she was halfway through bandaging, her phone rang. With some effort, Song Yuhang retrieved it from her pocket. Hello? Before the person on the other end could finish speaking, her expression changed. She pulled up her clothes and hurried outside, the young nurse following behind, eximing, Hey, why are you running? You havent finished bandaging yet! Walking through the bustling corridor, Song Yuhang casually wrapped a corner of the bandage around her arm. She used her teeth to tie a hasty knot, saying as she walked, Talk about the case, give me the specifics. Whats the situation? ****** Ding-ling-ling The rm clock rang, and Lin Yan poked her head out of the nket. One hand groped on the bedside table, and once she located the source of the noise, she pped it away. The world finally returned to silence. She covered her face with the nket again. In less than a minute, the sharp ringing sound resumed. Miss Lin angrily turned over, using the pillow to cover her ears. When she was almost out of breath from suffocation, the maddening sound in her ears finally disappeared. Lin Yan let out a sigh of relief, lying back down. She felt even opening her eyes was ufortable, her whole body sore, and her throat felt like it was on fire. She cleared her throat, preparing to reach for the ss on the bedside table to drink water, when the relentless call started again. Unable to bear it any longer, Miss Lin abruptly sat up, about to throw the phone away, but ended up falling off the bed with a sudden dizziness. Ouch it hurts. She rubbed her head and sat up. She felt like her brain was mush today, her limbs heavy and unresponsive. But when she saw the string of numbers shing on the screen, she still pressed the answer button. Hello, Lin Jie, its me. I know its you What do you want? Lin Yan licked her dry lips, got up from the floor, and felt her steps were unsteady. She had to steady herself against the wardrobe. Were currently near the Green Building in the West City district. Weve discovered a highly damaged corpse Duan Cheng was cut off mercilessly in the middle of his sentence. What do you mean by highly damaged? Describe the specific characteristics of the body! Duan Cheng looked towards the nearby ground with lingering fear, where a mess of flesh, human bones, and brain matter mixed togetherred, white, and yellow, just like a te of freshly cooked tomato and scrambled eggs. He couldnt help but retch again. Gross Youd bettere and see it in person. ****** Song Yuhang had just arrived, and right after her, Lin Yan also showed up. The usually high-heeled Miss Lin was uncharacteristically not wearing heels today. She had on soft andfortable t shoes, and her walking posture seemed quite unnatural. On top of that, she had a pair of oversized sunsses perched on her nose and immediately put on a face mask as soon as she got out of the car. Duan Cheng approached, Sis, whats with your Her attire looked quite odd for a gloomy day like this. Lin Yan rolled her eyes irritably, Whats wrong with a gloomy day? You need sun protection on gloomy days, dont you get it? Limping, she carried the investigation kit and walked toward the crime scene, while Song Yuhang leaned against the car door, one hand in her pocket, talking on the phone. Be a good girl, I wont be able to pick you up from school today. Listen to Mommy and well make ns for another day, okay? From a distance, Lin Yan noticed a hint of a smile in her lowered eyes and a much more animated and gentle expression on her face. The wind carried her words vaguely into her ears. Be a good girl Well make ns for another day, okay? Hmm, Lin Yan shivered suddenly. Who was she flirting with? Her goosebumps were all over the ce. They said it was the Green Building, but in reality, it was an unfinished construction site. The area was about half the size of a ser field, surrounded by wire mesh, with rocks and construction debris piled underneath. The police cordon was set up outside the wire mesh. Lin Yan lifted the cordon with one hand. The pile of rocks wasnt very high, and under normal circumstances, she could easily step over it. However, today she felt weak all over. The investigation kit was heavy, and she could hardly lift her arm. She had no choice but to take small, hesitant steps as she climbed up. The rain-soaked rocks were slippery, and without warning, her foot slipped, and she stumbled backward. Be careful! a familiar voice came, and at the same time, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, stabilizing her. Lin Yan took a few steps back and ended uppletely falling into her embrace. She wasnt sure if she was still shaken or what, but her heart was racing. Song Yuhang helped her regain her bnce, her grip still firm. There was a hint of concern in her eyes. Are you okay? On the surface, it seemed like she was caring for her, but in reality, she was also asking about what had happenedst night. Lin Yan snapped back to reality and shrugged her off like tossing away a piece of candy wrapper. Im fine. I think you should care more about yourself. Her retort was more than enough to keep her quiet. As they talked about this, Song Yuhang suddenly felt a dull ache in the bandaged shoulder. She forced a bitter smile, took the investigation kit from her hand, and turned to leave without saying a word. Lin Yans expression suddenly became subtle, seemingly irritated by her abrupt departure. Though her own emotions were quite inexplicable, she hadnt expected the other person to climb up the pile of rocks and extend a hand toward her. Come up. She hesitated, her gaze drifting elsewhere, avoiding direct eye contact as if searching for an alternative path to cross. Song Yuhang patiently repeated, Come up. The corner of her lips beneath the mask curved slightly. Reluctantly, Lin Yan reached out to take her hand. In that brief touch, their fingertips connected, and she found her hand engulfed in the others palm. The warmth and thickness of that hand carried the calluses earned from wielding guns and sticks. Her thoughts involuntarily wandered tost night, to how the rough pad of her finger had brushed gently over her wound, causing tremors to ripple through her. The darkness concealed the turmoil in her eyes, just as it masked the fleeting tenderness that flickered across Song Yuhangs gaze. Lin Yan suddenly felt ill at ease, releasing her grip and walking ahead. Song Yuhang followed closely behind, holding her investigation kit and mirroring her every step. When she had pulled her up, her hand had been cool, with a lightyer of sweat. Lin Yan had worried slightly. The guilt that had clouded her sincest nights encounter tightened its grip around her heart once more. Lin She wanted to call out her name, but Lin Yan turned around and extended her hand as if nothing had happened. Investigation kit. Song Yuhang handed it to her, and Lin Yan swiftly retrieved a pair of gloves from it. With a deft movement, she put them on and stepped onto the prepared investigation tform, walking toward the body.
Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Farewell Letter A ck and redrge trucks tire marks stretched for several meters on the ground, emitting a nauseating smell of blood. Lin Yan sniffed and gently picked up a clump of dark, sticky internal organ fragments from the ground. Memories rushed in like a flood, causing her face to pale in an instant, her lips tightly clenched. The heaviest concentration of bloodstains was beneath the two front wheels of the truck. If it werent for the investigative markers, it would have been impossible to step there. Nevertheless, the scene was already disturbed, with a chaotic mix of footprints some belonging to the driver, some to the person who reported the incident, and others from other construction workers on the site. Fang Xin was trying to measure the footprints while suppressing his nausea. Before long, his face turned white, and he stumbled and rushed outside. Lin Yan furrowed her brows. Perhaps she had been feeling unwell since this morning, as her stomach was churning as well. A fair wrist extended in front of her, offering a tissue. For you. Lin Yan suddenly felt deeply insulted, Get lost, I dont need that!!! Song Yuhang held the tissue, momentarily stunned. He then slightly curved his lips and walked aside to question an eyewitness. The portion of the victims body below the chest had all been caught in the wheels, and after being repeatedly crushed, it was now ttened against the ground, paper-thin. The head and neck were detached, connected only by a few strands of blood vessels. Half of the head had been crushed by the wheels, and the pale brain matter adhered to the front wheel. The entire facial structure was unrecognizable to the naked eye, making it apletely disfigured countenance. Such a body, let alone an autopsy, would be difficult to even lift from the ground. After the forensic personnel finished taking photos, Lin Yan reached her hand into the pool of blood, felt a tooth, lifted it to the light, examined it, and ced it in an evidence bag. Based on the degree of tooth wear, the deceased was very young, under eighteen years old. Duan Cheng quickly approached, took a photo, and made a record at the same time. Judging from the skull, Lin Yans hand gently touched the remaining half of the skull, sliding back and forth on its side. The skull is thin, muscle lines are not prominent, the forehead is vertical, the top is t, indicating that the deceased was likely a young female. Theres arge pool of blood at the scene, flowing southward into the cracks in the ground, Lin Yan stepped back. She had already touched the deceased and didnt want to contaminate the ground further, so she signaled a few assistant forensic experts toe and collect the bloodstains. Turn over the soil together with the blood. A shovel went down, lifting arge clump of soil with roots intact, cing it all into an evidence bag. Others, all wearing gloves, searched the extensive pool of blood for bone fragments. This was crucial for confirming the identity and age of the deceased in theter stages. Lin Yan leaned over again to examine the half of the skull, her words ringing out confidently, The wounds show clear signs of vitality She lifted her gaze and looked up at the rooftop where the broken railing was swaying perilously. The truck driver had already been restrained. With handcuffs on, he was crying and wailing under the questioning of several detectives. I really didnt know there was someone here, I really didnt know! It was so dark, around four oclock, I went to work as usual, delivering construction materials to the site. People often throw construction waste downstairs without much thought, I really didnt think much of it! A tall man of about seven feet, crying and struggling forward, his face turning red, exhibiting prominent signs of a red nose due to alcohol consumption. Song Yuhang walked over, Test his alcohol level. Open your mouth! Several detectives held him down, inserting the instrument into his mouth. Blow. The man blew lightly, and the value on the device immediately spiked to its peak. A detective brought the reading to her, indignant. This guy drank quite a bitst night. Look at how high his blood alcohol content is now. No wonder he didnt even realize he ran someone over! The nearby foreman trembled, and Song Yuhangs gaze turned to him. Did you discover the body? The foreman nodded, stuttering, Ah y-yes it was me Dont be nervous, take your time to exin what happened. Song Yuhang signaled for a cigarette to be handed to him. The foreman took it, his fingers trembling as he lit the lighter. After taking two deep drags, he calmed down slightly, though his voice still trembled. Early in the morning, around five oclock, I went to work as usual He recalled the scene with lingering fear, but Song Yuhang interrupted him. Do you remember the exact time? The foreman thought for a moment. I usually wake up at five-ten. At that time, it should have been around five-thirty. I put on my safety helmet and walked toward the construction site. When I got to the front of the building I saw He shivered as he recollected the scene. Old Li, who was responsible for delivering construction materials to the site, was a familiar face. He knew that Old Li liked to drink, but nothing had ever happened before. The two of them exchanged warm greetings. Morning, Liu Tou, Old Li lowered the car window, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth. Morning. Not drinking today? Beer, want some? Old Li shook a bottle of alcohol at him from the seat beside him, and there were some peanut shells scattered around. No, no. Ill be back to work soon. Cant let the boss catch a whiff of the smellter. Liu Tou stepped back to make way for the truck and then heard a loud bang. He was in the middle of loosening his belt to urinate against the wall. He even chuckled and cursed, You drunkard, had too much again, huh? Old Li reversed the steering wheel abruptly, muttering, Damn it, which idiot dumped garbage here? Dont they know the truck only goes in and out through this route? He stepped on the gas, revving up the engine and charging forward, but he felt something crunching under the wheels. In a hurry to unload, he floored the gas pedal and tried a few times back and forth, never bothering to get out and check. After finishing urinating, Old Li turned on the spotlights at the construction site. When the harsh, pale light fell upon the scene, he turned around and was immediately terrified. He plopped down on the ground in shock! Under the wheels were some shreds of clothing and fragments. Blood seeped out from beneath the wheels, and half of a skull,pressed and deformed, had been squeezed out as if one could hear the sound of muscles and bones shattering. Liu Tou didnt even bother with his pants; he scrambled to his feet and rushed over to stop the truck. Thats the situation, officers, officers! Its got nothing to do with me! Song Yuhang handed over a pen and paper, saying, Leave your name and contact information. Fang Xin,e here and take a blood sample. If necessary, please cooperate with our investigation. Fang Xin emerged from the gruesome scene, holding an evidence kit. She efficiently collected blood samples from the truck driver and the eyewitnesses. Song Yuhangs gaze drifted over, and Lin Yan was still crouched in the pool of blood. Unusually, she was dressed in formal attire today, covered with a protective suit. Her hair was pulled back, revealing her delicate and fair nape. Handing over the notes she had in her hand to others, Song Yuhang put on gloves and walked over. She squatted beside her. With limited investigation markers, Lin Yan shifted to the side a bit. Something on your mind? Song Yuhangs gaze also seemed a bit uneasy, wavering on her face. Uh about the results. The deceased was under eighteen years old, female. Based on the extent and coloration of the bloodstains, the time of death should be around four oclock yesterday morning. Lin Yan finished her exnation in one breath and walked to the other side, changing her perspective to observe the fragmented half of the skull. Song Yuhang followed her. Is there anything unusual? She pointed to the depressed part of the skull, her fingertip even picking up a tiny fragment of bone. Comminuted fracture, consistent with characteristics of a high-impact fall. Duan Cheng couldnt take it anymore, copsing to the side after taking photos. Ugh Lin Yan clicked her tongue. What a rare case. Their psychological resilience is too weak. Captain Song, you should consider recing them sooner rather thanter. Song Yuhang looked at Lin Yan, then at Duan Cheng, as if contemting the feasibility of the situation. When he met her gaze, Duan Cheng was afraid shed think he was useless, so he quickly stood up and said, Its fine, I can still hold on! Her gaze returned to linger on her face, Are you saying she fell to her death rather than being run over by the truck? Lin Yan nodded slightly, aware that her gaze was fixed on her, yet she didnt meet it. Yes, at most, the trucks impact caused secondary injuries. Judging by the extent of skull fractures and that pool of blood Song Yuhang followed the direction of her pointing finger and looked over. The color of the soil there is visibly darker than on this side. Its very likely the ce she fell from. Can you determine whether its a fall that urred while she was alive or after her death? Song Yuhang walked over and touched the soil there. Lin Yan shrugged. Its difficult, given the condition its in now. Ill bring her back to theb and perform a thorough autopsy to try and determine. Song Yuhang straightened up, shading his eyes, and looked up at the rooftop. Ill take a few people up there to have a look. ****** Upon entering the building, a cloud of dust mixed with the smell of cement rushed toward them. The elevator was still out of order. With the team in tow, Song Yuhang climbed the stairs to the sixth floor. A steel door separated the rooftop from the staircase. The door wasnt locked; it swayed as the wind blew. Song Yuhang signaled the forensic personnel behind her to step forward and immediately collect fingerprints. Once they finished, she gently pushed the door open. The rooftop wasnt spacious andcked any objects, presenting a deste scene. Several criminal investigation personnel scattered to search for useful clues. However, Song Yuhang went directly to the railing. ****** Come on, lets lift this up and take it back to the office. While Song Yuhang was searching for clues upstairs, Lin Yan was preparing to wrap up the work downstairs. Duan Cheng looked utterly dispirited as he stared at the mess of bones and flesh. This How do we go about this? Dont waste time. We obviously use a shovel. Move quickly, and we can still make it back in time for lunch. With impatience, Lin Yan rolled her eyes, picking up a specialized small shovel from her hand and started scooping uprger pieces of tissue and bones from the pool of blood, cing them into a body bag. Duan Cheng endured and endured, his face turning pale. He eventually managed to suppress the nauseous feeling, joining the team that was shoveling the remains. ****** Song Yuhang leaned halfway out and saw Lin Yan lifting the wrapped body bag onto the vehicle. She bent down, inspecting the scuffs on the ground beneath her. A ruler. She squatted down to measure it. The footprints were small, consistent with the characteristics of a deceased person under the age of eighteen, as Lin Yan had mentioned. There were no signs of deliberate damage to the railing. Long neglected, the railing had developed a patchyyer of rust from water erosion. As soon as her fingers touched it, an audible creak of strain echoed. Following the railing to its point of fracture, Song Yuhang found a tiny piece of fabric on it. She put on gloves, picked it up, and ced it into an evidence bag. An investigator rushed over to report, Captain Song, weve checked it all. There are no signs of a struggle on the rooftop, and the lock on the door only has one persons fingerprint. We found this in the corner over there; it seems like it was blown by the wind. He handed over a thin,pletely rain-soaked piece of paper. Song Yuhang held it carefully, afraid that she might damage it if she pressed too hard. She brought it in front of her, using an inspection light to illuminate it. The ink had smudged considerably due to the rain, and she could barely make out the first two characters: (Farewell Letter). ****** Downstairs, Forensic Doctor Lin took off her mask to catch her breath, while Duan Cheng moved the wrapped body bag onto the vehicle. His peripheral vision caught sight of the injury on her face, and he immediately eximed, Forensic Doctor Lin, what happened to your face? The gazes of the others quickly shifted towards them. Without hesitation, Forensic Doctor Lin lifted her foot and kicked at him, eximing, Ill give you something to yell about! Afterward, she hurriedly covered her face again with her mask, as themotion had caused her cheeks to ache. Forensic Doctor Lin winced and muttered, How else could I handle it? Like a dog chewed on it! ****** Although she couldnt hear what they were saying, seeing Forensic Doctor Lin and Duan Cheng fooling around somehow brought a faint sense of warmth to this gruesome crime scene. Song Yuhang withdrew her gaze. As far as her eyes could see, outside the police cordon, the area was crowded with onlookers and media. Whats going on? Why is this happening? I heard the truck driver ran over a person, back and forth, more than ten times. Its a horrifying death. Why would someone resort to such a brutal act out of revenge or grievances? My nephew, who works at the construction site, said A murmur of hushed conversations rose from the crowd, with a variety of spections and opinions. The media pushed and shoved forward. We are journalists, journalists! Please let us in for an interview. We want to talk to your responsible person. The local police officers had never encountered such a situation before and were struggling to hold them back. Among the journalists, there was a young woman with blonde hair who was not very tall. She took advantage of a momentary gap and slipped past the officers, suddenly taking a flurry of photos of Forensic Doctor Lin. Miss Lin was momentarily blinded by the unexpected burst of camera shes. The journalist had already rushed up, taking close-up shots of the wrapped body bag and then shoving a microphone in front of her. May I ask when this case urred? Who is the victim? Do the police have any leads at the moment? A rapid stream of questions came pouring out, ranging from various aspects. Lin Yan narrowed her eyes when her gaze met the journalists in front of her. The journalist noticeably hesitated upon locking eyes with Lin Yan. There was no way to forget Lin Yan had left quite asting impression. That unforgettable face and agile movements. Lin Yan opened her mouth, wanting to address her, but realized she didnt know the journalists name. Impatiently, Lin Yan furrowed her brows and raised her hand to move her aside, saying, Step aside. Having dealt with countless people, she couldnt recall who this was. Other reporters, not wanting to be overshadowed, swarmed around her since she held the highest-rankingw enforcement position present. In a blink, she was encircled. Officer, could you give us some information about this case? Officer, has there been any progress in the investigation so far? Why did the perpetratormit the murder? Some even recognized her face from beneath the mask, and a murmur spread through the crowd, Its Forensic Doctor Lin, its her. This definitely must be a major and serious case Lin Yan lifted her foot to leave, but those people persisted in following her, whispering, Hey, Forensic Doctor Lin, Forensic Doctor Lin Lin Yan was pushed around by the crowd, feeling dizzy and overwhelmed. Amidst the chaos, she didnt know who bumped into her, and suddenly everything spun. Fortunately, someone behind her reached out and steadied her. When Lin Yan turned her head, it wasnt the familiar face she expected. Are you alright, Forensic Doctor Lin? You can go ahead. Lin Yan nodded, then made her way out of the encirclement. She left Duan Cheng and a few assistant forensic doctors behind to deal with the reporters inquiries. Song Yuhang furrowed her brows. Seeing that Lin Yan had safely left the crowd, she withdrew her gaze and prepared to descend the stairs. However, in that moment, the corner of her eye caught a person in a ck jacket. Although she was quite far away, she noticed that the person wasnt holding a camera, which meant they werent a reporter. Despite being part of the onlookers, they werent engaged in any conversations with the people around them. Years of working in criminal investigation had honed her keen instincts. She swiftly turned her body around and requested, Binocrs. A colleague handed her the binocrs. Amidst the crowd, Song Yuhang carefully scanned for that ck-d figure. However, she realized the person had already vanished into the vast sea of people, as if it had all been a fleeting illusion.
Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Human Heart Song Yuhang rushed downstairs, weaving through the crowd of onlookers, looking around in all directions, yet stilling up empty-handed. Soon, she was surrounded by reporters. Officer, officer, can you say a few words? Team Leader Song, what are you searching for? Duan Cheng leaned his head out of the car window to observe her. Shaking off her distraction, Song Yuhang shook her head and used her fingers to pry the car door open before hopping inside, leaving the annoying reporters locked outside. Lets go, back to the police headquarters. Separated by a river, Jiangcheng City demarcates its eastern and western districts. In the East City District, skyscrapers and buildings shoot up from the ground, wide roads andprehensivendscaping are in ce. Even the greenery along the streets is scattered yet uniform in height. This is where the City Hall, Public Security Bureau, Prosecution Office, and other functional institutions are located, making it a yground for the affluent. The majority of the West City Districtprises the citys original inhabitants. Situated by the river and nestled against the mountains, it boasts an excellent geographical position. Coinciding with the tide of economic reforms and openness, property prices have soared relentlessly. Some original residents are unwilling to move, while others are eager to capitalize on high prices, pulling the wool over the governments eyes. The City Government has initiated numerous bidding projects, but developers are repeatedly dissuaded by the sky-high prices demanded by the defiant residents. Consequently, amidst the rapidly changing economdscape, it appears as though a piece of rat droppings embedded in the gem that is Jiangcheng City, impossible to erase no matter how hard one scrubs. The alleys are narrow and low, and the sky overhead is segmented by a web of electrical wires. The ground is uneven and pitted, with people squatting in the water channels washing clothes. Elderly men riding bicycles jingle their bells, creating a melodic ring. With such road conditions, the cars of the Criminal Investigation Team move no faster than snails, if not slower. Lin Yan leaned against the back of the chair, herplexion turning pale. Could you drive faster? This is already the fastest we can go. Once we pass that alley entrance up ahead, well be fine, Duan Cheng said, gently pressing the brakes to navigate around an approaching electric scooter. Song Yuhang nced back at her, but half of Lin Yans face was hidden in shadows, making it difficult to read her expression. With the car filled with people, she didnt feelfortable asking directly, so she bit her lip and refrained from inquiring. Upon their shaky return to the police station, the car door opened, and Lin Yan was the first to rush out, leaning against the wall and retching. It was all just sour bile from an empty stomach in the morning. A few inquisitive female colleagues whispered behind her, Is she pregnant? Her personal life is so messy. Whos the unlucky one Shh, lower your voice, dont let her hear. Song Yuhang furrowed her brows slightly. She intended to approach and offer Lin Yan some tissues, but before she could reach her, Lin Yan tilted her chin and straightened up. Her gaze was sharp, and even though she wasnt wearing high heels, shemanded respect. Stepping in front of the person she wanted to address, she raised her hand and delivered a sharp p across the face. Despite her attractive appearance, her expression was full of arrogance and dominance. Yes, you heard right. Call me Mom right now. The young policewoman stomped her foot and hurried away, tears welling in her eyes. Lin Yan threw her uniform jacket over her shoulder, slipped her hand into her pocket, and continued walking. Song Yuhang stood in her path, and as their shoulders brushed against each other, she reached out and caught her arm. Why go to such lengths? Lin Yan nced at the hand on her arm and spoke with a nonchnt tone, I dont think Team Leader Song is a cop from Jiangcheng City but rather from the Pacific Ocean. Why does she feel the need to police everyone? She was in the wrong initially, but with the constant flow of people at the police station entrance, you dont have to How will you continue to live your life in the future? Implicitly and explicitly, apart from calling her impulsive, there was a hint of protection towards the other person. Lin Yan felt an unexined anger boiling within her. She forcefully shook off the hand on her arm. If were talking about living life, were all living it for the first time. Why should I have to endure it? She turned her head and spat out vehemently, Phew! If I hadnt held back from tearing her mouth apart, that wouldve been fine. Whats it to you, Song Yuhang? Popping up here, acting all righteous and pompous in front of everyone, so fake! After finishing her words, she stepped away in her ts, carrying an aura as tall as the 1.8-meter high heels, and she promptly walked into the police station. This left Song Yuhang standing there, utterly perplexed. So inexplicable. Fang Xin nced at her sympathetically and departed. Duan Cheng patted her shoulder and also left. Zheng Chengrui pushed his sses up and remarked, A womans heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. Song Yuhang nodded in strong agreement and followed the others footsteps, muttering, A womans heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. ****** Following strict procedures, even in cases of homicide, its typically necessary to first locate the deceaseds rtives before proceeding with the autopsy. However, given the current state of the body and theck of evidence around the crime scene to establish the victims identity, the sole piece of paper with ink on it has beenpletely smudged and requires further technical restoration. As a result, Lin Yan decided to perform the autopsy first. Physical characteristics of a body change over time and with temperature fluctuations. Every minute of dy takes us one step further from the truth. She turned on the water tap and let water ssh on her face, helping to dissipate some of the heat. Her hazy mind regained some rity. Then, she washed her hands, sanitized them, put on protective clothing, and wore a mask. Fully geared up, she entered the autopsy room. Even when dealing with an unnamed corpse, she maintained an appropriate level of respect. The surgical scalpel was held vertically in front of her chest, and she bowed her head for a moment of silence. Duan Cheng activated the camera. On June 1st, 2008, at 1:45 PM, the deceased is unidentified. This is the first autopsy of the body, and it ismencing now. ****** Training room. A whiteboard, adorned with photos from the crime scene and details penned in ck marker, was on disy. Through interviews with eyewitnesses at the scene, weve learned that the suspect, Li Li, drove into the construction site around 4:55 AMst night. The vehicle went back and forth over the area in front of the building more than ten times. Around 5:30 AM, the construction site foreman, Liu Zhi, woke up and found the victim. The victim was found already deceased, her body and neck crushed by the wheels. The body was extensively damaged, with a bloodstain area roughly 1.01.2 meters. The distribution showed a darker center with a lighter perimeter. From the on-site forensic investigation, weve established that the deceased was a young girl under the age of eighteen. The skull exhibitedminuted fractures, and there were visible signs of vital reactions, consistent with the characteristics of a high fall injury. Wait a moment Zhang Jinhai interrupted the investigator, So are you saying the victim died from a fall, not being run over by the truck? Yes. Song Yuhang stood up and handed over a paper that had already dried inside an evidence bag. This was found on the rooftop of the scene. The paper had dried, but the ink couldnt be restored. After gazing at it for a while, all they could discern were the words farewell letter. Zhang Jinhai removed his sses. If weve found a farewell letter, its highly likely its a suicide. Not necessarily. Even though we didnt discover any signs of a struggle on the rooftop, and no fingerprints or footprints from a second person were found, doubts still remain. She wasnt even eighteen yet, at an age like a blooming flower. Why would she choose to end her life? No one wants a series of homicide cases happening in their jurisdiction one after another. This question furrowed Zhang Jinhais brow, and he managed to suppress his displeasure, turning to give instructions. Our top priority is to confirm the source of the body. Have there been any recent missing persons reports in our jurisdiction, especially involving minors? A detective opened hisputer, took a nce, and stood up. There are missing persons reports. One in the East District and two in the West City. However, they are all elderly individuals, and the ages dont match. What about the surveince at the crime scene? Song Yuhang directed her gaze toward Zheng Chengrui. Zheng Chengrui tapped on the keyboard, inputting a code to bring up theyout of the entire street block. He turned back with a somewhat grim expression. The closest camera to the crime scene is over a hundred meters away. Green Building was one of the urban renewal projects in the West City area subsidized by the municipal government and contracted to Jianxin Corporation. Originally intended as aprehensive,rge-scale shopping center to attract major businesses, the difficulty of the project was evident from its six-story structure and the size of the area. Even a space as small as a palm was designated as a parking lot. Of course, now it was just a pile of stones and construction debris. The incident urred in front of the building, and the camera was on the parking lot side, separated by about one hundred and eighty meters. It couldnt even capture a fleeting shadow. DNAparisons, bloodstain analysis, fingerprint matching, and even the autopsy required time, causing the case to be at a standstill. Supporting her chin with her hand, Song Yuhang always felt that something wasnt right. She wished this was a straightforward suicide case, but considering it involved a minor, caution and meticulous investigation were crucial. Even in a suicide, there had to be a reason. Her gazended on the paper in front of her. This was the only clue they had for now. She extended her arm and picked it up again, carefully examining it. The paper was in and ordinary, without any distinctive features. Notebook paper? A sudden spark of insight shed in her mind. She turned the palm-sized paper over and took a shlight out of her pocket to examine it closely against the light. Ink could easily smudge, but what if the characters were printed using lead type? In Jiangcheng City, various primary and secondary schools distributed notebooks to students at the beginning of the school year. To differentiate themselves from other school districts, they often printed their school name and logo on the cover. Atst, fortune favored the prepared mind. Song Yuhang read aloud the small text, Yu Yu what? The remainder of the text was no longer legible. Immediately contact all primary and secondary schools in Jiangcheng City with names starting with the character Yu, including high schools. Ask if there are any students who havent attended school today. Alright. One of the detectives quickly left to make a phone call. As discussions here intensified, the process of the autopsy also became more intense. The body was so damaged that it was unrecognizable. Many crucial autopsy procedures couldnt be performed. They spent a considerable amount of time reconstructing the general skeletal structure, cing cranial bones, scape, vicles, tibiae, femurs, and other bones on the autopsy table ording to their categories. Lin Yan, wearing gloves and a mask, used a flexible measuring tape to gather data, while Duan Cheng was responsible for recording the measurements on a whiteboard. He was still in the middle of his calctions, Uh the approximate height is Lin Yan had already mentally calcted the results using regression equations. 2.30 maximum femur length of 40 cm, 64.38 3.48 (cm) equals 159.86 cm. However, due to the extensive femur damage, the maximum deviation is around 3 cm. tter The pen in Duan Chengs hand fell to the ground, and he looked at her in shock. Lin Yan snapped in irritation, Why are you staring at me?! Keep calcting the tibia, fib, humerus, ulna, radius, and then give me an average value! Once the basic bones were cleared, it was time to examine internal organs. Even the most resilient bones had been crushed beyond recognition, not to mention tissues and organs. It was a challenging task. Nevertheless, Lin Yan persisted in searching for useful clues amidst the pile of indistinct flesh and blood. The autopsy room was kept cool, but the equipment was cumbersome. After standing for over two hours, her back started to ache, and her forehead glistened with beads of sweat. Her vision gradually began to blur. The stark white light before her transformed into streaks, swirling around her in circles. Other individuals in white protective suits moved about, and she gradually lost track of their conversation. Until someone behind her repeatedly called her name, Forensic Doctor Lin, Forensic Doctor Lin She shook her head, shaking off the dizziness, steadied herself against the autopsy table, and turned around, asking, Whats the matter? Ive calcted it. The height is roughly around 160, with a margin of error of 3cm Duan Cheng said with excitement, but upon noticing that sweat had already soaked through her cap and her pale face was unsettling, he looked at her with concern. Are you alright? Im fine. Lin Yan turned away, clenched her lips, picked up the forceps, took a deep breath, and when she opened her eyes again, her expression had regained rity. The organ tissues visible to the naked eye had beenbeled and set aside for freezing. Lin Yan immersed herself in the pile of minced flesh, picking carefully. Suddenly, the forceps found a piece about the size of a fingernail, with tissue of a lighter colorpared to the other fragments. She held it up to the light and furrowed her brow tightly, Bring me a ss slide. A transparent slide was handed to her, and she delicately picked up the piece with the forceps and ced it on the slide. Then, she uttered words that astonished everyone present. Perform an embryonic examination. Duan Cheng eximed with disgust, Holy crap, this is way too sick and twisted! ****** Aftering out of the autopsy room, she crouched down and took a moment to catch her breath when she noticed that the corridor was empty. When someone approached, Lin Yan quickly stood up and began walking back to her office. Finding no one around in the corridor, she crouched down for a moment of relief. As soon as someone approached, Lin Yan swiftly stood up again, taking slow steps back to her office. She opened a drawer, searching for chewing gum, but found it empty. Damn it, its gone. She closed the drawer with a thud, just as someone entered the room, cing things down. Hey, Forensic Doctor Lin, why are you here? Arent you supposed to be in the meeting? Lin Yan steadied herself by gripping the desk and stood up, Im just about to go. ****** As soon as she walked into the training room, she felt that something was off with the atmosphere. All eyes turned toward her, staring directly at her face. Only then did she realize, damn it, she forgot to wear a mask. The bruise on her face from where Song Yuhang had hit her was still there. In front of everyone, she couldnt just turn back and get a mask. She had no choice but to grit her teeth and slowly make her way to her seat. Of all the luck, the only avable seat was right next to Song Yuhang. Who the hell arranged the seating like this!!! In her mind, Lin Yan cursed the person responsible for this arrangement countless times. Song Yuhang also felt a bit ufortable and touched his nose with his hand, giving a slight cough, Now that everyones here, lets continue. Forensic Doctor Lin, please share the autopsy results. As long as she remained silent, it was fine. But as soon as she spoke, Zhang Jinhais gaze turned to them, inspecting their faces back and forth. There was a prominent blood mark on Song Yuhangs face, obviously caused by a womans nails digging into his skin. Lin Yans injuries werent light either. Today, their looks could only be rated at around seven or eight out of ten at most. No wonder their colleagues at the scene said they had to keep wearing sunsses. The injuries that appeared on the same day seemed oddly coincidental. And when thinking about the rumors that Song Yuhangs blind date partner was Lin Yans cousin, the mes of gossip burned fiercely among their colleagues. They practically wanted to poke holes in them to find out more. Lin Yan couldnt stand being stared at like this anymore. She mmed the documents in her hand onto the table with a loud thud: What are you looking at?! What the hell are you all staring at me for? Look at the case files, why are you all looking at me?! Everyone who had been looking at her immediately averted their gaze, some lowering their heads and others pretending to drink water. Get up, Im talking to you. Switch seats with me! With these words, disregarding what others might think, she gave a nudge to the person next to her, signaling for them to get up. She then stood up herself. In that instant, perhaps due to her haste, everything went dark before her eyes, and she lost her bnce, tilting backwards. Lin Yan! Amidst the daze, she heard the sharp sound of a chair. Before she knew it, someone was holding her horizontally, and just before the world plunged into darkness, she caught a glimpse of someones worried eyes. Song Yuhang rushed over, not looking back, Ill take her to the hospital. You all can continue.
Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Secret Lin Yan, despite having a tall stature and long legs, was light to hold. When Song Yuhang lifted her, she was momentarily surprised by the weight, and then her lips tightened even more. It was inconvenient for her to open the car door while holding Lin Yan, but fortunately, Fang Xin quickly came out and opened the door for her. Song Yuhang carried Lin Yan into the car, then turned and said, Thank you. No problem, Captain Song. You go ahead. Well immediately inform you if we have any leads. Song Yuhang ran to the drivers seat, opened the car door, fastened her seatbelt, nodded slightly, and even leaned over slightly to carefully secure Lin Yans seatbelt. As the car left the gates of the police station, they were met with a red traffic light. Song Yuhang turned her head to gauge herplexion, and all she saw was an unnatural paleness. Even her usually vibrant red lips had lost their color. Her fingers brushed against her forehead and found it to be feverishly hot. She had persisted in working the whole day like this despite being unwell?! The more Song Yuhang thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. She had never experienced such a prolonged red light before. In frustration, she stepped on the gas pedal, surpassing the queue of patiently waiting cars. Yet, she had forgotten that she was driving her own car today. A traffic officer on a motorcycle chased after her, yelling at her to stop. By the time she reached the hospital entrance, she had naturally received a parking ticket and had six points deducted from her drivers license. It was a typical case of knowingly breaking thew. Carrying Lin Yan all the way, she rushed upstairs. She handed Lin Yan over to the doctor at the emergency department, watching as the doctor ced the stethoscope on her chest and instructed a nurse to administer fluids to her. What illness? Is it serious? Unconsciousness due to high fever, possibly a form of pneumonia. The doctor changed direction to listen to her heartbeat and removed the stethoscope after a while. But dont worry, theres no life-threatening danger. Help us move her onto the bed and then contact the imaging department for a brain CT scan. Upon hearing this, she gradually eased her worries. Together with several medical staff, they lifted the patient onto the bed and pushed the bed towards the CT room. Only after she had entered the chamber did she turn around to go to the medical office to pay. When she returned to the ward, Lin Yany quietly on the bed, a soft tube attached to the back of her hand for intravenous fluids. Her long hair, like seaweed, spread across the snowy-white pillow. She was nestled under the covers, sleeping with her head turned, making her face look even smaller. The nurse hung another bottle of liquid on the IV stand nearby. When this bottle is finished, remember to ring the bell to call us for a medication change. Song Yuhang nodded. Thank you. After the nurse left, she pulled out a stool from under the bed and sat down. She reached out to pull the nket up to her chest, inadvertently catching a glimpse of a hint of spring beneath the opened neckline. She inexplicably recalled the tattoo she had caught a fleeting glimpse of that night, and remembered how Lin Yan had shivered when her fingertip brushed over it. It was like a secret, a secret known only to herself and her. Song Yuhang swallowed, and as ifpelled by some inexplicable force, gently pushed aside her strands of hair. The porcin-like white skin exuded its own allure silently, much like Lin Yan herself, often with an unconscious undercurrent of desire. The air seemed to grow dry, and Song Yuhang licked her lips, fingertips resting on her cor, undoing the first button. Not enough. There was still some distance from that secret. The second button offered a vague glimpse of the scenery beneath, but what she wanted to see was the full picture. The full picture of the secret, the full picture of Lin Yan. Who allowed her body to harbor so many secrets? As Song Yuhang thought this, she undid the third button. When her slightly cool fingertips touched skin, a searing hand suddenly grabbed her wrist. The heat felt as though it scorched her, obliterating the unusual atmosphere and the foggy consciousness altogether. Song Yuhang swiftly pulled her hand back, and her abrupt movement even caused the chair to tilt backward and collide with the bed opposite. Lin Yan propped herself up, coughing into her hand a few times. Herplexion was pale, but her eyes were feverishly bright. Whats this? After getting into a fight, are you now revealing your emotions? This question left Song Yuhang speechless, as she wasnt skilled at hiding her emotions, and her embarrassment was evident on her face. Lin Yan rxed herself and tidied her disheveled cor. No need to feel guilty towards me. Captain Song is a rare opponent. In freestyle fighting and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, I truly wanted to determine a winner. I thoroughly enjoyed that fight. It could be said that she hadnt felt so invigorated in a long time. She vented not only her blood and tears but also the anger and resentment in her heart. She had once thought that Lin Yan was the type of person who wouldnt spare anyone when she was in the right, someone who was stubbornly shadowed by madness. However, Lin Yans magnanimity in this matter far exceeded her expectations, even bordering on indifference. Song Yuhang paused for a moment, then also eased up. While thats true, I still owe you an apology. Rest assured, once youre better, Ill definitely spar with you as many times as you want. Would she be able to recover? Lin Yans lips curved slightly, and she didnt say anything more. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of movement near the door to the ward, but it was barely visible from Song Yuhangs angle. Im a little hungry, she said. Song Yuhang stood up. What do you want to eat? Ill go buy it. Anything is fine, just something light. Alright. She nodded and was about to turn and leave. Lin Yan called out to her again, Is it really okay for you to put aside your work ande here? She didnt know why she added that extra question. The persons footsteps clearly hesitated. She thought that she wouldnt receive an answer, but Song Yuhang slowly turned around, looking into her eyes. Its fine. There are other colleagues in the criminal investigation team, and solving cases isnt an urgent matter for the time being. Her response was sincere, and Lin Yans lips curved slightly. She didnt say anything more. As Song Yuhang pushed open the door to leave, her attending physician was walking towards them with some X-rays in hand. She stepped aside, slowing her pace, and as the person entered, she leaned against the wall and heard Lin Yan suppress a few coughs. The issue isnt major. Theres some infection in the lungs. Once the fever subsides, well use some anti-inmmatory medication and address the minor concussion Song Yuhang lowered her gaze, recalling how she had thrown Lin Yan to the ground several times, always with the back of her head hitting the floor. Goodness, what had she done? She couldnt bear to listen any further. She hurriedly left the room as if escaping, her heart in turmoil as her pace quickened. As the footsteps gradually faded into the distance, Lin Yan let out a subtle sigh of relief. She lifted her gaze and asked the doctor, How is it? The doctor nced at the door, confirming that there was no one outside, before changing the mode of address with a somewhat grim expression. Ms. Lin, the situation isnt very good. I think its best to inform Director Lin as soon as possible. Lin Yans eyes slightly narrowed, and when she opened them again, her gaze was as cold as ice. No one can know about this matter, including my father. Otherwise A thinyer of sweat appeared on the doctors forehead. Yes, yes, of course. Ms. Lin, please rest well. Let us know if you need anything. ****** Freshly baked buns, one yuan fifty each, four for three yuan! Authentic Sichuan spicy noodles, one big bowl for five yuan! Qianjiang small crayfish, hey The night had just fallen, and the entrance of the hospital was a gathering ce for various street vendors. The air was filled with the aroma of spicy hot pot and barbecue smoke. Song Yuhang walked along the path in front of the hospital for a short distance and spotted a small stall selling congee. She approached and examined the sign. The stall owner warmly greeted her, Miss, what would you like to drink? Song Yuhang lowered her head and nced at the assortment of congee in the insted container. The stall owner scooped some up with a spoon, and there were only a few scattered grains of rice. The lighting was dim, causing everything to appear somewhat dark, and the hygiene conditions were naturally questionable. She recalled Lin Yans memorable words, Is this for humans to eat? Isnt this pig feed?! Song Yuhang took a step back. No, I changed my mind. Thank you. After a moments thought, she decided to drive a bit further until she saw a restaurant specializing in Chaozhou-style y pot congee by the roadside. She turned off the engine and got out of the car. ****** When she returned to the ward carrying the purchased congee, there was a somewhat familiar man standing at the entrance. Song Yuhang walked over quickly, You Lin Ge turned around and ced his index finger against his lips, signaling her to be quiet. Understanding the gesture, Song Yuhang looked inside the room through the ss above the ward entrance. Beside Lin Yans bed sat a woman who looked younger than her but was mboyantly dressed, resembling a stepmother from a soap opera. Yan Yan, the womans nails were longer than Lin Yans, and her shy manicure was almost blinding under the lights. She lifted the lid of a food container with a sense of familiarity. Although Lin Yans name wasnt exactly pleasant, it had a distinctive character. However, the woman had managed to mispronounce Yan Yan as Yan Yan, which sounded like a clichd name for a protagonist in a mediocre rural novel about a widow. The atmosphere was overwhelming. Listening from the outside, Song Yuhang felt a sense of unease. Lin Yan remained unfazed. Seeing that Lin Yan didnt react much, the woman grew bolder and extended the food container towards her. She raised her voice in an affected tone and yfullyined. Despite being young, she had the audacity to smudge her face with a bewildering array of makeup. As she spoke, Lin Yan watched in disbelief as the foundation on the womans face fell onto her own bedsheet. Your dad heard that you were sick, so he asked me toe and check on you. Look, Auntie even personally cooked seafood soup for you. Try it, its best to drink it while its hot. As the food container was opened, a strong seafood odor wafted out. Who would eat this while being sick? Moreover, she had elevated her status just by opening her mouth. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, unmoved. Oh, did Lin Youyuan send you? The woman twisted her body, furrowing her brows and cing a hand over her heart as if deeply hurt. She squeezed out two non-existent tears and used her Herms handkerchief to dab at the corners of her eyes. How could you call your dad that way, Yan Yan? He still cares about you. Look, you didnt evene when your dad and I got married. We didnt say anything. Your dad still sends you money every month on time. You also have shares in thepany, and even several branch offices bear your name She spoke with a hint of dissatisfaction at the corners of her eyes and brows. From both a moral and logical standpoint, I am the main wife of the Lin family. You should call me Mom.'' It was quite coincidental. In the morning, someone had wanted her to call them Mom at the entrance of the city public security bureau, and now in the evening, another woman was eager for her to address her as Mom. Lin Yan gazed at her silently. She resembled Lin Youyuan, with beautiful eyes, slender phoenix-like eyes, and deep ck irises that shone. Even when not speaking or smiling, she seemed to be looking at someone affectionately. Lin Yans lips curved slightly, her voice light. Oh? Your face seems to be well taken care of nicely maintained. As she spoke, the woman ced her hand on her own face and smiled. Right, I feel the same. The beauty salon in the eastern part of the city is excellent. I have a membership card. Lets go together sometime. Personally, I think youre older than me. Youre in your thirties, so you should take good care of yourself. As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Ge covered his face with his hand. Its over. Song Yuhang raised an eyebrow, observing Lin Yans yful yet serious expression. Indeed, Im quite envious. I envy how you managed to maintain it so well. The woman burst intoughter with a giggle, but herughter was abruptly cut off, resembling a rooster choking on its own throat. Her lips trembled, and her fake eyshes fluttered, as if they could fall off at any moment. Who the fuck didnt close the crotch door? How did this kind of trash leak out? Lin Yan spoke deliberately, finally putting her streetwise vocabry to good use, acquired from growing up in the alleyways of the city. Hurry up and see a urologist to check if theres something wrong down there. Youve never taken a good look at how much you weigh. Thinking that wearing Chanel and holding an Herms makes you a princess? You work at which KTV? You wont say. Wanna be my mom? Are you worthy? Worthy of holding the keys? Worthy my ass! Want to be someone elses mom so badly? Why not knock yourself out and reincarnate sooner? In the next life, you might have a chance to keep my mompany on the road to theherworld. In terms of delivering profanity, Song Yuhang had never encountered anyone with abat strengthparable to Lin Yans. The two individuals outside the door exchanged nces, both disying the same two words in their eyes: frightening indeed. Although the woman might be a bit arrogant and malicious, she was still a C-list actress from a prominent family. She had never faced such a situation before and was instantly flushed with embarrassment. She wished she could rush forward and tear Lin Yans mouth apart. However, Lin Yan acted before she could, picking up the food container and throwing it at her with full force, unleashing a torrent of insults that was as fierce as her physical assault. The woman was scalded by the piping hot soup, letting out a piercing scream that seemed to shake the heavens and earth. When Song Yuhang and Lin Ge rushed into the room, they found Lin Yan clutching an iron food container in one hand and yanking the womans hair with the other, pinning her to the bed and viciously assaulting her. Fuck your mother! Fuck your mother! Mentioning my moms name in front of me, do you even qualify? Spit on you! The IV stand swayed precariously, and Song Yuhang quickly stepped forward to steady it, while restraining Lin Yan with a stern shout, Lin Yan! Taking advantage of the situation, the woman managed to break free, her hair disheveled like a chicken coop, her makeup smudged, and her head bearing the bruises caused by the iron container. Her false eyshes had fallen off, making her appearance utterly pitiable. Crying while stomping her feet in anger, she threatened, Lin Yan, Ill go back and tell Youyuan about this! Just wait for me! Am I supposed to be afraid of that old bastard? Let hime. Lets see if he dares to mention my moms name in front of me. Dont think Im scared of him, even if hes limping now. Ill finish him off if I have to! Lin Yans emotions escted again. As her shoulder was held by someone and she couldnt break free, she threw the iron container directly at her head, causing her to cough and struggle violently. Due to the excessive force, the IV needle was dislodged, and the deep red blood climbed upward along the tubing, an rming sight. Seeing Lin Yan coughing severely, the woman avoided the iron container and continued to shout, while Lin Ge was furious as well. His clenched fists made cracking sounds, but he hesitated because the woman was officially married to Lin Youyuan. Considering their generational rtionship, he had to address her as Aunt and refrained from resorting to physical violence. There was another person who was quicker than her. Song Yuhang was strong and swift. She dashed forward, grabbed the cor of the womans clothes, and lifted her up like a little chicken. She pushed and shoved her as she dragged her backwards, eventually tossing her out of the room. Get lost! If you dont leave now, Ill also want to hit you. The woman was so infuriated that her whole body trembled. She shook off Song Yuhangs hand and looked at Lin Yan, who was coughing repeatedly. Her tone was both sarcastic and sinister, Alright, alright, Lin Yan, you sure have a good big brother and good friend. Lets see how long you can stay arrogant. Well see! With a bang, Song Yuhang mmed the door shut, keeping the obnoxious hen out. The woman flicked off the soup residue from her body with resentment and walked away. Just as she turned around, an elderly woman was heading in that direction as well. The elderly woman had neatly arranged silver hair, wore an understated Tang-style top that didnt reveal any prominent brand, and was assisted by a steward. In her hand, she held a bowl of soup. At first nce, it was clear that the elderly woman was here to visit a patient. The woman adjusted her clothes and approached with a flirtatious demeanor, Oh, sister-inw, what wind blew you here? The elderly woman nced at her absentmindedly, seemingly not recognizing who she was at all. She turned to her servant and asked, Where did this wild chickene from? The womans face turned green with anger. The servant respectfully replied, I dont know, maybe it came from one of the private rooms at the nearby KTV. Madam, visiting the youngdy is the priority. The woman nodded, and with the support of her servant, she walked towards the hospital room. The other woman remained in ce, seething with hatred. She clenched her teeth and almost shredded her handkerchief in her frustration.
Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Heart-to-heart Conversation Song Yuhang threw the person out of the door, then turned around to see that both of them were looking at her. Lin Ge had a somewhat shocked expression, while Lin Yan, for a moment, couldnt urately describe the expression on her face with the right words. It seemed to be a mix of surprise with a hint of happiness, but she controlled it well. Among the people present, apart from Song Yuhang, an expert in reading microexpressions, no one else noticed. So, helping her out made her happy? Shes really easily satisfied. As Song Yuhang thought this, there was another knock on the door. Lin Yan frowned and was about to start scolding when Lin Ge quickly went to meet her. Its my mom, my mom. The door opened, and Mother Lin, lying on the sickbed with a pale face, didnt let anyone assist her. She rushed to the bedside in three quick steps, holding her hand, which was connected to an IV, and it was shaking uncontrobly. Quick, Lin Ge, what are you still standing there for?! Go call the nurse! Whats going on here? Did that wild girl upset you again? Compared to when she left home at eighteen, Mother Lin had aged significantly, with silver hair and wrinkles etched all over her face. However, she dressed modestly, without any extravagant adornments. She looked sharp and capable. Seeing her scolding like this, you could tell that even Lin Yuan had to respect her. Lin Yan was the kind of person who treated others as they treated her. Faced with her aunts concern, she curved her lips and showed a genuine smile. No, how could that be? You know my temper. If I dont beat her up, thats already being good. The nurse came in with a medical cart to change her medicine. Mother Lin finally noticed Song Yuhang standing nearby and her eyes lit up. It was as if a matchmaker had seen a potential bride, and she almost wanted to rush over and hold her hand warmly. Lin Ge gave a little cough, and Mother Lin stopped, retracting her hand. Little Song, what brings you here? Its been a while since youve hung out with Lin Ge, right? How did it gost time when you went out to eat? Did that boy treat you well? If theres anythingcking, just let me know, Ill break his legs. As she spoke, she leaned towards Song Yuhang, wearing apletely mother-inw-looking-at-her-daughter-inw expression. Seeing the wounds on her face, she couldnt help but worry. Oh my, what happened here? This is really wicked, why would someone deliberately target your face like this? Dont worry, Auntie has several ointments made from ancient recipes that work wonders for scar removal. Ill have Lin Ge bring them over for you one day. The main culprit of this wicked act was sitting on the bed, stirring the congee that Song Yuhang had brought with a spoon, with a twitch at the corner of their mouth. After Mother Lins words, she even kicked Lin Ge lightly. Isnt that right, Lin Ge? Lin Ge grinned awkwardly, Yes, yes, Ill bring it over for Miss Song one day. Afterward, he exchanged nces with Lin Yan through mouth movements: My mom is way too enthusiastic. Lin Yan gave him a disdainful look: Well, she is your future mother-inw. However, she didnt know why, but after saying this sentence, she felt a little uneasy inside. Even the congee that Song Yuhang had brought didnt taste good anymore. So she used mouth movements to signal: Did you see that? Song Yuhang is really violent. Are you still nning to marry her? Lin Ge rolled his eyes, toozy to pay her any attention. He didnt even bother to consider why someone might resort to violence on her behalf. Meanwhile, Mother Lins gaze moved around the three people in the hospital room. Why did Little Song bring Yan Yan to the hospital? Whats your rtionship with her? Song Yuhang nced over at the hospital bed, and Lin Yan happened to raise her eyes to look at her. When their eyes met, she smoothly replied, We are colleagues. Mother Lin immediately burst intoughter, unable to close her mouth, and pulled them both to the bedside. She picked up Lin Yans unbandaged hand and ced it on top of Song Yuhangs, patting them gently. Colleagues? Thats great! Colleagues are wonderful! Getting closer and closer! Lin Yan choked on her congee, causing a thunderous coughing fit. ****** After several people inquired about Lin Yans condition and learned that it wasnt too serious, they felt relieved. As for the reason behind the injuries on her face and the concussion, Lin Yan didnt want to go into detail, and Mother Lin and Lin Ge wisely refrained from pressing further. Lin Yans nominal father hadnt shown up at all during this time. After sitting for a while longer, Lin Ge received an urgent call from the hospital and prepared to leave. Mother Lin, after watching Lin Yan finish the chicken soup she had brought, left along with her son. She instructed Lin Yan to rest well, call if needed, and promised to bring her more food tomorrow. Lin Yan could barely hold herself together. She was not used to eating so much and her face had crinkled like a bitter gourd. She couldnt wait for them to leave and was already nning her discharge for the next day. Out of respect for Mother Lin being an elder, both in terms of feelings and propriety, Song Yuhang felt she should apany them for a bit. Unexpectedly, when they left the hospital room, Mother Lin patted Song Yuhangs hand, her smile warm and friendly. Alright, theres no need for you to apany us. Youve had a busy day, and we owe you a lot for what happened today. Let Lin Ge treat you to a meal sometime, you muste. She found her daughter-inw more and more pleasing to the eyewell-behaved, graceful, tall, with good manners and humility. Song Yuhang nodded. Youre too kind. Lin Yan is my colleague, so helping out was a given. Mother Lin didnt say more, patting her hand before being assisted away by the housekeeper, leaving the two of them alone. Lin Ge rubbed his nose, and the two of them stood together at the elevator, having be somewhat closer due to the events surrounding Lin Yan. Some things they hadnt been able to discuss before were now easier to bring up. Do you think our family is a bit strange? Song Yuhang took a moment to respond. Yes. She grew up in a harmonious family, even though her father passed away early, and her mother didnt remarry. Her mother single-handedly raised both her and her older brother. After her brothers death, her sister-inw, Ji Jingxing, didnt remarry either. She couldnt imagine a situation where a family like hers, with no stepmother and step-siblings causing trouble, would suddenly appear in her life. While waiting for the elevator, Lin Ge smiled wryly and said, Counting this one with a recognized status, this is the eighth marriage for Uncle Lin over the years, not counting those unofficial rtionships outside. These people, to a greater or lesser extent, have caused Lin Yan some suffering. As he spoke, he couldnt help but recall the first year Lin Yan came to their home. Can you imagine? When she was three years old and came to my house as a guest for the first time, she had never even seen candy before. I gave her a jar of milk candy, and she didnt even say thank you. She just took the jar and hid in the backyard to eat it secretly until she got diarrhea Lin Ge remembered that scene and couldnt help but feel both amused and exasperated. After Lin Chengs death, she became the sole heir of Lin Yuyuan and enjoyed a lot of sweets, but she never smiled as happily as she did back then. Taking advantage of the momentary softening in Song Yuhangs gaze, Lin Ge concealed the fleeting bitterness in his heart. It turned out that even someone as polished and bright as him had a past that was too painful to look back on. The elevator arrived, and Lin Ge entered. He gave her a slight smile, disying the carefree demeanor of a big boy. Officer Song, although Lin Yan wont say it, I still want to thank you on her behalf. Despite her current demeanor of making a fuss all day long, being arrogant to the point where I want to smack her, over the years, youre the only one shes brought to us and acknowledged as a friend. He addressed her as Officer Song instead of Miss Song, showing a sufficient level of respect and sincerity. Youre the only one shes brought to us and acknowledged as a friend. It was this sentence that made a slight smile curve Song Yuhangs lips. She rarely smiled, and hermanding presence now appeared softer. Lin Ges behavior naturally reminded her of her own brother, which brought a sense of nostalgia. No need to thank me, its what I should do. Lin Yan is fortunate to have a brother like you. As more people crowded into the elevator, the two of them waved goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye. ****** Lin Yan initially thought that Song Yuhang would leave with the others, but to her surprise, less than ten minutester, Song Yuhang returned. She pulled up a chair beside Lin Yans bed, opened her phone to check if there were any new leads from her colleagues. Arent you leaving? Lin Yan leaned against the bed and nced at her. If I leave, what will you do? Song Yuhang didnt lift her head. Lin Yan chuckled softly, I havent be so weak that I need someone to take care of me. Seeing that Song Yuhang remained unfazed, she muttered, At the very least, theres still the butler . Song Yuhang put her phone in her pocket and stood up. Alright, then Ill leave. Rest well. As she turned to leave, a hint of annoyance shed in Lin Yans eyes. She was about to speak but started coughing incessantly instead. She struggled to control her breathing, but it only escted. She ced a hand on her chest, attempting to ease her breathing, but it caused the IV stand to wobble. Song Yuhang hurried over, taking quick steps to steady her and gently pressed her down. At the same time, she poured a ss of warm water from the bedside pitcher. You see, if you dont pretend to be strong, nothing would have happened. Why does this phrase sound so familiar? Lin Yan recalled the conflict they had on her first day at the police bureau. She raised her hand as if to strike. Song Yuhang pressed her hand down again and spoke sternly, Dont move. Do you want to get another injection? With that said, she squatted down by the bedside and carefully secured the tape on Lin Yans hand. From Lin Yans perspective, she could see Song Yuhangs bright eyes hidden behind her disheveled bangs. She didnt put much effort into grooming herself; her eyebrows were slightly messy, but it emphasized her three-dimensional and dignified features. Song Yuhangs eye color was light, tinged with a shallow brown in themplight. Her skin tone was between fair and normal. Without makeup, her lips were much paler than Lin Yans. Removing the sharp aura, she appeared much softer, especially with her careful and tender movements. Lin Yan finally began to understand why Mother Lin insisted on her bing a part of the family. What do you think of my brother? Song Yuhang didnt stop her hands as she worked. What do you mean, didnt we discuss this the other day? Lin Yan pursed her lips. What we said that day doesnt count. Tell me again. I want to hear the truth. Song Yuhang finished up and tucked her hand under the nket. She looked up at Lin Yan, a faint smile ying at the corner of her lips. Why, do you want me to look out for your brother? I only have this one brother, is that not okay? Lin Yan spoke firmly, but Song Yuhangs gaze turned solemn. Do you want to hear the truth? Yes, Lin Yan nodded. Song Yuhang sat down again. Since their first meeting, they had either argued, exchanged harsh words, or evene to blows. They rarely had the opportunity to sit face to face and have a conversation like this. This feeling was somewhat novel for both of them. Perhaps it was the warm lighting of the evening, or maybe it was because of Lin Yans illness, but she didnt appear as dominant as usual. asionally, in a few moments, Song Yuhang even found her quite charming. For example, right now, the way she earnestly leaned in to listen to what Song Yuhang was saying. So, she became serious as well, looking into her eyes and saying, Hes good, treats you well, and respects me. I dont mind further contact between you two, but She seemed somewhat uncertain at this point, pausing as she didnt know how to continue. Lin Yan helped herplete the thought, Do you want to see him? Song Yuhang thought for a moment, shaking her head. Im too busy, no time to think about it. What about now? You have time now. Do you miss him? Song Yuhang followed her words and began to think back. Surprisingly, what came to mind were memories rted to Lin Yan and that particr phrase. In all these years, you are the only one she has brought into our lives, and you are acknowledged as her friend. As for Lin Ge, while he was handsome and had a good sense of humor, she could shower him with plenty of objectively ttering words based on appearance, but he couldnt measure up to another person who lived vividly in her heart. As she mentioned Lin Ges name, Song Yuhang found herself momentarily breathless. She quickly regained herposure, realizing she couldnt let Lin Yan take control of the conversation. So, she countered with a question. He just left, what is there to miss? And you, is there anyone you especially miss? Lin Yan shook her head, feeling that Song Yuhangs response was more straightforward than a typical straight mans. However, as she heard the second part of the question, her fingers unconsciously clenched the fabric over her chest, her gaze lowered, and her voice grew soft. Yes, someone I miss very, very much. Someone you like? Song Yuhang observed her expression and didnt expect her to answer, but Lin Yan hesitated for a moment and softly responded, Yes. Sort of. Song Yuhang suddenly felt a bit sentimental. Its nice to have someone you like. Dont you have anyone? Lin Yans hand rxed from her clothing, and she turned to look at Song Yuhang. Song Yuhang shook her head. No, I dont. I dont know what it feels like to like someone. My entire life, your brother was the first man I ever went on a blind date with. Lin Yan looked puzzled. So, how did you spend the first twenty-something years of your life? Song Yuhang thought seriously. Before I started working, I studied, practiced martial arts, and after I started working, I solved cases, practiced martial arts, and thats about it. , Lin Yans lips twitched. Your leisure time activities are quite rich. Its not like there was nothing, Song Yuhang rxedpletely, leaning back in her chair, a hint of amusement in her eyes. When I was in college, there was a senior who wanted to pursue me. I told him that if he could defeat me in a fight, then I would consider dating him And then? Lin Yan asked curiously. And then, in our school gym, in front of hundreds of people, I knocked out two of his front teeth. He never mentioned it again after that. Lin Yan wasughing so hard, her tears were about toe out. Hahaha Captain Song, youre really something else So, does that mean were also acquaintances now? I narrowly won, right? So, Captain Song, are you also thinking of with me Talking, loving, dating. Before these three words could escape her lips, Song Yuhangs gaze shifted towards her, and her expression became serious. She fell straight into those brown pupils, and the rest of her words remained stuck in her throat, leaving behind intriguing and ambiguous thoughts. Song Yuhang looked at Lin Yan, and Lin Yan looked at Song Yuhang. Neither of them spoke, and Lin Yans smile gradually faded. She sat quietly there, wearing the blue and white hospital gown, her curls cascading softly over her shoulders. For a moment, she gave Song Yuhang the impression that she was waiting for a certain answer. But it was just an illusion. Both of them simultaneously shifted their gazes away from each others faces. Song Yuhangs tone was light. Forensic Doctor Lin, this joke isnt funny at all. Lin Yan leaned back. Oh, are you sulking like a little girl? I was just kidding. The hint of ambiguity vanished, and they could finally have a normal conversation. Im not sulking. At most, were even now. Youre not being objective. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow. Alright, well have a rematch next time. As she spoke, Song Yuhangs phone rang. She took it out and saw that it was a call from Ji Jingxing,beled as Little Wei in her contacts. Lin Yan nced at her casually. Hey, didnt you just say you didnt like anyone? Song Yuhang couldnt be bothered to respond and went out to the corridor to answer the call. Lin Yan grumbled behind her. Fine, just answer it. Youre acting like were having an affair or something. The call connected, and the lively, cheerful voice of a child immediately came through. Auntie, were at the yground right now. Mommy asked if youd like to have dinner together tonight? It was then that Lin Yan remembered it was Childrens Day today. Im sorry, Little Wei. Auntie has been really busytely and couldnt prepare your gift in advance. How about we make up for it tomorrow? Here, talk to Mommy. Ji Jingxing held her phone in one hand and carried a bunch of stuff in the other, transferring the child to her other hand. Whats this about gifts or no gifts? Havent I given Little Wei plenty of gifts over the years? Have you finished work? We just came back from the yground. How about having dinner together? Her end was quite noisy, making her voice a bit distorted. Song Yuhang looked at Lin Yan in the hospital room, feeling a bit conflicted. Just as she hesitated, not knowing how to refuse and why she should refuse, another call came in. She breathed a sigh of relief. Sis, Ive got a new lead in a case here, so I need to go check it out. You and Little Wei go ahead for dinner. If I finish up early, Ille pick you both up. She said this with the expectation that she would probably be busy for a while. Ji Jingxing quickly declined, No need, no need. You go do your work. She added four words after a moments thought, Take care of yourself. Song Yuhang smiled slightly. Alright, Ill make it up to you another day. Treat Little Wei to a nice meal. After Ji Jingxing hung up the phone, there was a noticeable trace of disappointment on her face. Little Wei sat on the bench beside her, nibbling on a popsicle, looking innocent. Mommy, is Auntie noting? Ji Jingxing turned to her and gently rubbed her soft hair. Auntie has something to do and cant make it today. But she said she would treat Little Wei to a nice meal another day. The childs eyes lit up at the mention of a nice meal, clearly overshadowing her longing for her aunt. She knew her aunt never lied. When she said she would take her out for a nice meal, she would definitely do it. The only difference was between today and a few dayster. Ji Jingxing smiled, picked up the various shopping bags of different sizes ced on the bench, which were quite heavy. She held them in both hands and swayed slightly but managed to stabilize herself. Come on, Little Wei, hold Mommys hand. Were going to have pizza. When Song Yuhang walked back in, she appeared visibly anxious. She didnt sit down but stood by the bed. I have to go. Lin Yanzily replied, Busy with your lover? What nonsense. We found a lead in the murder case, and I need to check it out. As soon as she heard it was rted to a case, Lin Yan became alert and started to get out of bed. Iming too Where are you going? Listen to me, youre not allowed to go. Lie down and rest, Song Yuhang firmly pushed her back down, tucked her in, gently ced her palm on her forehead, and then heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, the fever had subsided. It was so hard to bring down the fever. Listen to the doctor and stay in bed for another couple of days. Two days? How can I possibly lie here cough She spoke hastily, which led to another bout of coughing, leaving her feeling ufortable as she bent over. Song Yuhang lightly patted her back to help her breathe easier. When seen from behind, it appeared as if she was holding her in an embrace. Lin Yan grabbed onto her sleeve. If there are any developments please tell me Dont worry, just rest here for two days peacefully. Who knows, maybe Ill solve the case in two days. Though it was justforting words, Lin Yan still felt relieved. Her grip on Song Yuhangs hand loosened, and she was gentlyid back onto the bed. Goodnight. Song Yuhang adjusted the deskmp to a suitable brightness, then quietly left the room and closed the door behind her.
Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Regret Team Song, those are the rtives of the deceased, Song Yuhang hurriedly returned, stepping into the office. As soon as she entered, Fang Xin covered her nose with a folder and leaned in close to her ear. Inside the office, a middle-aged woman, robust and somewhat unkempt, sat in a chair with her shoes removed, picking at her feet and asionally peeling off some dead skin from the soles. In one hand, she held a te of sunflower seeds, and there was a cup of tea on the table. She shook her head and watched the TV on the wall. Song Yuhang walked over and took a seat opposite her. The woman was about to get angry as she blocked her view of the TV. Still, upon noticing the two horizontal bars on her shoulder, indicating her high rank, her demeanor instantly changed to a friendly and weing one. Hey, Leader Song, is there anything you need? Surname Song, just call me Officer Song, she said as she got closer. A strong and overpowering odor of sweaty feet filled the air; no wonder no one else wanted toe over. Song Yuhang remained unfazed and took out a photo from her briefcase. Take a look; is this your daughter? Of course, she couldnt show her the gruesome crime scene. The photo taken by the criminal investigators showed fragments of clothing the girl was wearing and her shoes. Ptui, ptui, the woman spat out sunflower seed shells on the ground. After picking at her feet, she reached out and took the photo from her. Yes, yes, but shes not my daughter. Im her aunt. She pointed at the photo with her finger, her face devoid of any sadness. These clothes were leftovers that I wore, and the shoes, I found them in the garbage heap Under the watchful eyes of the two detectives across from her, the woman patted her mouth and said, Ptui, ptui, ptui, why bother telling you all this. Do you have any other family members at home? asked the criminal investigator sitting beside her. The woman shook her head and picked up some more sunflower seeds. No, no, my sister left home to work when she was barely a teenager. She met a heartless man who got her pregnant and then abandoned her. She didnt survive long after giving birth. Hasnt the childs father contacted you all these years? No, he disappeared a long time ago. I felt sorry for my sister and for the child. She started following me when she was still nursing. At this point, a hint of sorrow appeared on the womans face. I had hoped she would finish junior high school and not have to work to support the family. How did this suddenly The woman let out a deep sigh and put the sunflower seeds back in the te. Officer, I heard that she was crushed to death. Will there bepensation? How muchpensation? Song Yuhang remained unfazed, her brow not even slightly furrowed. We dont know that. The specific oue will depend on the courts decision. Just then, Fang Xin knocked on the door and walked in. She leaned in and whispered in her ear, The DNA test results are out. Song Yuhang nodded in understanding and then turned back to ask, Has your niece had any thoughts of suicide recently? The woman cracked sunflower seeds as she replied, Not that I know of. Shes not very talkative and doesnt share much with us. But Ive been to her school for a few parent-teacher meetings, and the teachers said shes been doing well in her studies. Theres no reason for her tomit suicide. Song Yuhangs gaze shifted to a ne hidden beneath the womans cor. Could you take us to your home? The womans face disyed some impatience, but while Song Yuhangs words were delicate, her tone left no room for refusal. Fine, fine, its such a hassle. After the burial, they should justpensate us for what were owed. Why go through all this trouble? Song Yuhang didnt bother exining further, and several detectives followed her as they made their way out, whispering among themselves. Thats it, if it were me, Idmit suicide too. Suicide? Song Yuhangs thoughts drifted back to that day on the rooftop. She couldnt shake the feeling that the person in ck and that farewell letter were not mere coincidences. ****** The womans home was located in the farthest corner of the West City District, deep in the outskirts, where the cement road only extended to the vige entrance. The road had be muddy and impassable in the past couple of days due to recent rainfall. Their vehicle had gotten stuck, so the group had no choice but to wade through the muddy water. Most of the people living here were quite impoverished. Houses were low and humble, with electric wires crisscrossing haphazardly above. The air carried the faint scent of chicken and cow dung. asionally, a few emaciated stray dogs ran by the roadside, and in the distance, the faint sounds of roosters crowing could be heard. It took a considerable distance before a flickering streetlight struggled to illuminate the path. Here, life could end abruptly at any moment. Under the dim yellow light, there was a dark, seemingly colorless table. A few elderly men sat around it, ying cards. Some puffed on their tobo pipes, while others smoked rolled cigarettes. A few half-sized kids squatted nearby, ying with the mud on the ground. One of them picked up a cigarette butt from the ground and took a drag, immediately breaking into a fit of coughing. The old men burst intoughter. Song Yuhang nced in their direction, and as some of the idlers noticed her arrival, they hastily pocketed their loose change from the table. With a toothy grin, the woman in the lead among them greeted her. Hey, Xiuzhen, whats going on? Why do you have police officers with you? Wang Xiuzhen let out a sigh and said, Oh, you know, people cant speak kindly about others all the time. What trouble could I possibly get into? Its just that my unfortunate niece passed away. Well, being dead is better, at least shes free from poverty. Duan Cheng, feeling outraged, was about to step forward, but Fang Xin held him back firmly. How can she talk like this? Is she even human? Fang Xin shot him a nce. Were here for the case, dont get involved in other matters. They crossed the muddy path at the vige entrance, turned left around a small field, and soon arrived at Wang Xiuzhens home. The house was lit, and a dirty stray dog was tied up in front of the door. As soon as they approached, it began barking loudly. Song Yuhang nced at the light. Is there someone inside? Wang Xiuzhen hurried over to quiet the dog and pushed open the iron gate. Yes, yes, my son is studying at home. Song Yuhang followed her across the threshold. What about your husband? He works as a carpenter in the provincial capital and doesnte home often. Normally, its just me, my niece, and my son at home. The woman turned around and loudly called her sons name, asking him to turn on the light in the main room. Her son, wearing a sleeveless shirt, emerged from the outdoor toilet, saying, Mom, whats going on? You little rascal, every time youe out of the toilet, you leave the lights on inside! I swear I could wring your ears. She said this as she was about to grab his ear, and the boy dodged while letting out a series of yelps. There are guests here, cant you refrain from making a scene? Only then did the woman reluctantly release her grip, smiling apologetically at Song Yuhang. Officers, please have a seat inside. No need, where is He Miaos room? He Miao was the deceased victim in this case, who had tragicallymitted suicide by jumping from a building and was subsequently run over by a vehicle. A hint of unease flickered across the womans face, but under Song Yuhangs gaze, she reluctantly led them into the house. The living room was notrge, with two spacious bedrooms on either side, where the couple lived. On the right was her sons room. As they reached the end of the living room, the woman pushed open a wooden door, causing dust to fall steadily. Fang Xin covered her mouth and coughed, brushing away the flying dust. She then realized that this was a cluttered room of less than 8 square meters, filled with all sorts of odds and ends, as well as some vegetables that had been stored for goodness knows how long, emitting a musty odor. In the middle of the room, there was a bunk bed with some worn-out bedding on the bottom and various items piled on top. In front of the bed, there was a small low table, and the owners unfinished work was spread out on it, with scattered books and papers on the floor. Song Yuhang took gloves from her pocket and put them on. Lets get to work. The forensic experts got busy, and Fang Xin picked up a few strands of hair from the pillow, putting them in an evidence bag. When she lifted the pillow, a shiny ck bug quickly crawled out and disappeared into the darkness between the bed seams. If it werent for Song Yuhangs presence, Fang Xin would have screamed in terror. She turned pale at the sight of the massive cockroach. Duan Cheng was also visibly disgusted. How can anyone live in a ce like this? The woman stood at the doorway, watching them work. Before leaving the police station, she had even grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and ced them in her pocket, chewing them loudly. Ah, whats the big deal? People can live here just fine. I used to live in a cowshed when I was a child. Besides, Miao Miaos brother is about to take the college entrance exam. Its distracting to live together now. The phrase live together caught Song Yuhangs attention, and she paused in her actions. Could you please call your son over? We need to ask him something. Sure, sure, just do it quickly. My son still needs to study. Duan Cheng poked Zheng Chengrui and said, Hey, the difference between her niece and her own son is like night and day. Her niece stopped going to school after graduating from junior high, but from the looks of it, her son doesnt seem to have the makings of a schr. Zheng Chengrui adjusted his sses, and upon hearing the phrase doesnt seem to have the makings, he nced over, causing Duan Cheng to quickly step back. Brother, calm down, I wasnt talking about you. On the night of May 31st, where were you? Song Yuhang asked, taking charge of the questioning while the other investigators recorded the conversation. I was studying at home, he said, ncing at his mother. Can anyone vouch for your alibi? The woman became displeased upon hearing this. Oh my, Officer, what do you mean by that? Miao Miao didnt jump from upstairs herself? Why does it concern my son? Honestly. Song Yuhang gave her a nce, her gaze piercing. Just routine procedure. My my mom was at home. The boy seemed a bit bashful but was noticeably tidier than his mother. She came back after finishing a card game around seven in the evening and didnt go out again. I was at home studying too, and she even made somete-night snackster. When others wanted to further inquire, Song Yuhang stopped the conversation. Fang Xin, collect a DNA sample from him. Fang Xinplied, taking out a saliva collection strip from her forensic kit and gesturing for the boy to use it. The boy didnt hesitate much,plied, and handed it to her. Fang Xin carefully marked it, then ced it inside an evidence bag. Song Yuhang lowered her head and entered the room again, using her shlight to pick up a workbook from the floor. She flipped through a few pages hastily, revealing densely packed math problems interspersed with a few simple cartoon drawings. There was a drawing of a whale that appeared to be a casual doodle from a teenage girl. She handed the workbook to Fang Xin. Take it back for handwriting analysis. After inspecting the room, the group walked back along the rural path. Fang Xin still had some doubts because the DNA analysis of the damaged embryonic tissue had already beenpleted, and there was no matching sequence found in the gic database. This meant that everyone around the girl could potentially be the culprit responsible for her suicide. She voiced this concern, and Song Yuhang smiled faintly. Without a time of the crime, did you notice those two sets of tire tracks? Following her pointing finger, they saw two distinct sets of tire tracks on the rural road, barely wide enough for a single passenger car to pass through. She was also a forensic expert in trace analysis. This is Yes, traces of a bus. Due to the poor condition of this road, our police car couldnt enter because of its low chassis, but a bus could. When we passed by the vige entrance, I noticed there was a dpidated bus stop sign with Last bus to the city at 6 PM written on it. The Wang family doesnt have any means of transportation, and it takes over two hours to drive here from the city bureau. They couldnt have walked that far on foot alone. While its possible they borrowed a vehicle from someone else, thats not very likely and would surely raise suspicion among others. If we put in some effort to inquire, we can definitely find out. Fang Xin suddenly understood. Indeed, experience matters. Song Yuhang checked her watch; it was now 10:15 PM. She turned around and said, Alright, lets split into pairs and conduct interviews with the local residents. See if we can gather any new clues. ****** Hello, Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau, have you seen this person? Has she exhibited any unusual behavior recently? Has she ever mentioned anything like not wanting to live to you? Whats her usual personality like? Does she have any suicidal thoughts? About a dozen detectives split into several groups, going door to door, questioning dozens of local farmers, continuing into thete hours of the night until the moon was high in the sky. They only returned to the vige entrance when the dew was heavy and the night was deep. Song Yuhang was thest one to return, her pants wet from the dew, and she had taken off her uniform jacket, revealing her muscr forearms. She decided not to go back to the city bureau tonight; inside the police car, the sound of snoring was already prevalent. She opened the sunroof,y back on the seat, and looked up at the myriad of stars. In the vastness of the universe, the solitude of an individual always seemed infinitely magnified. As she gazed, she began to feel a sensation of merging with the cosmos. The gentle evening breeze finally allowed her tightly wound nerves to rx a little. Under the tender embrace of the universe, she gradually closed her eyes. It was only when the day broke. ****** Lin Yan got out of bed quietly, restored the bedding to its original state, quickly changed out of her patient gown into her regr clothes. Shebed her voluminous curly hair back into a ponytail, picked up her bag, put on her t shoes, and sneaked along the wall toward the exit. The early morning triage desk was deserted, with nurses dozing off. Lin Yan, wearing sunsses and a mask, had an unobstructed passage through the corridor. Goodbye, hospital. She didnt want to stay there and continue to endure the taste of the meals her aunt sent her every day. Even though chicken soup tasted good, too much of it made her feel nauseated. After a few more times, she might actually develop an illness. Moreover, the case was far from over, and she couldnt rx while it remained unresolved. Just when she was about to escape to freedom by taking a turn, a tall man with hurried steps walked towards her. She was too busy looking back and ended up colliding head-on. Lin Yan took a few steps back, and the mans image report scattered all over the floor. As a martial artist, one usually had a stable lower body, but she had been caught off guard and was somewhat surprised. Hey, do you have eyes or not? Miss Lin had always had a confrontational style, especially when she encountered someone she considered inconsiderate. The man squatted down to pick up the scattered image reports. His face was obscured by a mask, but there were a few strands of white hair on his head, suggesting that he was not young. Hey, Im talking to you! Are you mute? Lin Yan kept talking incessantly, and the man lifted his head, his eyes bloodshot from ack of sleep. A patient? When this thought shed through Lin Yans mind, the man had already picked up the scattered papers and tucked them under his arm before heading towards the internal medicine department. Oh, what a pity. He seems to be quite skilled. Lin Yan made a dismissive sound, and behind her came the roaring of a nurse. What are you doing, patient at Bed 13? Youre not even fully recovered yet, and youre already leaving?! Uh-oh, the pursuit was on. Miss Lin swiftly entered the elevator and pressed the close button. As a parting shot, she blew a kiss towards the nurse squeezed in the gap. The butlers car was waiting downstairs. Lin Yan opened the car door and got in. Back to the vi. Her clothes were now soured from wearing them all day, and there was a lingering smell of disinfectant in her hair. Lin Yan couldnt stand it any longer and decided to return home for a shower and a change of clothes. On the way, she thought about it and sent a brief text message to Lin Ge, editing the story of her discharge to save her mother-inw an unnecessary trip. She came out of the shower and walked to the study, taking out a yellowed photograph from a drawer. It was Chu Nan. The photo had been given to her by Li Shiping, who had just started teaching chemistry to the first-year students fourteen years ago. At the time, she was an unknown and inexperienced teacher. But that wasnt the focal point. The crucial detail was that she was thest person Chu Nan had seen. A week after the college entrance examination, on the day to collect graduation photos, she hadnt gone herself, so she had asked Chu Nan to pick it up for her. This is what Li Shiping had said At that time, the senior high school teachers were short-staffed, so I volunteered to help out in the general affairs office. She arrived veryte, took the photo, and left. I remember it clearly because it was already past the office hours, and if she didnte soon, I would have had to go home. She seemed to be in a hurry, her footsteps were swift, and it seemed like she had some urgent business. The photo fell out of her folder without her noticing. When I chased after her, all I found was this. Lin Yan gazed at the photo, examining it closely. The person in the picture had bright eyes, a radiant smile, and after all these years, this photo still managed to touch the softest corner of her heart. The brief moment of mncholy caused her to gradually clench her teeth. Lin Yan closed her eyes for a while, allowing the tense muscles to rx. She picked up the photo and ced it in an album, which she then locked in a drawer. Then, she sat down and pulled out two sticky notes. In truth, there was regret in her heart, not just because she and Li Shiping shared a simr fate but also because she hadnt had the chance to say a simple thank you to her. The morning breeze rustled the window curtains, and sunlight filtered through the French windows, casting a glow on the neatly folded origami cranes. Lin Yan got up, took her uniform jacket from the hanger, and buttoned it up, one button at a time. Finally, she picked up her wide-brimmed hat, ced it on her head, and adjusted it in front of the mirror. With confident strides, she left the room.
Chapter 30 Chapter 30 Nostalgia Hao Miao After expressing the purpose to Hao Miaos homeroom teacher, a rural teacher in his fifties took off his reading sses, furrowing his brow in thought for a while before saying, A rather good child, with decent academic performance, a simple lifestyle, honest and trustworthy, and a strong work ethic It seemed like this teacher might have written too many end-of-term evaluations, or something simr, as his words came across as a rehearsed repetition,cking any notable points of interest. Song Yuhang, taking notes, asked, Do you know much about her family situation? I have some general knowledge. Ive heard her family isnt well-off. They didnt attend several parent-teacher meetings. Her aunt did attend thest one in ninth grade, but as soon as she arrived, she said she wanted to withdraw Hao Miao from school. With the high school entrance exams approaching, we tried to persuade her, but it was in vain. She nced at the male teacher. So, did she end up withdrawing in the end? Her aunt wanted to withdraw her, but this child has a stubborn streak. She insisted on continuing her education, saying she would find a way to cover the tuition and exam fees herself. And then? A trace of surprise crossed the male teachers face. After that, we dont know. How long ago was this? About three months ago. Does she have any particrly close friends at school? She doesnt talk much, maybe shes a bit introverted, after all Song Yuhang nodded in understanding. Could you please take me to her ssroom to have a look? Sure, follow me this way. The school wasntrge, consisting of a total of three floors. From top to bottom, they were divided into higher grades to lower grades, with five sses in each grade. The desks in every ssroom were arranged closely together, with thest row pressed right up against the wall. The homeroom teacher led her to the third floor, pushed open the door of the fifth ssroom. It was currently after ss, and her arrival immediately caused amotion. Police, police, hey, did Hao Miao really die? I heard she died quite tragically, its all over the news, didnt you see it? Tsk, with her family situation, if I were her, I might consider suicide too. Song Yuhang remainedposed as she walked over to the desk pointed out by the homeroom teacher. A multitude of books were stacked on the table, and she casually picked up a few, flipping through them. Among the books were textbooks and exercise books, and it seemed like she had a fondness for drawing, as almost every book had doodles within. Song Yuhang briefly skimmed through several of them, and the mostmon theme in the drawings appeared to be marine animals like whales and dolphins. It seemed she had a particr affection for the sea, yet she had never heard her family mention it. Song Yuhang took out her phone and snapped pictures of the drawings done in pen. * * * Has Captain Song returned? Early in the morning, Lin Yan entered the office, causing quite a surprise. Zhang Jinhai was about to enter his own office, holding a teacup. He nced at her, still hesitating, Is Forensic Doctor Lin alright? You suddenly fainted yesterday, and it seemed quite serious. Captain Song turned pale and rushed you to the hospital. Work is important, but ones health is even more crucial. Turned pale and rushed her to the hospital? No matter how you looked at it, it didnt seem like something Song Yuhang would do. Lin Yan was momentarily stunned but then nodded gently, Im fine now. At this moment, a colleague stood up and said, Captain Song went to Hao Miaos home and hasnt returned yet. Lin Yan, with her coat in hand, turned on her heel and headed towards the pathologyboratory. Alright, Ill check if the DNA matching results are ready. The technician entered theparison data, searched, and it disyed as inconclusive. Lin Yan furrowed her brow. She had thought this might be a lead, but it turned out to be another dead end. A nearby colleague hesitated to speak, Forgive me for being blunt, Forensic Doctor Lin, even if that girl had suicidal thoughts due to her pregnancy, it would only be considered an indirect cause of death. And if it was forced, at most, it would result in a three to five-year sentence. If it wasnt that, then its really Before the words no way could escape his lips, Lin Yans cold gaze turned towards him. Unlike Song Yuhang, who usually wore an indifferent expression, she now appeared serious and somewhat intimidating. The technician was rendered speechless by that look, and Lin Yans thin lips curled into a highly sarcastic smile. Do you know why Jiangcheng Citys homicide clearance rate has always been so low nationwide? Its because of scum like you in the public prosecution andw enforcement teams. A 15 year old girl tragically dies, and instead of seeking the truth and bringing the suspect to justice, you spend your days thinking about how to take it easy. Taxpayers money has nurtured the likes of you, worse than animals. The technicians face turned red, and he abruptly stood up, stammering, I Im just stating the facts. Why are you why are you resorting to personal attacks? So what if Im resorting to personal attacks? Problem with that? Lin Yan watched him clench his fist, herughter bing even more carefree. If it bothers you, thats just fine. Either get me removed from this position or resign yourself. Lin Yan lightly patted his shoulder and leaned in closer, whispering softly. Before he could regain hisposure, she had already left. Lin Yan returned to her office, hung her uniform jacket on a hanger, changed into casual clothes, and retrieved a baton from a drawer, tucking it into her waistband. She took out a bottle of chewing gum, poured two pieces into her palm, and threw them into her mouth, chewing away. She then confidently walked out of the city bureaus gates. * * * Her sports car could only go as far as the entrance of the alley, and then it scraped against the walls on both sides, emitting a grating sound that made her cringe. Lin Yan turned the steering wheel and began to reverse, wincing at the sight of her now misaligned rearview mirror. Damn it, ever since she started working at the Jiangcheng City Bureau, she hadnt taken any more body autopsymissions. Her ie had plummeted, and she was barely making ends meet with the meager stock profits. And now, this was her rtively new car. After exiting the alley, she drove around the West City district for a while and noticed that the parking lot near the Green Building, the site of the incident, was not yetpleted. It had a bumpy and uneven path that her car couldnt navigate. Lin Yan parked her car on the outskirts, checked that the baton was still on her waist, and then got out and walked. Hello, have you seen this girl? No, havent seen her. Thank you. Song Yuhang put the photo away, nced at the map, and headed to the next store. The West City alleyways were deep and concealed manyte-night establishments like massage parlors, dance clubs, and barbecue stalls. These were the ces where potential witnesses might have seen Hao Miao before her disappearance. From the West City alleyways to the Green Building, there were two routes. One was a straight line, approximately 1.5 kilometers in distance, while the other involved winding through streets and alleys, covering a simr distance. Along the way, houses of varying heights stood scattered, and there were small canals by the roadside, making it a somewhat picturesque route. During holidays, it was also a spot frequented by artistic youth for photography. Someone whos actively seeking death should have no interest in admiring the scenery along the way. Song Yuhang turned the corner and took another route. Have you seen this person? Lin Yan extended the photo in front of a homeless man sitting on the ground, picking up discarded cigarette butts. A fragrant breeze wafted through, and the homeless man lifted his head, his eyes going green, shimmering with greed and lechery. It had been a long time since he had been with a woman. The homeless man licked his lips, reached out as if to grab the photo but went straight for her wrist. No one saw how she moved, but the baton was already at his throat. Why speak if youre going to move? Lin Yans eyes darkened slightly, carrying a hint of murderous intent. The man was about to say something when she simply swung her baton at him. The throat is a vulnerable spot in the human body. The homeless man sat down abruptly, writhing in pain, attempting to make a sound but finding his voice hoarse and incapable of shouting. Ah, ah, ah The man knelt on the ground, clutching his throat, one hand futilely reaching out towards her, his face contorted in agony. Lin Yan kicked the man over onto the ground with one foot. If you dont want to talk, then dont. A young girl scavenging nearby witnessed it all, her face turning pale with fear, and she quickly began to step backward. Lin Yans cold gaze nced over in her direction, and a sensation akin to having been targeted by a wild beast made the girls scalp tingle, prompting her to bolt. Lin Yan put away her baton and calmly followed suit. She wasnt in a hurry because she knew there was a dead end up ahead. The young girl carried a basket on her back, filled with stic bottles. At first nce, she saw the nearly two-meter-high wall in front of her and felt like crying. The footsteps behind her drew nearer. The young girl turned around, enveloped in Lin Yans shadow, her face turning pale. She took slow steps backward. When a fragrant breeze reached her face, she tightly closed her eyes and shielded her face with her hands. Please dont hit me, dont hit me I Ive seen her The person in front of her emitted a disdainful chuckle and casually plucked a small flower from her hair. The young girl raised her eyes to see her blowing the flower petals in her palm gently towards the ground. Her posture, appearance, and expression were so beautiful, surpassing anyone she had ever seen on television. She was momentarily captivated until Lin Yans voice broke the spell. You said youve seen her. When? She struggled to gather her thoughts, met her gaze, and found that this person had a pair of affectionate eyes, albeit with a mischievous glint, and a mouth that seemed to be in a perpetual state of amusement, often smiling in a flirtatious manner. The young girl couldnt find a suitable ce to look and could only lower her head, focusing on her shoes with exposed toes. She shifted ufortably against the wall, her voice barely audible, like a mosquito. Ive Ive seen her We used to pick up trash together. Lin Yan stood up straight. When did this happen? About three months ago. She used to show up in the alley every day around four in the afternoon to collect bottles, and she would leave around six. She came every day? Afraid that Lin Yan might not believe her, the girl nodded vigorously. Yes, every day. Even on a day when there was a typhoon and heavy rain, I was ready to go home, but she was still collecting. On May 31st, did you see her? The girl looked at the photo and shook her head confidently. No, she hasnt been around for a long time. When do you think she stoppeding? About two months ago. Are you close to her? The girl roughly knew about Hao Miaos death, considering it had been widely circted on the streets and alleys. At this moment, she couldnt determine Lin Yans identity and, after witnessing the aggression earlier, didnt dare to lie. She shook her head vigorously, resembling a drumbeat. Not not close she didnt talk much we just asionally exchanged a few words What did you talk about? We talked about where there was a lot of foot traffic to find stic bottles In front of the polished and presentable Lin Yan, the girl couldnt help feeling ashamed and curled her toes a bit, attempting to retract the ones that were exposed. And which recycling centers offered higher prices She actually had a somewhat delicate appearance but had rough and tanned skin due to exposure to the sun and rain. Her clothes were oversized and dirty, clearly leftovers from someone else. Lin Yan nodded, realizing she wouldnt get much more information. She stepped aside to clear a path. Thanks. The girl nced at her while carrying her basket on her back. She saw Lin Yans clear and serene gaze, devoid of the earlier intensity but alsocking pity. It was as if she had just encountered a stranger, granting the girls fragile sense of self-respect. She also nodded lightly, sidestepping Lin Yan as she briskly walked away. As they passed each other, she felt the weight of the basket on her back. She didnt dare to think too much and hurriedly continued on her way. When she reached the end of the alley and wanted to take out some water from her basket, she discovered that there were several 100 yuan bills inside. * * * Song Yuhang raised her gaze toward thest nail salon at the street corner. The shop door was wide open, but there was no one inside. She walked in and knocked on the counter. Is anyone here? A middle-aged woman emerged from the back room, dressed in red and green, and her eyes immediately lit up upon seeing her. Oh, are you here for a pedicure or a massage? We have special discounts on massages. She spoke while winking at her. Song Yuhang shook her head. Its neither of those. The woman eagerly grabbed her hand. Oh, dont be shy. We offer those services here too. As long as you pay, we can provide them. Song Yuhang lowered her gaze as the woman held onto her arm, and she felt overwhelmed by the scent of cosmetics, growing increasingly ufortable. She took a step back and pulled out her police badge. Im a police officer, and I have some questions for you. The woman immediately let go, losing interest. Oh, not interested then. Cooperating with a police inquiry is a civic duty rather than a mandatory obligation. Song Yuhang thought for a moment and pulled out a pack of cigarettes from her pocket, handing it over. She rarely smoked, so keeping it didnt serve much purpose. The womans eyes lit up upon seeing the Zhonghua1 cigarettes. She took them without hesitation and lit one. Song Yuhang showed her the photo. Have you seen her? The woman squinted her eyes and blew a smoke ring. Yeah, Ive seen her. Isnt she the girl who died a few days ago? When and where did you see her? Song Yuhang took out paper and a pen from her bag to make notes. On the night of May 31st, I had a pretty wealthy customer. He left around 4AM , and I escorted him to the door. Thats when I saw that girl stumbling over here. Song Yuhang seized the key point. Alone? The woman nodded. Yes, alone. I remember it clearly. This street is narrow, and she even bumped into my wealthy customer. He had been drinking and was in a bad mood, almost getting into a fight, but I managed to stop him. I saw her alone and told her to hurry back home, but she ignored me. It was as if she was possessed, just kept walking forward in the middle of the night, which was quite eerie. The shop owner finished her story and blew another smoke ring, clearly puzzled by the situation. Song Yuhang closed her notebook, slung her bag over her shoulder, and started to leave. When she reached the stores entrance, she turned back and added, The perfume it was too strong. She couldnt help but recall the subtle floral fragrance that had often lingered around her. She had initially thought it was Lin Yans perfume, but it wasnt until that rainy night when the rain washed everything away that she realized it was Lin Yans natural scent. * * * This is the ce. Lin Yan cautiously entered the construction site, navigating through the uneven terrain of the half-finished parking lot. The vast construction area was deserted, with caution tape still cordoning off the ground floor. Although the ground had dried up, the traces of blood had seeped into the soil, creating a dark red stain. Weeds had overrun the surroundings, and the broken railing on the rooftop swayed in the wind. The sun was beginning to set, and it was eerily quiet, devoid of even the chirping of birds and insects. Perhaps it was her imagination, but Lin Yan rubbed her arms and suddenly felt a chill. She turned around abruptly to look back where she came from, but there was no one in sight. Lin Yan took a few more steps, approaching the entrance of the building. She nced back again, and it was still vacant. Only the wind rustled through the waist-high weeds. For some reason, she couldnt shake off a faint sense of unease. She felt like someone was watching her. Although she didnt graduate from the police academy, she excelled in tracking and anti-tracking courses during her time abroad. Anyone trying to follow her in Jiangcheng City would probably find it impossible. As Lin Yan walked, she couldnt shake off the sense of unease, and she took a few more steps. She ced her hand on the staircase railing, appearing as if she was about to climb the stairs. However, in an instant, she turned her face sharply. At that very moment, her hair stood on end. Crack! There was a crisp sound as her copsible baton was drawn from its sheath. She hadnt even identified her opponent yet, but she instinctively struck. Song Yuhang blocked the blow, grunting, Its me. Her baton had struck Song Yuhangs hand directly, causing it to turn blue and swell instantly. Lin Yan retracted her copsible baton behind her back and chuckled awkwardly, Hey, Captain Song, why do you always sneak up from behind? Youre never straightforward. Song Yuhang flexed her wrist and looked at Lin Yan. Your vignce is too high. Lin Yan was quick to retract her copsible baton, but Song Yuhang had sharp eyes and instantly recalled the scene of the fight outside Sun Xiangmings house and her jumping from the fifth floor with the copsible baton. Her gaze darkened. Sometimes, Song Yuhang had inexplicable emotions towards Lin Yan, but her rationality told her that this person was not to be trusted, let alone fully trusted. With these thoughts in mind and meeting Lin Yans scrutinizing gaze, she adopted a colder tone. Why are you here? Facing her scrutinizing gaze, Lin Yan shrugged. Dont misunderstand. I have no connection to this deceased person. I just felt there might be something suspicious about her death, so I came to the crime scene to take a look. The sky gradually darkened, and in the backlit corridor, Song Yuhangs expression was hard to discern. She continued walking upstairs, a hint of a cold smile ying on her lips. Song Yuhang didnt believe Lin Yans words at all. Whether its rted or not, who knows? After all, Forensic Doctor Lin has remarkable skills. Lin Yan pretended not to detect the sarcasm in her words and followed her upstairs. Oh,e on. Captain Song, youre not bad either. Most people who engaged in banter with Lin Yan didnt end up well, so Song Yuhang wisely chose not to respond further. She walked quickly, while Lin Yan, still a bit sluggish, held onto the handrail. Song Yuhang nced down casually and remarked, I remember youre supposed to be discharged tomorrow. Though Song Yuhang didnt bring it up directly, the mention of her recent hospitalization triggered Lin Yans memories of the incident with Zhang Jinhai. She remembered hisment about her face turning pale and the urgency to rush her to the hospital. Then there was that evening at the hospital with the seemingly probing and casual conversation, as if they had triggered anotheryer of connection. In that moment, Song Yuhang showed a gentleness she had never seen before, and Lin Yan exposed a vulnerability she had never revealed. It was terrifying. But it didnt matter because day and night were a clear divide for adults. Just like Song Yuhang didnt trust herpletely, Lin Yan never truly believed in her either. Oh, the doctor said Im almost fully recovered. Its a waste of medical resources for me to keep lying around. I wont be taking up a bed from seriously ill patients. Im self-aware. Lin Yan sighed, picking up her pace. Song Yuhang subtly slowed down to wait for her. They reached a junction on the second floor. Lin Yan pointed to the left. Ill go this way. Song Yuhang pointed her toe to the right. Ill go this way. As Lin Yan turned to leave, Song Yuhang nced back and said, Dont y tricks. Once or twice is a mistake, but if you cross the line again, it wont end well for you, no matter what your reasons are. Youd better not fall into my hands. Lin Yan also turned to look at her, her lips curling into an extremely charming smile. Captain Song, youre quite righteous. If thats the case, why dont you report me? Even if I dont dare to harm you physically, I might still be able to shake you off this position. Or perhaps Lin Yan took a step closer, and that faint floral fragrance once again filled the air. Is Captain Song cherishing talent, or is there some other reason you cant let me go?
  1. Zhonghua or Chunghwa cigarettes are a brand of Chinese cigarettes known for their premium quality and strong, distinctive vor. They are one of the most famous and prestigious cigarette brands in China, often associated with luxury and status. Zhonghua cigarettese in various variants, including Zhonghua (Original), Zhonghua ssic, and Zhonghua Soft, each with its own unique blend and packaging. These cigarettes are often considered a symbol of traditional Chinese tobo craftsmanship and are typically more expensive than other cigarette brands in China.
Chapter 31.1 Chapter 31.1 Significance Song Yuhang knew that he couldnt back down when facing Lin Yan. The more she retreated, the more she took advantage. This question was actually quite sharp, but Song Yuhang was extremely clever. Unlike Lin Yans direct approach, she was ustomed to deflecting the issue with subtle moves, passing it on to others. So, with an open and candid demeanor, she met her gaze and, taking a page from Lin Yans book, a faint teasing smile curled on her lips. I dont know if Forensic Doctor Lin has noticed, but it seems like you have a tendency to gravitate towards me and ask me questions that go beyond the scope of colleague rtions. Lin Yans expression changed. Song Yuhang took a step forward, looking down at her from a higher vantage point. However, since youve asked like this, Ill formally answer you. I dont report you simply because theres no concrete evidence pointing to you. One brush with trouble like that was enough for me. She gently ced her hand on her shoulder and leaned down. Forensic Doctor Lin is a smart person. Dont y with fire. Lin Yan tilted her head slightly to look at her, her slender neck exposed in her gaze. Both of them had a smile ying on their lips, appearing harmonious on the surface, yet concealing a hint of unspoken threat. Is that so? Who this fire will ultimately consume, nobody knows until the very end. Song Yuhangs pupils slightly contracted as her hand was already pushed aside. Lin Yan turned and walked away, her figure disappearing into the twilight. She walked up the stairs, searching all the way, but found nothing. She didnt discover anyone following her or any useful clues. She couldnt help but wonder if what she had just experienced was her own imagination, or if the person following her was Song Yuhang? Song Yuhang had mentioned that she was special to her, and Lin Yan couldnt help but be curious about herself as well. Lin Yan chuckled slightly and pushed open the door to the rooftop. Thest time the forensic team came, they had already conducted a thorough search. The door lock was undamaged, there were no signs of a struggle, and there were no footprints of a second person. All the fingerprints and footprints belonged to the deceased, making suicide the most likely possibility. In the autopsy, despite the iplete state of the corpse, she managed to test the blood for drug concentration, and the results showed no signs of drug ingestion. Is it possible that someone manipted her intoing here? If so, how was it done? Was it orchestrated by the person who impregnated her? As Lin Yan contemted this, she approached the edge of the rooftop. The partially broken railing swayed in the wind. She reached out to touch it, intending to pull back the rusty iron railing for a closer look. However, the rooftops edge, soaked from the rain, was covered in moss and dangerously slippery. As she stepped onto it, she immediately sensed something was wrong. It was toote to retract her foot, and the only point of support in her hand was that rusty iron railing, which emitted a creaking sound as it struggled to bear her weight. A feeling of weightlessness struck, and the broken railing tumbled from the sixth floor, shattering with a resounding crash. Lin Yan, still shaken, was abruptly yanked back by someone, and due to inertia, both of them retreated a few steps, causing Lin Yan to end up in her embrace. Song Yuhang also seemed slightly out of breath. Are you crazy? Standing so close to the edge, were you trying tomit suicide? Lin Yan turned her head, and the two of them remained in this position. She seemed to have realized something and became slightly excited. Has it been raining continuously in May? As if awakened by a glimmer of light. Song Yuhang nodded. You mean Yes, exactly. It was too slippery, and I didnt want to go so close to the edge. I had no choice The weather is nice today, but everything is so wet and slippery. If it had been raining, it would have been even Lin Yan pointed towards the railing. Its been neglected for years. It cant even bear the weight of a child, let alone an adult. She might not havemitted suicide; it could have been an ident, a slip and fall. As she spoke, Lin Yan faced the rooftop. She was slightly shorter than Song Yuhang, and when she tilted her head, Song Yuhang could see her slender neck, which now carried a fragrant scent that had be more pronounced. She released her hand from around her waist without leaving a trace and took a half step back, redirecting her gaze. But in this ce, both the forensics and evidence departments searched back and forth several times and found no trace of a second person. They only found a suicide note, confirmed to be written by the deceased herself. Witness interviews also confirmed that she was alone herete at night. If it was an idental fall, there should be a reason for her to be here. Lin Yan paced back and forth. Could she havee to meet someone? Song Yuhang nodded, her gaze shifting to the empty space. Thats a possibility we cant rule out, and I believe this person may have a significant connection with the one who impregnated her. Lin Yan paused in her steps. Have all the men in He Miaos circle been DNA tested? Done, no matches, Song Yuhang said, then furrowed her brow slightly. Wait, theres one person who hasnt been tested. Who? He Miaos maternal uncle. Lin Yan instantly felt disgusted. Damn, it cant be. Song Yuhang turned to look at her and said inly, Whats there not to believe? Even close rtives can be involved, especially in such rtionships. Lin Yan clicked her tongue in amazement. Captain Song, have you personally experienced or handled such a case before? Song Yuhang gave her a somewhat odd look. Of course, Ive handled such cases before. My parents and older brother are all good people. At least she didnt have a father like Lin Yans, who was indifferent to his own flesh and blood and had a wandering eye. Ones personality development was influenced by family factors, and individuals with personalities like Lin Yanscold, paranoid, highly aggressive, and cynicaloften resulted from parental upbringing. Such individuals were also more prone to engaging in criminal activities. You have a brother? Ive never heard you mention him, Lin Yan said, feeling a bit tired after a long day of work as she leaned against the rooftops water tank. Hes no longer here, Song Yuhang replied calmly, suddenly wanting a cigarette. She reached into her pocket but realized she had given her cigarettes away. As she thought about it, a cigarette pack was thrown to her from afar. Song Yuhang caught it and saw Lin Yan light a lighter. She walked over to Lin Yan, leaning in closer, and said, Can I borrow a light? However, Lin Yan then put the lighter away and dangled the lit cigarettezily, showing a defiant and mischievous expression. She raised her chin, indicating that if Song Yuhang wanted fire, she would have to take it herself. She was incredibly skilled at it. Whether it was her expressions or her gaze, they were perfectly calibrated to seduce. A little more would be too much, and a little less wouldnt be enough. Lin Yan might not have been the most beautiful woman Song Yuhang had ever seen, but she was undoubtedly the one who maximized her own charm to the fullest. Her hands, her eyes, her lips, her smile, her neckconstantly emitting a certain signal. Come closer. Come closer to me. Come and be captivated by me. Even Song Yuhangs eyes darkened, clearly receiving this signal. The less obvious movement of her feminine Adams apple moved up and down. If it could be said that Lin Yan was constantly exuding her desires, then Song Yuhang seemed to be perpetually using bodynguage to convey: stay away from me, dont get too close. Her uniform shirt buttons were fastened all the way up to the top two, and the deltoid muscle faintly emerged with the subtle movement of swallowing saliva. It was a captivating yet untouchable wild beauty. Lin Yan exhaled a smoke ring, her gaze hazy. When the smoke drifted towards her face, Song Yuhang made a move. She reached out directly for the cigarette at the corner of Lin Yans lips, but Lin Yan naturally wouldnt let her seed, slightly turning her face away. Amidst the swirling smoke, Lin Yan saw a hint of a triumphant smile curling on Song Yuhangs lips. It was over. Before she could react, she was swiftly subdued and pinned against the wall using a standard restraining technique. Song Yuhang applied a slight pressure, locking her arms in ce, and the lighter in Lin Yans palm fell to the ground. Song Yuhang, Iah Wasnt it Forensic Doctor Lin who suggested I take it myself? Why are you getting mad now? Seeing her in pain, Song Yuhang released her, picked up the fallen lighter, lit her own cigarette, took a drag, and then looked at Lin Yan. Or is it that you want me to take it in a different way? I Lin Yan was about to unleash a string of curses when her phone rang. She pulled it out and saw it was from the tech investigation team. Whats going on? He Miaos maternal aunt is here. She says she wants to bury her nieces remains There was a hint of hesitation in Fang Xins voice as well. She lowered her tone and continued. The case hasnt been concluded yet, but her maternal aunt is causing a fuss about wanting to cremate He Miao. She says theres noplete body left, and we cant just deny her a proper burial. Captain Zhangs point is that since the cause of death has been determined, the body can be taken away by the family for their own arrangements. Lin Yans gaze shifted to her. Song Yuhang took out her phone and called Zhang Jinhai. After a while, she hung up with a somewhat unpleasant expression. Captain Zhang said that the facts of the He Miao case are clear, and the evidence is conclusive. Whether its suicide or an idental fall, the suspicion of homicide has been ruled out. The family can take the body away for their own arrangements, and Commissioner Feng also agrees. As for the pregnancy incident, it will be handled separately. Lin Yan understood and then said to Fang Xin, Have all the forensic samples been collected? If she wants to take the body, let her take it. Well keep the biological samples. Fang Xin sorted and stored the bottles and containers on her desk while closing the cab door. Dont worry, Forensic Doctor Lin, everything is properly stored. I wont keep you any longer. Ill go to the funeral home to send the body. * * * Jiangcheng City Funeral Home. ording to the protocol, there was a farewell ceremony before the body was cremated. Wang Xiuzhen stood outside the farewell room, covering her nose with an impatient expression. Why are you still looking? Whats there to see? Hurry up and cremate her. Im still waiting to receive thepensation. The staff looked helpless as they ced the body on the conveyor belt. Fang Xin and the others stood inside the farewell room, watching through a ss wall as this fifteen-year-old girlpleted her final journey in life. After leaving the farewell room, several funeral home staff members in ck suits approached in the corridor, pushing a hearse toward them. Two middle-aged men and a woman followed the hearse closely, and the woman was sobbing uncontrobly, supported by the staff. Fang Xin often came to the funeral home to send bodies and was familiar with the staff here. She whispered, Whats going on? Are they sending off a loved one? The staff showed a hint of regret on their faces and sighed, Indeed, she was only fourteen. Shemitted suicide by taking sleeping pills because she didnt do well in her final exams, and we couldnt save her. Thats really tragic. How much pressure did her parents put on her to drive her to this? Duan Cheng also leaned in to whisper. Inside, the cremated remains had already cooled down, and Fang Xin gave him a stern look. Stop gossiping and collect the ashes. Duan Chengs face twisted into a bitter expression. Isnt it supposed to be the familys responsibility? Fang Xin nced in that direction, and Wang Xiuzhen was sitting on a bench in the corridor, picking her feet and eating melon seeds. She clearly had no intention of taking care of this matter herself. Alright then, Ill go. * * *
Chapter 31.2 Chapter 31.2 Significance Lin Yan crouched on the ground and finished a cigarette before getting up. She said, Since its being handled as a separate case, Im going to the provincial capital. Song Yuhang, nced at her indifferently, the red dot at her fingertip blinking on and off. She remarked, You have no real connection with the deceased, so why put in so much effort? Lin Yan responded, Well, you could say that while she was alive, we might have had no reason to cross paths, but now that shes dead and I conducted the autopsy, I feel obligated to finish what she left unsaid. Song Yuhang smiled and extinguished her cigarette on the railing. She said, That doesnt sound like something a forensic expert like you would normally say. As the sun began to set, the first hints of darkness descended, and Song Yuhangs expression became somewhat elusive. Rather than those, I would prefer to believe that Forensic Examiner Lin has seen her own past in He Miao, or perhaps her experiences have touched on your own sorrows. Your urgent desire to know the truth is simply seeking justice for your past. It was a test, but Lin Yan chuckled self-deprecatingly, If you want to interpret it that way, its not entirely wrong. However, Im not seeking justice for my past self; Im seeking justice for all those who have earnestly struggled in life. Song Yuhang fell into a prolonged silence before acknowledging, What youre saying is correct. A 15 year old girl in her blossoming youth, her mother had passed away early, her fathers whereabouts unknown, and she had endured the hardships under her aunts care. Despite poverty, it had not broken her spirit. She still aspired to study, finding ways to earn tuition fees herself. In her spare time, she would draw in her textbooksa girl so resilient and filled with poetry. She should not have died in vain. What about Captain Song? Why is she so determined to crack this case? She recalled the rumors circting in the investigative department. Song Yuhang had more seniority than Zhang Jinhai, and when the previous head of the criminal investigation team retired, it should have been her turn to take over. However, someone higher up parachuted in Zhang Jinhai instead. Song Yuhang had been in the position of deputy team leader in the criminal investigation team for almost ten years. Did she have no grievances during those ten years? No frustrations? No sense of being stifled? However, Song Yuhang looked at her and simply said, Solving cases, seeking justice for the deceased, thats the whole purpose of my existence. Even though their ideologies shed, and they often argued, they surprisingly found rare consensus on this matter. In the darkness, Lin Yans lips curved ever so slightly. Song Yuhang led the way down the stairs, saying, Lets go to the provincial capital. She waited for a moment but didnt see her following. She paused and asked, Whats wrong? Lin Yan turned to look at the cluster of buildings below the rooftop garden. The lights in the West City district began to illuminate one by one, creating a beautiful scene. However, she furrowed her brow slightly. Do you ever feel like someone is watching us? Song Yuhang turned around and walked to the railing. She had never mentioned the incident with the person in ck to anyone. When did you start feeling that way? Today, as I entered this ce. Song Yuhang retrieved a pair of binocrs from her bag and scanned the surroundings. The vantage point here was excellent, offering views of boys doing their homework in the houses across, women washing clothes, quarreling couples, and the diverse tapestry of life. However, there was nothing particrly noteworthy. She furrowed her brow slightly and said, Lets go. We should head to the provincial capital for now, and be cautious these next few days. Lin Yan shrugged nonchntly, Forget it. I have plenty of enemies, maybe its just another one looking for a chance to retaliate. Onees, Ill give them a beating; twoe, Ill handle them together. Song Yuhang sighed in resignation, put away the binocrs, and descended with her. Youre certainly optimistic. Then whats the point? Is my Baguazhang1 just for show? Not to brag, but at least in Jiangcheng City, Im unbeatable. Oh, if thats the case, why bother carrying a baton? After all, using a baton was likely a way topensate for ack of physical strength. Lin Yan suddenly became somewhat irritated. Would you die if you stopped talking?! Song Yuhang, hands in her pockets, walked ahead of her. Only dead people dont talk. Phew! Lin Yan followed, muttering curses under her breath. Youve grown up to be quite the character. No wonder you have no friends or a partner After they left, a light turned on in a specific unit of a residential building across the street. The upant retrieved the astronomical telescope from behind the curtain. * * * I cant believe it, who the hell punctured my tire?! Lin Yan touched the deted tire and let out a frustrated cry. Residents from nearby buildings began to stick their heads out, and Song Yuhang sighed while holding her forehead. You drive such a nice car while were on a case; isnt that just asking for envy? Lin Yan remained expressionless. This is already my worst car. Fine, I didnt say anything. Song Yuhang turned to leave, and Lin Yan had already started calling a towingpany. What?! You can onlye in two hours?! And you dont even have Mercedes tires to rece it? What kind of repairpany are you running? I might as well get my electric car serviced. Am I not paying you enough for your so-called premium customer service? Seeing Miss Lins increasingly vehement tone, verging on personal attacks, Song Yuhang hesitated, and then turned around, suggesting, How about you ride with me? It was approximately over 200 kilometers from the city center of Jiangcheng to the provincial capital. After getting off the highway, they would have to navigate winding mountain roads with seven or eight bends. Lin Yan was already feeling drowsy, and she let out a yawn. How much longer until we get there? Song Yuhang checked her watch. A little over two hours. Lin Yan calmly closed her eyes. Alright, wake me up when we arrive. As they exited thest service area, they delved deep into the mountains. The night brought a drop in temperature, and with her arms exposed, it felt chilly. Song Yuhang rolled up the car window slightly and nced at Lin Yan, who had already fallen asleep. She shook her head slightly, feeling a bit helpless, and then turned on the air conditioning. Suddenly, the phone ced in front rang. Song Yuhang saw that it was from Xiao Wei, so she immediately slowed down and pulled over to the emergencyne before answering the call. Lin Yan was awakened by the noise, her brow slightly furrowed. Her voice was still somewhat drowsy as she asked, Hmm who is it? Before Ji Jingxing could even speak, they heard a soft, seductive female voice. Whos Song Yuhang with thiste hour? She held Xiao Weis warm body, momentarily unsure of how to respond. Song Yuhang got out of the car with the phone in her hand and asked, Whats wrong, sis? Hearing the familiar voice, Ji Jingxing finally collected herself. Xiao Wei Xiao Wei has a fever My car is in the repair shop, and I cant get a taxi right now Her delicate sense of pride made it difficult for her to say, Can youe over right now? Considering the voice she had just heard, Ji Jingxing chose different words. Are you outside? Song Yuhang responded with a quick acknowledgment, sensing the urgency in her voice. It waste at night, and there was a hint of concern in her tone. Whats her temperature? Its 39 degrees, Ji Jingxing replied anxiously. Ive been applying a cold towel, and I even gave her fever-reducing medicine, but theres no improvement Lin Yan got out of the car while donning her coat and let out a sarcastic chuckle. When someone has a fever, you should call an ambnce. Whats the point of calling her? Ji Jingxing clearly heard thatment, and it only added to her distress. She was on the verge of tears, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness. Yuhang, I Song Yuhang gave her a cold re, covered the receiver, and lowered her voice. Its okay, dont worry. Wait for me to get back. Ill be there in about an hour or so. When Im close, Ill let you know. Remember to dress warmly, bring your medical insurance card, and make sure Xiao Wei is dressed warmly too. Wait downstairs, and well go to the hospital. After hanging up the phone, Lin Yan leaned against the car door, speaking with an indifferent tone. Well, isnt it the good cop serving the people? Will you choose the beauty over the nation? Song Yuhang shot her an irritated look. Basic courtesy dictates that you dont interrupt when someone is on the phone. Lin Yan chuckled, but her gaze gradually turned cold. Think it through. If you turn back now and waste time when were almost there, the suspect might catch wind of it and escape. Song Yuhang opened the car door and sat down. I can have our colleagues in the provincial capital bring the person here first. Lin Yan sneered, Dont stir up trouble unnecessarily. Whether you go or not, Im leaving, Song Yuhang lifted her gaze to look at Lin Yan, and her eyes turned cold as well. A threat? Song Yuhang was actually threatening her?! An unexinable anger surged within her. All of this fuss for that white lotus who had a fever in the middle of the night? Lin Yan, seething, mmed the car door shut and took a step back. Go ahead, do I really need you? She pulled out her phone to call for a ride. Song Yuhang, noticing her unreasonable attitude and feeling a trace of anger, inserted the key into the ignition to get ready to drive off. However, she realized that even when she pressed the gas pedal, the car remained still. Lin Yan wandered around, searching for a phone signal. When she turned back and saw Song Yuhang still standing in ce, the cars engine roaring but not moving, she almost burst intoughter. Hahaha, it seems like its fate, and the heavens dont want Captain Song to y the hero and save the beauty. Song Yuhang twisted the car key, trying to start the engine again, but the car remained motionless. Her anger was ignited by Lin Yans sarcastic tone, and she gradually tightened her lips. Are you done yet? Lin Yan leaned against the car window. Not at all, of course not. It seems Captain Song is destined to spend a delightful night with me. Ignoring her, Song Yuhang got out of the car and lifted the hood, tinkering with the engine. Lin Yan stood by the car, her clothing disheveled and exposing a portion of her fair and delicate shoulder, watching her busy herself. Hey, I mean, whats so special about that white lotus? Is it worth yourte-night back-and-forth? Women can be so melodramatic. Its just a fever; who hasnt had one? She could have gone to the hospital herself, or at the very least called an ambnce. As Lin Yan finished speaking, there was a loud bang, and Song Yuhang closed the hood, striding over. In the moonlight, herplexion didnt look too pleasant, and a hint of anger crept onto her tightly pressed lips. With no one around, Lin Yan swallowed hard and took a step back. Wha what are you doing? Song Yuhang clenched her fist. You can insult me, but dont insult her. Except for that rainy night, she rarely disyed such a serious and earnest expression, and there was even a hint of suppressed anger. All of this, just for that melodramatic woman? As Lin Yan thought this, she felt an indescribable sense of injustice welling up in her chest, and her lips gradually tightened. Alright, lets consider those words on the rooftop as if I never said them, she said, Captain Song has never mentioned anything about the significance of solving cases or anything like that. We still have different paths and different goals. Song Yuhang was taken aback. Thats not what I meant. Solving cases is important, but Xiao Wei Enough, enough, Lin Yan said impatiently. Give me your phone and the address. Seeing that she wasnt moving, Lin Yan added, My phone has no signal. Song Yuhang understood what she intended to do. After providing the address, she handed her phone to Lin Yan, who walked to an open area to make the call. Hello, yes, I need someone to be taken to the hospital. The address is After giving all the necessary details, Lin Yan tossed the phone back to her. She didnt take the passenger seat but instead went straight to the back seat, lying down and covering herself with a nket. Song approached and lightly tapped on the car window. Um, thanks Lin Yan casually picked up her clothing and threw it at her. Scram, dont disturb This Ladys sleep!
  1. Baguazhangor Pakua chang is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the Wudang school, the other two being tai chi and Xingyiquan.
Chapter 32 Chapter 32 Freedom When Lin Yan was about to sleep in the clothes she had patched together, the scavengers also reached their final destination for the day: the entrance of ate-night bar. This ce was frequented by many drunken patrons and was the best spot for finding beer bottles, which were much more valuable than stic ones. The girl crouched at the street corner for a while, observing. She spotted a drunk man cing a beer bottle on the steps before stumbling away. She rushed over, picked it up, emptied the remaining liquid, and was about to toss it into her makeshift basket when her wrist was firmly grasped. She looked up in fearit was the same drunkard from earlier, who had somehow returned. He held onto her wrist, pulled her up, pushed her against the wall, and his alcohol-scented breath drew closer to her face. Little sister you look truly stunning how about sharing a drink or two with big brother Go go away if you dont leave Ill Ill call for help! The girl was on the verge of tears, constantly pushing him away with her hands, but the difference in strength was too great, and he took advantage of her. She cried out for help, and the people around the bar burst intoughter. The man became even more audacious, his hands wandering: Little sisteree with big brother for some fine dining and spicy drinks The girl bit her lip tightly, turned her head to the side, tears streaming down. Just as she was about to scream, there was a sudden light touch on her body, and the man was forcefully pushed away. The drunkard stumbled to his feet from the ground, cursing: F*** who the hell are you dare to hit me The man standing in front of her had a tall and broad-shouldered silhouette, wearing an ordinary jacket and a duckbill cap. In the darkness, his expression couldnt be seen clearly, but his voice was low and somewhat hoarse. Get lost. Only half of his bearded chin, concealed in the shadow of the duckbill cap, was visible. The drunkard, still somewhat stubborn, lunged forward but was swiftly flipped to the ground, clutching his stomach in pain. The man picked up the beer bottle that had fallen to the ground and approached her. The girl nervously swallowed, stepping backward. Here. The sound of footsteps came to a halt, casting a shadow ahead. The outstretched arm revealed firm muscles, and there seemed to be a tattoo on the inside of the wrist, faintly visible in the moonlight, making it unclear what the actual design was. The girl remained shaken, hesitant to reach out. The man took a step back, ced the beer bottle on the ground, and turned to leave. As if awakening from a dream, the girl took a few steps forward. Um th thank you The mans steps paused but did not linger. Uncle She carefully chose to speak out, Whats your name? I I will repay you The man turned around, and she thought she saw a faint hint of a smile under his duckbill cap. His voice remained hoarse. Just call me a Good Samaritan. Well meet again. After leaving behind these cryptic words, he strode away. The girl stood there in confusion for a moment, then picked up the beer bottle and tossed it into her makeshift basket. She hurriedly ran home, afraid of encountering any more oddities. Meow Not far from where the Good Samaritan had stopped, he paused to examine this adorable cat. It was a little orange cat, looking like it had been a stray for a long time. Its fur was somewhat dirty, and it was emaciated from hunger. Ity on the pavement, meowing weakly. The man bent down and lifted the pitiful little kitten, gently stroking its head. Poor thing, let me help you. The hand that initially held its nape suddenly encircled its entire neck, exerting sudden force. The kitten struggled, emitting a piercing cry. Its four paws iled futilely in the air until its tongue protruded from its mouth, lifeless and limp, as it was gruesomely strangled to death. The man cradled it, kissed its now lifeless forehead multiple times, and then gentlyid it down. Sweetie, living must have been painful for you, but its okay. Ive set you free. * * * The car was cramped, and the temperature had dropped sharply during the night. The engine wouldnt start, and the air conditioning had stopped working. Lin Yan didnt sleep soundly, and even in her dreams, she furrowed her brow tightly. Hey, sis, have you guys gone to the hospital? Song Yuhang stood outside the car, making a phone call. Ji Jingxing held Xiao Wei in one arm, while the doctor prepared to administer an injection. She listened to the phone call, saying, Weve arrived Thank you, Yuhang Its no problem. As long as youre there. Song Yuhangs hand was in her pocket, and upon hearing her words, she felt somewhat reassured. She nced at the car; Lin Yan was still sleeping. Just a moment ago was that your colleague? When two young women dressed in suits and leather shoes knocked on her doorte at night, she had been somewhat apprehensive until they mentioned Song Yuhangs name and said they were here on behalf of the youngdy to take them to the hospital. Only then did she half-believe them and carried Xiao Wei with them downstairs, where a Mercedes-Benz had been waiting by the roadside. Throughout the journey, both of the young people and the driver were polite to them. They even helped in contacting a pediatric specialist, to the extent that Ji Jingxing was now feeling somewhat dazed, unable toe to her senses. When did she be acquainted with such wealthy and influential individual? Song Yuhang switched to her other hand to hold her phone, and she responded quietly, Yes, shes my colleague. We were on a case in the provincial capital, and our car broke down, leaving us stranded halfway Ji Jingxing couldnt help but breathe a sigh of relief discreetly, Its quitete at night, and I appreciate your help. Yuhang, please convey my thanks to your colleagues. Song Yuhang smiled faintly upon hearing this, Sure, shes straightforward and outspoken, so dont take her words to heart. Ji Jingxing nodded, and the doctor advised them to get another blood test. She stood up, holding Xiao Wei, realizing it was time to end the call. Alright, please take care on the road. Yes, dont worry, sis. If anything happens with Xiao Wei, let me know. Goodbye. After hanging up the phone, Song Yuhang opened the car door, and the rush of wind caused Lin Yan to flinch momentarily. She clutched her own arms, and the clothes she had used to cover herself fell into the cars interior. Song Yuhang nced back, then stretched her arm to reach for the fallen clothes. She tried several times but couldnt quite grasp them. So, she reluctantly got out of the car, opened the rear door, and leaned down to pick them up for Lin Yan. Lin Yany back, her head tilted as she slept. One hand was cushioned under her head, and the other was wrapped around herself. Her sleeping posture was not very elegant, with her suspenders slipping up to reveal her navel and well-defined abdominal muscles. One leg was ced on the ground, inadvertently stepping on the fallen clothing. Song Yuhang was unsure whether to advance or retreat. Lin Yan started to murmur in her sleep, Cold After some thought, she decided to bend down and try to retrieve the jacket. As she was halfway through, Lin Yan seemed to sense something and grumbled impatiently. She turned her face away but tightened her grip on the clothing under her foot. Song Yuhang sighed inwardly. She hadnt brought a jacket for herself, and she was wearing only a short-sleeved shirt. What would she wear if she gave it to Lin Yan? Furthermore, Lin Yan was still recovering from a serious illness, and letting her get cold like this was not a good idea. What if her condition worsened due to the cold? After all, it was Song Yuhang who had brought her out in the first ce. Song Yuhang contemted for a moment, her gaze falling on Lin Yans petite ankle. In the moonlight, it appeared to have a glossy sheen, looking delicate and enchanting. The slender straps of her high-heeled shoes loosely wrapped around it. Song Yuhang wanted to loosen them and retrieve the fallen clothing. With this in mind, she raised her hand and grasped Lin Yans ankle. It felt warm and smooth, like fine polished jade, almost slipping from her grip. In the quiet atmosphere, their breaths intertwined. Lin Yan slept soundly with closed eyes, but Song Yuhang experienced an inexplicable sense of embarrassment, as if she had seen something she shouldnt have seen, or done something she shouldnt have done. Song Yuhang quickly averted her gaze and adjusted her breathing. She bent down to pick up the clothing from under Lin Yans feet. Lin Yan was already sleeping lightly, not to mention the several times Song Yuhang had opened and closed the car doors. She vaguely sensed someone touching her leg and, without much thought, lifted her leg and kicked out,nding her foot squarely on Song Yuhangs knee. Caught off guard, Song Yuhang took a direct hit to her knee. Her lower body lost strength, and her body tilted, falling directly toward Lin Yan. She tried to prop herself up, but it was already toote. The entire seat had been upied by Lin Yan. In her haste, she intended to brace against Lin Yans shoulder to avoid any intimate contact between them. However, it was difficult to gauge the right amount of force, especially in the pitch-ck darkness. As she pressed her hand down, she immediately felt that something was amiss. Her fingers sank into the softness beneath her. The sensation was so exquisite that a strange electric current shot through her head, leaving herpletely immobilized. Poor Lin Yan, who had been hit and temporarily blinded, slowly lowered her head. Her gaze fell on Song Yuhangs hand, and she gritted her teeth. Song Yu Hang. Bangsmack. Song Yuhang, covering her face, quickly retreated from the car interior. Lin Yan, with a fierce determination, delivered blows evenly. Song Yuhangs face stung intensely, and she returned Lin Yans clothing, giving it a forceful toss. With a resounding m, she closed the drivers side door. Good deeds dont always yield good results. Lin Yan put on her clothes and sat up gracefully. Captain Song, you should be grateful youre not a man, or you would have been half-disabled by now. Song Yuhang coldly snorted and reached for the cigarette Lin Yan had thrown into the storagepartment. With a snap, she lit a lighter. Fortunately, there was a seat between them, so Lin Yan couldnt see the blush on her face. Oh, is that so? Forensic Doctor Lin is someone whos simultaneously dating five boyfriends and yet cares about these things. She spoke matter-of-factly, opening the car window to let in some cool night air. Being in a rtionship is one thing, and its consensual. But out here in the wilderness, Captain Song, if you were really inclined to do something to me, Im afraid I wouldnt have the strength to resist. Her voice was low, with a hint ofnguor that hadntpletely cleared. There was some rustling in the back seat, but it was unclear what she was doing. Perhaps she was adjusting the straps of her high heels or putting on clothing. The inability to see only added an extrayer of imagination. Song Yuhang felt stifled and didnt dare to look back. The cigarette in her hand quickly burned her fingers, so she stubbed it out in the ashtray before speaking. Am I really that kind of person in Forensic Doctor Lins heart? Lin Yan propped up her chin, gazingnguidly in Song Yuhangs direction, her eyes shimmering. Who says youre not? After all, youve tugged at my clothes more than once. Even without turning around, she knew that gaze was firmly fixed on her. She could imagine just how alluring the expression on her face was when she said those words, and how forced her own exnation sounded. Well that was an ident. Lin Yan chuckled softly, and there was some rustling in the back seat. She got up and leaned over the front seat, turning her head to look at her. Ah, could it be youre still a novice? Is it that difficult to admit you have desires? The topic was too bold, and Song Yuhang wasnt a saint. She understood the physiological impulses that adult women could have. Its just that she either used boxing to channel excess energy or took care of things herself. To be honest, she had never thought that one day she would be discussing this topic so directly with someone. Moreover, as she delved deeper into this conversation, she felt a chill run through her, and the blood in her veins seemed to cool. She lifted her gaze to meet her eyes. Yes, but definitely not with women. Lin Yan paused for a moment, then burst intoughter. Did I say it was with women? Or She nced subtly in the direction she had motioned to, a yful smile forming at the corner of her lips. As soon as I mentioned desire, Captain Song, the first person that came to your mind was Before the word me could escape her lips, Song Yuhang abruptly cut her off with a cold, Im going to fix the car, and pushed open the door, not giving her a chance to finish. Lin Yan watched her lift the engine hood, and the smile at the corner of her lips became even more suggestive. She yawned, theny down again. In her mind, she thought about how flirting with Song Yuhang had turned out to be such a fun thing. But what she didnt expect was that Song Yuhangs remark about ying with fire *** wouldter turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. * * * Why are you here sote? Its almost time for the shift change, the woman said as she opened the side door next to the corridor, avoiding the surveince cameras, and ushered the man inside. The man was tall and slightly lowered his head. He carried arge travel bag and spoke in a low, deep voice. No rush, half an hour is enough. The body that should have been crematedy silently on the morgue bed. The girls face was pale, devoid of color, and she appeared to be around ten years old, with a well-proportioned figure. The man circled the autopsy table, gazing almost obsessively at the girls lifeless body. His fingers gently brushed the girls cold skin, and every hair on his body seemed to quiver. He couldnt help but sigh, Truly a work of art. * * * When will the DNAparison results be avable? Since He Miao has already been ruled out as a homicide victim, her primary objective for this trip with Lin Yan is to submit biological samples for testing and extract DNA from He Miaos uncle forparison. During routine questioning, the man in question did not appear secretive. He was of slight build, seatedfortably, holding a cup of tea in his hands. His hands were rough and marked with numerous scars, a clear indication of years of woodworking. He disyed the typical nervousness that ordinary citizens often exhibit when questioned by the police, so he didnt particrly catch the attention of Song Yuhang. Furthermore, he has an alibi; he only returned home once in the past three months, and there is a train ticket stub to prove it. He traveled from morning to evening, during a time when He Miao was still attending school. He didnt have the opportunity tomit the crime. At the earliest, it will take 24 hours. Song Yuhang nodded, Alright, thank you. Where are you going, Captain Song? Its a rare asion for you to visit the provincial capital. Wont you go catch up with Director Zhao? She had visited the Criminal Investigation Division of the Binhai Provincial Public Security Bureau many times before, so they were familiar faces. Song Yuhang smiled faintly, Isnt there a case on our hands? After were done with our duties, it wont be toote to pay a visit to Director Zhao. With that, she exchanged greetings with a few familiar faces and then walked out of the lobby, pressing the miniature microphone on her ear. Hes gone. Lin Yan, who had been reading a newspaper at the street corner newsstand, handed the money to the vendor, saying, Ill take this one. As she spoke, she casually picked up the newspaper and followed the footsteps of the person in front of her. Lin Yan lowered her voice without moving her lips, Didnt you mention there was an alibi? Why are we still following him? Song Yuhang stood at a street corner buying breakfast, When we talked about He Miaos death, he didnt seem surprised at all, just as indifferent as Wang Xiuzhen. But when we mentioned her pregnancy, he appeared somewhat taken aback. A normal person would move past it in an instant, but he kept fidgeting with his hands. Thats a typical self-soothing behavior. Lin Yan clicked her tongue in acknowledgment, So, why am I following him then? Song Yuhang took a sip of soy milk handed to her by the breakfast stall owner, Me? Im going to visit a few markets near where some migrant workers gather. So, tracking and tailing is all my job, huh? Lin Yan couldnt stand the incessant shouts of selling steamed buns, steaming dumplings, and deep-frying dough sticks from her end; it was making her teeth itch with frustration. Song Yuhang slightly curved the corner of her lips, You chose toe along, remember? Its about following orders. Lin Yan nearly let out a swear. The man walking ahead suddenly turned around. She swiftly turned and leaned against a nearby willow tree, instantly retrieving her phone from her pocket, and spoke loudly into it. My dearest~~~ The man turned around, scanning the area, and finding no suspicious individuals tailing him. Among the crowd, there was only a young woman on her mobile phone, seemingly engaged in a conversation with her boyfriend, producing a melodious and clearughter, like a silver bell. Her figure and appearance were exceptionally striking, causing the man to steal a couple of nces before finally turning back and continuing on his way. Lin Yan instantly wiped away her smile, feeling that the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau should simultaneously award her the Annual Most Dedicated Police Officer and Annual Best Actress awards. Song Yuhang listened quietly to this round and couldnt help but stifle a chuckle. You see, this is precisely why you were chosen for the tracking job. Firstly, from an outward appearance perspective, Lin Yan looked much less threatening than she did. Secondly, Lin Yans ability to adapt on the fly was no weaker than hers. Lin Yan gritted her teeth and continued walking forward. I fell for your trick. Well settle the score properly once this case is solved, polic, officer, Song.
Chapter 33 Chapter 33 Injured Plumber, 20 yuan per hour. Experienced housekeeper, only 80 yuan per day. Construction sitebor needed, requirements: under 40 years old, in good physical health, hardworking, males only. Its said to be a talent market, but its really just a few sunshades set up where job seekers and employers gather. Many people are holding signs, writing their age and skills with crooked chalk. The employers and intermediaries are shouting loudly with megaphones, like haggling in a vegetable market. As soon as Song Yuhang entered, several intermediaries surrounded her. Miss, are you here to hire or to find a job? Beforeing, she had bought a pack of cigarettes from a small shop and handed out one to each of these people. Were hiring. The boss is renovating his house and needs high-quality solid wood furniture, preferably crafted by skilled artisans. Upon hearing this, the intermediaries, knowing there was money involved, became enthusiastic. They knew the boss behind her was probably wealthy, and their faces lit up with smiles. Sure, sure, we have plenty of carpenters here, guaranteed to satisfy your needs! Song Yuhang shielded the me with her hand and lit one for herself, giving them a sidelong nce. You intermediaries are expensive and not very good. I think Ill find someone myself. As she said this and attempted to walk past them, the leader, a short, stout man, reached out and stopped her, narrowing his eyes and speaking in a strong northern dialect. Dont be hasty, miss. Even though were intermediaries, we have professional ethics. If the boss has a need, well surely provide the best people. Dont be fooled by the number of people here in the talent market; there arent many skilled carpenters, but theyre all in our books. He patted the thick green-shell notebook in his hand. Ive been in this business for over twenty years. I know whos good at what and whos not better than the King of Hell. You can find someone on your own if you want, but it might take some effort, and if something goes wrong with the bosss project, it wont be good. Song Yuhang pondered for a moment, halted her steps, and appeared somewhat cautious. What about you guys The stout man waved his hand and said, Not much at all. If the deal goes through, well only charge a 3% intermediary fee. If it doesnt work out, we wont ask for any money. Song Yuhang smiled and handed over another cigarette. That price seems fair enough. Alright, lets proceed. The man took out his precious book and showed it to her, dipping his finger in saliva to flip through the pages one by one, providing a detailed introduction. This is Zhang San, 46 years old, hes been a carpenter for twenty years Song Yuhang shook her head. Hes too old; I need someone younger, someone who can bring vitality to the designs. Alright, lets take a look at this one. The man turned another page and pointed to a name. Li Si, in his twenties, young and strong, can even handle other tasks Song Yuhang shook her head. Hes too young andcks experience. The mans mouth twitched. You have quite a list of demands; its like youre selecting a beauty queen rather than a carpenter. Then how about this one, Xu Bing, 35 years old, started learning the craft at the age of fifteen, and hes well-known in our provincial capital area. Recently, a wealthy family hired him to make their furniture Song Yuhang furrowed her brow slightly. If hes that renowned, he must be expensive. Lets keep looking. It wasnt until the man had flipped through several more pages, nearly wearing out his lips, that she reluctantly settled on Xu Bing. The stout man wiped the imaginary sweat from his forehead, his face full of ttery, but in his heart, he cursed her a thousand times over. She didnt want to spend too much money yet wanted to find someone good what a dream! After some negotiation, Song Yuhang obtained Xu Bings contact information, which was different from the one he had reported to the police, the one belonging to He Miaos cousin. As she left the talent market, she sent the phone number to Zheng Chengrui: Trace this number. He quickly replied: Alright, Captain Song, we are currently tracking it. * * * Lin Yan followed Xu Bing for two blocks, changed her appearance, added a duckbill cap to her head, wore a sun-protective shirt, put on sunsses, and held a sunshade umbre. She looked no different from an ordinary tourist. Xu Bing walked into a vegetable market not far away, and Lin Yan folded her umbre and followed. She maintainedmunication with Song Yuhang throughout. Hes entered the vegetable market, probably going to buy groceries for cooking at home. Ill tail him all the way to his ce. Alright, Song Yuhang added after a moment of thought, Be cautious, and if things dont seem right, withdraw. Lin Yan snorted, With someone like Xu Bing, dealing with ten of him is childs y. At this moment, a message from Zheng Chengrui came in, and she temporarily cut offmunication with Forensic Doctor Lin. Captain Song, this phone number is not registered with real-name authentication; we cant trace the owner. Song Yuhangs heart skipped a beat. Continue tracking. Where is the current target location? Zheng Chengrui typed away at the keyboard. Inside the vegetable market at the intersection of Haixi Road and Jiefang Road in the provincial capital. Song Yuhangpared this location with the coordinates Forensic Doctor Lin had sent and breathed a sigh of relief without showing any signs. Alright, also track Forensic Doctor Lins phone. Im heading there now. * * * Boss, is this fish fresh? Xu Bing walked up to a familiar shop to buy fish, pointing at the lively river fish swimming in a tank. Its fresh, all caught this morning. Our shop has a rule not to sell overnight fish. Alright, then give me one. Sure,ing right up. The shop owner reached into the tank, scooped up a lively fish, and ced it on the counter for immediate preparation and processing. While Xu Bing waited for the fish to be prepared, Lin Yan slung a basket, of unknown origin, over her shoulder to buy vegetables. With a serious expression, she haggled with the shop owner. What?! Lin Yan raised her voice slightly. Blue cauliflower for ten yuan per pound? Why arent you rushing to buy it? Oh, miss, these are organic vegetables. We use only natural farm fertilizers,pletely pure and pollution-free. Look, we just picked them this morning, still covered in dew! The shop owner handed the processed fish to Xu Bing, and as he counted the money, he whispered, Youre being followed. Xu Bing immediately turned to look, and the shop owner held onto her hand with the money. Dont turn around. That person is an old pro. Keep walking along this road, and at the end of the alley, Lao Ba will meet you. Xu Bing took the money, and a smile appeared on his face. Thanks, boss, youve given me another fifty cents off. However, behind the scenes, he was seething with anger. Didnt they say that as long as I bring the person, Im not involved anymore? Why are theyplicating things now? This is going to draw unwanted attention. What am I supposed to do? Oh,e on, youre a regr customer, visiting three times a day. Ill throw in some fish maw for you. The boss with a scar on his face continued talking while scooping up some fish maw from the counter and putting it in Xu Bings pocket. He lowered his voice. Dont worry; since the boss is here, they just want to show some authority to those small fries. Be bold and go on. The authorities wonte bothering you again. Hearing this, Xu Bings anxiety subsided. He epted the bag and turned to leave. Well then, thanks a lot. When the crab seasones around again in a while, dont forget to set aside some good ones for me. Of course, of course. Take care. The boss sent the customer off with a warm smile. When he saw Lin Yan walking by, humming a tune and carrying a basket of vegetables, his gaze darkened. He pressed the miniature microphone on his cor. Lao Ba, the fish is hooked. * * * Driver, to the Haixi Road vegetable market. Song Yuhang hailed a taxi and got in. Lin Yan followed Xu Bing out of the vegetable market, taking a meandering route with numerous turns. She memorized the path back, keeping a safe distance to avoid being noticed. Approximately fifty meters away, Xu Bing turned into an alley. She quickened her pace to catch up, but he had disappeared. Lin Yan sensed trouble and swiftly turned around. Two burly men were following her, but she kept walking calmly. Target disappeared, Im being watched. Song Yuhangs heart tightened. How many people? Give me their exact location. Two, Lin Yan coldly chuckled. They really underestimate me. As she spoke, a shadow fell in front of her. Two young men wearing masks and carrying baseball bats blocked her path, while two burly men quietly approached from behind. Lin Yan was trapped in the middle of the alley, with no way to advance or retreat. Lin Yan?! Song Yuhang raised her voice and called out, startling the taxi driver ahead, who immediately turned to look at her in surprise. Song Yuhang focused. Driver, please hurry. She then lowered her voice and contacted Zheng Chengrui, Send me the precise coordinates of Forensic Doctor Lin. The two moving red dots on the map instantly disappeared. Zheng Chengrui broke into a cold sweat. Report, the coordinates for Xu Bing and Forensic Doctor Lin have disappeared. Thest known location was near 351 Alley, next to the Haixi Road vegetable market.
Chapter 33.2 Chapter 33.2 Injured Lin Yany on the ground, clutching her abdomen, sweat beads the size of peas forming on her forehead. She watched as the scar-faced man smashed her phone to pieces with his foot, carrying a baseball bat as he approached her. She swallowed her saliva and quietly ced her hand on her lower back. The taste of blood on her lips only seemed to excite her further. For a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, falling to the ground was never the end; it was the beginning. As he approached, closing in on his optimal striking distance, Lin Yan made her move! The man probably didnt expect her, beaten by four people, to still have the strength to fight back. In that moment of surprise, he lost the initiative. Lin Yan supported herself with one hand. Her legwork was impable, and with a swift sweeping kick, she not only tripped her opponent but also used the force to stand up. Her right leg carried thunderous power as it aimed for his face with a high kick. The greater the arc of her spinning kick, the stronger the force behind it. Almost like a half-circle drawn in the air. If that hit the neck, it would have instantly snapped the vertebrae. The man, drawing from his extensivebat experience, instinctively used a baseball bat to block. Wood splintered, and the bat shattered with a resounding crash, flying along with its owner andnding heavily on the road. Scarface immediately spat out a mouthful of blood. Lin Yan turned around and swiftly drew a mechanical baton. She gestured with a flick of her hand towards the three bewildered individuals, saying, Come on, lets all go at it together, thats when it gets interesting. She teased nonchntly, but the three people facing her exchanged nces and simultaneously harbored murderous intent, brandishing their weapons and rushing towards her. Fists and feet shed, and sticks and bats intermingled. One of them aimed his baseball bat directly at the back of her head, intent on ending her life right then and there! Lin Yan bent over to evade the blow, her gaze sharpened. She grabbed his wrist with her left hand and pressed it downward, while her right hand raised the baton high, ready to strike at a vital point in his abdomen. Who the hell asked you guys toe? Her mechanical baton had been with her for ten years, a German-made one called Sentry. The entire body was crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, known for being lightweight, durable, and resistant to impact. With this swing, it seemed there were no visible marks on the mans body, but he spat out blood with a Wa and dropped to his knees. The baseball bat in his hand also fell limply to the ground. Lin Yan reached out to pull off his mask and, in her peripheral vision, noticed someone charging towards her from behind. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. As the iing force of the weapon broke the air, it had already sent her hair flying in front of her forehead. Taking advantage of her bodys flexibility, she bent down, propping herself up with her right hand. She grabbed the persons arm with her left hand, leveraging it to throw both individuals together, knocking down a bicycle parked by the roadside. She wiped a bead of sweat from her face and said with a cold smile, If you want to live, tell me who sent you here, or else Before her words could even finish, the hairs on her back stood on end, and an rm bell rang in her mind. Subconsciously, she raised her mechanical baton to defend herself, but it was just a fraction of a second too slow. The razor-sharp de brushed past the inner side of the mechanical baton, leaving a gash on her shoulder. Blood trickled down from the wound, and Lin Yan took a few steps back, panting heavily. The scar-faced man flicked his dagger and shrugged his shoulder. Didnt anyone ever teach you never to turn your back on your opponent? Lin Yan panted but her gaze burned hot. You bunch of trash think youre worthy opponents? Hah! One of the masked men nced at Scarface and said, Dont waste time talking to her; she wontst much longer. Lets go together! While these four individuals as a group couldnt match Lin Yans skills, they were considered above average. Especially their leader, the scar-faced man, clearly had received professionalbat training and struck fast and urately. With their numbers and teamwork, they yed a relentless game of cat and mouse. In no time, Lin Yan had acquired more cuts and scratches, retreating with her mechanical baton in hand, leaving a trail of blood on the ground. She couldnt help but raise her eyes to look at the empty alley entrance and grit her teeth. Damn it, Song Yuhang, if you dont show up soon, Ill remember it for a lifetime. Perhaps the heavens heard her thoughts because just as another masked man lunged at her, preparing to respond, a dark figure leaped down from the balcony of a second-floor residential building. With a swift knee strike, the figure aimed directly at the head of the person in front of Lin Yan. The tremendous force sent the man flying and crashing into the wall, causing flowerpots perched on the wall to crash down and shatter on the ground. Blood oozed from under the persons mask, and the baseball bat rolled to the side, rendering them powerless to retaliate. The appearance of Song Yuhang greatly relieved the pressure on her. Lin Yan stood up, supporting herself with her baton. The two of them stood back to back in a defensive posture. Song Yuhang, nced back at her, and upon seeing her covered in wounds, her eyes darkened, and she tightly pressed her lips together. Are you okay? she asked. Lin Yan wiped a smear of blood from her lip, straightened her posture, and dered loudly, Im fine. This is nothing. I can still fight! Song Yuhang shook her head and grabbed Lin Yans wrist, lowering her voice. You go ahead, Ill cover your rear. Ha, just these small fry, cover the rear for what? Lets take them head-on! Lin Yan replied, charging straight at them, but she didnt use her full strength. Instead, she fought while gradually retreating toward the alley entrance. Understanding her intent, Song Yuhang followed suit, helping to absorb most of the pressure. Amidst the chaos, she took a few punches but continued to restrain the remaining three individuals effectively. Her fighting style differed from Lin Yans. Lin Yan was agile with ample finesse but somewhatcking in brute force, making self-defense a non-issue. However, when it came to offensive power, Song Yuhang clearly had the upper hand. She struck with great force, her punchesnding solidly, and herbinations were unpredictable, making her a formidable opponent. Scarface couldntnd a single blow on her even with a weapon, and he ended up taking several hits to his temples instead. He spat out a vile substance, feeling dizzy and disoriented. Her left side was restrained by one opponent, and another attacker came from a diagonal angle. Lin Yan used her mechanical baton to block the attack for herpanion, taking a few steps back. Blood had already soaked her entire arm, dripping steadily from her fingertips. Song Yuhang shouted urgently, Why arent you leaving?! And what about you if I leave?! Dealing with any one of these opponents individually was not an easy task, let alone three. With a swift elbow strike, Song Yuhang targeted her opponents side, then used her free hand to twist the arm of the masked man holding the baton, applying intense pressure. The masked man let out a painful cry but still attempted to get back up. Song Yuhang then reversed her grip, bringing the man toward herself and grabbing his arm. She swiftly executed a neck lock, mming his head forcefully into the ground. She singlehandedly fought off three opponents, creating an escape route for Lin Yan. Song Yuhang maintained her grip on her opponent and turned to Lin Yan, saying, Go now! Lin Yan clenched her teeth, wielding the mechanical baton, ready to charge out. However, Scarface, who had just climbed to his feet, aimed his dagger at her head and viciously hurled it. Song Yuhangs pupils contracted. The two individuals she had restrained firmly held onto her arms, preventing her from moving. With a powerful scream, she exerted force with her heels, unexpectedly relying on her formidable muscle strength to push the two young men forward forcefully. The bricks beneath her feet left two white streaks, and finally, using the momentum, she forcefully threw the men to the ground, simultaneously shouting, Lin Yan, get down! The moment she heard her voice, maybe it was a silent understanding, Lin Yan didnt think much. She rarely followed orders like this, but she found herself huddling and rolling on the ground, clutching her head, narrowly avoiding the deadly weapon. However Drip, drip. Drip, drip. Blood droplets rolled down along the de and sttered on the ground. Song Yuhang lowered her gaze to the knife lodged in her chest, coughing softly, with blood foaming at her lips. Scarface grinned, Didnt expect that, did you? Who goes out without carrying a knife, huh? Unlike you cops, I value my life. He gripped the knifes handle with both hands and twisted it forcefully, driving it deeper into her muscles and bones until the de was entirely embedded. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth, and the fresh blood that oozed out instantly stained her clothing. With red eyes, she stared fixedly at Scarface, using both hands to pry his wrist back step by step. With each step, more frothy blood appeared at the corner of her lips, and the knife burrowed deeper. She cast a nce back at Lin Yan, her vision bing increasingly blurred. A faint smile of satisfaction tugged at the corners of Song Yuhangs lips, thinking that if she couldnt see, it meant she was safe, right? Scarface had his wrist firmly mped, forced to step back along with her. He watched in horror as even the knifes hilt disappeared into her body, and fear washed over his face. Youre crazy! He didnt dare to waste any more time, having already heard the sound of sirens in the distance. He simply lifted his leg and delivered a knee strike, sending her flying. Song Yuhang, like a kite with a broken string, crashed heavily to the ground. Lin Yan remained lost in that final gaze for a long time, unable to snap out of it. What kind of expression was that? Her limited vocabry couldnt fully express it. She only knew that the look contained a myriad of emotionsthere was contentment, reluctance, nostalgia and even a hint of regret. Until she fell heavily beside her, blood soaking her entire front, with a gleaming steel knife embedded in a vital area. Lin Yans eyes turned scarlet in an instant, and she lunged forward, clutching her mechanical baton, shouting, Ill f***ing kill you!!! There was even a trace of a sob in her voice. She didnt know where the strength came from, but she swung her mechanical baton wildly, her moves losing all form. In her mind, there was only one thought: Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! The blood flowed down with each swing of her baton, her hand almost too slippery to hold it. Until her blood mixed with the enemys, and the tip of the baton was smeared with something white and frothy. Scarface slipped from her palm to the ground, unmoving, like a dead dog. She had actually beaten the man to death with her mechanical baton. Lin Yan paused, panting heavily, her eyes bloodshot. Her icy gaze swept over, her body covered in blood, resembling a fierce demon. The remaining two individuals stared at her as if she were a killing god. One of them climbed to their feet and ran, while the other stood frozen in ce, trembling, and had an ident in their pants, clutching their baseball bat. Lin Yan tossed her mechanical baton aside, turned, and helped Song Yuhang to her feet, bearing her weight on her own shoulders. Lets go. Song Yuhang covered her wound, the knife handle still embedded in her flesh. Every step was excruciatingly painful, and she was drenched in sweat, her face pallid. She knew Lin Yan was also injured but tried to push her away to walk on her own. I I can walk on my own Lin Yan didnt let go; she had one arm around Song Yuhangs waist and gripped her wrist firmly. Her gaze was resolute. Shut up. Song Yuhang looked at her profile, now that they were closer, she could see her clearly. Her face was covered in bloodstains, yet her eyes were so bright. Although it wasnt yet evening, she could see stars in them. The faint floral scent at her neck had beenpletely overshadowed by the smell of blood. Song Yuhang, somehow feeling a bit regretful, asked, The baton you dont want it anymore? Lin Yan nced at her and replied softly, No, I dont.
Chapter 34.1 Chapter 34.1 Aurora In the interval while waiting for the ambnce to arrive, Song Yuhang was already in a dire condition. The knife had prated too deeply, and despite Lin Yans desperate efforts to staunch the bleeding by tightly covering her wound, blood continued to gush out incessantly. Song Yuhang could no longer walk; she stumbled dangerously, nearly copsing to the ground. Lin Yan helped her sit down, and the two of them leaned against each other for support. Lin Yan hugged her shoulder, watching as every cough caused dark red blood to spill from the corner of Song Yuhangs lips, trickling down her chin. They had already emerged from the alleyway, but the ambnce had not yet arrived. The onlookers around them reluctantly stepped back, pinching their noses as if there were a contagious disease. They formed a semicircle around the two women, gossiping and pointing fingers at them. Lin Yan felt as if she were inside a massive ss dome, surrounded by a crowd of people outside, yet no one offered any assistance. She held Song Yuhang in her arms, sensing the gradual loss of her body warmth with each passing moment. The fresh blood had soaked through her clothes. The two of them clung to each other, Lin Yan holding her tightly, her hand never leaving Song Yuhangs wound, as if her own body heat could provide somefort. Song Yuhang felt it, a warmth in her heart. She wanted to lift her gaze to look at Lin Yan but felt water droplets on her face. Was it raining? Lin Yan buried her head, biting her lip, her eyshes quivering. She was too stubborn, even when she cried, it was inplete silence. At the moment when the scalding tears sshed onto her face, Lin Yan, who had been numb to everything except the dull pain in her chest, suddenly felt a twinge of bitterness. Song Yuhang struggled to raise her hand and grasped the hand that had been covering her wound. Their two hands, both stained with blood, interlocked in silent exchange of strength. Lin Yan, as if sensing something, sniffled, You dont die. Her voice was as soft as a mosquitos buzz, but Song Yuhang heard it clearly. A hint of moisture welled up in her usually clear eyes. She gave a faint smile, gripping Lin Yans hand tightly within her own palm, Hmm I wont die. Make way, make way, step aside! The police car and ambnce finally arrived. Doctors with stretchers pushed through the crowd, and Lin Yan was shoved to the side. She turned around groggily to see Song Yuhang. A doctor knelt beside her, administering urgent medical procedures. Tubes were quickly inserted into her body, and she was lifted onto the ambnce. Lin Yan was also restrained as people in police uniforms and white coats surrounded her, preparing to examine her and insert tubes into her body. Lin Yan had a splitting headache and couldnt make out what these people were saying. She was solely focused on Song Yuhangs condition and attempted to sit up, causing the IV stand to wobble. Hold her down! Hold her down! Administer a sedative, get a sedative ready! Several burly individuals rushed forward, pinning down Lin Yans arms and legs. Lin Yan, with tears in her eyes, struggled and screamed, causing chaos within the ambnce. It wasnt until that entire transparent liquid had been fully administered into her body that Lin Yan slowlyy back down and regained herposure. The medical personnel breathed a sigh of relief. * * * The rescue operation hadsted for a day and a night, during which she had received a total of two thousand milliliters of blood, equivalent to half the total blood volume of a normal adult woman. The moment the lights in the operating room went out, Ji Jingxing, who had been waiting in the corridor for most of the night, rushed forward, Doctor, doctor, how is she? The doctor removed his mask, finally revealing a relieved smile, Fortunately, the knife didnt damage her heart. Weve repaired the damaged blood vessels and nerves in time. The patient has no previous medical history and is in good health, so there shouldnt be any major issues going forward. Ji Jingxing breathed a sigh of relief, and the other detectives waiting in the corridor did the same. She held the doctors hand, tears welling up in her eyes, Thank you, thank you all. Youre wee. Now we need to take her to the ICU for further monitoring and treatment. You can go with her family toplete the necessary paperwork. Alright, alright, Ji Jingxing nodded in a hurry. She helped push the gurney a few steps and then turned back to pick up the bag she had ced on the corridor bench. Several police officers followed along to assist. Ji Jingxing walked while lowering her gaze, looking at the pale face on the gurney. She and her brother, Song Yichen, looked very much alike, as if they were carved from the same mold, with simr features. The only difference was that Song Yichen had a more heroic aura. While Song Yuhang had a touch of feminine grace. The usually gentle eyes were tightly closed, her lips devoid of any color. Tubes for life-saving measures were inserted all over her body, and the monitor beeped incessantly. This scene couldnt help but remind Ji Jingxing of the moment when her brother had sacrificed himself. Ji Jingxings heart trembled, tears threatening to fall. Standing beside her, Fang Xin silently handed over a tissue and gently patted her back to offerfort. Its alright, sis. Captain Song has already escaped danger. Shell get better. Ji Jingxing nodded, dabbing at the corner of her eye with the tissue, managing a forced smile, Hmm by the way, can you tell me how she got injured? * * * She regained consciousness three dayster. The doctor removed the venttor, and Song Yuhang slowly opened her eyes, watching the world transition from blurry to clear. Team Leader Song, youre awake? Team Leader Song, youre alright, arent you? Everyone was extremely worried. Officer Song did a great job this time; there should be somemendation from higher-ups. Her head felt like mush, and she looked at the people in front of her, their mouths moving but their words unintelligible. It wasnt until a pair of warm hands held hers that Song Yuhang seemed to realize something and gently squeezed the hand. Yuhang, youve finally woken up. Mom has been calling every day, anxious about your condition. She slowly raised her gaze, her eyes finally focusing on the face before her. When she tried to speak, her throat burned intensely. I Im okay tell her not to worry. Ji Jingxing nodded and attempted to adjust Song Yuhangs nket, but Song Yuhang moved her fingers again and her gaze swept across the crowd. With great effort, she lifted her upper body as if searching for someone. Lin wheres Lin Yan? Meeting Song Yuhangs gaze, several detectives standing by the bed simultaneously averted their eyes. Song Yuhang then shifted her gaze towards Fang Xin. Fang Xin hesitated to speak, Lin Forensic Doctor Lin she * * * When Lin Yan regained consciousness, she found herself handcuffed to a bed. One end of the handcuffs was attached to the bed frame, which was securely bolted to the floor. All the windows in the room were sealed shut. This ce didnt seem like an ordinary hospital; it appeared to be a prison hospital that cooperated with the police to detain criminal suspects. Lin Yan struggled and knocked over the IV stand. The ss of water and the bottle on the bedside table shattered on the floor. Several prison guards rushed in and forcefully pinned her down on the bed, adding an extra pair of handcuffs. Still dressed in a patients gown, Lin Yan was then escorted to an interrogation room. Click. The electronic ankle cuffs were locked, and Lin Yan sat disheveled in an interrogation chair. Several police officers in uniforms, unfamiliar faces, older than her, were seated in front of her. They appeared to be detectives from the provincial department. She examined the officers badge, and he, in turn, was scrutinizing her. Is this yours? Lin Yan finally managed to piece together her rusty thoughts when she saw the bent metal rod in front of her. She turned her head stiffly, a sardonic smile ying at the corner of her lips. Its mine. So what? As a police officer, you have the right to stop any illegal activities. However, when the victim ceases to pose a threat, self-defense should also cease. Yet you mercilessly beat a person to death on the street not once, but multiple times. Now, with all the evidence and witnesses in ce, do you have anything to say? Her hair hung down, obscuring her face, but Lin Yan stared at the speaker through this narrow gap, smiling. She stared him down, teeth clenched, a mixture of hatred ground into every smile. I was merciless? Where were you when those four people ganged up on me? Where were you when Scarface stabbed Song Yuhang and tried to kill her? He harmed me first, but I couldnt fight back. He wanted me dead, but I had to let him live. What kind of logic is that?! Lin Yan became agitated, breathing slightly harder, her eyes burning red as she stared at them. The individuals across from her exchanged nces, and the leader mmed a folder on the table. Lin Yan, dont think just because you have a duty that we cant touch you. Criminals also have human rights. What you did is breaking thew and making it worse! Spit! Lin Yan spat forcefully, her eyes almost red enough to shed blood.
Chapter 34.2 Chapter 34.2 Aurora She remembered that the perpetrator of Chu Nans case is still atrge. She remembered Sun Xiangming, whom thew couldnt touch. She remembered those four individuals who relentlessly pursued her, intent on taking her life. She remembered Scarface viciously stabbing Song Yuhang. Lin Yan clenched her fists tightly, feeling a surge of new and old grudges welling up in her heart. Every word was like shedding tears of blood. Criminals have human rights? What a load of nonsense! If criminals have rights, then who will protect the rights of ordinary folks? Who will safeguard the rights of the peoples police? If someone attacks me, I cant fight back. If someone stabs me, I have to stand there and let them do it. If they cant kill me with the first strike, I cant retaliate. If I do, its considered excessive self-defense! What kind of bullshit logic is this?! Thew is just a piece of paper! I am the one seeking justice! Killing him is the only way to ease the hatred in my heart!!! Lin Yan gasped heavily as she roared, struggling. Her snow-white wrists bore the marks of handcuffs, her shoulder wounds had not yet healed, and her blue and white hospital gown slowly oozed bloodstains. Several burly prison guards could barely restrain her. In front of the big screen in the neighboring observation room, Feng Jianguo pped the table forcefully and eximed, This Lin Yan is driving me crazy! The elderly man standing beside him was much steadier. Zhao Junfeng pushed aside the foam in his teacup, took a slow sip, and said, A seemingly ordinary suicide case has actually revealed a cross-city child prostitution ring. We dont yet know how many interest groups are involved. Although Lin Yans murder is not a big deal, its a pity. Otherwise, it could have been a major achievement. * * * A half-monthter, Song Yuhang was transferred from the ICU to a regr ward. Ji Jingxing sat by her bedside, peeling an apple for her. Mom said she wants to bring Xiao Wei to see you Song Yuhang smiled bitterly, interrupting her, Better not. Seeing me like this will only make her sad. Besides, Xiao Wei has summer training sses, its a waste of time. Ill be heading back in a few days. She peeled the apple skin neatly in one go, all in one breath. Ji Jingxing brought over another te and cut it into small pieces for her, making it easier for her to eat. I still dont know you well, but Ive already declined for you. However, you cant leave the hospital so early. At the very least, you should stay a while longer and recover properly. Youre young; you shouldnt leave behind any aftereffects. Song Yuhang nodded and watched her busying herself. Sis I cant eat that much. Cant you go back? Xiao Wei can handle herself, right? Ji Jingxings hand, cutting the apple, paused. Its okay, Mom will take care of me. Dont worry. Ill manage on my own. Ji Jingxing handed her the sliced apple. Song Yuhang used her functional left hand to pick up a toothpick and inserted it into her mouth before speaking. I know you say that, but Xiao Wei has never been apart from you for such a long time. Dont worry, Im fine now, and my colleagues are taking care of me. Its better for you to go back early; I cant eat or sleep well here. Speaking of colleagues, Song Yuhang couldnt help but think of that person again, wondering how she was doing now? Lost in thought, Ji Jingxing remained silent for a while, then set aside the te and gently called her name. Yuhang Song Yuhang snapped back to reality. Whats wrong, sis? Ji Jingxing wrinkled the bedsheet with the hand resting on it and asked, Do you remember what you told me when your brother passed away? Song Yuhang was momentarily taken aback, slowly recollecting the scene from that day, her voice filled withplexity. When their father passed away, she and her older brother were still young, and their mother had been their pir of strength. When her older brother passed away, their mother had already grown old, her hair all white, nearly fainting on the ground from grief. Her sister-inw, pregnant for five months, sat on the floor,pletely drained. She was the only backbone of this family. Song Yuhang walked over, not shedding tears, but instead, she embraced her, carrying her in her arms, patting her backs to ease her sorrow. She was wearing a police uniform, and with the national emblem, she swore, Mom, dont be afraid, you still have me. Ji Jingxing couldnt speak through her tears, so she hugged her and repeated in her ear again and again, Sister-inw, dont be afraid, from now on, Ill protect you and Xiao Wei. Remember She almost struggled to utter these two words. Ji Jingxing firmly held her hand, her eyes reddening. You remembering is enough. In the future, please dont act so impulsively. Take care of yourself. When facing extremely dangerous criminals, if you cant win, retreat. What others do is not your concern If youre not here, how can mom, Xiao Wei, and I go on? A warmth filled Song Yuhangs heart, but her brows still furrowed slightly. She was about to argue, Lin Yan isnt just The door to the hospital room swung open with a tter as several detectives escorted Zhao Junfeng inside. Song Yuhang halted her conversation, discreetly retracting her hand. She raised her hand as if to salute but winced in pain from her wounds, gritting her teeth. Zhao Junfeng couldnt help but smile. Getting better? Reporting, much better. Thank you for your concern, Director Zhao. Song Yuhang sat up a bit straighter. Zhao Junfengs gaze lingered among them for a moment. I hope Im not interrupting your conversation, the two of you? Ji Jingxing tactfully got up, taking the wallet from the table. I wont disturb you; you can continue your conversation. Ill go buy something. After Ji Jingxing left, the group of detectives also retreated, casually closing the hospital room door. Song Yuhang knew that Director Zhao had something important to discuss with her. * * * During the half-month that Song Yuhang spent lying in bed, the police had been far from idle. They followed the trail from Scarface and uncovered the criminal syndicate behind him. This Scarface is named Chen Wu, a former soldier. Ten years ago, he was imprisoned for crimes of sexual assault and manughter. He behaved well in prison and earned a chance for parole. After his release, he continued a life of idleness, engaging in various criminal activities locally, victimizing both men and women. The police had detained him for re-education several times. After serving his full sentence, he came into contact with a society of delinquents known as Vultures and became their top enforcer. For profit, this criminal syndicate used job offers and part-time work as a guise to deceive young women, who were then lured into brothels, providing entertainment and pleasure for their clients. They even established hierarchical rtionships, where every introduction of a young woman into the organization earned them a referral fee ranging from three hundred to a thousand, depending on the circumstances. It was during this time that He Miaos uncle sent her in. Each deceived woman, before officially serving clients, is responsible for breaking in by Vultures or their subordinates. If theyply, they get paid, but if they resist, they are beaten severely. Weve already apprehended several lower-level leaders who confirmed having seen He Miao visiting Vultures three months ago. Although the final DNA match results are pending, the timelines match up. He Miao isnt the first victim, and we deeply regret that we couldnt save her young life. However, we will make sure she bes thest victim. Zhao Junfeng stood by the window, facing the setting sun, and exhaled heavily, saying, The provincial department has formed a special task force for the 6.1 case, with the operation codenamedAurora! Hearing this, Song Yuhangs heart surged with determination. She raised her right hand to her temple and said firmly, Song Yuhang, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau, requests to join the task force and participate in the apprehension operation! * * * A remote vige far away from the city. As night fell, everything became eerily quiet. On the silent mountain path, the only sound was the heavy breathing of a man, reminiscent of the wheezing of a bellows. He ran while constantly looking back, stumbling and falling along the way. In the distance, a few dog barks echoed from the vige, terrifying him even more. He clutched his head and rolled on the ground in fear. It was unclear how far he had run, but the dog barking ceased, and the mountain path fell into silence, with only the chirping of crickets breaking the stillness. The man let out a sigh of relief, stopping by a small stream. He sshed water vigorously on his face and bent down to drink several gulps before getting up. Surveying his surroundings, he spotted a public telephone booth not far away. He hastily picked up his scattered clothes and hurried over. He dialed a series of numbers, and it rang several times before someone answered. Hello? Its me, the man lowered his voice. You damn well said youd have my back if things went south? The cops are all over me now, and Ive been beaten to the point where I dont even have my underwear left. There was silence on the other end for a moment. You said to head south and take a boat out to sea. Dont give me your damn excuses. Get me a new ID, a new phone number, and arrange for a pickup at the border. Otherwise, if I fall into the cops hands, you wont be able to save your own ass! After saying this, there was a brief dy in the signal. Hello? Hello? The man lowered his voice and shouted, moments away from revealing the persons name. Finally, the person on the other end spoke. Alright, no problem. The license te number is Bin AH4578. Well pick you up at the border with your new identity. Head south all the way, take a bus, not a train. Youll get there quickly. Satisfied, the man let out a grunt and hung up the phone. The person sitting in the darkness removed the phone card and fed it into a shredder, reducing it to pieces. They rhythmically tapped their knees, sometimes pausing. It didnt matter; the card was gone, and the man would soon be dead as well.
Chapter 35.1 Chapter 35.1 Freedom Due to physical reasons, Song Yuhangs request to join the project team was ultimately not approved. Zhao Junfengs intention was to give her credit this time. The person sitting on the bed listened for a while, lips pressed tightly. The hospital bed creaked, and Song Yuhang pulled out the needle herself and sat up, propping her arm on the edge of the bed, trying to get up. Zhao Junfeng turned around and took a step forward, holding her down. Are you trying to push your luck when youre still injured?! Song Yuhang raised her gaze, meeting the eyes of the old chief, and, ignoring his hand, began to climb up. I cant ept this award. Lin Yan came out with me, and theres no reason for me to receive an award while she faces punishment. Moreover, from a police rank perspective, Im the leader. It was my mistake to misjudge the situation and take it lightly without applying for a gun from higher authorities. If I had a gun, maybe we wouldnt have ended up in such a difficult situation. Besides, in such a critical situation, how could we be sure that the criminals had truly lost their ability to resist? She did it for me Im willing to take this responsibility. She had juste out of the ICU and was far from being able to walk around. Zhao Junfeng didnt dare to stop her again, fearing that she might struggle and rupture her wound, so he loosened his grip. Song Yuhang slowly stood up, leaning on the edge of the bed, her face pale, sweat beads forming on her forehead. She gritted her teeth, her legs trembling, and slowly raised her right hand. Despite her fingertips trembling, her voice was resolute, Im willing to undergo scrutiny together with Lin Yan. Please grant approval! Zhao Junfeng pursed his lips, frustrated. These two were as stubborn as two peas in a pod! He paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, ncing at her, who seemed on the verge of copsing, and finally couldnt help but speak, Sit down! This is an order! Song Yuhang stood her ground, and she even straightened up a bit. Zhao Junfeng was furious, pointing his finger at her and scolding, What did Lin Yan give you? Some kind of drug? All you tech investigators are running here to plead for her. What am I, a chief, for? I might as well take off my uniform and quit early! Isnt it better if you just catch and release people based on your preferences? Besides, with so many eyes watching from top to bottom, can I handle this all by myself? Above the chief, there was still the provincialmittee and the supervisory department of the public security agency. Indeed, he couldnt make decisions on this matter all by himself. But Song Yuhangs eyes brightened, and a hint of a smile yed at the corner of her lips. Her hand remained raised, straight and resolute, even though her face was pale. Her eyes sparkled like stars. Report, Lin Yan didnt give me anydrugI had been lying in the hospital, and I had no knowledge of the other tech investigators pleading. Delusions of interfering with judicial justice based on personal feelings are simply wishful thinking! Chief Zhaos impartiality is truly an example for all of us! Zhao Junfeng couldnt help butugh at her, and he swung the broad-brimmed hat in his hand directly towards her head. I It was as if they were back in their school days, and she would stand just as straight whenever she made a mistake, awaiting reprimand. Zhao Junfeng continued to tap her head one after another, like knocking on a winter melon, delivering a scolding. Did you make a mistake? The group of people looked disheartened, and they responded weakly, Yes, We made a mistake. Zhao Junfeng said, Louder! Song Yuhang took the lead and shouted, Reporting, Instructor, we know we made a mistake! Looking at the head in front of him now, the young girl had grown taller than him. In just ten years, she had rapidly developed into an outstanding detective, shouldering the heavy responsibility of defending the country with her own strength. He couldnt bring himself to strike her head any longer. Zhao Junfeng withdrew his hand in frustration, ced the hat back on his own head, and adjusted his tie. Alright, stop ttering me. How did I teach someone like you whos opportunistic? Others have someone looking out for them from behind, and its not your ce to worry about that. Heal your own wounds first! Upon hearing this, Song Yuhang gently lowered her aching hand. She could no longer support herself and sat down on the bed, clutching her chest and panting heavily, looking up at him. Sincesince thats the case, I have onest request. * * * Three dayster. Lin Yany on the bed, peeling and enjoying a banana. The prison doctor had just given her an injection when the iron door nged open. Two prison guards walked in, holding a shiny set of keys to unlock her handcuffs. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow slightly and said, Oh, whats going on? Has someone up top grown a conscience and decided to let me out? Before she could finish speaking, she saw two well-dressed young men escorting Lin Youyuan into the room. Her expression changed, and she abandoned the banana, tossing it into the trash can. A prison guard with a bit of authority followed Lin Youyuan, nodding and bowing, saying, During this time, Forensic Doctor Lin hasnt been eating or sleeping well. Its time for you to go home, go home. Lin Youyuan smiled gently, his demeanor kind, and he even personally shook their hands to express his gratitude, saying, Youve all gone through a lot for me, causing trouble for you, the city bureau, and the provincial leaders. I will definitely visit to express my thanks in person at ater date. The Lin family was wealthy and influential, but to avoid suspicion, none of them held government positions. Lin Yan was an exception, but if you traced back three generations, they all hadplex ties to the political arena. Many of these officials had received some form of support or favor from the Lin family at some point, so who would dare to refuse such gratitude? Oh, youre too modest. The higher-ups have already issued a document clearing Miss Lins name. These days must have been tough for you. Lin Yan watched this political and business maneuvering without revealing any emotions, but her teeth were about to ache from it all. Lin Youyuan had enough of theughter and kindly withdrew his hand, finally deciding to end the conversation. He said, Of course, Ill have a few words with Lin Yan The prison guards, showing tact, asked the prison doctor to step out as well, saying, Alright, feel free to talk. Just let us know when youre done, and well proceed with the paperwork for your release. Lin Youyuan nodded with a polite acknowledgment and watched them leave. His aristocratic demeanor was on full disy, which made Lin Yan feel almost nauseated. She didnt even want to look at her father directly. Of course, Lin Youyuan didnt have much to say to her either. As soon as the others left, he put away his smile and got straight to the point, saying, Ive had a resignation letter prepared for you. Just sign it. The young man apanying Lin Youyuan handed over a piece of paper and a pen. Lin Yan nced at it briefly,cking enthusiasm. So, which subsidiarypany am I being sent to this time? Lin Youyuan twiddled the green thumb ring on his thumb, and in this regard, father and daughter were quite simr in their impatience towards each other. The CEO of Jingtai Group, to prepare to take over my position in the future. Jingtai Group was the Lin familys main business, and this appointment was quite significant. Lin Yans lips curled, revealing a sarcastic smile. She said, Im not going, Im not signing, so get lost. Lin Youyuan maintained a cid demeanor, as if he had anticipated this response. He stopped twiddling his thumb ring and made no gestures. The two young men apanying him moved closer to help Lin Yan get out of bed. No one could see exactly how she moved, but the soft tube for the IV drip started to leak, and the needle was no longer visible. Lin Yan raised her chin slightly, her fingertips gleaming with a cold light, and her tone, seemingly nonchnt, carried a hint of sharpness. Dont move, all of you. Im a forensic expert, and I cant guarantee whether I can kill you within ten seconds, but I can definitely kill myself. A steel needle was poised on her fragile skin, ready to strike at any moment. The two young men exchanged nces. Lin Youyuan watched her performance in silence and smiled. Youve got guts. You truly are my daughter, Lin Yan. Go ahead, stab yourself. Even if you be a corpse today, Ill make sure to bury you in the ancestral tomb of the Lin family. Lin Yan still had injuries on her shoulder, and she couldnt maintain this position for much longer. She was breathing heavily, her wrist starting to tremble, stirred by his words. Father and daughter exchanged silent nces. Lin Youyuan was a seasoned individual who had weathered many storms, and Lin Yans cleverness was hardly worth mentioning in his presence. He didnt need to say anything at all. He didnt even need to put on a facade of indifference or feigned smiles to conceal his true thoughts, unlike Lin Yan. With just that look of indifference, tinged with a hint of disdain, he could be the straw that broke the camels back. Lin Yans hand began to shake; she could hardly hold onto the steel needle. She started to swallow saliva frequently. This was a disy of nervousness and fear. Lin Youyuan sat calmly in his wheelchair, lookingpletely unperturbed. If not for the barred windows all around, he might as well have been enjoying tea and reading a newspaper. However, due to Lin Yans trembling hand, the needle had gone in slightly too deep, and the two bodyguards were on high alert, ready to pounce and intervene at any moment. Lin Youyuan remained indifferent, and he even seemed a bit impatient, tapping his foot as if urging Lin Yan to hurry up and die if she intended to, without wasting any more time. Lin Yan swallowed saliva and interpreted his bodynguage correctly: If she wanted to die, she should do it quickly and not waste any more time. She gave a faint smile, the first one she had shown since he arrived here. Well, if thats the case, why bother giving birth to me in the first ce? After uttering these words, she slowly closed her eyes. Lin Youyuans pupils contracted, but it was toote to stop her. At the moment Lin Yan released her grip, a spurt of blood gushed from the needles tip, instantly staining her hospital gown and sttering onto the floor. Lin Youyuans lips quivered, his jaw clenched, and the green thumb ring in his hand stopped its fidgeting. He watched helplessly as Lin Yan fell backward onto the bed. She had been ruthless, piercing an artery, and the tiny jet of blood spurted out like a showerhead, impossible to control. As shey disheveled on the bed, her eyes remained bright. She stared intently in his direction, as if to ensure that he remembered: her death today was caused by him, and him alone. It was as if time and space had ovepped, and the woman from years ago had also fallen before him in a simr manner. Though dead, she remained unyielding. The face was identical, as was the unwavering spirit. His right hand began to tremble violently, as if afflicted by Parkinsons, shaking uncontrobly. The two bodyguards rushed to support him, saying, Mr. Lin, Mr. Lin! Thest thing she saw before the world turned dark was him wheeling away, in control of the wheelchair. Lin Yan knew she had won.
Chapter 35.2 Chapter 35.2 Freedom The first half of her life had been aimless, going with the flow. Choosing the career of a forensic expert had been her first, only, and final decision, and she had made it on her own terms. She will notpromise anymore. The result ofpromise is that she has forever lost Chu Nan. She will fight relentlessly for the pursuit of truth. However She recalls that name, that persons face, and inexplicably feels a trace of regret. Its a pity that she and Song Yuhang have not yet determined a winner. * * * During these days of recuperation, Song Yuhang made numerous calls to the detention center, but without exception, every time he received the response, The case is still under review and not open to outside inquiries. This was a case directly under the provincial authorities, and it received high-level attention. Given her rank, she was powerless to intervene. For a month, Song Yuhang couldnt see Lin Yans face and couldnt get any news about Lin Yan. It was as if the person had vanished into thin air. She was growing increasingly anxious. If what Zhao Junfeng had said was true, and the Lin family had stepped in to rescue her, it was impossible that there had been no activity or news up to this point. Her contacts arranged near the entrance of the detention center also hadnt seen Lin Yane out. Which link in the chain had gone wrong? For someone of Zhao Junfengs rank, it wasnt a matter of being unable to directly intervene but rather not being allowed to. The most he could do was return the evidence to its owner. Song Yuhang caressed this rusted and battered mechanical rod, nearly on the verge of losing her mind. She had never missed its owner this much before. Is Lin Yans injury healed? Is it hot inside the detention center? Is she getting used to it? Shes so picky, can she eat the food there? Have the prison guards been treating her poorly? Have her fellow inmates been bullying her? As Song Yuhang thought about this, she smiled faintly and decided that not bullying others was a good enough approach. But why hadnt the Lin family stepped in to bail her out, or was there something else going on? The more Song Yuhang thought about it, the more restless she became, and a nurse knocked on the door toe in and change her bandages. She stashed the mechanical rod in the backpack by her bedside and said, Come in. Officer Song, your recovery is progressing well. Another few days of rest, and you should be able to leave the hospital. This is thest bottle of liquid for today. After the infusion is done, just ring the bell if you need anything. Feel free to give us any instructions. The young nurse expertly inserted the needle and helped Song Yuhang adjust herself on the bed, then ced a thermometer under her armpit. Song Yuhang cooperated fully, wearing a gentle smile on her face. Thank you. She noticed that themunication device on the nurses uniform kept shing, so she said, You can go attend to your tasks; Ill call you when Im ready. It was rare toe across a police officer with such a good-looking appearance, a mild temperament, and a pleasant disposition. The young nurse, pleasantly surprised, said, Alright, Ill leave for now, and Ill be back in five minutes. With that, she pushed the medical cart and walked out. When she returned to the hospital room five minutester, therge room still had the IV drip running, the thermometer sat on the table, but the bed was empty. Song Yuhang, wearing a mask and a cap, squeezed her way through the crowded outpatient lobby. She rushed to the hospital entrance, raised her hand to g down a taxi, and said, Binhai Provincial Detention Center. Running from the fifth floor to the hospital entrance in just five minutes was a bit taxing on her current physical condition. The driver, driving while ncing at her paleplexion, asked, Are you okay? Song Yuhang coughed twice, clutching her chest and leaning back in the seat as she gasped for air. Im fine cough Please, just drive faster. * * * The day Song Yuhang went to see her happened to be Lin Yans seventh day of hunger strike. Not long after she had regained consciousness from her suicide attempt, she was once again handcuffed. This time it wasnt because they were afraid she would escape, but because they were afraid she would harm herself again. Lin Youyuans message was crystal clear: bail, okay, go home. He didnte in person anymore. The day after Lin Yan woke up, Lin Youyuans trusted butler arrived. Lin Yan smashed the bowl of rice in front of her and held a piece of porcin against her wrist, saying, Better to die than to be unfree. The head butler of the Lin family left. Lin Yan began a hunger strike. On the third day, Lin Ges mother came. She was an elderlydy, and when she saw the emaciated Lin Yan behind the iron gate, she nearly burst into tears. Lin Yan couldnt bear the sight and simply buried her head under the nket. On the fourth day, Lin Ge came in person, but Lin Yan said only one sentence and asked him to leave, You cant persuade me on this, bro. On the fifth day, the warden himself arrived. He looked at Lin Yan lying in bed, not eating anything and relying solely on intravenous nutrition to stay alive. He almost wanted to kneel down and begged her, Madam! Please at least take a bite! If this person were to die in the detention center, he might as well give up his job! Lin Yan had injuries, a bandage wrapped around her neck. She had be much thinner, her face pallid, barely clinging to life. When she heard his words, the only part of her body that could move was her hand, slowly reaching for the intravenous needle on the back of her hand. The warden, as if stepping on andmine, retreated with his entourage, raising his hands to signal her to calm down. Alright, alright, were leaving. Forensic Doctor Lin, please stay calm, lie down, and rest. On the sixth day, she finally won a momentary respite for herself. Shey quietly in this windowless cell, curled up on the damp and cold bed, her eyes open for days on end. The seventh day. The iron gate rang again. Lin Yan had be so weak that she couldnt even lift her fingers. She could barely move her eyeballs, but her gaze was still unfocused. The prison guards called her name over and over, but they couldnt bring her back to consciousness. Quick, get an adrenaline shot! In a flurry of activity, she heard the sound of a medical tray being overturned, felt a sharp prick on her wrist, and finally regained some rity. She then heard someones name. Who who wants to see me? Her voice was hoarse and raspy, nothing like her usual self. From the Jiangcheng City Bureau, Officer Song. Lin Yan turned slightly, burying her face in the pillow, gritting her teeth. I dont want to see her tell her to get lost. She couldnt let her see her in this ghostly state. But could she even walk on her own yet? Good. Song Yuhang still carried the same backpack she had when she arrived. Under the scorching sun, she stood outside, sweating profusely, waiting for the prison guards toe out and call her in. To her surprise, she received the message from Lin Yan to get lost. Song Yuhang clenched her lips, herplexion not looking great. She asked with difort, Did she really say that? Absolutely, the young prison guard replied, his lips almost worn out. Many people havee to visit Dr. Lin in the past few days, and shes said the same thing. With iron gates and armed guards surrounding her, Song Yuhang couldnt force her way in. She stepped back a few paces, then turned around with determined eyes. Please tell Forensic Doctor Lin Ill wait for her. On her way back, she received phone calls from messages left on her phone, one by one, but she disconnected them all and eventually powered off her phone. As she glimpsed a street of outdoor supplies, she called out to the driver to stop and threw a few bills onto the seat. She grabbed her bag and got out of the car. The boss examined the bent mechanical rod, lightly tapped it with a small hammer, and shook his head, noticing that it had chipped paint. It cant be repaired anymore. Its not domestically made, is it? Its not just a matter of the technology; even this aviation-grade aluminum is costly. With the money spent on repairs, you might as well get a new one. Getting a new one wouldntpare to the uniqueness of this particr one for Lin Yan. Song Yuhang carefully held it, then ced it back in her bag. Thank you. That afternoon, she dragged her ailing body all over the outdoor supplies street but couldnt find a shop owner willing to repair this unique mechanical rod for her.
Chapter 36.1 Chapter 36.1 Released from Prison Everyone, pair up, conduct a carpet-style search, scatter! In the wilderness, with amand, armed police and military personnel spread out. Police dogsy on the ground, using their noses to sniff around. They passed through the low bushes, and then barked excitedly, wagging their tails as they retrieved a shoe. The trainer took the sneaker from its mouth, opened a phone, andpared it to the clothing worn by the suspect during the escape. He instantly smiled with satisfaction, then ced the shoe back in front of the police dogs nose, giving it a gentle pat. The police dog was ready to go. The trainer released his hand, saying, Well done, Chase, go! A ck silhouette shot towards the forest like an arrow released from a bowstring, with police officers armed with live ammunition following closely behind. Before long. The phone on Zhao Junfengs office desk started ringing. He held a cup of hot tea in his hand, listening to the deputy director and the briefing from the Criminal Investigation Division on this Aurora operation. Before the conversation on the other end could bepleted, he mmed his teacup forcefully onto the table, spilling scalding water all over his hand. What? Have they found the person? Is he dead?! He shot up from his seat, banging the table loudly. Investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me!!! Themanding officer in charge at the scene was the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Investigation Division in the Coastal Province. At this moment, he moved his phone a bit farther away, waiting for Zhao Junfengs outburst to subside. He immediately saluted and said, Yes, the forensic team has arrived at the scene and is conducting preliminary post-mortem examinations! After hanging up the phone, he also put on gloves and walked to the riverside. The body had already been retrieved from the water, and several forensic experts in white protective suits were working around the corpse. Leading the team was the Director of Forensics in the Technical Investigation Department of the Coastal Province Criminal Investigation Division. While not possessing the extraordinary talents of Lin Yan, he was, after all, a seasoned forensic expert with over thirty years of experience in the field. Old Qian, whats the situation? The forensic expert surnamed Qian lifted the eyelids of the deceased and examined them before turning around to say, Preliminary post-mortem examination aligns with indications of drowning before death. There are no external injuries on the body, and theres evidence of sand and debris in the nostrils and under the fingernails, suggesting struggles in the water. Theres no doubt he drowned. From the forensic investigation team, another person came to report, No second persons footprints were found at the scene, except except They had initially thought capturing the Vulture would be a significant achievement, but who would have known they had caught a dead man? What the hell was the use of that? The head of the Criminal Investigation Team was getting impatient. He said, Spit it out! Except for what?'' The forensic examiner closed his eyes briefly and replied, Except except for the footprints of the team leader! He had hurried over without wearing shoe covers, and when the head of the Criminal Investigation Team looked behind him, he saw a series of uneven footprints on the muddy riverbank. Some were his, and some belonged to other search team members. He pped his forehead in frustration and said, I * * * The 8th day of the hunger strike. Lin Yan hadnt expected him toe. 26 years ago, he was just a greenhorn cop, and now, he had a silver olive branch pinned to his chest, truly a remarkable rise through the ranks. The two of them stared at each other coldly through the iron bars. Lin Yan was young at that time, and many things had be blurred with time, but she still remembered that torrential rainy night. She and Lin Cheng were kidnapped, held in an industrial factory in the outskirts. The ransom exchange had gone awry, and then the police had stormed in. The first thing wasnt to save her but to press the trigger with herst ounce of strength. That year, she was only 6 years old. The darkness blurred everything, and she was so weak, barely having the strength to make out the stubble on his lowered brim and his trembling lips, both tinted with a shade of green. Rainwater trickled down his chin. In the midst of this brief hesitation, others rushed in as well. Theyre alive, there are survivors! She was lifted up in a daze by a pair of hands, and a police officer carried her out, while Lin Chengs lifeless body was also taken out. The rain that night was extremely heavy. Even now, when he looked back on it, he still felt a lingering fear. Raindrops fell like beans inside the dpidated factory, and the spot where the girly had turned into a pool of pale red blood. When they pulled the criminal suspect off of her, the girl wasnt wearing any clothes below her waist, and a fatal knife was lodged in the suspects chest. She had saved herself, but Lin Yuanyuan, the eldest son whom Lin Cheng had been determined to rescue, had died. Even now, he still remembered the gaze of the girl lying silently on the ground cold, despairing, and filled with deep-seated hatred. It was exactly the same as Lin Yans look today. The police officer standing outside the iron gate shivered inexplicably. He waved his hand, signaling the prison guard to unlock her handcuffs. Released on medical parole. * * * When Lin Yan woke up again, she found herself lying in her own recuperation center, and the person attending to her was her own personal steward. She realized she was free. She then opened her mouth to slowly swallow the hot porridge the steward had brought to her lips. She ate hastily, choking up and shedding tears soon after. She was so hungry, truly famished, and cold. She thought, perhaps there was nothing left in this world that could warm her. The only person who could have warmed her had passed away many years ago. How she wished it had all been just a dream. Lin Yan sighed in her heart and closed her eyes again. Sleep, for in slumber, she could see her once more. * * * Lin Yan?! Song Yuhang sat up abruptly from her bed, panting heavily and drenched in sweat on her forehead. She reached out to wipe it away, still feeling shaken. She had just dreamt of Lin Yan, holding a gun pointed at herself. The scene had been overwhelmingly red. Song Yuhang wanted to return the words she had once said to Lin Yan. Dont die dont die. She closed her eyes for a moment, swallowing her saliva frantically. Taking deep breaths to calm herself down, she reached under her pillow for her phone and started dialing Lin Yans number. As the call went through, she immediately regretted itLin Yans phone had been smashed long ago. Despite this, she still clung to a faint glimmer of hope as she waited for the call to connect. Until Sorry, the number you dialed is not in service. Song Yuhang realized that she hadpletely lost contact with Lin Yan. When Ji Jingxing entered with the purchased food, a blue and white blur rushed out. Song Yuhang didnt even have time to change her clothes, and Ji Jingxing followed, shouting, Song Yuhang, what are you doing?! She hesitated for a moment, turned around, and looked at the medical personnel catching up behind Ji Jingxing before bolting. After a while, Ji Jingxings phone lit up with a message from Song Yuhang: Sis, Im going to the detention center to see a friend. * * * Forensic Doctor Lin? She left early, applied for medical parole yesterday. It was the same young prison guard. Song Yuhang was still wearing her patient gown, and her shoes were on the wrong feet. Which hospital did she go to? Why did she request medical parole? What happened to her inside? How serious could it be With the detention centers fully equipped medical facilities and services, the minor injury on Lin Yans shoulder shouldnt have been a problem. Those who could apply for medical parole were usually cases of life-threatening emergencies. In other words, only when a prisoner is on the brink of death will the authorities agree to their medical parole. Song Yuhangs heart sank heavily. The prison guard opened and closed his mouth, saying, We dont know where shes gone. Hey, speaking of this Forensic Doctor Lin, shes quite a character. Ive been here for so many years, and its the first time Ive seen someone attempt suicide in prison, not once but twice and even went on a hunger strike! It really scared our warden! Before he could finish his sentence, his cor was lifted, and he was forcefully mmed into the iron gate, creating a loud, resounding crash. The rm sounded. Song Yuhangs eyes were bloodshot, and she gritted her teeth, saying, What have you done to her?! What have you done?! Why did she attempt suicide, why?!!! The armed police officers in the guard booth quickly gathered around, with someone raising a gun as a warning. Song Yuhang released her grip, staggering back in a daze. She was immediately pressed to the ground by the approaching armed police. * * * Alright, alright, Vice Captain Song Yuhang of the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau! You barged into the detention center in broad daylight and even injured a prison guard. Even the Provincial Party Secretary called me to inquire! You sure have given me face, given face to our Jiangcheng City Bureau! Zhao Junfeng spat angrily, banging the table loudly. I see youve had enough fun. If you want to apany Lin Yan so badly, Ill grant your wish! Guards, put her in solitary confinement. No one is allowed to visit her except for medical staff! Until you realize your mistake!!! ng! The iron door locked, and Lin Yan was taken out while Song Yuhang was put in. When Ji Jingxing came to visit her, Song Yuhang was doing rehabilitation exercises, propping herself up with one hand on the ground. A small window on the door opened, revealing Ji Jingxings face. Song Yuhang quickly got up from the ground and ran over. Sis, why are you here? I brought you some daily necessities, Ji Jingxing said, and when she noticed the gauze faintly visible under Song Yuhangs white short-sleeve shirt, she couldnt help but well up with tears again. Why are you, why are you causing trouble again? Your injuries arent even healed, and youre running around like this. What kind of person is so important that you have to She trailed off, unable to finish her sentence. Song Yuhang remained silent. Seeing her quiet, Ji Jingxing added, Yuhang, you werent this impulsive before. Tell me, who is this Lin Yan, really? Song Yuhangs heart skipped a beat. Indeed, she couldnt. It seemed that ever since she had met Lin Yan, there was an extra valve for her emotions. Whenever something rted to Lin Yan came up, it was always hard to remain calm. She initially thought it was because of Lin Yans unruly and disrespectful behavior, something intolerable to anyone. But it wasnt untilter events, as she walked towards her step by step with a ss in hand. She leaned on her shoulder weakly due to being intoxicated. The night of the rainy evening. Two figures on the rooftop, sharing a cigarette. Shey across the back seat of the car, her exposed corbone and the nape of her neck. Facing a one-against-four situation, she showed no fear, but the moment she appeared, a smile yed on her lips. She held her own hand and said, Dont die. The one that could never stay calm was her heart. Song Yuhang rubbed her face vigorously. I Dont talk. Answer my question. Ji Jingxing leaned against the iron window, only able to see half of her attractive chin. For some reason, her voice sounded somewhat hoarse. Fang Xin told me that you got injured because you hesitated to save her, is that true? Her slender chin nodded once. You went out three or five times to look for her?
Chapter 36.2 Chapter 36.2 Released from Prison Song Yuhang responded reluctantly with a mumbled Hmm. Did you resort to violence for her sake too? I didnt expect that guy to be so fragile, he passed out so easily As Song Yuhang spoke, her voice grew quieter, and she eventually nodded. I suppose so. Ji Jingxing asked one final question, Do you regret it? After contemting for a while, Song Yuhang shook her head firmly and said, I dont regret it. Ji Jingxing forced a smile, didnt say anything more, and a hint of mncholy crossed her face where Song Yuhang couldnt see. Sis, Im sorry this time I acted impulsively. Tell Mom that my health is almost back to normal, and Ill being home in a few days. Dont mention the fact that I was put in confinement, so she doesnt get worried. This time, it was Song Yuhang who climbed up to the iron bars to look at her. Ji Jingxing gazed at the face that bore a strong resemnce to Song Yichens, her smile appearing somewhat strained. Alright, I understand. Its gettingte, I should go. Song Yuhang knew that her ability to enter was likely permitted as an exception by Zhao Junfeng. She swallowed nervously, nced around discreetly, confirmed that there was no one nearby, and gestured to Ji Jingxing. When Ji Jingxing approached, she discreetly slipped a small piece of paper into her hand. Make this call; he knows what to do. Song Yuhangs cryptic actions left Ji Jingxing feeling uneasy. What what is this? Song Yuhang had already pushed her away. Sis, take care. She mouthed to her, Look at it when youre outside. Ji Jingxing turned back with skepticism, only unfolding the piece of paper once she had walked out of the prison gate. The scrap of paper, the size of a fingernail, had be damp and crumpled from being concealed on her person for who knows how long. She struggled to make out a string of numbers, and when she flipped the paper over, three words were scrawled crookedly: Find Lin Yan. Ji Jingxing pressed her lips together, crumpling the paper into her palm. She continued walking, and as she passed a trash bin, the paper identally fell from her hand. Who would notice such a small piece of paper? She reached out, hailed a taxi, and got in. Driver, to the train station. * * * To say it was medical parole was, in fact, an acquittal. Lin Yan had secured herself an escape with ruthless determination. During her time of recuperation, Operation Aurora, along with the death of the Bald Vulture, had officially reached its conclusion. A sweeping anti-vice campaign swept through the streets and alleys of the coastal province, from the provincial capital to the prefectural-level cities, including various towns and townships. The police mobilized over ten thousand officers and more than five hundred police dogs, along with thousands of personnel from various other departments. They conductedprehensive investigations into various entertainment venues, KTVs, massage parlors, bars, private residences, and more across the province. They arrested sixty-one individuals rted to the 6.1 case, including two government officials who had provided cover for the Bald Vulture. Even He Miaos uncle was among those arrested. With this, the 6.1 case was officially dered solved. As for the crackdown on other vice establishments, closures, and arrests, they were all handled separately, effectively dismantling an industry chain primarily exploiting female victims. The Peoples Daily prominently featured the story on its front page, but it blurred the names and details of the two police officers who had made outstanding contributions. Lin Yan turned the newspapers page in her hand, casually tugged at the corner of her lips, and took off her sses as she prepared to sleep. However, she nced back at the legal section. Her brows furrowed, and she put her sses back on. The headline in bold Song-style font read: 6.1 Case Ringleader Bald Vulture Drowns While Attempting to Flee Due to Fear of Capture. This entire page was in ck, and the images were pixted, making thempletely indistinguishable. Lin Yan extended her hand and said, Magnifying ss. The butler who was standing nearby handed it to her, and Lin Yan spread the newspaper t on herp. She removed her sses and, with the magnifying ss in hand, moved it inch by inch. She was examining the body. His clothing was intact, but one of his shoes was reported to have been lost while he was fleeing. As for his face, it was pixted, making it impossible to discern specific facial features. Details such as his fingernails were even more unclear, and Lin Yan stared at his body, mentally calcting the proportions between the image and reality. Long limbs, a streamlined body, broad shoulders, and a towering staturehe was very likely a strong swimmer! She jolted up from the bed with a start. Get me a change of clothes; I need to go out! * * * During her month-long confinement, Song Yuhang wasnt idle. She engaged in rehabilitation exercises while also starting to work on repairing Lin Yans mechanical rod. After all, she wasnt in prison but under house arrest, which granted her certain privileges. She had two hours of daily activity time. She spent much of her time in the library, and she managed to contact an old ssmate of hers who had be a nationally renowned firearms expert. After sending him the images, he quickly responded: Cant be repaired, needs to be melted down and recast. Song Yuhang sat in front of the old desktopputer in the detention center and typed: How to melt? Her friend sent a long series of detailed diagrams and text instructions. Song Yuhang downloaded it and just as a prison guard came over, calling out, Its time for outdoor time, time to go! Song Yuhang shut down theputer, turned around every three steps, still thinking about those diagrams. Once back in her confinement cell, she turned on the deskmp and began sketching from memory. This was her daily routine. Zhao Junfeng took a sip of tea and set it back down. What has Song Yuhang been up totely? Drawing. Oh? He nced up briefly. It seems like shes sketching some kind of diagrams. Zhao Junfeng lowered his head again to read the newspaper. Look at how shes spending her days; it seems even more leisurely than my role as the director. Feng Jianguo, who had finallye to report work at the provincial office, was exasperated. Im telling you, Director Zhao, youre enjoying quite the leisure here. Our grassroots units are running themselves ragged. The implied message was clear: Hurry up and return the person to me. Of course, he couldnt say it like that explicitly, but it was evident in his words and undertones. Zhao Junfeng, of course, understood that the closer they were to wrapping things up, the busier it became. Without someone aspetent as Song Yuhang, the Jiangcheng City Bureau would be in chaos. He had been waiting for Feng Jianguo toe and ask him for Song Yuhang, feeling proud inside but showing no hint of it on the surface. Go on, tell that damn guy to get out here and work. How can leaders run around tirelessly all day while she just sits there drawing, avoiding work! Back when the incident with Song Yuhang had urred, Feng Jianguo had been furious, but he had always felt that there were extenuating circumstances. Setting aside that they were old colleagues, even if a prisoner hadmitted suicide in the prison, he would have been angry. Besides, the prison guards hadnt suffered much harm, and Song Yuhang had ended up with injuries after being swarmed by the armed police. His initial intention had been to issue an internal party warning and perhaps a temporary suspension without pay. But who would have thought that Director Zhao was even more ruthless and had directly sent her to the confinement room,pletely unyielding. Song Yuhangs merits and demerits bnced out, and she ended up with a disciplinary action. What was she thinking! Feng Jianguo thought about it for a while but couldnt quite figure it out. He waved it off and then moved on to discuss the finalization of Operation Aurora and the progress of the anti-vice work. He had been busy for over a month before finally finding the time to request personnel from the provincial office. Hearing Zhao Junfengs somewhat rxed tone now, Feng Jianguo quickly expressed his gratitude, saying, Thank you, old friend. Youve really done me a huge favor. When Zhao Junfeng served as the director of the Jiangcheng City Bureau, Feng Jianguo had been one of his subordinate officers. Using the term old friend felt appropriate. However, as Feng Jianguo addressed him this way, it reminded the former director of their past experiences during the vigorous years, and wrinkles appeared to soften on his face. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Dont thank me too quickly. You still need to nurture and temper her, teach her to be humble and patient! Look at how impulsive she became under pressure this time; shes far from being someone capable of achieving great things. Dont let her father and brothers down, thats what truly matters. Feng Jianguos heart skipped a beat; Director Zhao seemed to have high expectations for Song Yuhang. Well, she had been in her position as the deputy head of the Criminal Investigation Support Team for quite a few years, and there was no room for advancement unless Feng Jianguos expression also turned serious. Director Zhao, rest assured, Ill make sure to discipline her properly when I get back this time. * * * Captain Song, youve been through a lot this time. Its been tough, really tough. A prison guard came to escort her out, returning her belongings, including her phone and backpack. Song Yuhang epted them and checked her backpack. The mechanical rod was still inside, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at the guard and said, Last time, when things got physical, it was my fault As she spoke, she raised her right hand to salute him, saying, Im sorry, and I apologize sincerely. The prison guard was momentarily taken aback. Her rank was probably many times higher than his, and he found himself a bit disoriented. Stammering, he returned her salute, saying, Uh its its not not a problem. The person sent by the Jiangcheng City Bureau to pick her up was Duan Cheng. With fewer recent homicide cases and not much work to do, he had been waiting at the prison gate and immediately honked the horn when he saw her. Captain Song, over here. Song Yuhang ran over, having not seen sunlight or spoken to anyone for nearly half a month; she felt warm towards everyone she encountered. Why is it you, and wheres Dr. Lin? Has she gone back to work? Duan Cheng made a wry smile. Ah, I feel sad on behalf of all the police officers in our Jiangcheng City Bureau. While our hearts were filled with concern for you, Captain Song, there was only Forensic Doctor Lin on your mind. Song Yuhang chuckled and scolded, Oh,e on, Im not around, so you guys should be having a pretty rxed time. Duan Cheng opened the car door to let her in and replied with ack of enthusiasm, Rxed? Too rxed. Even the kitchen staff almost went out to participate in the anti-vice campaign. How could it not be rxed? Song Yuhang wanted tough, but her smile eventually faded, and she remained silent. As Duan Cheng drove, he nced at her as if he knew what was on her mind. He said softly, Forensic Doctor Lin took an extended leave. I heard I heard her injuries were quite severe. The official document from higher-ups states that its a bnce of merits and demerits, not pursuing her criminal liability, but she has to bear the corresponding civilpensation. Shes also facing internal party criticism, with a record of a major demerit, suspension without pay. Song Yuhang clenched her lips and the hand on her knee formed a tight fist. After a while, she opened her eyes and let out a sigh, asking, Do you know which hospital shes staying at? Duan Cheng shook his head, I dont know, nobody knows. Forensic Doctor Lin has been very effective at keeping things confidential. As the car pulled into a gas station for refueling, Duan Cheng hopped out and headed to a nearby supermarket. Captain Song, Im going to buy some snacks. Itll be a few more hours until we get back. Song Yuhang also got out of the car. Sure, go ahead. Ill take a look around nearby. There was a small newsstand next to the supermarket. She walked over and casually picked up a newspaper, flipping to the legal section. Her brows furrowed, and she made a call to the Criminal Investigation Division office at the Provincial Public Security Department to verify some information. Im Song Yuhang, badge number is She efficiently provided her name and position, then covered the receiver and walked a bit away. Have you performed an autopsy on the body of Bald Vulture? What was the cause of death? How could a ruthless criminal like him make such a basic mistake as falling into the water? The telephone operators who were responsible for answering such questionstely were almost tired of repeating themselves. Absolutely, the Provincial Office organized a forensic examination involving dozens of forensic experts, including social scientists. The result, as strange as it may sound, is that he indeed died from drowning, and there is no evidence of foul y whatsoever. Okay, thank you. Song Yuhang hung up the phone but still felt somewhat uneasy. She took out her phone, intending to call Director Zhao and request a reopening of the investigation. However, halfway through dialing, she pressed the hang-up button. No, she couldnt make that call. Without evidence, Director Zhao wouldnt believe her, and the whole situation seemed too coincidental no matter how she looked at it. Her decision to go to the provincial capital with Lin Yan was impromptu, and she hadnt informed anyone. On the way, they both experienced consecutive car troublesLin Yans car broke down, and her own car suddenly stalled. These two incidents might be coincidences, but she considered them as such for now. However, the question remained: How did Scarface recognize Lin Yan? At that time, she had disguised herself, wearing sunsses, a mask, and even carrying a shopping basket. She had walked the entire way without anyone recognizing her. So why was Lin Yan singled out by Scarface? It all seemed a bit too convenient and coincidental. As Song Yuhang thought about this, she couldnt help but feel a bit frustrated. Was it possible that Scarface had seen Lin Yan before, maybe even looked at her photos extensively, to recognize her in a crowd at a nce? Or She considered another possibility, and a chill ran through her from the soles of her feet. Song Yuhang threw the newspaper aside and hurried away. Fortunately, a bus heading back to the city was passing by. She waved her hand and managed to get on the bus. By the time Duan Cheng finished his shopping at the supermarket and came out, the gas station was empty, with no one in sight.
Chapter 37-1 Chapter 37-1 Encounter Lin Yan used her teeth to bite onto the gauze and wrapped it around her shoulder one more time, tying a tight knot before putting on her clothes. She tilted her head up in front of the mirror, the wound on her neck still visible. She dabbed a bit of ointment on her fingertip and applied it to the wound to help it heal. Then, she took a sterile bandage and carefully ced it over the wound, securing it in ce with medical tape. She frowned as she looked at her reflection in the mirror; it was quite unsightly, like a cake riddled with a thousand holes. Oh well, she thought, it would heal over time. As Lin Yan contemted this, she unconsciously reached for the mechanical rod at her lower back, only to realize that she had already discarded it. She paused, then casually grabbed a fruit knife from the table, giving it a swing. It felt decent in her hand, so she decided to go with it. With everything in order, Lin Yan put on her mask, lowered her hats brim, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and pushed open the door with confident strides. The car had already stopped at the entrance of the recuperation center. The driver, looking at her, lowered his voice and said, Miss, weve investigated thoroughly. The funeral home is heavily guarded, with security guards changing shifts every half hour. Surveince cameras cover the entire factory area, and there are no blind spots. Lin Yan leanedzily against the back of her seat, staring at the t panel in her palm. She tapped her fingertip on it, familiarizing herself with theyout of the entire factory area from the map. Five minutes should be enough. Can you cut the power for five minutes? The driver pondered for a moment. Alright, we can do that. But if the boss finds out He nced at her through the rearview mirror. Lin Yan was nestled in her seat, herplexion pale from her recent illness, and she still bore some wounds. This n was incredibly risky. Lin Yan curled her lips into a slight smile and sat up a bit straighter. How long have you been with me? Miss seven seven years. The driver replied, hesitatingly. Since youve been around for so long, you should know that what I detest the most is having someone in my camp whos not fullymitted. I am me, and Lin Youyuan is Lin Youyuan, that old man. If you want to return to Jingtai, I wont stop you. Lin Yan said casually, then closed her eyes and rested. However, the driver was suddenly filled with rm. He swallowed hard and, not to mention how Lin Yan held his familys secrets and lives in her hands, just from this recent incident where she used suicide as a threat against Lin Youyuan, it might seem like a mutual defeat on the surface, but in reality, Lin Yan had narrowly won. As long as she didnt die, she would remain Lin Youyuans sole heir. This was an irrefutable fact, hammered in by the upper echelons, and it was a destiny she could never escape. When Lin Youyuan reached a hundred years of age, let alone him, the entire Jingtai There was absolutely no benefit in offending her now. I dare not, Miss. You are my only mistress. The scenery outside the car window swiftly passed by, and the sky hadpletely darkened. The Binhai Province Funeral Home was located on a hillside in the outskirts of the city, nestled amidst the mountains and beside a body of water, deste and devoid of human presence. As the car traveled halfway, Lin Yan asked the driver to stop, and she continued on foot. ncing at her wristwatch, it was now half-past eleven at night. Listen for my signal to cut the power. The driver quickly stood up, almost saluting. Yes, Miss. After youvepleted your mission, Ill pick you up on the hillside. Lin Yan nodded in acknowledgment, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and disappeared into the pitch-ck jungle. She avoided the main road to steer clear of passing vehicles and surveince cameras; being spotted at this juncture would be hard to exin. Crouching low, she swiftly moved along the mountain path for some time. Lin Yan panted heavily, her breathing in ragged gasps, and the pain from her wound began to throb. Gritting her teeth, she gazed ahead at the well-lit funeral home, slung her backpack over her shoulder once more, and continued climbing. Pushing through dense thickets, her face stung from branches scraping against it. Lin Yan hunkered down, crawled forward, and when the spotlight swept over her, she rxed andy t on the ground. Her all-ck windbreaker seamlessly blended with the night. She counted to three, and the spotlight shifted in another direction. Lin Yan leaped off the ground like a leopard,nding soundlessly against the base of the wall, her body pressed tightly against it, forming a straight line. She activated the visible phone-watch on her wrist and whispered, Cut! The entire brightly lit building plunged into darkness in an instant, and theputer screens in the control room went ck. The spotlights ceased to function. The staff on duty rushed out, asking, Whats happening? Whats going on? Did the power suddenly go out? Security guards, security guards, quickly go check! Amidst the chaos, a nimble figure scaled the wall, and Lin Yan leaped with grace. However, her stamina was dwindling, and when shended, her posture was perfect, but her energy waned. She stumbled, twisting her ankle slightly. Beads of sweat the size of beans formed on her forehead as she struggled to get back on her feet. Who? Whos there?! A shlight beam was directed towards the area, and several security guards wielding electric batons rushed over, but there was no one left by the walls base. Damn, I clearly heard something just now, what the hell is going on? The leader of the group immediately smacked the person who had spoken on the head. Quit your nonsense! Cant you see where we are? Are you losing your mind? On the west side of the wall, Song Yuhang pulled her hood over her head, thinking that the power outage couldnt have been more conveniently timed. She took advantage of the guards inattention and quietly slipped through an open window, then gently closed it behind her. This appeared to be an office. She activated the fluorescent disy on her wristwatch, surveyed her surroundings, and found no immediate danger. From her pocket, she retrieved a map of the facility. After identifying her target, she lightly tapped the map twice before stowing it away. Silently, she pushed open the room door and slipped into the corridor. Lin Yan held her shoulder wound, breathing heavily as she tried to steady her breath. She pressed herself against the windowsill, listening to the sounds outside while the shlight beam inside the room flickered and shone through the window. She remained perfectly still until the footsteps outside gradually faded into the distance, quiet as a mouse. From her backpack, she retrieved the fruit knife for self-defense, and with utmost caution, she pushed open the room door. She had only five minutes to navigate the corridor and find the morgue. After five minutes, the hallways surveince cameras would instantly capture her location. Fortunately, she had already roughly studied the floor n beforeing. Lin Yan moved with confidence, and just as she reached the hallway junction, a group of guards with shlights approached. Why did the power conveniently go out like this? Come on, lets go check the central control room. Lin Yan swiftly darted into the adjacent partition of the womens restroom, and as the guards moved further away, she discreetly slipped out along the wall. On the third floor, adjacent to the cold storage, was the morgue. Lin Yan ascended the stairs, keeping a vignt eye on her surroundings. The funeral home was deserted at night, with every room plunged into darkness. She swallowed hard, rubbed her bare arms, and when she raised her gaze once more, she finally spotted the floor sign: three. Lin Yan endured the throbbing pain in her ankle and briskly made her way there, her t shoes making no sound against the floor. The wristwatch on her wrist emitted a slight vibration, reminding her that time was running out. Lin Yan attached an object to the airtight door, then activated her wristwatch. She manipted it quickly, causing the numbers on the stopwatch to rapidly count down. Five. Four. Three. Lin Yans forehead glistened with tiny beads of sweat, and finally, she heard a faint dripping sound in her ear. The airtight door opened. She quickly removed an object and entered through the door. Simultaneously, a shadow lunged toward her, almost shoving her into the morgue. The surveince camera in the corridor lit up with a red dot once again as the airtight door closed. In the darkness, a glint of cold steel shed. The fruit knife in Lin Yans hand was already out of its sheath, and she angled it toward her assants throat with a cunning and vicious intent. Song Yuhang tilted her head to dodge, grabbed her wrist, and pressed it downward, pulling her closer. Its Lin Yan didnt hesitate for a moment; she aimed a swift side kick, but due to her weakening strength, Song Yuhang effortlessly caught the opening. As Lin Yan bent to evade, Song Yuhang capitalized on her fatigue and wrapped her arms around Lin Yans waist, pushing her against the wall. Lin Yan attempted to elbow her head. Its me! Her elbow came to a halt just a centimeter away from Song Yuhangs temple. Lin Yan widened her eyes, staring in disbelief at her. Song Yuhang pulled down her masked face, and as their eyes met, a faint smile tugged at her lips. Its me, Song Yuhang. We meet again, Forensic Doctor Lin. After over two months without seeing each other, their reunion in such a ce was unexpected. Lin Yan gazed at her smile and the sparkling eyes in the darkness. Perhaps it was the proximity to death, but she didnt feel awkward at all, especially in their current position, which felt intimate and close. Her hand holding the knife was raised and pinned to the wall, rendering it immobile. The other hand was trapped by Song Yuhangs arm, unable to move an inch. The two of them stood toe to toe, their bodies pressed together, and when Lin Yan spoke, it felt like she was tickling her face. Gritting her teeth, Lin Yan asked, Youre not dead? Song Yuhang didnt seem upset. Wasnt it you who prevented me from dying? I Lin Yan almost choked on her words. Song Yuhang smiled again and tightened her grip on Lin Yans wrist abruptly. Im very obedient. Lin Yan winced as the knife was taken from her and put into Song Yuhangs pocket. As long as you dont point a knife at me, its not dangerous anymore. I Lin Yan was infuriated, trying to struggle free, but Song Yuhang covered her mouth, lifted her, and pressed her against the wall. Song Yuhang extended one leg into the gap between the two of them, and her entire back seamlessly adhered to the wall. Song Yuhang herself was perfectly aligned with Lin Yan. Um Lin Yan shook her head vigorously, desperately trying to break free from the restraint. Song Yuhang cradled her head and whispered in her ear, Dont speak, someonesing. Under the airtight door, several chaotic shlight beams darted about. Lin Yans hair stood on end. Could it be? Are we really seeing things tonight? Finally, the powers back, and we heard some noise over here. We rushed over, and theres nothing at all? From behind an iron door, a voice spoke. Another person sneered three times in session. Pah, pah, pah! Superstitious nonsense! What kind of ce is this? If there were really any activity in there, wed know! Yeah, in the pitch dark like this, its probably just your nerves acting up. Go back and get some sleep. Several of them remained skeptical, circling around the airtight door, examining it closely. The door lock was intact. The person who initially spoke straightened up and rubbed his head. Could it be that I misheard? But I distinctly heard voicesing from inside.
Chapter 37-2 Chapter 37-2 Encounter One of thepanions among the group took a nce at the pitch-ck room and shivered uncontrobly. Have you watched too many damn horror movies? A few others grumbled and were about to turn back. Lin Yan let out a sigh of relief. But before she could fully rx, the person who had initially spoken returned. No, I still need to go in and take a look to be sure. As they spoke, they began to enter the room, preparing to enter the electronic passcode on the airtight door lock. Listening to the dripping sound so close by, Lin Yan broke out in a cold sweat. She could feel that Song Yuhang had tightened her hold on her a bit. Next to her ears was her heavy breathing, and the warmth gently brushed against her earlobes, causing an untimely itch. Lin Yan was unable to speak, her lips tasted like the palm of her hand. There was a hint of sweat, and that sunny scent from her body. Lin Yan squinted her eyes slightly, and Song Yuhang knew she was up to mischief again. Sure enough, the next moment, a sharp pain shot through her tigers mouth, and she almost cried out in front of these security guards. Lin Yan was ruthless, not holding back at all, treating it all as if it were gristle to be chewed. Little wolf cub. When this phrase popped into Song Yuhangs mind, the airtight door swung open. Several shlight beams pierced through the swirling mist, casting straight into the room. Song Yuhang instantly tensed her body. She and Lin Yan stood in the shadow behind the backlit door, and as long as they took one more step forward, one step She struggled to swallow her saliva, and the breath and heartbeat of the two of them were almost synchronized. Strangely, in such a tense moment, she even had the distraction to feel the peculiar sensation caused by Lin Yans tongue lightly sweeping across her tigers mouth. This sensation was too novel. So novel that even someone who was usuallyposed and self-possessed like her felt the sweat bead on her forehead slipping down in an instant. Perhaps it was because of the frequent swallowing of saliva, but Song Yuhang inexplicably felt a dryness in her throat. The faint floral fragrance enveloping her became even more intense, and Song Yuhang almost buried her head in Lin Yans neck. There was a piece of fabric there that pricked her eyes deeply. If it werent for the fact that the guards hadnt left yet, she might have immediately removed that piece of fabric to investigate. Her curiosity about Lin Yan was evident. With every inch Song Yuhang got closer to her, Lin Yan bit down harder, as if they were mutually retaliating, neither giving in to the other. The door drew nearer to them, and the shlight beams illuminated the floor, inching forward until they projected onto the wall beside them. Just one more step. The chaotic footsteps in the corridor echoed, What are you all doing here?! Opening the morgues door in the middle of the night, letting all the cold air out. Quickly close it! Dont you know the control rooms circuit breaker is malfunctioning? Get it fixed right away! The beam of light was withdrawn, and several people nodded and bowed, then closed the airtight door. Yes, yes, youre right. Well do that, right away. The world plunged back into darkness, and Lin Yan let out a sigh of relief. When she couldnt hear the footsteps anymore, her tongue had already tasted a hint of blood. She felt somewhat drained, her jaw ached, and she was the first to let go. Song Yuhang also withdrew her hand. Lin Yan took a few deep breaths of fresh, cool air and shivered. Hey, can we She raised her gaze to meet the persons eyes, and the rest of her words got stuck in her throat. It was an expression she had never seen on Song Yuhangs face before, one that contained pity,passion, regret, self-me, and a trace of possessiveness that she herself wasnt even aware of. Thatst one, Lin Yan was all too familiar with. Almost every man and woman who had ever been intimate with her had disyed this expression on their faces. Lin Yans heart skipped a beat, but she kept herposure, shifting her gaze away and adopting a different tone. Whats this, Officer Song? Do you want us to embrace each other in the morgue until the end of time? She was ustomed to using humor to conceal her unease. Song Yuhang didnt mind; she just kept her eyes fixed on Lin Yans face and said, word by word, Youve gotten thinner. Lin Yan impatiently raised an eyebrow. They were too close for her liking, and she didnt appreciate it. In such a situation, any normal conversation would tend to take on an ambiguous direction. Its not so much that Lin Yan didnt like Song Yuhangs proximity, but rather that she didnt like anything heading in a direction she couldnt control. Song Yuhang was an unexpected urrence, a series of them in fact. Is it a problem that Ive gotten thinner? Cant I go on a diet? You call that a diet? Its more like its more like starving! Song Yuhang lowered her voice and shouted this into Lin Yans ear. The moment she had embraced her, she realized that Lin Yan had be too thin, almost skin and bones. The current Lin Yan was just a facade, unable to withstand a few moves from her. Lin Yan heard the trembling in her voice, and what was initially a casual nce revealed the shimmering moisture in Song Yuhangs eyes. Lin Yans heart quivered, and she bit her lip, choosing not to speak further. You want me not to die yet you seek your own death. Lin Yan, does that make any sense? She finally called out Lin Yans name in its entirety, no longer calling her Forensic Doctor Lin as usual, but in this particr situation. You said He Miao should not have died in vain. But what about you? Youre only 32, exceptionally talented, so young with limitless prospects ahead! Are you content with this? Lin Yan finally lifted her head to meet her gaze, but it was filled with disdain, sarcasm, and utter disregard. She lightly tapped her chest with the hand that could still move and spoke clearly, The real Lin Yan died when I was 6 years old. What stands before you now is just a shell, a demon. She had briefly lived too, pulled from the abyss by someone. She had chased that ray of sunlight, wanting to be a better version of herself, but reality had mercilessly dragged her deeper into a colder swamp. Lin Yan had died, and she had lived. She had undergone aplete transformation, donning a different, ruthless mask. Wearing the mask for so long, she had almost forgotten what her original self was like. I refuse to ept it! Whether its a shell or a demon! All I know is that you are Lin Yan, Lin Yan, the forensic doctor from the Jiangcheng City Bureaus Technical Investigation Division. The living, breathing Lin Yan standing right in front of me, myrade in arms, Lin Yan! The termsrade in arms and together in life and death were so beautiful. They were almost beautiful enough to make one think of brilliant sunshine. A corner of Lin Yans somber heart was gently blown open by the wind as she gazed at the young police officers face. She was so full of vitality and youthful vigor, and when she was calm, she was like the slow, flowing blue sky and white clouds in the distance. She wasnt anxious or impatient, nor did she engage in pointless arguments orpetition. She could stay in the same position for years withoutint. But she also harbored a deep-seated resentment for evil. Even if her beliefs shed with Lin Yans, she was willing to uncover the truth in her own way. When she moved, it was like lightning, carrying the force of a thunderstorm. Her fists swung like a fierce wind, smashing into the enemys face, creating an escape route for her with her own flesh and blood. She was full of righteousness and unwavering loyalty. She didnt care which Lin Yan she was, she only cared that she was Lin Yan, the one standing in front of her, the Lin Yan who had lived and faced life and death together with her. It was as if they had exchanged nces in the past. In the darkness, they locked eyes for a long time, in a silence broken only by their breaths. Even the humming of the cold air in the morgue was no longer audible. Lin Yans lips twitched slightly, and she turned her head, only to be pulled into someones embrace. Song Yuhang held her head, almost pressing her tightly against her chest. Her voice was both restrained and pleading. Dont die please dont die. She finally said these words. Lin Yan closed her eyes, and a subtle movement could be seen in her less pronounced Adams apple. She raised her hand as if to hug her back, but it eventually fell weakly. Im sorry I cant promise you. Her fate had been predetermined from the beginning. She would continue to fight for the truth with unwavering determination throughout her life, even if it meant sacrificing her own life. Its okay, you dont have to answer me now. I just hope that someday in the future, in a moment when you might want to end your life, youll remember me, remember what I said today, and think about it again, take it slowly. Lin Yan, there are people in this world who hope for your continued existence. You have the right to choose, but once you press the switch of death, it means starting from scratch. The game is over forever, and you wont have the chance to start over. Song Yuhang didnt finish saying what she wanted to say, but she sensed Lin Yans body tensing up and felt her silent resistance. She still thought that the next words might be a bit abrupt if spoken now, but she understood it herself. If there really came a time in the future, she would seize that moment when Lin Yan hesitated and pull her back from the grasp of the Grim Reaper, back to her side. It wasnt just Lin Yan; it was the same for anyone attempting suicide in front of her. She always believed that living required more courage than dying. And by living, one would always see the sun rise tomorrow, and good things would eventually happen, wouldnt they? Lin Yan had never imagined that she and Song Yuhang would have a day of shaking hands and making amends, let alone a day of embracing each other. What was even more unexpected was that their first meaningful embrace happened in a morgue. It was both absurd and ridiculous, yet it undeniably happened. Feeling the small hand clutching the fabric on her back, Song Yuhangs lips curled upward in triumph. Let me see the wound on your neck. As she said this, she attempted to lift the fabric covering Lin Yans neck. Lin Yan tried to stop her but ended up having her hands pushed over her head. Lin Yan was both embarrassed and angry, and she bent her knee in response. Song Yuhangs face turned green as she retreated several steps, clutching her groin, her face contorted in pain. She stammered, unable to speak, while pointing at Lin Yan. Miss Lin swung her backpack onto her shoulder, and with a smug expression, she blew a strand of hair that had fallen into her eyes. Give me some trouble, and Ill set up a dyeing workshop. Do you know roses have thorns? Song Yuhang watched her as she walked towards the refrigeratedpartment where bodies were stored, and she limped along behind her. You youre ruthless! Just you wait for me! You gah
Chapter 38-1 Chapter 38-1 Autopsy Lin Yan carefully illuminated the row of refrigerators with her shlight, her fingertips grazing across them. She was searching for that name and number. Song Yuhang followed behind her, holding a shlight, and crouched down. Here it is. Opening the bottommost refrigerator, a rush of cold air greeted them. Lin Yan shivered, but before she could say anything, a coat was draped over her shoulders, still warm from its owner. She nced up at Song Yuhang, who had stepped back and was now wearing a white short-sleeved T-shirt, as if she was afraid of being scolded again. A subtle smile graced Miss Lins lips. Although neither of them had seen Vulture in person, one was the captain of the criminal investigation team, and the other was wealthy and influential. Obtaining a photo of Vulture in person would be all too easy. Although the body had long swelled beyond recognition, the forensic instincts kicked in instantly, confirming to her that this person was indeed Vulture. Lin Yan retrieved a small toolbox from her bag, not missing a beat. Youre a captain of the criminal investigation team. You could investigate the case openly and honestly. Whye to a ce like this? Song Yuhang thought for a moment but still didnt reveal the fact that she had been put under house arrest. This is a case directly handled by the Provincial Bureau; I couldnt intervene. Lin Yans gloved hands hesitated briefly as she lifted the deceaseds eyelids. Do you find it strange too? This time, Song Yuhang didnt hide anything and nodded. How did Scarface recognize you? Or was he targeting you all along? Unfortunately, the person was already dead; otherwise, following this lead would surely have uncovered more dangers lurking around Lin Yan. As for Lin Yan herself, she didnt dwell on it too much; she had grown ustomed to it. Scarface wasnt the first person who wanted to kill her, and he wouldnt be thest. As the sole heir of the Jingtai Group, both openly and covertly, she had encountered countless life-threatening situations. Otherwise, why would she deliberately practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense? What concerned her was something else. Why was our whereabouts exposed? While speaking, her hands didnt stop moving. The conjunctiva beneath the eye exhibited visible hemorrhaging, the lividity was faint, and apart from the lividity, the skin was pale. Lin Yan switched the shlight to a high-intensity mode once again, took a cotton swab, and scraped off a bit of mushroom-like foam from the deceaseds nasal cavity. Based on the physical evidence, it was indeed a case of drowning. Seeing her busy at work, Song Yuhang remained silent for a moment and then said, I dont know. A slight, ironic smile yed at the corner of Lin Yans lips. It seems this ghost is still hiding quite well. Song Yuhang stood by, providing illumination with a handheld shlight. Whether its a person or a ghost, I wont let you undertake dangerous tasks like tracking or be alone in the future. Lin Yan chuckled and opened the dead persons mouth using a mouth opener. It wont be that extreme She paused in the middle of her sentence, sensing the person across from her staring at her face. Subconsciously, she looked up, and their eyes met. Song Yuhangs lips were tightly pursed, clearly not joking. Lin Yan forced a dryugh twice and swallowed the rest of her words. She tried to refocus her attention on the body but identally nced at the wound on Song Yuhangs wrist, where two deep bite marks were visible, with dried blood around them. Lin Yan felt a bit ufortable and turned her face away. Song Yuhang switched her shlight to the other hand, nervously wiping her injured hand on her clothes, concealing it behind her back. The atmosphere suddenly took on an eerie quality. Particrly unsettling was the fact that in the bottom row of this refrigerator, both individuals could only crouch with their heads close together. Lin Yans neck seemed to unintentionally edge closer to Song Yuhangs gaze, and her eyes, too, seemed to inadvertently nce at herself. Lin Yan closed her eyes; it was impossible to continue examining the corpse in this situation. She clenched her teeth and said, Song Yuhang, are you looking at the body or at me?! Having not lifted the piece of cloth to examine it closely, Officer Song was still lost in thought. But Lin Yans words snapped her out of it, and she quickly stood up, stammering, Uh Ill wait by the door. She was about to walk away, but with the shlight gone, the surroundings plunged into darkness. Lin Yan got angry again. Damn it,e back and shine the light for me! Oh, Song Yuhang touched her nose and obediently turned back. However, this time, she was much more well-behaved and no longer stared at Lin Yans neck. Lin Yan thoroughly examined the body from head to toe, not even missing the nail crevices. Song Yuhang watched as she asionally took out new items from the investigation kit and chuckled, You came pretty well-prepared. Lin Yan rolled her eyes and ignored her. If only she knew Lin Yan had a professional autopsyb set up in her vi, shed be jaw-dropped. They say that for technical skills, if you dont practice for three days, youll get rusty. Get me an evidence bag. Song Yuhang held the shlight in her teeth and rummaged through Lin Yans bag, then handed an evidence bag to her. Lin Yan ced the cotton swabs with the mud and sand from the deceaseds fingernails into the bag. We need to take these back for analysis to determine if its water algae or sediment from that river. Song Yuhang sealed the evidence bag and ced it back in Lin Yans bag, nodding. Alright, but we cant have it analyzed at the Public Security Bureaus direct forensic assessment center. Lin Yans hands didnt stop moving. Of course, I know that. Dont worry about it; I have my own connections. Give me the fingerprint inkpad. Song Yuhang retrieved a steel rod from the toolbox, about five centimeters long. Lin Yan took it and wrapped ayer of white paper around the rod. She then instructed Song Yuhang to apply ink to the deceaseds fingers. Although Song Yuhang didnt quite understand the purpose, sheplied. Due to the fact that the deceased had been dead for some time, coupled with the prolonged storage in the freezer, rigor mortis was unlikely to ease anytime soon, making fingerprint extraction a challenging task. Lin Yan rolled the fingerprint inkpad wrapped in white paper down the deceaseds finger, and the problem was swiftly solved. Song Yuhang couldnt help but be impressed. With an appreciative look directed at her, Lin Yan could practically raise an eyebrow triumphantly. How about that? Wasnt this visit worthwhile? Song Yuhang nodded earnestly. Early orte, its all about being in the right ce at the right time. But speaking of which, Lin Yan continued, what can a criminal investigator like you discern from looking at a corpse? She used a cloth to wipe the ink from the deceaseds fingertips, erasing all traces. This question hit the mark, leaving Song Yuhang at a loss for words. After a moment of hesitation, she stammered, A newspaper. Lin Yan was puzzled. What newspaper? A newspaper, from today, no, yesterday, Song Yuhang checked her watch. It was already past midnight, so she corrected herself, Yesterdays newspaper. From the perspective of a seasoned detective with over a decade of investigative experience, I didnt believe this person would make such a basic mistake. And based on what I know about you, if you sensed something was amiss, you would be eager to investigate it immediately. So, I decided to take a chance. Unexpectedly, the blind cat did find a dead mouse, so to speak. It could be seen as a fortunate ident. Heaven knows how excited Song Yuhang was at the moment when Lin Yan charged at her with a knife. Lin Yan stared at her in a daze, causing the person in front to feel a bit embarrassed as she touched her nose and averted her gaze under Lin Yans scrutiny. You really are quite unique. Song Yuhang forced a smile. I had no choice. I couldnt get in touch with you. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow, feeling somewhat irritated for some reason. Have you even tried to contact me? You only visited the detention center once, you know?! After that one time when she was rejected, she never came back! Damn it, Lin Yan had been worried about her injuries, and now she was grinding her teeth. Seeing that her expression had taken a wrong turn, Song Yuhang quickly waved her hand. I really didnt. I even asked someone to look for you. But it had been over a month, and there was no word from the informant. Whether they found something or not, there was nothing. As Song Yuhang thought about this, her heart sank, and her smile faded from her face. Lin Yan had already turned her face away, and she let out a disdainful snort. Well, who would know, Officer Song. Song Yuhang wasnt the type to boast about how much she had done for someone, and besides, she didnt want Lin Yan to know about the unsavory incident of the fight at the prison entrance. There was also a hint of shyness creeping in.
Chapter 38-2 Chapter 38-2 Autopsy She no longer spoke to defend herself. She watched as Lin Yan took out a dissecting knife from the toolbox and was about to make an incision. She grabbed her wrist forcefully and shouted, What are you doing? The dissecting knife hovered over the deceaseds chest, and Lin Yan struggled, saying, Dissection, what else can I do? Based solely on an external examination, we cant determine whether he drowned while alive or was thrown into the water after death. Song Yuhang didnt yield an inch. Thats still not allowed. Weve already crossed the legal line bying here tonight. We cant make another mistake. Lin Yan chuckled, irritated by her words. Hes already dead. Why talk about legal lines? I can just sew him back up after the autopsy. Do you still want to know the truth? Do you want to know how he really died and who the mastermind behind this is? Song Yuhang held her tightly, not allowing her to move. The slender wrist in her grasp quickly turned red. Lin Yan gritted her teeth and, with no other choice, used her other hand to pry Song Yuhangs fingers. Of course, I want to know, but not in this way. Even sewing him back up will leave traces. Once discovered, Lin Yan, your career will be over. Why do you care? Let go of me, let go! Lin Yans eyes turned red with frustration. She roared in a low voice and pounded on her fiercely, but the person remained unmoved. You put down the dissecting knife first, then Ill let go. Breathing heavily, Lin Yans chest heaved up and down. Fine, Ill put it down! Ive run into a stubborn mule like you in my miserable eight lifetimes. Saying this, she moved her hand in her direction, and Song Yuhang followed her lead. Lin Yan discreetly reached for a pair of hemostatic forceps with her left hand from below. With a glint of cold light, she aimed them towards Song Yuhangs face, attempting to force her to let go. Song Yuhang was well-prepared and tilted her head to dodge. She had the intention to give Lin Yan a taste of her own medicine. She grabbed Lin Yans wrist and pulled it toward herself, causing Lin Yan to nearly lunge onto the corpse. Lin Yan gritted her teeth and tried to retrieve her hand from the fridge, but Song Yuhangs grip on her fragile wrist became overly slippery. Her heart softened as she looked at Lin Yans eyes in the darkness. They were clearly filled with unwillingness, grievances, and resentment. Perhaps she had gone too far; even the corners of Lin Yans eyes were turning red. Song Yuhang pursed her lips, unable to continue the struggle. When this thought surfaced in her mind, the strength in her hand weakened, and she saw Lin Yan lose her bnce and fall backward. She was toote to stop it. When Lin Yan fell to the ground, the instruments in her hand collided with the cold floor, producing a sharp sound, as if she had dropped a timed bomb into a calmke. Song Yuhang could already sense the ripples in the water intensifying. She quickly helped Lin Yan up, lowering her voice and shouting, Hurry, lets go! Lin Yan snapped back to reality, swiftly removing her jacket and using it to wipe the floor and the areas they had just touched, as if she were a pro. Wait, thats enough. Quickly close the fridge door! Just as Song Yuhang closed the door, there was already amotion of footsteps outside the morgue. Whos in the mortuary? Come on, lets check it out! She looked around and realized there was nowhere to hide. In a single leap, she rushed to the window, using her shoulder to push against it, exerting all her strength, but it remained immovable. Lin Yan limped over and gasped, Dont waste your energy. Morgue windows are usually sealed from the outside. Song Yuhang, unwilling to give up, continued to ram her shoulder against it several times, but there was no gap. She could hear the footsteps getting closer, and cold sweat started pouring down her forehead. So, what do we do then? Lin Yan rummaged through her bag and said, Use this to break it. Song Yuhang assessed the weight of the makeshift window breaker and spat into her palm twice. Step back, stand farther away! With a loud crash, the ss shattered. Song Yuhangs hand was now covered in fresh blood, but she didnt pay much attention to it. She took the rope Lin Yan handed her and tied a tight knot on the window sill, giving it a firm tug. She nced at Lin Yans leg. Your foot She had noticed it a while ago. Lin Yan held a fruit knife with the de facing away from her, and the shlights beam had already prated through the airtight doors gap, illuminating the floor of the morgue. She remainedposed and calm. Im fine. You go first, and wait below to catch me. Song Yuhang nodded, wasting no more time. She climbed onto the window ledge, gripping the rope. She looked at the back of Lin Yans head. Listen to mymand. Ill tell you when to jump. Lin Yan nodded in acknowledgment. She nced back, but Song Yuhang had already disappeared from view. The rope tied to the window ledge was stretched taut. Lin Yan swallowed nervously, her palm sweaty and almost losing grip on the knife. Just as the beeping sound of the airtight door began, a whistle came from below, and Lin Yan knew she had safelynded. She quickly slid the knife into the inner side of her backpack and leaped onto the window ledge, experiencing a sharp pain in her ankle. Large beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, but Lin Yan endured the pain. She grabbed the rope with both hands and descended rapidly. The pursuers broke through the door, and the entire factory area echoed with a shrill rm, while searchlights swept across the surroundings. Song Yuhang stood on the earth mound below, arms outstretched, and shouted, Jump! Lin Yan closed her eyes and let go of the rope. She was, of course, nervous as well. Even though she had descended halfway, it was still a two-story drop, and there was the possibility that Song Yuhang might not catch her, or worse, that Song Yuhang might run off first The consequences were too dreadful to contemte. However, Lin Yan didnt have to wait too long in nervous anticipation before shended in a warm embrace. Lin Yan instinctively hooked her arms around Song Yuhangs neck. Both of them had ample military experience and knew how to minimize the impact to reduce injury. In a whirlwind of motion, Song Yuhang cradled her head against her chest, using her own body to shield Lin Yan from the debris and dirt that came tumbling down. This was a nearly 35-degree vertical slope, and their momentum carried them down further, allowing them to escape the pursuers effortlessly. Lin Yan was held tightly, unable to see anything. She could only feel herself spinning around countless times, her hands sore from scraping against the ground. But apart from her hands, she waspletely unharmed. It wasnt until Song Yuhangs back solidly collided with arge tree, causing leaves to fall around them, that Lin Yan regained her senses. She spat out the sand in her mouth, feeling dizzy. She turned her head slowly and said, Song Yuhang? She called out but received no response, causing her to tightly purse her lips. Lin Yan was lying on top of Song Yuhang, and in the dim forest light, she couldnt see the extent of her injuries. All she could make out was Song Yuhangs back pressed against a towering tree, her head drooping to the side, with no clear indication of whether she had hit her head or not. Lin Yan struggled to lift her upper body and gently patted Song Yuhangs face. Song Yuhang, Song Yuhang, wake up. With no immediate response, her heart leaped into her throat. The hand wrapped around her waist still hadnt loosened, and Lin Yans voice quivered slightly as she cautiously touched Song Yuhangs breath. Song Before she could finish her sentence, Song Yuhang coughed twice, expelling the blood that had umted in her throat. Her whole demeanor rxed significantly. Lin Yan sat up, still holding her, and leaves fell from above. A smile graced her lips, and her eyes sparkled in the darkness. Cough cough Im fine, Song Yuhang managed to say. Lin Yan pped her with frustration. Damn it, pretending to be dead again! Song Yuhang, covering her face, stood up looking quite pitiful. No I really fainted I did let me exin! Without looking back, Lin Yan limped downhill. Get lost! Song Yuhang followed slowly. Dont walk so fast. Your leg looks swollen like a steamed bun You mind your own business, go away! Ahead, there was a small steep slope, and Lin Yan cautiously tested it by leaning against a tree. Soil started rolling downhill, but she was suddenly pulled back. Song Yuhang wrapped one hand around her shoulder and the other around her waist, just like that day when Lin Yan had supported her. Take it slow, no need to rush. They cant catch up to us. She rarely smiled, but when she did, she revealed two tiger teeth, looking both sunny and adorable. All she needed was a tail behind her to wag and please everyone. Lin Yan let out a grunt but didnt struggle further. Whats your Chinese zodiac sign, by the way? Im a Monkey. Why? Song Yuhang nced at her. Lin Yan turned her face away, but a slight smile tugged at her lips. I think youre probably more of a Dog.
Chapter 39-1 Chapter 39-1 Goodbye Did you bring your cellphone? As they were halfway down the mountain, approaching the agreed-upon meeting point, Song Yuhang suddenly remembered something and brought it up. Lin Yan became alert, brushing off the hand that had rested on her shoulder and limping forward. No, I didnt. Song Yuhang didnt let her off the hook. Her hand, still wrapped around her waist, remained firm. She reached into her right pants pocket and retrieved her cellphone, running her hand from top to bottom along her waist. Lin Yans teeth were nearly ground to bits. Song Yuhang! She made a grab for it, but the person took a light step back, saying, To prevent you from going MIA again, I think its better if we exchange phone numbers. Nobody remembers who said there was no need for that at the time. Lin Yan really wanted to ask her, Does your face hurt from those ps? But Song Yuhang didnt dwell on it. They werent close back then, and she simply found Lin Yans arrogant and annoying personality. However, as time passed, she discovered that Lin Yan could asionally be quite cute, like now when she stubbornly tried to take something she knew she couldnt have. They exchanged a few more moves, and Lin Yan found herself trapped, panting heavily. She eximed, Who the hell wants to save your phone number? Give it to me! As she gazed at the face right before her, redness creeping into the corners of her eyes out of frustration, Song Yuhang inexplicably felt a bit yful. She held the phone above her head, a hint of a smile at the corner of her lips. Come and get it yourself; once you get it, its yours. I Lin Yan was so provoked that her blood boiled. Without thinking, she pounced, but to her surprise, her ankle seared with pain, and before she could leap off the ground, she tumbled down. Song Yuhang acted quickly, catching her. Lin Yan fell into her arms, and the two of them stepped back a few paces, colliding with a tree. Leaves fell all around them, and Lin Yan clung to her shoulder, this time genuinely in pain, her young face pallid. Song Yuhang lifted a strand of hair that had fallen across her ear and asked, Are you okay? Lin Yan raised her head, disying a mixture of resentment and a hint of vulnerability. Her lips curved downward, and there was a touch of frustration, as if she wanted to cry but couldnt, feeling helpless in the face of adversity. Song Yuhang chuckled, but before she could revel in her victory for too long, a swift gust of wind signaled an iing attack. Without thinking, she instinctively closed her eyes. However, the p that was just inches away stopped in its tracks. Lin Yan bit her lip, nced at the bruise on Song Yuhangs forehead and the marks on her face from the tree branches. She couldnt bring herself to strike anymore. Her eyshes were long, slightly disheveled fromck of care, trembling gently with each breath. With every swallow of saliva, she would slightly purse her lips at the corner, and her Adams apple would move up and down. Her sternocleidomastoid1 muscle looked attractive, entuating her slender and strong neck. Her lip color was paler than hers, but very plump, giving them a soft appearance. Lin Yan blinked, her breathing slightly disarrayed. She quickly withdrew her hand from her and stepped away, not looking back. Childish! Song Yuhang picked up the clothes that had fallen to the ground and followed. Hey, wait for me. Arent you going to take your phone? Lin Yan yelled in the woods, Forget it! I dont need it! I have plenty! Thats what she said, but when they reached the meeting point, Song Yuhang still returned the phone to her. Lin Yans phone was brand new, and the number was freshly created, with only her name in the contacts. For this minor detail, the officers lips curled slightly. In the future, just press the # key to reach me. Lin Yan rolled her eyes and snatched the phone back. Whos going to contact you? Ill tell you, dont bother looking for me either. I dont have the time to deal with you. When I get back, Ill delete your number. Song Yuhang didnt mind and replied earnestly, Its okay; Ill remember. The driver sitting in the front quietly lowered his sunsses and observed them through the rearview mirror with a sidelong nce. Veins throbbed on Lin Yans forehead as she eximed, Song Yuhang, cant you use that cleverness of yours elsewhere?! And why are you sitting in my car? Get out! Song Yuhang blinked innocently and replied, Its currently 2:30 in the morning, in the middle of nowhere. I couldnt hail a cab Lin Yan was about to say, Ill call you a cab! But then she smiled slightly, revealing her canines, looking harmless. Friendly advice: if we dont leave soon, the police officers from the police station are already on their way. The driver pressed the elerator and shifted gears, setting off. Lin Yan was still struggling, saying, Did I ask you to drive?! Did I ask you to drive?! Get her out of the car! As soon as she finished speaking, she was pushed back into her seat. With a click, the seatbelt locked, restraining her tightly. Song Yuhang supported her seatbelt with one hand, all the while smiling. Stay seated, dont stand up during the drive. If the car windows hadnt been soundproofed, Lin Yans furious curses would have startled the birds perched on the branches along the way. * * * The car drove all the way back to the sanatorium, passing by a speeding police car at the foot of the mountain. Song Yuhang breathed a sigh of relief without showing it and checked the belongings of the two. Collected evidence, check. Lin Yans toolbox, check. Fruit knife, check. Her jacket, check. Rope Her heart skipped a beat. Oh no, neither of them had worn gloves when they went down. The friction between their skin and the fibers would surely leave traces. Lin Yanzily leaned back in her chair and gave her a sidelong nce, a mocking smile ying on her lips. You think Id only arrange for one person to pick me up? Song Yuhang hesitated. Though impulsive, Lin Yan had indeed nned things meticulously. She had first disabled the power to paralyze the entire factory area, then used a universal electronic code breaker to bypass the airtight door lock. She had arranged two waves of people for backup, showing courage and cunning. The only variable was herself. As if sensing what she was thinking, Lin Yan turned her head and looked at the white walls outside the sanatorium. But, if it werent for you, I really wouldnt know how toe down from the third floor. I might have Miss, weve arrived. The driver pressed the brake and parked smoothly by the roadside. Song Yuhang had no idea there was such a ce within the provincial city a sanatorium nestled deep in the mountains, surrounded by hills and water, essible only by a winding, narrow path. With white walls and green tiles, the quaint eaves were hidden behind towering ancient trees. Surprisingly, the iron gate required dual verification through fingerprints and iris scanning. Here, antiquity seamlessly blended with modernity. Several doctors in white coats rushed out,cking any armbands or badges. Leading them was Lin Yans steward, who weed her from the car. Her current condition didnt allow her to walk on her own anymore. The steward gently helped her into a wheelchair. Song Yuhang also got out of the car, looking at her. She knew it was time to part ways. Her confinement period had ended, and she had to return to Jiangcheng for her reporting the next day. Meanwhile, Lin Yan needed proper rest for at least two to three months. During their time apart, she had been anxious, but now, for some reason, seeing Lin Yan again made time feel like it had passed incredibly quickly. Lin Yans warmth still lingered in her embrace, but the faint scent was inevitably fading away. At this very moment, as Song Yuhang watched her retreating figure, an unexpected strong sense of reluctance welled up within her. She wished for this night tost just a little bit longer. The ever-reserved person didnt utter a word to disturb the moment. She simply watched silently as Lin Yan drifted farther away, remaining unmoved even as tumultuous emotions roiled within her. To everyones surprise, the wheelchair came to a halt. Lin Yan turned around amid the lush forest, and her features seemed shrouded in a mist. She said, Since youre here, why dont youe in for an examination? * * *
  1. each of a pair of long muscles that connect thesternum,vicle, andmastoidprocess of thetemporalbone and serve to turn andnodthe head.
Chapter 39-2 Chapter 39-2 Goodbye A two-story high house, small yetplete, like a sparrow with all its five dirty elements. As soon as one stepped inside, the smell of disinfectant wafted through the air. Looking through a few open doors, there were no fewer medical facilities than in a regr hospital in a big city. The corridor was quiet. Before Song Yuhang arrived, there was only one patient in the entire hospital, Lin Yan. Lin Yan got off the machine, and the X-rays were ready. She had sprained her ankle, and the bone was almost fractured. She needed proper bed rest for her condition. The doctor wrapped her ankle with an stic bandage using a figure-eight technique. Lin Yan propped herself up on the hospital bed, her arm trembling slightly. She gritted her teeth and broke into a fine sweat on her forehead but didnt utter a word. When it was Song Yuhangs turn, she had injured her back and needed an X-ray to check if her spine was damaged. She was usually open and confident, but this time, she seemed a bit hesitant. I I think I wont need it. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow at her curiously, Why not? Werent you coughing up blood? That was just bloody phlegm Ill be fine after coughing it out. Im tough, I can handle a fall. Lin Yan looked puzzled, Are you avoiding medical treatment? As Lin Yan got dressed with the help of the butler, Song Yuhang initially thought about offering assistance but withdrew her hand, touched her nose, and reluctantly took off her coat under the scrutiny of the onlookers. As she prepared to step onto the machine, the doctor called her back. Maam, Im sorry, but you cant wear that. Your bra has underwire, which will affect the machines scan results. Song Yuhangs face instantly turned red. Having to change clothes in front of so many people, especially with Lin Yan present, was something she simply couldnt do. But just now, Lin Yan The bespectacled doctor coldly adjusted his sses and said, Miss, Lin Yan injured her foot, while your injury is on your back. Lin Yan looked at her sympathetically, shrugged her shoulders, and gestured that she had no choice either, saying, People in the hospital are like pieces of meat on the chopping board, ready to be carved. Limping over to her side, Lin Yan looked at her blushing face and couldnt help but tease, sizing her up from head to toe. Could it be that I hit the nail on the head? You really are quite Before the words naive girl could leave Lin Yans lips, Song Yuhang shot her a fierce re and snapped, Shut up and get out. For some reason, Lin Yan found great delight in provoking Song Yuhang when she got angry. Oh my, cant even let someone finish speaking? Youre quite old already, and not only do youck a sex life, but youre also so timid about changing clothes and getting examined in front of others. As soon as she finished her sentence, Song Yuhang hooked her neck with one arm, pulling her close, their heads pressed together. It looked as if they were two close friends whispering secrets. In reality, only Lin Yan knew what Song Yuhang was saying with her hot breath in her ear. Whats wrong, little bird? Havent you seen a pig before? Even without pork, I can still make you feel heavenly. With that, she was unceremoniously pushed out the door and conveniently caught by the butler. Lin Yan watched helplessly as Song Yuhang flirted with her and then shut her out. She erupted in anger, Damn you, Song Yuhang! I shouldnt have let you in!!! The butler, who was assisting her, gave a faint smile and immediately caught Lin Yans attention. Why are you smiling? Whats so funny?! As he helped her toward the hospital room, the butler, in his fifties and practically a witness to Lin Yans growth, could say things that others couldnt. Lin Yan kept pressing for more information, and he answered honestly, When Miss and Miss Song are together, things be much more vibrant. This vibrancy epassed various meanings, not just in their gazes, expressions, or physical movements, but also in the genuine emotions that emanated from their hearts, whether it was anger or joy; he could feel it all. During her childhood, Lin Yan had been extremely cautious, fearing that any misstep might cost her her life. She had learned how to protect herself at the tender age of six. In her youth, Lin Yan began martial arts training, relying on her skills and her familys reputation to be somewhat arrogant. She changed schools frequently, with each transfer usually prompted by her involvement in physical altercations and earning her the reputation of a transfer student at major schools in Jiangcheng City, until she met Chen Chu Nan. From middle school to high school, those six years were probably the happiest days of her life. As an adult, Lin Yan put on a mask of pretense, debauchery, aloofness, and sarcasm. She often used various fake smiles to disguise herself, and very few things could genuinely make her angry. People who could truly make her happy were almost nonexistent. However, when she agreed to let Officer Song in, he clearly saw a knowing smile on her face. Even when they argued and chatted, her expressions were openly filled withughter and scolding, making here alive. It was perfect; just looking at her made people feel happy, and it had been a long time since things were so lively around Miss. Lin Yan was taken aback and touched her own face somewhat annoyed. Do I? I clearly dont The butler pursed his lips and smiled, but he didnt dare to say more: You dont, your emotions are all written on your face. * * * While Song Yuhang was undergoing her medical examination, in a dimly lit room in Jiangcheng City, another body examination was taking ce. A man used a knife to cut from head to toe of the person lying in front of him, dissecting the body with precision. Blood began to flow, dripping steadily down the embalming table. After a series of peculiar sounds, he carefully held up a blood-soaked organ. He stared at this part of the human organ in his hand, his expression initially verging on ecstatic and almost manic. However, in just a moment, the blood grew cold. The mans lips slowly rxed, as if he were still immersed in a beautiful dream and reluctant to wake up. He delicately handled the organ, treating it like a precious treasure, and tucked it into his chest. He looked around for a tool to preserve it and, in a moment of carelessness, the slippery object slipped from his grasp and fell into the dusty ground, rolling for a moment. Ah, ah, ah! The man roared, trying to pick it up but realizing it was already dirty andpletely cold. His eyes turned bloodshot. A pounding on the door, bang, bang, bang, echoed through the silence of the rainy night, making it even more eerie. When the woman burst into the room, she happened to see him raising the knife high, poised to strike at the embalming table, while muttering, Useless thing, die, die, die. In this gruesome scene, with blood and flesh sttering, a sticky organ fragment happened to drop right at her feet. The woman screamed in horror, falling to the ground. The man turned back with the knife in hand, a sinister smile curling at the corners of his lips. Youvee at just the right time. * * * As Song Yuhang underwent her examination, she also examined the furnishings in the room. Compared to modern hospitals, she felt that this ce resembled a field hospital, almost like a secret base. Not to mention the stringent security measures upon entering, even the doors and windows appeared to be bulletproof. She couldnt help but wonder, What is this ce? It wasnt marked on any map. The meticulous doctor powered down the machine and wrote the examination report. The patient is in good health with no major issues, just soft tissue contusions and subcutaneous hematoma. The cut on the right hand from the ss isnt a significant problem; I rmend cleaning and suturing it, along with applying a hemostatic agent. Turn left when you exit. As he finished speaking, he handed her a slip of paper, also devoid of any markings, bearing only the doctors elegantly scripted words. Song Yuhang understood that without Lin Yans approval, the people here probably wouldnt answer any of her questions. She put on her coat, holding the slip of paper, and began to make her way out. Just then, Lin Yans butler, who had finished escorting her back to the hospital room, approached. Miss Song, are you heading to the wound care room? Please follow me, the butler stopped and gestured to guide her. Song Yuhang nced at the elderly man with silver-threaded hair. She had seen him on that rainy night at the Lin family vi. The butler gave a faint smile, as if he knew what was on her mind. We havent properly introduced ourselves. Myst name is Lin, and Ive been with Miss Lin since she was a child, watching her grow up. You can call me Butler Lin. This is Secret Base 03, Misss private convalescent home. Were delighted to wee our first guest. Song Yuhang was taken aback, focusing on the word private. The butler continued to lead her forward, and while he couldnt divulge too much about the internal struggles within the Lin family, he just repeated once again. Yes, private. This meant that it was Lin Yans private property, unconnected to the Lin family and not inherited from her father. She was guarding against Lin Youyuan and others who might have ill intentions towards her. At just 32 years old, this base was already fully established in terms of security, personnel, and infrastructure. She had been doing this for how many years now? This was only Base 03; were there still 04, 05, 06 perhaps even more? What kind ofck of security must she have experienced to be the person she was today? Thinking about how every time she appeared by Lin Yans side, as long as it wasnt a direct approach, Lin Yans actions were always deadly, Song Yuhang felt increasingly uneasy. These 32 years must have been very tough on her. They soon arrived at the wound care room. Song Yuhang nodded slightly to the butler and entered the room on her own, saying, Thank you. This night passed in silence, and Lin Yan slept soundly. She had a habit of suffering from insomnia, so her medication included sleep aids. Coupled with her injuries, her body felt unusually fatigued. When she woke up, Song Yuhang had already left, and what she didnt know was that Song Yuhang, a female, hade to see her before leaving. The tall and handsome police officer bathed in the morning sunlight, leaning cautiously against the ss door, watching herrade and colleague lying peacefully in bed, silently saying in her heart, Lin Yan, goodbye, Ill be waiting for your return.
Chapter 40-1 Chapter 40-1 Doubt Captain Song, youre back. Captain Song, is your body feeling better? Captain Song Captain Song Song Yuhang nodded in response, greeting colleagues who had greeted her along the way as she carried her bag into the office. Despite not being reported in the news, the feat of her and Lin Yans lone battle against four criminals, after months of absence, had spread widely within the public security system, although no one knew who had initiated it. Attention, everyone! Stand at ease, attention, salute! The busy detectives all stopped what they were doing in unison, raising their hands to their temples in salute. Song Yuhang was momentarily taken aback but soon curved her lips into a gentle smile and returned a standard salute. Looking at these familiar faces before her, she thought, its good to be alive. Dismissed! The office resumed its bustling activity. Song Yuhang set down her bag and walked over to the bulletin board at the front. At the very bottom of the columnbeled On Sick Leave, their nametes were affixed, one for her and one for Lin Yan. The individuals in the photo were dressed in police uniforms, with sharp eyebrows and eyes, fiery red lips, and a slightly raised chin that hinted at a touch of stubbornness. Her fingertip casually brushed over the photo, and she gently peeled off her namete, cing it above for the duty personnel. She then turned around and immersed herself in the busy work of criminal investigation. Before she could get too busy, Feng Jianguo sent someone to call her. Song Yuhang set aside her work and hurried over, knocking lightly on the door. Reporting, Director Feng, did you need me? Feng Jianguo was reading the Legal Daily through his reading sses and didnt offer her a seat. Yesterday, I sent Duan Cheng to pick you up. Where did you run off to? Song Yuhang remainedposed and unaffected. Reporting, it was a personal matter that needed my attention. Feng Jianguo rustled a page of the newspaper in his hand and let out a disdainful snort. A personal matter? What kind of personal matter would make you abandon your colleagues and run off? I thought you werenting back today! Song Yuhang maintained herposure and a sense of righteousness. Reporting, I wouldnt dare. ording to the regtions, a detectives failure to report to duty at the appointed time is not only considered absenteeism but also a vition of thew! Feng Jianguo closed the newspaper, and his sharp gaze reflected beneath his sses. He looked at her, standing upright. Its good that you know One corner of the newspaper ced on the desk featured a news article about a theft at the Coastal Province Funeral Home. Song Yuhang noticed it and calmly shifted her gaze back. If theres nothing else, Ill return to work. Feng Jianguo lifted his teacup and took a sip, casually mentioning, No rush. There havent been any major cases recently, so you can take a break. Let me ask you, hows your health? With the concern of leaders from the municipal bureau and the provincial headquarters, its nothing major. I can resume work as usual. After all, having spent so many years in the political arena, Song Yuhang knew how to exchange pleasantries. Feng Jianguo blew away the foam on the surface of his tea and pushed aside the tea leaves. So, whats the deal with your hand? Youre still young; you shouldnt end up with any disabilities. Song Yuhang lowered her gaze and nced at her right hand, which was wrapped in gauze, hesitating to speak. Feng Jianguos gaze remained unchanged, appearing benevolent but in reality, he scrutinized every subtle expression of hers without missing a thing. Well I injured it while practicing on the punching bag. For about half a minute, no one spoke. In this silent moment, Song Yuhang couldnt help but recall her conversation with Lin Yan from the previous night before going to bed. Shey in bed with an IV drip, while Song Yuhang sat on the opposite hospital bed, looking at her. Lin Yan tilted her head. Your hand Song Yuhang nced at her hand, securely wrapped in gauze, and smiled. Its fine. If Director Feng asks, Ill just say I injured it while practicing on the punching bag. I used to do it regrly. Will he make you Song Yuhang was firm in her response. No, he wont. If he asks me to unwrap the gauze and examine the injury in front of him, thats when hell sow the seeds of doubt between us. Dont underestimate Director Feng; hes a smart man and wont do something like that. As expected, Feng Jianguo furrowed his brows and set down his teacup. Your injury isnt fully healed yet, and youre hitting punching bags. I must say, you young folks have a bit too much energy. Song Yuhang smiled. Its just a way to pass the time during confinement. Alright, alright. Dont be too resentful about this matter. While there may be understandable reasons, discipline is discipline, Feng Jianguo remarked, putting on his reading sses again to continue reading the newspaper. By the way, what were you up tost night? Duan Cheng was looking for you all night, and you didnt even bother to respond. Here ites. She had discussed this issue with Lin Yanst night and was somewhat troubled. I have a few old ssmates in the provincial capital. Maybe I could Before she could finish her sentence, Lin Yan quickly dismissed the idea, Is that reliable? Are you sure that neither threats nor enticement would reveal your whereabouts? Song Yuhang fell silent, but her eyes sparkled with a mischievous smile. I do have an idea, but it might require sacrificing Captain Songs reputation Song Yuhang looked at her, a faint hint of amusement ying on her lips, her gaze lingering on Lin Yan. Oh? Lin Yan was infuriated and nearly lunged at her from the bed, What are you thinking? Its not me; its Lin Ge!!! Following Lin Yans lead, Song Yuhang smiled somewhat shyly, Do you really want me to spill the beans? Feng Jianguo nced at her and, with an unusual seriousness, asked, Could there be some hidden difficulty? Song Yuhang stuck to the story, her face slightly flushed. I, uh had a date. Feng Jianguo choked on his tea, spraying it all over the newspaper. He never expected her toe up with such an answer. He looked at her with a bewildered expression, which carried a hint ofplexity. Song Yuhang, seeing him coughing, took a few steps forward, intending to take the cup from his hand, but Feng Jianguo waved her off. Is it with that blind date prospect? Song Yuhang, in an unusual disy of shyness, touched her nose and nodded apologetically. Uh, yes. Feng Jianguos expression became even moreplex. There was a trace of paternal pride that his daughter had grown up, mixed with a sense of not wanting to see precious vegetables being devoured by pigs. As for who was the vegetable and who was the pig, that was a bit hard to say at the moment. Alright, alright, you can go now. Song Yuhang turned to leave but was stopped by him. Im warning you, work is work, and family is family. Dont mix too closely with Lin Yan! If she gets into any trouble, make sure to report it to the organization in a timely manner, understood?! Song Yuhang turned around, stood at attention, and saluted with her fingers brushing against her trouser seam. Yes, Director! As Song Yuhang exited the office, she took out her phone from her pocket and sent a text message. At the moment when Lin Yan received Song Yuhangs message, she was in the process of rolling up her sleeves for a blood test at the doctors office. It was the same bespectacled male doctor, holding a medical report and reciting the prescribed instructions. Miss, your various health indicators are on the low side. The new medication has had some effect, but you must continue taking it regrly. Try to avoid any non-medical injuries, as it will significantly lower your immune levels Lin Yans phone lit up with the message Done. She was about to reply with one hand when the bespectacled doctor paused. It seemed as though she had just snapped out of her thoughts. Ah? What did you say? Your immune levels are no longer suitable for sustaining injuries, especially bleeding injuries. Lin Yan pondered over this statement for a moment, feeling somewhat disheartened. She then put her phone aside with a sigh. Okay, I understand. You can go now. * * * During the period when Lin Yan was recuperating, Song Yuhang stayed busy. Although there were rtively fewer major cases in her jurisdiction, petty crimes such as thefts and minor disturbances continued to ur regrly. She spent her days patrolling the streets and alleys of Jiangcheng City, catching thieves and dealing with troublemakers. At night, if there was a need for stakeouts, she would make do with spending the night in her car. On rare days off, she would asionally go out for a meal with Lin Ge as part of their charade. Surprisingly, the two of them had be genuine friends over time. The rest of her time was devoted to working on Lin Yans mechanical rod. Following the instructions of her old ssmate, she first procured the materials from a steel factory. After three days, she received three intact sections of aerospace-grade aluminum tubing. She followed the blueprints to begin her own process of sanding, repairing, and welding. While she had disassembled firearms during her police academy days, she had never worked with this kind of equipment before. Initially, she developed blisters on her fingertips and had many injuries on her hands. However, as time went on, she began to grasp the techniques better, bing more skilled with each attempt. Everything was getting back on track, including Lin Yans recovery. She took her medication on time, had the bandages removed from her leg to begin rehabilitation, engaged in sparring sessions with her Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach, worked up a sweat at the gym, and also spent quiet hours in the pathologyboratory, wearing a white coat. Time flowed slowly, with several more rain showers and a chilling change in the mountain air as the leaves gradually turned yellow. Summer wasing to an end. Song Yuhang parked her electric scooter in front of the city bureau, tossed her keys, and headed inside. Just as she arrived, she noticed someone delivering a bouquet of vibrant roses at the entrance of the city bureau. The roses were handed directly to a female officer.
Chapter 40-2 Chapter 40-2 Doubt Happy Qixi1. It was only then that she realized, oh, it had been such a long time. Seeing the roses, she was reminded of Lin Yan and her words: Give a little color, and it bes a dyeing workshop. Do you know roses have thorns? Everything that happened that night, her brows, her eyes, her body temperature, for Song Yuhang, it was a dream that had not yet finished but had already woken up. But precisely because of this, she held onto enough anticipation for their next meeting. They rarely contacted each other; Lin Yan had truly achieved the state of I wont look for you, and you shouldnt look for me. But almost every day, when Song Yuhang passed by the bulletin board, she would nce at her photo and quietly ask in her heart: Are you feeling better today? She never sent that message, and Lin Yan didnt reply to her initial text. Song Yuhang took out her phone, intending to say something when Captain Zhang Jinhai approached from behind. Hey, Captain Song, getting to work? Song Yuhang had no choice but to put her phone away and walked with him. Yes, Captain Zhang, good morning. During lunch break, a few detectives who were in rtionships quietly discussed their evening ns, and the single ones made arrangements to hang out with friends. Song Yuhang sat alone in her office chair. Her position and age made it somewhat awkward for her; she didnt quite fit in with the older officers, and the ones in their twenties might view her presence as an attempt to curry favor. Song Yuhang was always tactful and never attended gatherings with her subordinates. She was thinking about something else: if she had a day off tomorrow, right at the tail end of summer, she wanted to go see her. Without waiting for her to think for too long, Lin Ge arrived in the afternoon. His car was parked at the gate, and he held a bouquet of flowers. He was indeed a considerate and attentive man. Knowing that Song Yuhang didnt like extravagance, his car was understated, his attire was modest, and the flowers he held were simplesunflowers, daisies, and babys breath, along with a few other embellishments that Song Yuhang couldnt name. As she approached, he handed her the flowers. Happy Qixi. Do you have time tonight? Lets have dinner together? It was precisely the end of the workday, and there was a constant flow of people at the entrance of the municipal bureau. Director Fengs driver had just opened the car door for him, but the old director stopped in his tracks and looked in their direction. The driver also nced over. Wow! What a guy! Captain Song has someone pursuing her too! Tsk tsk tsk, impressive! It looks like its not just Director Feng; even Director Zhao can resolve his worries. Song Yuhang showed no signs of embarrassment on her face, as if she had just received a gift from a friend, with a calm expression. Thank you, and I wish you a happy Qixi too. As the car carrying Song Yuhang disappeared from the entrance of the municipal bureau, Feng Jianguo finally shifted his gaze away and returned to his seat in the car, instructing the driver to start driving. * * * The dates with Lin Ge were far from dull. They dined at mid-range to high-end restaurants and even enjoyed street food at crowded stalls. Song Yuhang insisted on splitting the bill with him, so they often went Dutch, taking turns treating each other. After dinner, if she had free time, they might go bowling, archery, or y table tennis and other sports. However, they never did the usual couple activities like watching movies or shopping for clothes, and she couldnt quite put her finger on why that was. Perhaps it was because of this that Song Yuhang increasingly felt that he was a good person to be with, and they got alongfortably, but there was still something missing. What that something was, she couldnt say. It was too difficult for someone with a nk emotional history to contemte these questions. Shed find it easier to go for a five-kilometer cross-country run with a heavy load. Song Yuhang raised her hand and shot an arrow right into the bullseye, while Lin Ge, panting heavily, sat down and said, I cant go on, lets take a break. Sure. Here, wipe your sweat. Apanying the bottle of mineral water was a handkerchief; he really was an attentive person. Thank you. The bottle cap had already been loosened, and Song Yuhang took a sip. Just as she was about to use the handkerchief to wipe her sweat, her movement froze. A rush of masculine, unique hormones filled the air, and she suddenly found herself a little nostalgic for the refreshing cologne scent that used to emanate from Lin Yan. From a distance, it was faint, but up close, it was sweet. Song Yuhang neatly folded the handkerchief and handed it back to him, then checked her watch. Its gettingte; I should head home. Lin Ge stood up. Alright, Ill escort you. No need, really. Ill just take a taxi. I have my car here; why spend the money on a taxi? Come on, its just a short walk anyway. His hospitality was hard to resist. He had almost achieved the best a man could dowell-mannered, humorous, tactful in conversation, humble about his knowledge, not unting his background, devoid of arrogance, modest and respectful towards women and all vulnerable groups. He dropped Song Yuhang off at the corner, personally opening the car door for her. Song Yuhang moved her lips as if to say something, but he smiled and spoke first, Miss Song, dont overthink it. Both ethically and logically, you are Lin Yans friend and colleague. You saved her, and we are all very grateful. My show of goodwill towards you has elements of gratitude as well as personal feelings. He paused, Miss Song is very special. If it were an ordinary person, facing such a refined and handsome guy expressing his feelings would have likely caused embarrassment. But Song Yuhang hadnt quite figured out what her emotions truly were, and she felt like she had glimpsed something while still being far from understanding it. She only knew that when Lin Ge spoke these words to her, her inner state was very calm, without a hint of disturbance. The only ripple she felt was rted to Lin Yan. When she heard that name, she would subconsciously think of her, to the point of momentarily losing focus. Seeing that she was absent-minded, Lin Ge didnt say more. Today was just a meal with a friend who happened to be avable on this somewhat special day, Miss Song. Please dont take it to heart. Forgive my abruptness. Song Yuhang smiled and bid him farewell. No worries. Thanks to you, Im not on duty right now. Ill consider formal dating matters. Thank you. Lin Ge smiled again with that familiar and hearty smile. Great, Ill keep working on it too. After bidding farewell to Lin Ge, she walked home alone. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a young girl selling flowers on the roadside. In front of her was a basket with a few bare roses, unnoticed by passersby. Flowers for sale, flowers for sale, two yuan each The girl, upon seeing someone approaching, raised her voice a bit, and her hoarse voice carried by the wind traveled quite far. For some reason, as soon as she saw the roses, she thought of Lin Yan. She felt like these few rose flowers were just like herlonely, overlooked, iplete, yet singrly beautiful. Before she knew it, she was already crouching in front of the flower-selling girl. Ill take all of these. The young girl was delighted and counted themthere were a total of five. It wasnt even an auspicious number. She felt a bit embarrassed and wanted to wrap them up for her. Song Yuhang had already handed over ten yuan. No need, Ill just take them like this. She held the thorny stems of the roses and began walking home. After a few steps, she turned back, ced a beautifully wrapped bouquet of flowers in front of the girl, and said, Take this too. Hurry home; its not safe to be out thiste. The fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl hadpleted her task for the day, pocketed a handful of change, and received an unexpected bouquet of flowers. It was truly a pleasant surprise. Th thank you. Before she could finish speaking, the tall woman had waved and disappeared into the darkness, walking through the dim light of the streemp and vanishing into the night. * * * Back at home, after Song Yuhang had taken a shower, she found a vase for those few roses, trimmed the stems a bit, and decided they looked decent. She took out her phone, snapped a picture for keepsake, not sure who to send it to. She scrolled through her phone until she came across the name Lin Yan and swiped her finger. Song Yuhang covered her face. Ding dong. The phone on the table rang. Lin Yan turned on the tablemp, reached for her phone, and saw a message from Song Yuhang. She didnt reply with words, just a single image: a bouquet of vivid and alluring roses. Lin Yan seemed to understand something, her eyshes flickering. She gradually tightened her lips. Just as she was about to press the number to call back The sender had already retracted the message. At the same time, Lin Ges social media post appeared on the screen: An unforgettable Qixi. The apanying image showed a dining table set with a candlelit dinner, fine wine, and delicious food. Though the person sitting across from him didnt reveal their face, they exposed a portion of their wrist, and she recognized whose wristwatch it was. Lin Yan put down her phone, turned off the bedsidemp, rolled over, and went back to sleep. As she waited patiently for a response that never came, she watched Lin Yans profile picture gradually turn grey. Song Yuhang sighed with a mixture of relief and regret. For some reason, when she spoke to herself with a teasing tone around Lin Yan, she could handle the banter and even flirt back. But expressing genuine concern seemed much more difficult. Song Yuhang couldnt quite understand it, so she decided not to dwell on it. She poured herself a ss of tap water and headed back to her room, closing the door behind her to continue tinkering with her cherished mechanical rod.
  1. Qixi, also known as the Qixi Festival or Chinese Valentines Day, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. It usually falls in August, and it is a day that celebrates the romantic legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.
Chapter 41 Chapter 41 Martial Arts Competition Lin Yans Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach, a true-blue Brazilian with a lineage tracing back to the founding father of jiu-jitsu, Gracie, was a fierce opponent. Neither of them held back in their moves; Lin Yan may havecked in sheer strength, but she excelled in agility and tactical thinking. In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there are no fixed training routines; its all about realbat. In the arena, its either victory or defeat, encountering an opponent means life or death. She poured every ounce of her energy into the fight, seizing the opportunity when he threw a punch. She forcefully twisted his wrist, simultaneously elbowing his knee, sessfully taking him down. Right after that, she swiftly locked in a lightning-fast rear-naked choke, her arm gripping his neck tightly, forcing him to surrender. But for some reason, there was a hint of new greenery on the windowsill, a solitary rose swaying in the breeze, clearly absent just a few days ago. Lin Yan caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of her eye. In that split second of distraction, her coach delivered a heavy elbow strike to her abdomen. Lin Yan winced in pain, and before she knew it, she was flipped over. The match concluded with a ssic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu move, the cross-cor choke. Lin Yan was locked in tightly, unable to move, so she had no choice but to pat the ground with her hand, signaling her surrender. The coach released her and stood up, saying, Lin, you werent focused. Lin Yan smiled, rubbed her sore shoulders, and got up. The butler on the side handed her a white towel to wipe off her sweat. Miss, the appraisal results are out. Lin Yan tossed the mineral water she had received from him to her coach. Thanks, lets call it a day today. Well practice again another time. * * * She changed into a different outfit and appeared in theboratory. The staff immediately stood up and vacated theputer for her. Miss, wevepared the mud and water samples from the deceaseds nails and confirmed that they match the same body of water. What about diatoms? The researcher clicked a few times, disying the image for her. Just as she had identified the killer and the method of murder in the Ding Xue case in the same manner, Lin Yan was not only a forensic expert but also an expert in forensic botany. She could almost instantly understand. She realized that the riverbank near Vulture was the first crime scene, and Vulture was not the killer. This was truly perplexing. Lin Yan pondered for a moment. Prepare the car; I need to go out for a while. * * * After more than two months had passed, the riverbank had long since had its caution tape removed, and a sign reading Deep Water, No Swimming or Fishing had been erected. Lin Yan carefully stepped on the slippery moss as she descended. She walked back and forth at the spot where the body was found but found nothing. Searching was not her strong suit. If it were Song Yuhang here Thinking of that name, she lightly bit her lip and decided to let it go. After all, Song Yuhang was now deeply involved with Lin Ge, and they probably had no time for these matters. Back when she had suggested that Song Yuhang seek Lin Ges help, she had naturally informed Lin Ge about it. Who would have thought that the two of them would end up in a real rtionship! When Lin Yan saw the photo, her chest felt heavy. She didnt even know whom she was angry with. Was she angry that Lin Ge and the person she disliked were passionately involved, or was she angry at Song Yuhang for getting together with her cousin and ignoring her? After tossing and turning in bed for most of the night, Lin Yan finally came to a conclusion: Screw it, she wouldnt have anything to do with these two people ever again!!! The butler watched her squatting by the water, unmoving, and grew somewhat concerned. He walked over and draped a coat over her, saying, Miss, its getting colder. We should head back. Lin Yan stood up. Despite her anger, she deeply understood one thing: To catch a tiger, one must enter itsir. She wanted to see who this ghost behind the scenes truly was. Lets go, back to Jiangcheng. The butler took a couple of steps after her. Miss, the doctor said there are still two more sessions of treatment Lin Yan turned to look at him, not saying a word, her gaze slightly cold. She had always been a person of few words. The butler lowered his head slightly andplied, saying, Yes, Miss, Ill arrange it. * * * The original n for a vacation to visit Lin Yan in the provincial capital had once again fallen through, as there were several cases of home burries in her jurisdiction, keeping Song Yuhang incredibly busy. Before she knew it, September wasing to an end. What followed was the annual Jiangcheng City Public Security System Martial Arts Competition. As the head of the Criminal Investigation Division and representing female officers, she was expected to participate. Feng Jianguo had high hopes for her and looked forward to her bringing back several trophies. She could only smile wryly, You know Im not good at the 50-meter pistol rapid-fire moving target Thats not my concern. Werepeting for the overall score, not individual events. Were the organizers, and if we lose to those sub-bureaus below us, where can I hide my face? She felt a headacheing on as she saluted and prepared to leave, but she was stopped by someone once again. How long has it been since all of that? Have you seen a psychologist? Song Yuhang, in silence, lowered her gaze and nced at her right hand. The mark from the ss had already healed, and the bite mark Lin Yan had left had disappeared. Surface wounds on the body would heal, but the pain remained in her heart. I did, but it didnt help. * * * The day of the finals arrived quickly. In the morning, there were martial artspetitions, and in the afternoon, there was shooting. The martial artspetition followed a ring system, where one side defended the ring, and the other side attacked it. Whoever remained standing in the end would be the champion. The rtively small training facility was packed to capacity. Song Yuhang had already defeated three opponents in a row, and this was the final match. Her opponent was an older detective from one of the sub-bureaus. He had a strong build, broad shoulders, and had previously achieved third ce in the national public security system martial artspetition. Judging by his height and weight, he appeared to be stronger than her. He was also one of the top contenders for the championship this time. Duan Chengs voice was almost hoarse from shouting, Hey, isnt the difference in strength too great? Do you think Team Leader Song can win? The gymnasium had no air conditioning, and Fang Xin fanned herself with a fan. Its a tough one. I heard this guy has been working in another city for the past few years and only recently returned. Otherwise, they would have crossed paths long ago. Zheng Chengrui, being a bit overweight, couldnt bear the heat and sat on the ground, panting like an exhausted dog. He spoke in broken sentences, Its not necessarily Team Leader Song is a skilled mixed martial artist recognized nationwide even the armed police want to recruit her but Director Feng hasnt allowed it. Duan Cheng looked at him andughed, Hey, Im saying with your height and build, you could easily crush your opponents. Why didnt you sign up? Zheng Chengrui rolled his eyes and couldnt be bothered to respond. Fang Xin chimed in casually, When has our Technical Investigation Division ever won awards? Were not great at fighting, not great at shooting. Maybe one day when the Ministry of Public Security holds apetition in forensic work, autopsy, or cybersecurity, we might have a chance. This statement was a mix of reality and a touch of bitterness, and it broughtughter from the colleagues sitting around her. Thats true; were the unsung heroes! As they spoke, the atmosphere in the gymnasium was heating up. Thepetition had entered a fierce phase. Thepetition followed an unrestrictedbat format, with no consideration for effective strikes. Victory was only dered when the opponent lost the ability to resist or voluntarily surrendered. Captain Song, Captain Song, go for it!!! A group of men and women from the Criminal Investigation Division cheered loudly. They watched as Song Yuhang was hoisted high and mmed forcefully onto the ground. Song Yuhang grabbed onto her opponents clothing and didnt let go. In that split second when she hit the ground, she clung to her opponents waist and delivered a powerful knee strike to his lower leg. Her opponents knees buckled, and seizing the opportunity, Song Yuhang kicked him in the abdomen, leaping into the air. She used the momentum to flip over and grabbed his arm from the side. She then wrapped her legs around his neck, applying pressure to force him to surrender. Wasnt this the same move Lin Yan used to control her, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu finishing move, the Cross Cor Choke? The onlookers exchanged puzzled nces. When did Captain Song start training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? However, thats how unrestrictedbatpetitions worked. Whoever lost the ability to resist had to admit defeat. After struggling fiercely for a while, her opponent reluctantly tapped the floor. The whole arena erupted in cheers. The referee reached out to help bothpetitors up and held onto Song Yuhangs arm, asking, Is there anyone else who wants toe up and challenge? Despite the cheering and whistling from the crowd, no one dared to step up for another match. A new detective, looking at Song Yuhang with admiration, asked, That was amazing. Can female officers reach this level too? One of the senior colleagues beside her tapped her on the shoulder. Do you think criminals will show mercy based on whether youre male or female? Once youre in this team, we all share onemon name police! The referee scanned the surroundings, seeing no one stepping up for another challenge. He was about to announce, The winner of this martial artspetition is Before he could finish, a mockingugh pierced the silence, sounding particrly harsh. All eyes turned toward the entrance of the gymnasium. There stood Lin Yan, dressed in her police uniform, leaning against the door, arms crossed, and a subtle raise of her chin as she looked at her. Lin Yan, from the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureaus Technical Investigation Division, the forensic expert, hase to take on the challenge. Foresic Doctor Lin, its her! Foresic Doctor Lin, Foresic Doctor Lin is back! I heard shes not Shh keep your voice down, dont want to get pped by her again. Can a technical investigator beat a detective? Seems like shes asking for trouble. Whispers and sarcasticments circted among the crowd. How harsh these words sounded in the ears of the technical investigators! It wasnt clear who started it, but someone shouted, Forensic Doctor Lin, go for it! The crowd grew agitated, and spit flew so close to the other persons face that it seemed like a fight was about to break out. In the blink of an eye, what was just a harmonious gathering at the Jiangcheng City Bureau had turned into internal strife. Although they hadnt started fighting yet, those below couldnt contain themselves any longer. It seemed like there had been long-standing grievances. Lin Yan shrugged. It looks like Captain Song and I are destined for this showdown. A hint of amusement yed at the corner of Captain Songs lips as she dered, Alright, I ept the challenge. But Forensic Doctor Lin, are you fully healed? Do you need me to go easy on you? She meant it in good spirits, but to Lin Yans ears, it sounded quite different. The elegant and graceful image she had painstakingly maintained as a youngdy almost crumbled in a split second. She had to swallow back the phrase screw your mother, clenching her teeth. I hope you can say the sameter. Ten minutester, Lin Yan changed into her attire and stepped onto the tform. Song Yuhang had also taken a brief break. One in red, the other in white, the two figures stood on opposite sides of the tform, under the refereesmand, ready to fight. Song Yuhang lowered her voice. Is your injury healed? Lin Yan was reluctant even to give her a nce. She signaled to the referee, indicating they could begin. The whistle blew, and Song Yuhang had no choice but to step back. The match had officially begun. Song Yuhang abandoned her previous offensive tactics and began retreating under Lin Yans relentless pressure. On one hand, grappling with a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete in closebat wasnt to her advantage, and on the other hand, she was concerned about Lin Yans iplete recovery and didnt want to hurt her. There was a chorus of disapproving murmurs from the audience, and even Duan Cheng could see that Captain Song was holding back. Lin Yan threw a punch, which Captain Song caught, but she didnt retaliate. Instead, she spun around and pressed Lin Yan against the railing. What what are they doing? Are they flirting instead of fighting? Duan Cheng stammered, while Fang Xin smacked his lips a couple of times and said, Its over, Captain Song is done for. As expected.
Chapter 41-2 Chapter 41-2 Martial Arts Competition Lin Yan initially thought that engaging in a fight would resolve this matter. Firstly, because it involved her colleague, someone who had once saved her life, and secondly, it concerned the person Lin Ge liked. She couldnt possibly disrupt her cousins lifelong happiness, no matter how shameless she might be. However, Song Yuhang disyed effortless skill in the fight. Her deliberate avoidance of harming Lin Yan, coupled with the disapproving murmurs from the audience, left her with a bruised ego. Lin Yan, even in her worst state, was a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ck belt athlete. When had she ever needed someone to amodate her like this?! Lin Yan had never been the type to hide behind the shelter of a big tree, seeking protection from the elements. She didnt require what they called care, protection, or special treatment it only added to her sense of humiliation. I dont need you to go easy on me! Lin Yan blurted out through gritted teeth as she simultaneously bent her knee, aiming a strike at her lower body. Repeating the same technique. Song Yuhangs pupils contracted as she released Lin Yan, taking a step back. Little did she know that Lin Yan had feigned the move, and as she raised her leg, her right fist struck fiercely at Song Yuhangs abdomen. Song Yuhang was caught off guard by the blow, doubling over and coughing, sweat trickling from her forehead. Lin Yan, of course, didnt give her a chance to catch her breath. The next move was a powerful elbow strike that mmed Song Yuhang to the ground. As shended, Lin Yan bent her knee, driving it into Song Yuhangs vulnerable abdominal area. Caught between a rock and a hard ce, Song Yuhang spat out saliva on the spot. Every organ in her body was wracked with pain, and her ears were ringing. She clenched her teeth. Lin Lin Yan I How could Lin Yan allow her to utter the words I concede? She felt even more furious at Song Yuhangsck of retaliation and being on the receiving end of the blows. Without hesitation, Lin Yan delivered a fierce elbow strike towards Song Yuhangs head. Song Yuhang glimpsed an opportunity, feeling that Lin Yans three-month break had made her reactions even quicker, while she herself had already worn out her stamina in four consecutive matches. She had been intentionally conceding, but Lin Yan wasnt giving her a chance to admit defeat. If she took that punch, shed probably need an ambnce on the spot. Song Yuhang gave a bitter smile, enduring the blow with her back and then attempting to throw Lin Yan over her shoulder, sping onto her waist. Lin Yan weed the close-quarter grappling. When it came to hand-to-handbat, there was hardly anything that could rival Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She rxed her body to minimize harm, and in the whirlwind of action, when Song Yuhang tried to throw her, Lin Yan didnt let go. In fact, much like that rainy night, she slipped her hand under Song Yuhangs ipital bone. Lin Yan bit her lip, her expression inexplicable, a mix of resentment, confusion, and a hint of grievance in her eyes. Song Yuhang smiled weakly, sweat streaming down her cheeks. I concede, I wont fight anymore Before she could finish speaking, Lin Yan clenched her teeth and swiftly locked a triangle choke around Song Yuhangs neck, straightening her arm to press it against her own chest. The leverage created in an instant could almost snap an adults neck. In the midst of this excruciating pain, Song Yuhang somehow found herself aware of her hand resting in a particr ce on Lin Yans body, feeling warmth and softness, a sensation a very pleasant sensation. She attempted to struggle, but she couldnt move. Her fingertips only managed to hook onto a soft piece of fabric Lin Yans belt. The referee blew a sharp whistle and hurried over to separate the two. Lin Yans eyes were red, filled with anger and frustration, and she was panting heavily. Song Yuhang didnt fare much better. Her face was covered in bruises, and when she sparred with others, it was always in a friendly manner, with restraint and without targeting the face. But Lin Yan was differentshe was ruthless, and her moves were underhanded. To be honest, if the referee hadnt blown the whistle in time, Song Yuhang might have been sent to the ambnce by now due to suffocation. She was furious, furious at why Lin Yan didnt hold back! Furious that Lin Yan sent her a cryptic message, raising her curiosity, and the worst part was, she retracted it! The referee blew a sharp whistle and rushed over to separate the two. Lin Yans eyes were red, seething with anger, and she was panting heavily. Song Yuhang didnt fare any better, her face covered in bruises. When sparring with others, she usually maintained a friendly and controlled manner, avoiding targeting the face. But Lin Yan was different she was ruthless, and her tactics were underhanded. To be honest, if the referee hadnt blown the whistle in time, Song Yuhang might have been sent to the ambnce due to suffocation. She was filled with resentment, wondering why she hadnt struck back! She resented her for sending her a mysterious message that piqued her curiosity, and the worst part was, she retracted it!!! She hated that she and Lin Ge were ying more than just pretend. Wasnt it not long ago that she was in the hospital iming she had no feelings for Lin Ge?! A womans words, what a deceiving ghost! She didnt know how to ask these questions, so she decided to resolve everything in the most primal way. Her and Song Yuhangs connection had started that rainy night when they had a fight and began to understand each others inner selves. This time, they could finish everything the same way. Lin Yan thought it was as simple as that. If they had a good fight today, she would ept it, and this matter would be put to rest. But Song Yuhang didnt give her that opportunity. She beat her to a pulp, and Song Yuhang still just asked with a smile, Are you feeling better now? Where did I hit you? Does it hurt? She made it seem as if Lin Yan owed her something. Lin Yan was about to reply when a burst of whistles from below interrupted them. Several mischievous police officers led the way with teasingments, Dr. Lin has a nice figure. The crowd burst intoughter. Lin Yan lowered her gaze and blushed. She was wearing the standardized Taekwondo uniform for thepetition, which was loose and wide. Someone had loosened her belt, revealing a ck camisole underneath. Song Yuhang had an innocent look on her face as she swallowed hard and said, Lin Lin Yan, let me exin Lin Yan couldnt stand to look at that face. She felt like tearing her apart, and without hesitation, she raised her hand to p her. But Song Yuhang handed her the belt and closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the impending p. However, it never came. When she opened her eyes, she saw Lin Yan trembling lips, with a hint of redness in the corner of her eyes. There was a glimmer of moisture, and it was unclear if it was due to anger or You scoundrel! Lin Yan snatched the belt from her hand, clenching her own clothes. Her scoldingcked the usual vigor and was drowned out by the crowds whistles as she turned and descended from the stage. Duan Cheng covered his face, thinking, This is just unbearable to watch. Feng Jianguo was furious, Is this, Is this a lovers spat or a public quarrel?! * * * However, thanks to the beating she received from Lin Yan, Song Yuhang used her injured arm as an excuse to skip the afternoon shootingpetition. She didnt care much about these des; participating inpetitions was merely for fun. Besides, she really As she thought about this, the web page in front of her remained open, and her mind began to wander. Duan Cheng approached her desk and ced a document on it. Hey, Captain Song, surfing the inte? How to make a girl happy? What to do when a girl is angry? What kind of gifts do girls usually like? A screen full of search results filled his vision. Song Yuhang hurriedly got up, attempting to block the screen with her body. In her haste, she identally knocked over the water ss on the table, creating a mess, and she started to fumble around. Song Yuhang massaged her temples, and to her surprise, a hint of blush appeared on her face under Duan Chengs increasingly suggestive gaze. She promptly turned off theputer, grabbed some tissues to wipe away the spilled water on the table, and only then did she feel like she could speak normally. Is there something wrong? Nothing. Dr. Lin asked me toe and deliver some documents. Song Yuhang picked up the documents and flicked away the water stains on top of them. She briefly nced at the pages. Why didnt shee over herself? She appeared expressionless, but in reality, she discreetly perked up her ears. Duan Cheng smiled and said, Shes immersed in the pathologyb. She said that after you sign it, theres no need to bring it back to her; you can just send it to the file room for archiving. So, thats why she was upset. Song Yuhang nodded and ced the folder down. Alright, you can go now. Duan Cheng took a couple of steps but was then stopped. Uh about what just happened Song Yuhang wasnt adept at lying or threatening others, and her gaze wandered. Duan Chengs smile blossomed. Rest assured, I didnt, see, anything at all. * * * When he returned to the technical investigation office, things exploded. Really? Did you really see Captain Song searching for those things? The gossip-hungry souls of the group were ignited. How could it be fake! Duan Cheng took a sip of water and began to gossip, You didnt see how flustered she was! Ive never seen Captain Song like that before. Tsk, tsk, tsk, Dr. Lin is truly something else, a real heartthrob, attracting both men and women. Meanwhile, Lin Yan was on the dissection table, practicing with a rabbit, making an incision with a sharp cut. Really? Isnt Captain Song in a good rtionship with her brother? Theres nothing wrong with a sister-inw trying to please her little sister-inw, right? Oh my, shes about to escape from the sea of suffering and marry into a wealthy family. If I were her, Id do the same. Fang Xin chuckled, You? Look at yourself. Captain Song is looking for someone talented and attractive. You should see if you can withstand a punch from Dr. Lin before you say anything. Sigh, its a shame I didnt find a wealthydys purse. Yeah, its a shame Dr. Lin isnt a guy, rich and cool Before she could finish her sentence, the door to the dissecting room was briskly pushed open, and everyone fell silent, returning to their own tasks. Lin Yan walked out and hung herb coat on a hanger. Although the dissecting room had soundproof ss, nobody knew how much she had heard. Some people were bing nervous, especially the young policewoman who had just spoken. Lin Yan nced at the busy crowd, noticing that Duan Cheng had dropped his book. She raised a mocking smile, approached the policewoman who had spoken earlier, and snatched the coffee she was drinking. Lin Sister Lin The policewoman stood up, feeling uneasy. Lin Yan tilted her head and took a few sips of the coffee, a wicked smile ying on her lips. Youre right. Aside from certain equipment, Im not much different from a man. But, you see, the Lin family isnt just open to anyone. If you want to marry into a wealthy family, start by looking at yourself in the mirror. With that, she forcefully knocked the empty coffee can onto the table, and it crumpled when she released it. Lin Yan picked up her bag, turned, and walked away. As she passed through the corridor, she coincidentally encountered Song Yuhang, who had just exited the criminal investigation office. Song Yuhang was holding her phone, engrossed in a conversation, and with her other hand in her pocket, she was heading for the changing room, apparently getting ready to finish work for the day. Meeting face to face, Song Yuhang had already noticed her. She put the phone to her ear and reached out to stop her. Lin Lin Yan glimpsed at the glowing screen with two words shing: Lin Ge. Without a second thought, she shrugged off her hand, didnt look back, and continued walking forward. Ugh! Just helped her a moment ago, and now shes acting heartless when theres someone of the opposite sex around! Song Yuhang looked bewildered and still wanted to call after her, Lin On the other side, Lin Ges gentle voice came through, Alright, its a deal then. Lets meet at Mn Bar at 8 PM tonight. Lin Yan will also be there, and Ille to pick you up. Chapter 42-1 Chapter 42-1 Cocktail Sis, Im just going to have a meal, no need to make it so grand, Song Yuhang said, and then she saw Ji Jingxing gently press a brow razor against her forehead. Oh, this isnt just an ordinary date, its his birthday after all, and his friends are there. You should at least make a little effort to dress up. Feeling the de moving back and forth on her face, Song Yuhang inexplicably recalled a joke: Do burrs get touched when caught by the police? She didnt dare to move, didnt dare to move; it was a true reflection of her current state. Mother Song walked out of the kitchen carrying the cooked dishes. Your sister is right. Dont act like a tomboy all the time; how will you ever get married? Fortunately, Lin Ge doesnt mind these things and treats you well. Ji Jingxing still didnt know that Lin Yan was Lin Ges sister, and the thought of that note made her smile fade a bit. Sis, that note I gave youst time Oh, that one, Ji Jingxing nced at her, her hands still in motion as she dabbed some powder to conceal the small freckles on her face. I was holding it tightly at the time, but it disappeared when I came out. I searched for it for a long time and didnt dare to ask you for another one She paused, biting her lip slightly, looking somewhat aggrieved. Im sorry, Yuhang, for dying your matters. Is your colleague okay? Song Yuhang felt a sense of relief in her heart, and her instinctive trust made her not dwell on it too much. Maybe it really was lost. Its okay, sis. Ive already found it. Ji Jingxing then breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, Thats good, or else I would have really med myself. The two of them sat in a corner of the living room, doing their makeup. Xiao Wei, throwing away the remote control, ran over and hugged Ji Jingxings thigh. Mommy, mommy, I want to do makeup too! Ji Jingxing couldnt help but suppress augh, holding makeup products in her hand as they were shaken back and forth by Xiao Wei. No, dear, children cant wear makeup. You can do it when you grow up. Song Yuhang reached out and lifted the child onto herp, lightly dabbing a little red dot on Xiao Weis forehead with lipstick, then held up a mirror for her to see. Look, Xiao Wei, when you grow up, youll definitely be a beautifuldy. The child blushed from thepliment, holding Song Yuhangs face, looking left and right. Auntie is also pretty, Auntie is also a beautifuldy. Ji Jingxing chuckled, feeling a bit amused. I see, Xiao Wei is really close to you. Shes never praised me for being pretty. Song Yuhang rubbed Xiao Weis head and smiled. What do we do if Mommy gets jealous? Xiao Wei climbed down from herp and tugged at Ji Jingxings clothes. Mommy, squat down, squat down. Ji Jingxing didnt understand what was happening, but as soon as she squatted down, she received an affectionate kiss on her face. Her heart melted, and she picked up Xiao Wei, showering her with more kisses and cuddles. Dinners ready, everyone, wash your hands. Yuhang, you should have some before you leave. Its not good to drink on an empty stomach, Mother Song wiped her hands on her apron and set down thest dish. Song Yuhang checked the time; it was already half-past seven. No, I wont eat. I told Lin Ge that Ill drive over myself, so I need to leave early. As she spoke, she hurried into her room, took a small box from a drawer, and tucked it into her bag. Just as she was about to leave, she was stopped by someone. Hey, wait a moment, you havent put on lipstick yet. Song Yuhang felt like crying without tears as she watched Ji Jingxing about to apply the bright red lipstick on her. She decided to handle it herself, saying, Ill do it myself. She casually dabbed some lipstick on her lips, without bothering to use a mirror, and lightly pressed her lips together. She grabbed a tissue, picked up the freshly fried crispy meat from the table with her right hand, and put it in her mouth before pushing open the front door. Mom, sis, Xiao Wei, Im leaving. This child, didnt she say she wasnt going to eat? When Mother Song came out of the kitchen with utensils, Song Yuhang had already disappeared. Come on, Jingxing, Xiao Wei, lets eat. Xiao Wei, sit here with Grandma, okay? After descending the stairs and finishing her meal, Song Yuhang wiped her mouth with a tissue, and casually removed the lipstick marks from her lips. She tossed the tissue into the trash bin and then proceeded towards the garage. * * * She was always punctual, so when she said eight oclock, she meant eight oclock. She thought Lin Yan might still be angry and might note, but to her surprise, she had already arrived. At this moment, she was on the stage, apanying a lively dance track while performing pole dancing. The audience below stared wide-eyed, and a man with small braids rushed up and danced closely with her. Its really she couldnt quite describe it. While she was lost in thought, Lin Ge had already rushed out to greet her. Youre here! Just sit anywhere you like. Did you eat? Theres a buffet over there. Following his pointed finger, she nced over and saw a few familiar faces sitting at the bar. Zheng Chengrui was busy devouring a chicken leg, while Duan Cheng held a tray and looked overwhelmed, with his mouth watering. Wow, whats this, whats this? It looks so delicious. Fang Xin held a ss of red wine in her hand and nced at him indifferently. Thats pan-fried foie gras And this? Sashimi of sea bream. What about this, what about this? Duan Cheng pointed to another te of seafood and asked her. Fang Xin became irritated and snapped, Shut up and just eat. Lin Ge smiled and said, I was afraid you might feel ufortable, so I took the liberty of inviting your colleagues as well. After all, they werent in a romantic rtionship, and Song Yuhang didnt know Lin Ges hospital colleagues or his friends from the business world. Lin Ge was concerned that she might get bored or feel awkward. Song Yuhang was taken aback. Its okay Before she could finish her sentence, Fang Xin had already spotted her and stood up, waving at her. Captain Song, over here. His thoughtfulness made Song Yuhang feel a bit uneasy. Ill be back in a moment. Coincidentally, a few of Lin Ges friends approached him with their drinks. Hey, whos this? You rascal, you didnt even tell us about this situation. Thats not fair. Lin Ge smiled and put his arm around his friends shoulder, clinking sses with him. What kind of situation could I have? Shes really a friend introduced by my mom His voice gradually faded, bing indistinct, and Song Yuhang walked over to join Fang Xin and the others. Miss, what would you like to drink? the bartender approached her and asked for her order. Song Yuhang nced at the menu and tapped her fingertips on it. Lemon water, please. After finallying out to rx, youre not drinking? Fang Xin asked. Im driving, and besides, I cant handle alcohol well. Id rather not embarrass myself. While they were chatting, there were cheers and screamsing from the stage. Kiss! Kiss! People whistled and cheered. After Lin Yans performance ended, her face was slightly flushed, and she was panting as someone half embraced her. It was the same man she had danced with earlier, his hand tracing the contours of her curvaceous figure underneath her leather jacket, gently lifting her chin. Duan Cheng watched with envy. Dr. Lin is indeed a heartthrob, not just talk. Zheng Chengrui teased him with a nudge. Thats right, shes got a certain young colleaguepletely smitten. And you dare to say that about me? I wonder whos buying breakfast for someone every day. Song Yuhang twirled her ss in her hand without saying a word, lowering her gaze. Lin Yan didnt even spare a nce in her direction; her smile grew more enchanting. She pulled the mans neck and leaned in to kiss him passionately, but in that moment of ecstasy when he lowered his head, she swiped her lips over his and grazed his mouth corner before nting a kiss on his ear. Lin Yan tugged at his tie, her voice like a seductive whisper. Get lost. The mans face instantly changed, and he was shoved away. He stumbled off the stage and seemed ready to charge back but was restrained by his friends, who pointed to a seat. Lin Ge was chatting andughing with a few friends. I have to say, your sister is something else. There are so many men in Jiangcheng City who want to pursue her, but shes different. Shes like a flower in a field, untouched by anyone. Lin Ge clinked sses with him. What Yanyan likes and what she wants to do is her business. I wont interfere. But if anyone has ill intentions toward her, I wont just stand by and watch. This statement was directed at someone with ulterior motives: Lin Yans choice of a partner was something he didnt want to get involved in and couldnt control. Trying to get close to Lin Yan through him was wishful thinking. However, if anyone dared to harm his sister, he would make sure they suffered dire consequences. Although this host wasnt the main heir of the Lin family, he came from a privileged background, had substantial wealth, and had established a thriving hospital after returning from studying abroad for many years. His capabilities were evident. His friend smiled, downed the ss, and didnt bring up the topic of Lin Yan again. From Song Yuhangs perspective, it was a clear and direct kiss. She put down her ss and spoke calmly, Ill go to the restroom. Hey, Captain Song, the restroom is over there. Fang Xin pointed and informed her. Song Yuhang snapped out of her thoughts, turned around, and said, Oh, thanks. When she came out of the restroom, there was a littlemotion on the dance floor again. Lin Yan was holding a young girl of about fourteen or fifteen dressed as a waitress, and the man she had just danced with was still on the other side. Hey, howe Miss Lin has changed her preferences? No longer into green leaves but red flowers? Im telling you, have some shame! That young girl is barely of age, and youre old enough to be her father. You dare toy a hand on her, how disgusting! Lin Yan, fueled by alcohol, reached into the young girls tray, grabbed a ss, and sshed it at him. I wouldnt give a damn even if I were blind; I wouldnt like someone like you, not even a green leaf. Hell, at best, youre just a weed! The mans face turned red, and he took a step forward. Before he could raise his hand, his arm was grabbed. You again A short-haired woman she didnt recognize. Song Yuhang opened her jacket, revealing a corner of her police badge. Police. The mans face turned pale and then red, he stepped around Song Yuhang, pointing at Lin Yan. Alright, Lin Yan, just wait and see! Before he could finish his sentence, Song Yuhang had already stood in front of him, blocking Lin Yan. The man was shorter than her by a head, and a shadow fell over him. In the colorful lights, there was a hint of coldness in her expression. With the air of a Criminal Investigation Team leader, she made the man gasp for breath, and he slinked away. Chapter 42-2 Chapter 42-2 Cocktail Lin Ge followed to see the guests off, wearing a weing smile. However, as soon as the guests left, he immediately disyed a disdainful expression and said, What a piece of work. In the world of business, some people can only discuss business matters and cannot engage in personal connections. As he prepared to apologize to Lin Yan, he saw her bend over and vomit twice. She was supported by the girl she had just rescued. Sister, are you okay? Song Yuhang raised an eyebrow, pondering the address. Lin Yan wasnt someone who liked to stand out, so did she know this girl? Lin Yan held onto the table and waved her hand, indicating that the girl didnt need to worry about her. Youre not not The three words picking up trash she had thought to say were swallowed back, considering the crowd around. She chose a different way to phrase it. Why did youe to Mn to work? It was introduced by an uncle. Anyway, I go to school during the day and work part-time for four hours at night. After a month, I can save up enough for tuition. Its really tough. Lin Yan waved her hand at her,pletely treating Song Yuhang as if she were invisible. As the girl approached, she reached into her own pocket and pulled out a bank card, stuffing it into the girls coat pocket. She reached out to straighten the name tag for her, smiling so enchantingly that it could captivate anyone. Take it, a gift from your big sister. Song Yuhang remainedposed as she watched a blush spread across the girls face, a twitch at the corner of her mouth. This this cant be its too much If I give it to you, just take it. Am I that short on money? Lin Yan said, then took a ss of whiskey from the girls tray, sending her off to work. As they passed each other, Song Yuhang noticed two small characters on the girls name tag: Bai Ling. That should be her name. She cleared her throat and walked up to Lin Yan. Minors, starting from three years, up to the death penalty, Dr. Lin. Oh, look at you, as if being a minor means not being criminally responsible for everything, Lin Yan swirled the drink in her ss, a hint of a mocking smile ying on her lips, her tone neither warm nor cold. I She had intended to make a yful remark to ease the tension with Lin Yan, but she found herself met with indifference. She indeed wasnt good at cheering up girls. Song Yuhang touched her nose, racking her brain. Um, well Before she could finish her sentence, she caught a glimpse of Lin Ge approaching, and Lin Yans smile became even more faint. Officer Song, have a good time. Im off to find some fun. The ss was now empty, and Lin Yan ced it on the table as she walked toward the bar. Today, she was wearing a shoulder-baring, figure-hugging leather skirt and swaying gracefully in high heels. In this eclectic bar, even her silhouette seemed toe to life. Duan Cheng spotted her from afar and waved frantically. Dr. Lin, over here, over here! Song Yuhang watched her walk over and engage in lively conversation with some young officers from the police station. Lin Ges voice sounded in her ear, Whats going on with her? Why did she leave? I just said I wanted to have a drink with her. Song Yuhang smiled and kept her distance. Maybe shes still upset. Looking at the bruises on her face, Lin Yans strange behavior today, and the way she was ignoring even him, Lin Ge suddenly realized, This Lin Yan, did she get into another fight with you?! No, just a normal sparring session. A normal sparring session wouldnt leave someone looking like this! When they first met, his friends had urged him to drink, so he hadnt paid much attention. But now, as he approached, he could clearly see the marks on Song Yuhangs face, which no makeup could hide. Who else but Lin Yan would dare toy hands on her, and who could turn someone into this state? This is going too far. Im going to find her. Hey, dont go Duan Cheng was watching Lin Yan mix drinks. He saw her pick up the cocktail shaker, giving it a few vigorous shakes, then, as if showcasing her skills, she tossed it high into the air, catching it wlessly to cheers from the crowd. She reached under the bar and pulled out a ss, wiped the rim with a fresh-cut lemon, sprinkled some salt, and poured the prepared cocktail into the ss, handing it to Duan Cheng. There you go, for you. Duan Cheng was ecstatic. Lin Jie, Lin Jie, whats this called? Lin Yan thought for a moment, leaning on the bar counter with her chin in her hand. How about Bright Future? Wow!!! Others cheered too. Lin Jie, I want one too! Wait for it. Lin Yan poured another 30 milliliters of vodka into the cocktail shaker, carefully poured in some lime juice along the ss rim, and the bartender handed her several other vored liqueurs. Finally, she added ice cubes and shook it vigorously, creating a ttering sound. Lin Ge walked over and tapped the table. Lin Yan Lin Yan didnt have time to pay attention to the two of them. Line up for drinks after me She said, mming the cocktail shaker onto the table, opening the lid, and releasing a fragrant aroma. She grabbed a ss, poured it in, and handed it to Fang Xin, even tossing a flirtatious nce her way. Fine wine for a lovelydy, this ones called Beauty Among Flowers.'' If it werent for Fang Xin seeing her face every day in the office, she would have been as smitten and love-struck as the others, her eyes turning into hearts. Even so, she blushed slightly. Thank you, Lin Jie. After making a Stay Fit cocktail for Zheng Chengrui, it seemed like she finally noticed these two individuals. She turned to Lin Ge and asked, What would you like to drink? Then, she shifted her gaze to Song Yuhang with a slightly mischievous look. And you? Lin Yan, you know I came to find you Eh Lin Yan interrupted him, looking up innocently. I know what you want to drink. Let me offer you a Hundred Years of Harmony.'' She picked up the rum and poured it into the cocktail shaker, then added vodka and Cointreau, abination that made Duan Cheng tremble with fear due to its high alcohol content. Lin Yan kept pouring until the cocktail shaker was almost full. You must drink this ss, she said, consider it a toast from your little sister. As she spoke, she nced at Song Yuhang and noticed that she was also looking at her. Their eyes met, and Lin Yan redirected her gaze, choosing to hold back the words longsting that had almost slipped out. Instead, she said, Happy birthday. In front of so many people, he couldnt refuse. After some thought, Lin Ge reluctantly reached out and epted the ss. Well, if he wanted to teach her a lesson, there would be plenty of time for that privately. Lin Yan had a strong sense of pride, so he decided to give her this small victory. Thank you. Lin Yan smiled and looked at thest person in the crowd who didnt have a drink, then switched to a 550mlrge cocktail shaker. Duan Cheng watched as she poured vodka, white rum, gin, tequ, and several other spirits whose names he couldnt recall into the shaker. His teeth were chattering. This this had to be incredibly strong. Lin Yans cocktail-making posture was quite elegant. She wasnt a professional bartender, but she had a certain ir that set her apart from the usual conventions. asionally, she even hummed along with the rhythm of the music, and the overhead lights cast a gentle glow, making her profile appear even more graceful. However, Song Yuhang knew that the cocktail she was crafting was anything but gentle. As she watched those long, slender fingers tap against the ss, she asked, Whats the name of this cocktail? She posed this question while seated at the bar. She had taken care to dress up today, with her medium-length hair neatly tucked behind her ears. It seemed like she had also done her eyebrows, making them less unruly and giving her a softer appearance. Although her makeup might have been a bit too heavy, it Lin Yan met her gaze, and her light brown irises clearly held a smile. Seeing her in a daze, Song Yuhang thought she hadnt heard clearly. Regardless of how others might perceive it, she stood up, leaning slightly closer to her ear, and asked, Im asking you, whats the name of this cocktail? Lin Yans ears tingled, and she instinctively flinched. She pushed the ss away in her hand, saying, Its called A Long Day Ahead.'' Song Yuhang smiled, toying with the ss. Not bad, it has a good meaning. Lin Yan wished she could bite her own tongue. Had her brain malfunctioned? She couldnt believe she had uttered such a melodramatic phrase. Ugh, ugh, ugh! Hey, dont drink it. Its too strong Lin Ge was toote to stop her. Song Yuhang tilted her head back and took a big gulp, which immediately made her cough and turn red in the face. Who drinks cocktails like this? Not getting drunk would be strange! Lin Yan bit her lip, avoiding eye contact. After some inner struggle, she poured a ss of water from under the bar and pushed it towards her. Song Yuhang didnt take it, and instead, took another sip of the cocktail. She covered her mouth, leaning on the bar, and started coughing softly. In just a short while, she had already consumed most of the drink. Dont Someone else spoke even earlier than Lin Ge. Lin Yan stood up, grabbing her wrist and pulling her towards the restroom. Dont drink anymore. Go and vomit. Song Yuhang could barely stand, swaying unsteadily, and was about to bend over to vomit, leaning on the table for support. Lin Yan quickly lifted her up. Damn it, hold it in. Go to the restroom and vomit. If you dare to dirty my clothes, Ill make you regret it. You shouldnt drink if you cant handle it! Trying to be a hero! Lin Yan scolded as she walked. Lin Ge, being a man, wasnt as sensitive to details, so he couldnt possibly follow them into the restroom. So theyve made up again? Fang Xin held her ss, watching the direction the two of them had gone, with a meaningful look. Well, its probably something like fighting is a form of affection.'' Chapter 43-1 Chapter 43-1 Allergy Lin Yan leaned against the wall outside the restroom, listening to the soundsing from inside. She secretly felt a hint of regret. Oh no, how could she have known that Song Yuhang couldnt handle alcohol so well? It was all strong liquor; could it really lead to such dire consequences? With these thoughts in mind, she heard the sound of flushing from inside, and the door was pushed open. Song Yuhang stumbled out, on the verge of copsing to the ground. Lin Yan quickly helped her up. Are you feeling better? Song Yuhang mumbled, and Lin Yan had to exert some effort to support her. She clung to Lin Yans neck, struggling to stand upright, her eyes zed over, thoroughly intoxicated. The two of them wobbled back towards their destination. The faint scent of perfume lingered around Lin Yan, and Song Yuhang sniffed, letting out a belch. Lin Lin Yan Lin Yan turned her face away, pinched her nose, but was forcibly turned back to face someone,pelling her to make eye contact. Perhaps due to the alcohol, Song Yuhang, who was usually reserved, began to speak more freely. Her head was a jumble, and her tongue was tied in knots. Dont dont be angry on the training ground I didnt didnt mean to yes yes, sorry Lin Yan found the first part both infuriating and amusing, but her smile hadnt fully formed on her face. Song Yuhang cupped her face, looking left and right. But but theyre right your figure is indeed indeed very good Lin Yans temples throbbed, and she pushed Song Yuhang away forcefully. Damn it, Song Yuhang, go on your own. I dont care about you anymore! Song Yuhang was already unsteady on her feet and was pushed around, stumbling and coughing as she bent over. Lin Yan clenched her lips, but despite seeing her miserable state, she steeled herself and turned to walk away. Damn it, Song Yuhang, always taking advantage and pushing the limits. However, since she had already apologized, what was she really angry about? Watching her and Lin Ge together made her feel ufortable and stifled. She was used to having everything under control. Had she be so domineering that she even wanted to control other peoples rtionships? This is really terrifying. As Lin Yan was thinking this to herself, she was caught off guard when someone grabbed her wrist. Song Yuhang, stumbling and unsteady, caught up to her and asked the same question. What what are you really angry about? She asked this while, due to her unsteadiness, instinctively leaned on her, her chin resting on Lin Yans shoulder, following that fragrance and getting closer. She really liked the scent on Lin Yan, which both kept her sober and addicted. Lin Yan was taken aback by the sudden contact, stumbling back a few steps, her back against the hard wall. Her restless head kept nuzzling into the crook of her neck, and Lin Yan couldnt take it anymore. She grabbed the back of her neck, lifting her up as if she were holding a big cat, gritting her teeth. Song Yuhang, have you had enough?! Not enough! Not enough! The person in her arms suddenly raised her voice, causing passersby to cast curious nces at them, their expressions suggesting that Lin Yan had done something utterly outrageous. You wont tell me what youre really angry about, so this isnt over! Song Yuhang breathed heavily, her eyes resembling stars. Perhaps it was because the alcohol had surged, her eyes were moist. She rarely showed this kind of expression, which appeared particrly fragile to Lin Yan, especially with the bruises on her face, making her look even more worn out. Lin Yan knew what she had done to her, and those actions should have hurt quite a bit, but she stubbornly remained silent. She had mixed that drink herself, with an alcohol content far exceeding that of a typical cocktail. She clearly had passed out after just one ss, yet she still gritted her teeth and drank it. Song Yuhang, oh Song Yuhang, how could you tolerate my stubbornness to this extent? Do you know that by doing so, youre letting me be more and more reckless? As Lin Yan thought this, she averted her gaze and softly asked, Does it hurt? She didnt answer the question directly, but Song Yuhang was momentarily stunned. The heavily intoxicated woman thought she was crying out in pain and reached out to pull Lin Yan into her arms, gently patting her back. It doesnt hurt anymore, it doesnt hurt anymore Im sorry I was too rough I wont fight with you anymore You can tell me to fight, and I wont As she spoke, she patted her back like soothing a child, her words incoherent and rambling. It doesnt hurt anymore, it doesnt hurt anymore You suffered in the detention center I know, I know Lin Yan It doesnt hurt anymore The repeated phrase It doesnt hurt anymore felt like a heavy hammer striking her heart. If earlier it had been a sense of suffocation in her chest, now it was a mixture of both bitterness and tenderness. Coupled with that soft murmur of Lin Yan, a surge of warmth instantly welled up in her eyes. In all the hardships of her earlier life, except for Chu Nan, no one had ever called her by her name so gently, patting her back and saying, It doesnt hurt anymore. Never before, never. She had faced off against her family in mental battles, fought life and death battles with outsiders, and her growth had been filled with ups and downs, with her life hanging by a thread several times. Lin Yan felt that ever since she could remember, she had been walking on an invisible tightrope, with a vast abyss on the outside, and she had to tread cautiously, as if on thin ice. Until this moment, she was being held by Song Yuhang, and she was warming her with her body heat, pressing her head against her own, patting her back gently while caressing her hair. Her voice was deep yet softly spoken, and she was rambling on. Suddenly, Lin Yan had the sensation that she hadnded. She stood firmly on the ground, right beside her, treated with gentleness. Although she couldnt exin the nature of her rtionship with Song Yuhang, just as Song Yuhang currently didnt understand her own feelings for Lin Yan. But unquestionably, this profound feeling was undeniably real, and this emotion was both genuine and beautiful. With the way she was being held, as their sleeves brushed against each other, Lin Yan wiped away the tears that had welled up in her eyes onto her jacket. A man standing not far away slowly finished his drink. He had been standing there for a while, witnessing the entire scene since they came out of the restroom. Lin Yan wasnt usually this unaware; they had both been so deeply engrossed that they hadnt noticed his presence at all. A knowing look flickered in the mans eyes as he held the empty ss and then turned back towards the event venue. * * * Ill take her home first; shes in no condition to hail a taxi right now. Lin Yan shoved her into the car and threw Song Yuhangs backpack inside as well. Lin Ge held the car door for them. What about you? Are you okay? Youve been drinking quite a bit too. Lin Yan smiled, Oh, Im used to it. Dont you know my alcohol tolerance? I can handle a thousand cups. Dont be too stubborn. You might end up so drunk that you cant even find your way home. Should I arrange for someone to take you both? Lin Ge still had some concerns. Lin Yan clicked her tongue, Are you more worried about her? Its not about worrying for me, right? Dont worry, I wont devour her Or do you want There was a teasing glint in her expression. Lin Ge sighed in exasperation, as if she wanted to pat her on the head but then thought better of it, opting instead to gently stroke the top of her head, just like in their childhood. What are you saying? Am I the kind of person who takes advantage of others vulnerabilities? Youre a Lin, and youll forever be my little sister. Even if I get married and have children, that fact wont change. Under the gentle moonlight, he wore a candid expression, and for Lin Yan, Lin Ge represented the only source of warmth from her childhood. Adding a touch of warmth to the brocade, deepening their friendship in times of need. She would undoubtedly carry this favor in her heart for the rest of her life. Oh,e on, enough of that. Goosebumps all over the ce. The car was stopped on the main road, and the driver honked impatiently. Lin Yan rubbed her arms and got into the car, waving goodbye to him. Goodbye, and next time, Ill treat you to a drink. Lin Ge hadnt finished speaking when the car doors were already locked, and it sped away. Hey, do you even know where she lives? As expected. The driver asked her, Miss, where to? Lin Yan frowned, realizing that she had forgotten to ask where Song Yuhang lived. She patted the face of the person slumped in the back seat. Song Yuhang, Song Yuhang, wake up. Where is your home? Song Yuhang grunted a couple of times, pushed her hand away with a p, and then tumbled back into herp, no matter how much Lin Yan called, she couldnt get a coherent response out of her. Really, they were both quite drunk. Lin Yan gritted her teeth and began to search Song Yuhangs clothes. In her drowsy state, Song Yuhang could only sense someone rummaging through her pockets, so she instinctively tried to pull their hand away. Ouch, ouch, ouch Let go! Lin Yan winced in pain as Song Yuhangs attempt to remove her hand left her wrist numb. Hearing this familiar voice, Song Yuhang finally released her grip, muttering, Searchsearchlet Dr. Lin searchdontdont hit her Lin Yan found it amusing. Why cant you hit her? Song Yuhangy on herp, shouting loudly, No! I just cant! If I hithit her badlyI have to treat her welltreattreat her well! Lin Yan felt her heart warm, and her ears turned red. The driver was still in the front, listening. She gritted her teeth and covered Song Yuhangs mouth, silencing her cries, Alright, shut up, will you? Driver, head to the Qingshan Vi. * * * Song Yuhang might not have known that she was not only the first guest at the secret base 03 but also the first guest at the Qingshan Vi. Lin Yan helped her out of the car, and as soon as the car came to a stop, Song Yuhang began vomiting wildly into the roadside flowerbed. She hadnt eaten much at all, and what came out was all stomach acid, making her extremely ufortable. Lin Yan watched her with a mixture of disdain and concern, cing her hand on her back and gently rubbing it tofort her. After about five or six minutes, Song Yuhang had finished vomiting and began to regain her strength. Lin Yan helped her walk inside. Song Yuhang opened her eyes weakly and looked around, saying, Where is this? My home. Song Yuhang was tall and had long legs, and she was heavy. Lin Yan had to use some strength to support her shoulder and hold her waist tightly. She herself was wearing high heels, making their walk a bit unsteady. Oh, she replied and then closed her eyes again, in a dazed state. Lin Yan turned on the lights and surveyed the vi. Despite its size, itcked any signs of life because she didnt allow servants to stay overnight, and there were no guest rooms, only the master bedroom, which was hers. The thought of this person potentially emitting an unpleasant odor while lying in her bed made Lin Yans scalp tingle. No, absolutely not. She nced at the living room downstairs, feeling like she couldnt hold on much longer. Gritting her teeth, she dragged Song Yuhang onto the sofa. Well, let her lie here for the night. After all, it wasnt like Song Yuhang was someone who would be picky about where she slept. My bagmy bag Somewhere along the way, Song Yuhangs backpack had fallen to the ground. Lin Yan didnt know if it contained anything important, but she insisted on carrying it with her. Lin Yan rolled her eyes, released one of Song Yuhangs arms, and bent down to pick up the fallen backpack. However, in her already unsteady state, she lost her bnce, and theirbined weight caused both of them to tumble onto the sofa. Lin Yan felt dizzy from the pressure, her head now resting on her chest while she could hear Song Yuhangs even breathing. Lin Yan couldnt help but feel that Song Yuhang had been testing her limits throughout the evening. Could this be karma for forcing her to drink? Without hesitation, she grabbed Song Yuhangs ear. Wake up, wake up, get up, hey!
Chapter 43-2 Chapter 43-2 Allergy Song Yuhang pped her hand away with a single smack and said, Dont dont make noise Afterwards, she smacked her lips a couple of times and buried her head into hers Lin Yan, unable to bear it any longer, delivered a resounding p. Although it seemed that Song Yuhang had some awareness, she turned her face away and still clung tightly to her. Lin Yan pushed a few more times, but she didnt budge at all. Damn, shes so heavy, what has she been eating to be like this? In her current situation, she couldnt resort to violence against her, and with her being so defenseless, if she were to use force, Song Yuhang would be seriously hurt. Lin Yan endured and said, Did I owe you something in my past life? Her question was met with quiet breathing. Song Yuhang was deeply asleep, her head buried in her. It was as if she had found a warm harbor, and the pillow was both fragrant and soft. She couldnt help but hold her tighter and tighter. Lin Yan was about to suffocate, and besides, she wasnt entirely indifferent either. When the heat gently brushed across her skin, her toes curled up from the tingling sensation. She clenched her fingers tightly on the sofa, almost struggling to breathe. She tried to move Song Yuhangs head to the side, but as she lifted it, she saw her furrow her brow, seemingly ufortable, and reach out to scratch her own cor. Whats wrong with you? Lin Yan asked her. Song Yuhang closed her eyes, pulled at her cor, and scratched her neck. Its itching Visibly, arge rash had appeared on her neck. She seemed ufortable all over her body, squirming and scratching vigorously, quickly drawing a few blood marks. Lin Yan grabbed her hand firmly and said, Dont move! Song Yuhang was obedient, still whimpering with her mouth, but she let Lin Yan unbutton her clothes without resistance. When Lin Yan saw therge red spots, it startled her sober. Damn, why didnt you mention youre allergic to alcohol earlier! Get up! Perhaps feeling extremely ufortable, Song Yuhang was limp and weak, so when Lin Yan pushed her forcefully, she tumbled over. Lin Yan helped her lie down and raised her feet onto the sofa. Do you know alcohol allergy can be fatal? Yet you still drank? Huh? Lin Yan scolded while turning on a tablemp, opening her eyelids to check. Fortunately, her pupils responded normally to light. Is there anywhere else itchy? Song Yuhang pointed to her neck, struggling to speak, and looked like she wanted to scratch again. Lin Yan pped her hand on the back, saying, No scratching allowed! Song Yuhang looked somewhat aggrieved and was now mostly sober. Itchy Endure it! Lin Yan said as she lifted her arm and rolled up the sleeve to check if there were any rashes elsewhere. Turn over, let me check your back. Reluctantly, Song Yuhangplied, closing her mouth as she met Lin Yans gaze. She obediently turned over, facing the sofa to undergo her examination. As Lin Yan conducted her examination, Song Yuhang bit her lip slightly. Lin Yans touch was gentle, like a soft massage, and it relieved the itching sensation but triggered another feeling. Especially as it traveled up her spine. Song Yuhang suddenly clenched the sofa fabric, nearly biting her lower lip hard enough to draw blood. In just a short minute, it felt like an eternity had passed for her. Alright, lie still. Its not too severe. Ill go find some medication for you. Lin Yan said as she quickly rushed upstairs and disappeared into her ownboratory. Xisimin, Xisimin1 she mumbled under her breath, rummaging through neatly organized cabs but finding no trace of allergy medication among her collection of disinfectants and topical treatments. Lin Yan turned and searched through the drawers under her desk, emptying them out but still unable to locate what she was looking for. Damn it, where did I put it? Lin Yan cursed softly, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Frustrated, she turned and headed towards the study. When she returned, still slightly out of breath, she handed a box of pills and water to her. Here, take it quickly. Song Yuhang held the warm cup in her hands, momentarily taken aback as she looked up at Lin Yan, who had sweat on her forehead and disheveled hair. It warmed her heart. I didnt know that Forensic Doctor Lin also has such a gentle side. Get lost, its not not Lin Yans true nature was exposed the moment she opened her mouth. When she was praised as gentle to her face, her tongue even got tied for a moment. She had initially thought of saying, I forced it on you, but what slipped out instead was, You brought it on yourself. Song Yuhang smiled, not minding, and unwrapped the pill, cing it into her mouth, then gulping down the entire ss of water. She felt dizzy and utterly exhausted. By the time Lin Yan turned away to dispose of some trash, she had already drifted off into slumber once more. Beneath the orange glow of themp, Song Yuhang slept soundly, her eyshes gently quivering, and her lips appeared plump and moist from having just drunk water. Her jacket was open, and the short-sleeved shirt inside was disheveled from her earlier scratching, revealing a glimpse of her slender corbone and graceful curves. Herplexion, unlike Lin Yans sickly pallor, was the normal shade for an Asian person, somewhere between wheatish and bronze. With her regr fitness regimen, her tall and toned figure exuded a different kind of feminine beauty. As Lin Yan gazed at her, she couldnt help but think that she looked better without any makeup, so as not to harm anyone. She reached out to straighten her clothes, took the ss from her hand, dimmed the tablemp, and brought down a nket from upstairs to cover her. Lin Yan had initially intended to go upstairs to sleep, but seeing Song Yuhangs still slightly flushedplexion and feeling her slightly warm forehead, she decided to sit down against the sofa, let out a tired yawn, and reconsidered. * * * Throughout the night, Lin Yan woke up multiple times, checking on her condition. She was particrly concerned when she noticed her unconsciously scratching her neck, which was already damaged. She brought some iodine and gently dabbed it on a piece of gauze to soothe her, continuing until it was almost dawn. Song Yuhang had a dreamless night, and her phone repeatedly vibrated in her backpack until it eventually ran out of battery. When she woke up in the early morning, her eyes were met with a fluffy headLin Yans curly hair sprawled across her. Lin Yan had fallen asleep leaning against the sofa, with her hand resting on her waist. Song Yuhang gently moved her arm away, raised herself up, and tucked the stray hair from Lin Yans forehead behind her ear. Lin Yansplexion was somewhat pale, likely due to inadequate rest, with dark circles under her eyes. She stayed up the whole night watching over her like this? A sudden wave of tenderness washed over Song Yuhangs heart. She carefully slid off the sofa, wanting to wake Lin Yan but hesitating. Instead, she reached out and lifted her up horizontally. Lin Yan woke up abruptly, feeling disoriented. She struggled to form coherent words, Wha what are you doing?! Still groggy from the effects of alcohol, Song Yuhang had little strength left in her body. She climbed the stairs with Lin Yan in her arms, a thinyer of sweat forming on her forehead. Dont move recklessly. Wheres your room? Go back to sleep. Damn it, Song Yuhang, if you dare to drop me, youre dead meat! Lin Yan cursed. As soon as she finished speaking, Song Yuhangs grip loosened slightly, causing her to sink downward. Lin Yan let out a startled cry and clung tightly to her neck, tightly shutting her eyes. The expected pain, however, did not ur. Song Yuhang chuckled lightly. Arent you supposed to be fearless? Lin Yan, still holding onto her neck, cursed vehemently, I Song Yuhang became serious. Alright, tell me where to go. Otherwise, I really wont be able to carry you. Straight ahead, the one all the way at the back. Song Yuhang carried her and walked briskly towards the designated room. Lin Yan continued to taunt her mercilessly, Youre so pathetic. I cant believe you cant even lift someone weighing less than a hundred pounds. Last time, a guy carried me around, up and down the stairs, while he was shirtless. Song Yuhang maintained a poker face, but Lin Yans words stirred her blood. She opened the door and unceremoniously tossed Lin Yan onto the bed. Whos to me? Im allergic to alcohol, and whose idea was it to make me drink? Wait until Im better; well see. Lin Yan, thrown into disarray, grabbed a pillow and hurled it at Song Yuhang. me you! Its all your fault! If it werent for you pissing me off, do you think Id have made you drink?! You, Forensic Doctor Lin, have a bag of tricks. If its not me this time, itll be someone else next time, Song Yuhang calmly retorted, sitting on the edge of the bed. Then why do I feel like every time, you willingly let yourself be pranked and willingly take a p? Lin Yan said through gritted teeth, as if probing something. Song Yuhang avoided her gaze and touched her nose somewhat awkwardly. Lin Yan became bolder, Do you know thatst night when you got drunk, you said something to me? I dont know, Song Yuhang honestly shook her head. I dont remember. Lin Yan held a pillow, looking at her with a more mischievous smile. Come on, tell me! Let Forensic Doctor Lin have a taste~ The first sentence sent Song Yuhangs embarrassment levels skyrocketing, and her face turned as red as a beet in an instant. And then you said, Cant hit Forensic Doctor Lin, might hurt her, and have to be nice to her'' Lin Yans words werent even fully out when Song Yuhang covered her mouth and dragged her under the covers. Shut up. One struggled, the other sought to subdue, and in the end, neither knew how it happened. When Song Yuhang finally regained her senses, she found herself pressed on top of Lin Yan. Their eyes locked, and both were breathing heavily. The spot where she had used as a pillowst night rested against her chest, and its softness instantly awakened her memories. Her brain had forgotten, but her body remembered. Song Yuhangs throat went dry, and there was a fire of words unspoken in their eyes, both of them radiating a simmering desire. Tender eyes, slightly flushed corners, softly furrowed brows, a graceful neck, and She found herself almost unconsciously swallowing, whether Lin Yans words were true or false. She seemed to have a better understanding of why that man had carried her up and down the stairs, and why so many people wanted to get close to her, to possess her. No one spoke any further; it was as if invisible sparks were igniting in the air, raising the temperature. Song Yuhang dared not move. She simply swallowed her saliva frantically, trying to relieve the dryness in her throat. She felt that if she didnt drink some water soon, she might go crazy, or worse, be lost in the depths of Lin Yans pupils. In the end, Lin Yan reached out and gently closed her eyes, whispering, Get up. Though her voice was soft, it carried an undeniable authority. Song Yuhang seized the opportunity to catch her breath, and with a single roll, she sat up. Her heart raced like a drum, and only now did she realize that her face was flushed. What was she thinking, just now? How could she entertain such thoughts about Lin Yan? She wished she could p herself hard a couple of times to snap out of it. Desperate to escape the situation, she dared not look at Lin Yan. Um can I borrow a couple of your clothes? The dressing room is downstairs, Lin Yan replied in a voice devoid of any emotion. Song Yuhang hurriedly made her way out of the room. Thank you. Lin Yan sighed softly, looking at the empty room. She couldnt sleep, so she started to get up and prepare herself for the day.
  1. Used to relieve symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis, such as sneezing, running nose, nasal itching, nasal congestion and eye itching and burning sensation.
Chapter 44-1 Chapter 44-1 Dripping Blood When Lin Yan dragged herself downstairs, wrapped in a bath towel, Song Yuhang was already standing in the kitchen. Lin Yans clothes were a bit snug on her. She wore a shirt that clung tightly to her body, with sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her long legs made her trousers look stylish, and she casually tucked the shirt into her pants, giving off an air of nonchnce. Water droplets still clung to the ends of her wet hair. Upon hearing themotion, Song Yuhang turned around, with an apron tied around her waist. What would you like to eat? From behind, she appeared to be a gender-neutral beauty, but when she turned around, she transformed into a head chef at a Western restaurant. Lin Yan couldnt help but chuckle, her chin almost dropping. Why are you dressed in a suit with an apron? Are you aiming for a Michelin three-star chef position? Song Yuhang smiled, a hint of embarrassment in her expression. Your closet is full of dresses I didnt want to get them dirty. They must be quite expensive. Lin Yan, still wrapped in her bath towel, descended the stairs barefoot, wearing a slightlyzy expression. You look really good in it. Ill give it to you. Song Yuhangs gaze initiallynded on her feet as she walked, which were fair, dainty, and beautifully rounded at the ankles. Um you dont have to. Ill wash it and return it to you. Oh, by the way, it seems you also left a uniform jacket to me, Lin Yan said as she walked into the coatroom, searching through a pile of clothes and shoes for Song Yuhangs jacket. Her graceful figure was reflected on the frosted ss. The living room was entirely open, and Song Yuhang stood in the kitchen, taking in the scene. The bath towel only covered the upper and lower parts of Lin Yans body, and the rest faintly showed through on the ss, adding an intriguing touch to the view. Hmm, didnt I ask the butler to wash and hang it up a while ago? Where could it have gone? Lin Yan stood up, appearing somewhat frustrated. Song Yuhang turned her face and said, If you cant find it, dont worry about it. Its not a big deal; I get plenty of those uniform jackets from work every year. She even had a selfish desire to leave something of her own in Lin Yans room. While Song Yuhang was lost in her thoughts, Lin Yan had already turned around with the clothes in her hands. Ah, I found it. I kept forgetting to return it to you. And, by the way, dont bother cooking. The butler will bring a chefter. Song Yuhang had a half-cut tomato in her hand. Is that so She seemed somewhat disappointed,menting the waste of all the kitchen equipment and the beautifully maintained kitchen itself. You never cook? Lin Yan poured a cup of coffee from the coffee pot and approached her, poking her head out. Why should I bother cooking when my manicures are so expensive? Song Yuhang chuckled, True As she said this, she intended to toss the tomato from the cutting board into the trash can. Sometimes, I find you utterly vulgar, and other times, I feel like youre otherworldly. We all eat grains and worship the same deities. Vulgarity is ingrained in us, and no one is nobler than another. Strip away that outeryer, and youll find all sorts of creatures lurking. Theres nothing special about it. Lin Yan took a sip of her coffee and, noticing her actions, reached out and grabbed her wrist. What are you doing? Didnt you already cut it in half? Didnt you say a chef would beingter Lin Yan chuckled, and from her expression, Song Yuhang could sense a hint of embarrassment. I only said I wouldnt cook. I never said I wouldnt eat. Detective Song, you should still taste your own cooking. The fingertips resting on her wrist felt cool and had a jade-like texture, and it reminded Song Yuhang of the sensation she had experiencedst night when Lin Yan had performed a medical examination on her spine, causing a tingling sensation. She began to feel a slight itch in her neck once again. Tomato sauce noodles arent anything particrly fancy for breakfast, but if you want to eat, Ill make them, Song Yuhang said, getting busy but avoiding looking into Lin Yans eyes. Of course, I want to eat. Why wouldnt I? Im hungry, Lin Yan replied, her tone carrying a hint of yful cheerfulness. She was quite wary of using this tone of voice, just like earlier when she yfully elongated her words while teasing Song Yuhang. It brought out a bit of innocence and radiance that she normally didnt disy, but somehow, it added a touch of alluring maturity to her. She did it on purpose. Thinking back to the scene upstairs bathed in the morning sunlight, Song Yuhang blushed ever so slightly. Sinceing downstairs, this person hadnt made eye contact with her. Lin Yan half-leaned on the kitchen counter and lifted her gaze. Song Yuhang, look at me. The person, fully focused on chopping vegetables, remained unfazed. Lin Yan changed her approach. Song Yuhang,e on, look at me. Song Yuhang sidestepped her and took a handful of scallions from the refrigerator to wash,pletely ignoring her. Lin Yans mind raced, and she reached out to pinch Song Yuhangs blushing ear. Teasing this person was just too amusing. Before she could even raise her tiptoes to pinch, she was sshed with water on her face. Hey, you! Lin Yan was getting angry now, but the person across from her was even angrier. Due to the hangover, there were still traces of bloodshot in her eyes, and something Lin Yan couldnt quite decipher had added to her expression. She looked more serious than usual. Put your clothes on and sit down! I Lin Yan wanted to say something more, but when she saw the restrained anger at the corner of her lips, she felt a bit breathless. It was as if saying one more word would turn her into the meat on Song Yuhangs cutting board. Hmph, fine, Ill sit down. Youre so stingy! * * * At the time Lin Yan usually got up for work, the scene was as follows when the butler arrived. They sat at the spacious dining table, each on their own side, not acknowledging each other. In the center were tes of food, several side dishes, and two boiled eggs. In an earth-shattering turn of events, Song Yuhang had made all of the Lin familys chefs unemployed overnight, and Lin Yan not only willingly ate breakfast but was eating Tomato Sauce Noodles! The butler couldnt help but shed tears of gratitude; he was on the verge of awarding Song Yuhang the Most Touching Person in China title. Song Yuhang rarely indulged in such everyday snacks, and while Song Yuhangs culinary skills werent top-notch, the meal was still rtively fresh to her. Lin Yan couldnt help but take a couple more bites of the noodles and then shifted her gaze to the te of eggs. Song Yuhang reached over and took both of the eggs. Lin Yan opened her mouth, clearly irritated but swallowing her frustration. In less than a minute, a small te was pushed in front of her. For you. Peeled eggsy smooth and shiny in the center of the te, and Song Yuhang carried the bowl to the kitchen to get some soup. The butlers eyes were about to pop out of their sockets. If he wasnt mistaken, Song Yuhang was wearing Lin Yans shirt, and it looked like her beloved limited edition Armani! She even had on Lin Yans slippers, and when she turned back around, the slightly open cor revealed arge red mark and nail scratches. The elderly butler took another look at his mistress, who appeared tired and weary fromck of sleep, and felt deeply troubled. Miss, arent you the one above? Of course, he didnt dare to ask that question. He sent the others away to tend to the garden and approached to clean up the dishes for Lin Yan. Lin Yan dabbed at her lip with a tissue. Have a bit more, just a small bite. The butler was surprised. He couldnt see anything particrly special about this home-cooked dish, but heplied with her request and spooned a small bite for her. Seeing Lin Yan enjoying her meal, Song Yuhang felt a warmth in her heart. They serve this dish in the cafeteria for lunch; you can give it a try. This statement seemed to hit one of the young misss sensitive spots. Lin Yan snorted coldly, saying, I was just curious; its nothing special if you eat it too much. Who wants to eat cafeteria food? Old Lin, continue to bring me lunch. Yes, Miss, Old Lin respectfully bowed. Lin Yan stood up, no longer casting a nce at Song Yuhang. Im done, you can clean up now. * * * Once they were in the car, Lin Yan, sitting in the front seat, began to feel drowsy. Song Yuhang clutched her bag, repeatedly trying to find the right moment to return the repaired mechanical rod to her, but without sess. In the midst of this dilemma, they had already arrived at the Municipal Public Security Bureau. Did Captain Song not go homest night? Thats impossible; Dr. Lin sent her back a long time ago, didnt she? Fang Xin stood at the door, observing Ji Jingxings anxious expression, and dialed her number. The same cold, unresponsive ringtone yedSorry, the phone you dialed is currently powered off. Dr. Lin?? Ji Jingxing caught her mention of a name, furrowing her brows slightly. Is she the colleague Captain Song is close to? As the two were talking, Lin Yans car pulled up, and it had an air of grandeur that even the official vehicles of city leaders couldnt match. It immediately drew the attention of both Fang Xin and Ji Jingxing. Fang Xin waved towards the car. Hey, Dr. Lin, youre here. Ji Jingxings gaze also shifted in that direction. Lin Yan emerged from the car wearing sunsses, and her shirt dress entuated her graceful figure. Her slender high heels on the ground emphasized her long and slender legs, giving off a full aristocratic vibe. But when she took off her sunsses, things took a different turn. Leaning against the car door, she smiled at Fang Xin with an air of yfulness. Hey, waiting for big sister? Ji Jingxings first impression of her was significantly diminishedostentatious. How could Song Yuhang associate with someone like this? As the rear car door opened, Song Yuhang emerged, wearing Lin Yans expensive little suit. Her clothes were impably ironed, entuating her tall andmanding figure, exuding an air of elegance and confidence. Standing next to Lin Yan, the scene was undeniably pleasing to the eye. Ji Jingxing felt a sting from this sight, and her smile seemed somewhat forced. Yuhang Lin Yan stopped smiling and shifted her gaze. They called each other quite intimately. Song Yuhang quickly walked up to her. Sis, what brings you here? Mom told me you didnte homest night, and you didnt answer my calls. I thought maybe you stayed at the office I was passing by this morning on my way to work, so I decided to drop by and brought you some breakfast. Ji Jingxing exined and handed her a bottle of soy milk and a deep-fried dough stick. Song Yuhang seemed to have a sudden realization and remembered the phone she had left in her backpack. Oh, my phone ran out of battery, and I forgot to tell you all. I stayed at a colleagues cest night. Ji Jingxing nced at Lin Yan, who stood idle without greeting anyone. Lin Yan seemed unconcerned, and she let Ji Jingxings gaze sweep over her before returning her own gaze. I wont have breakfast since Ive already eaten. These are for my colleagues. Song Yuhang was holding arge stic bag filled with various types of food. Ji Jingxing hesitated but managed a somewhat forced smile. Alright, alright, as long as youre okay. Thats what matters. Its nothing, what could happen to me? Song Yuhang smiled, but Ji Jingxing keenly noticed the marks on her neck. This how did this happen? Ji Jingxing asked, noticing the rash had disappeared but left behind a red mark and some prominent scratch marks, resembling the aftermath of some ambiguous encounter. Song Yuhangs expression seemed somewhat evasive. Its nothing I scratched myself. Ill go in first, sis. Ah Ji Jingxing wanted to say more, but Lin Yan had already followed in Song Yuhangs footsteps. I think she came not to see you but to see who your with. The faint words of the woman fell into her ears. Song Yuhang wasnt angry, but she said, Its all the same, arent they? Are you full? If not, have a little more. The two walked side by side, and Lin Yan distanced herself, pinching her nose, until their figurespletely disappeared into the lobby of the Municipal Public Security Bureau. Song Yuhang never turned back to look at her throughout the entire walk.
Chapter 44-2 Chapter 44-2 Dripping Blood Ah, I mean, didnt you drink alcohol before? In the end, Lin Yan took a cup of soy milk from her and sipped it slowly. Are you talking about that night? Song Yuhang pondered for a moment before saying, I did have a bit to drink, but it was very little, less than 50ml of mojito. Lin Yan chuckled softly, Mojito? What kind of drink is that? Most of it is just soda water mixed in. Its just a fancy drink to show off, wont get you drunk. Song Yuhang smiled bitterly, Its possible. Last night was the first time in my life that I drank so much, and it hit me hard and fast. Lin Yan averted her gaze, and they had arrived at the Criminal Investigation Office. Song Yuhang stopped and waited for her to finish herst sentence. Allergic reactions vary from person to person. In the cocktails we hadst night, there was not just alcohol but also other ingredients like lemon and soda. I suggest you go to the hospital for an allergy test. Lin Yans concern wasced with a reluctant sense of professional duty. Song Yuhang smiled, inexplicably wanting to reach out and pat her head, but she withdrew her hand upon making eye contact with Lin Yan. Dont worry, I know my own body well. I just drank a bit too much too quickly. Its nothing to be concerned about. Lin Yan snorted and walked away with an air of superiority. I wasnt concerned about you. I was worried that if you suddenly kicked the bucket, it would increase my workload. Song Yuhang couldnt help but chuckle, watching Lin Yan walk away. She had a smile on her lips as she returned to her own office. Fang Xin followed behind her with a slightly gossipy expression and said, I can see the strawberry marks on Captain Songs neck. Is it because you Lin Yan had just taken a sip of soy milk and almost sprayed it all out, coughing vigorously. Cough, cough! What strawberry marks? Those are hives from alcohol allergies, okay?! Besides, what does it have to do with me if she has strawberry marks on her neck? Stop indulging in inappropriate gossip with Duan Cheng all day long! As she spoke, Lin Yan quickened her pace and walked ahead, leaving Fang Xin staring at her back with an innocent look. A mischievous smile yed on her lips. Oh, Dr. Lin, if its not, then its not. Why get so worked up about it? Lin Yan replied, Shut up, stop chattering. Lets get to work, get to work. She was just making excuses with her words. Just as she had taken off her coat and hung it on the hanger, preparing to change into a white coat to enter theboratory, the police siren sounded. She quickly snatched the coat back down and threw it on, with one sleeve still unbuttoned. She grabbed her investigation kit and rushed out, buttoning up with one hand as she ran. Why are you standing there?! Theres an emergency call! Lets go! Duan Cheng hastily shoved a pancake into his mouth, grabbed his camera, and stuffed the lens into his bag while his voice was muffled, W-Wait, Dr. Lin. Fang Xin also left her soy milk on the table, grabbed her investigation kit, and dashed out. She wiped her mouth with a tissue as she ran. The Criminal Investigation team was faster than the Technical Investigation team. When they were ready to depart, Song Yuhang was already on the way. The two cars were connected via Bluetooth, and the voice from the walkie-talkie came from the drivers seat, Received a 110 citizen report, stating that at 78 Xuanwu Road, Apartment 1106 in the Dongcheng District of our city, a naked female corpse was discovered inside Only a short while after the sun had risen, the sky hadpletely clouded over, making the early morning resemble evening. Lin Yan jumped out of the car, carrying the investigation kit, and briskly crossed the police cordon, striding into the building. Themunity property management and local police officers guided them upstairs together, and the elevator stopped on the eleventh floor. The examination tform was already set up. Song Yuhang, wearing gloves and shoe covers, stepped into the pool of blood. She briskly pulled open the shower curtain with a swoosh, revealing the lifeless, nude female corpse lying in the bathtub with her head tilted. An overwhelming, pungent smell of blood filled the air,bined with the visual shock of the bathtub filled with blood, causing several new junior detectives to instinctively step back. The forensic examiner changed into suitable clothing and entered. Song Yuhang moved aside to clear a path for her, allowing Lin Yan to pass in front of her. Photographs were taken, evidence was collected. During her work, Lin Yan was undoubtedly professional, without any superficial mour that she might have had elsewhere. Song Yuhang nced at her, confident in leaving this task to her. The gaze that had been on her disappeared, and sensing her leaving, Lin Yans lips under her mask curled slightly. Come, lets collect a water sample too. After the forensic examiner had extracted a water sample from the bathtub, Lin Yan moved closer to observe the characteristics of the body. The girlsplexion was pale, the result of significant blood loss, and her body had already turned cold. There were no visible external injuries on the body exposed outside the bathtub. Lin Yan gently lifted her arm that hung over the edge, and a de dropped from it. Fang Xin used a pair of tweezers to pick up the blood-stained de and ced it into an evidence bag. Duan Cheng reached into the pool of blood and retrieved the deceaseds other arm. As expected, there was a clearly visible deep wound on the wrist, almost down to the bone. The blood had already dried up, and the wound had turned white from being soaked. This bathtub was filled with her blood, mixed with water, silently flowing onto the floor throughout the long night. His expression showed a mixture of fear and sorrow. How how could someone be driven to such a desperate state? * * * Who made the call to the police? I-I did! A man in the crowd outside raised his hand high. He had a beer belly and was wearing slippers, dressed in casual home attire, clearly looking flustered as he had rushed out of his house. The investigators were taking notes, and Song Yuhang also approached. Tell us in detail. The man licked his lips, still seemingly shaken. I live in Apartment 1006 downstairs. It was a little past 6 in the morning, and it was still dark outside. I was brushing my teeth and washing my face, getting ready for work He seemed to be lost in that situation, unable toe back to his senses for a long time, his face turning pale. The man was an ordinary office worker with a nine-to-five job. This apartment he rented was quite a distance from his workce, requiring about ten bus stops. His modest sry couldnt afford any extravagance, so he had to wake up early every day to wash up and make breakfast for himself. On this particr day, it was just barely dawn when his rm clock rang. He got out of bed with a bedhead, still half-asleep, and fumbled his way to the bathroom in the dark to begin his morning routine. While brushing his teeth, he felt a few drops of water on his neck, but he didnt pay much attention, just muttered a few curses in his mind at the upstairs neighbor and the property management: Damn this lousy apartment, leaking water again. He spat out the toothpaste foam, rinsed his mouth, turned on the faucet to wash his face, and as he continued washing, he started to feel that something was amiss. The dripping water increased steadily, and it was quite cold, both chilling and sticky in the early autumn season. The man shivered inexplicably, the tap still running. He reached out to wipe the back of his neck and simultaneously turned on the switch on the wall. When he finally saw the liquid in his palm, he let out a horrified cry and slumped to the floor. It was blood! Blood! He watched in shock as his own ceiling began to seep blood, drop by drop, into the washbasin. The bloodstains spread with the ripples in the water, sliding down the drain. The man trembled all over, his lips quivering. He thought it was just a nightmare brought on by watching too many horror films. He pinched himself hard until the familiar pain hit him. He staggered to his feet, still in his pajamas, and rushed out to find the property management to report the incident. This is how it happened The man swallowed hard, desperately trying to forget that scene but only sinking deeper into it, his face marked with profound fear. Song Yuhang gestured for someone to pass him a cigarette to help calm his nerves. Do you remember what time you woke up? The man took the cigarette but didnt light it. He brought it close to his nose and took a deep breath. I remember I set the rm for 6:30. When it went off, I got up and it took me about one or two minutes to get to the bathroom. Do you recognize the tenant living upstairs? The man nodded, Yes, I do. I think theyre a student. Ive seen them in the elevator a few times and even exchanged greetings. But why would this suddenly happen Song Yuhang nced at him and a few property management staff. Do they live alone? What about their parents? Or is it a rented apartment? One of the property managers stepped forward and said, Its not a rental, its their own ce. The upant is a young girl named Fan Lin. The property deed is in her fathers name, but after her parents divorced a few years ago, we havent seen her fathere back. Only her motheres to check on her from time to time. Song Yuhang signaled to the junior detective to ry this information back to the precinct so that Zheng Chengrui could search for the girls biological parents and notify the family. The onlookers watched them busy themselves and listened to the property managers words, whispering among themselves. Oh, how pitiful. Parents divorcing, remarrying, the poor child abandoned. Thats right. Ive been living here for decades, and I can say Ive watched this young girl grow up. How could they just give up on her like that? Some expressed sympathy while others gossiped callously. Didnt we hear her and her mother arguing upstairs when her college admission notice came down a while back? She wanted to retake the college entrance exams, but her mother wouldnt allow it. Maybe, she just couldnt handle it at the moment How do you know all this so well? Me? My son and she were ssmates in the same grade. Although my son did well in this years college entrance exams, he made it to a prestigious university. Oh, thats indeed great. Congrattions, congrattions. A few young police officers remained outside, continuing to take statements from neighbors both upstairs and downstairs. Song Yuhang put on gloves once more and entered the scene. As the examination of the body was halfway through, Duan Cheng held the investigation light for her, and Song Yuhang reached out to receive it. Ill take over. Any discoveries? Lin Yan had just ced a caliper on the victims wrist. Theres a visible cut on the left wrist, about 5 cm deep, almost down to the bone, and it appears to have been dragged multiple times. The girls wrist was already blistered from the water, with veins and nerves exposed. A small, sharp object like a de can only create this effect through repeated friction. There were also superficial scratch marks on the girls wrist, parallel to the main incision. In forensic medicine, this is known as a test cut. The two exchanged a nce, and Song Yuhang tightened her lips. Lin Yan understood what she was thinking. Dont worry, with the experience from the He Miao case, I wont jump to conclusions easily. Song Yuhang patted her shoulder and handed the investigation light to someone else. Ill go check outside. The forensic examiner continued to work diligently. Fang Xin dusted carbon powder onto the doorknob until fingerprints appeared, and then she quickly lifted them. Song Yuhang quickly scanned the area. The doors and windows were intact, with no signs of forced entry or a struggle. Inside the house, there were only the footprints of the girl and the people who had reported the case in the first ce. The refrigerator had a limited amount of food, mostly instant products like dumplings, rice balls, and instant noodles, which were typical for a student living alone. On a bookshelf in the living room, there was a photo frame, and Song Yuhang reached out to take it down. The photo had been wiped clean. In the center of the picture was the deceased, as she appeared when she was seven or eight years old, a happy family of three. Song Yuhang put the photo back and went to check the trash bin. She found a few torn pieces of examination papers, which she picked up and ced into an evidence bag. She also collected several takeout receipts and supermarket bills, all of which could potentially provide significant clues for the caseter on. After inspecting the trash bin, her gaze fell on an empty ss on the coffee table, with a residue of liquid at the bottom. She picked it up and held it up to the light, noticing fingerprints on the ss. Fang Xin, theres another fingerprint here. Come and lift it. Sure thing, Captain Song, Fang Xin replied promptly. Song Yuhang moved to the other side and crouched down to inspect the area under the couch. She also lifted the carpet to take a look. Very clean. Single individuals living alone tend to be somewhat casual about cleanliness, especially a female student who likely didnt have much time for housekeeping. Even the hair on the carpet had been neatly collected. It wasnt about being obsessivepulsive. Captain Song, weve made a discovery, one of the forensic investigators examining the girls bedroom called out. Song Yuhang stood up and walked over as the investigator handed her a phone they had found on the table. We found an unsent text message on the deceaseds phone. Farewell forever, Mom. I have been unfilial, unable to be the daughter you expected in this lifetime. I will repay your nurturing kindness in the next. The phones lock had already been bypassed by the technical team. Song Yuhang quickly skimmed through a few pages of text messages, which were mostly spam messages from businesses. She exited the messaging app and started flipping through the girls photo album. There were selfies, some scenic shots, and a few pictures of marine life, particrly whales. She had a nagging feeling that she had seen them somewhere before, but she couldnt quite recall where. Just then, someone called from outside the door, Captain Song, weve made contact with the deceaseds mother.
Chapter 45-1 Chapter 45-1 White Whale When was thest time you saw her? Inside the police station, Song Yuhang gestured for the person to sit down and poured a cup of hot tea for her. The woman held the paper cup, wiped the corners of her eyes with a tissue, and choked up, unable to speak. The man who apanied her gently patted her back andforted her in a soothing voice, Dont cry. First, exin everything to the police. Song Yuhang, on the other hand, remained calm andposed, waiting for the family member to regain herposure. After crying for what seemed like a while, the woman finally spoke in a soft, trembling voice, Yesterday afternoon, that was thest time I saw her. What time did you go, and for what reason? Song Yuhang was responsible for asking, while the young police officer beside her quickly took notes. Probably around five or six oclock. I was going to bring her dinner and, well discuss her decision to repeat a year in school, the woman replied. Song Yuhang raised her eyes and nced at her. When it came to repeating a year, it seemed like the woman had a lot to say: I thought a girl could just study a normal major in English or Chinese, something practical for a future civil service exam. But she insisted on studying fine arts, with her heart set on entering an art school. We argued about it constantly from her childhood until now. Even after someone has passed away, they still find themselves dwelling on past family conflicts. Song Yuhang remained calm, shifting the conversation from the womans nagging about her daughter to the case at hand. How long did you stay? Less than an hour, and we had another argument. I mmed the door and left in anger, the woman wiped away tears, sobbing, If I had known she wouldmit suicide after I left, even if she chased me away, I wouldnt have left The man beside her appeared to be her current husband. He pulled her close, wiping her tears and said, Dont cry, its not your fault, Linlin sigh He let out a long sigh, looking troubled. If you make yourself sick from crying, there wont be anyone to take care of our little treasure. The woman gathered herself with some effort, and Song Yuhang continued to ask, Did she ever have suicidal thoughts before? How were her rtionships at school? What was her usual personality like? A trace of overwhelming grief appeared on the womans face. When the college eptance letter came, I forced her to go to school. She once cried and said, If I cant get into the art school, I might as well die. I I didnt take it seriously either Who who would have known! The man interjected at this moment, We cant me her mother entirely either. Her mother was also doing it for her own good. Pursuing art doesnt provide the same stability as a career in public security. Her mother just wanted her to lead a stable and peaceful life. Who would have known that this child would be so stubborn? In the end, wepromised and agreed to let her repeat the year. But now, whats happened Isnt this just another episode of her drama? Is she deliberately trying to make her mother live the rest of her life in guilt? Guilt wasnt something to be felt early orte; it only came after a person had passed away. If Lin Yan were here, she would probably have erupted into a furious outburst. But Song Yuhang calmly retrieved an evidence bag from her file and ced it on the table, pushing it towards them. Take a look at this medication. Do you recognize it? Inside the transparent bag was a small medicine bottle, covered in English names andplex chemical terms. Both of them examined it briefly and shook their heads. The mother of the girl was still sobbing. What what is this medicine? I never heard that she was sick. Its Sertraline hydrochloride, also known as Zoloft, the first-choice medication for treating depression. We also found a hospital report from her home, confirming a diagnosis of severe depression. It hit them like a bolt from the blue, and the girls mother cried even harder. Why why didnt she tell her mother if she was sick Silly child Youre taking your mothers life away! Song Yuhang collected the items and handed over a tissue. Condolences. Years of investigative work had left her with enough sympathy for the victims but never quite enough for their families. In an avnche, not a single snowke is innocent. * * * When did you and your wife divorce? The man sat in the visitors room, asionally taking calls and sending messages. As Song Yuhang began to speak, another call came in. The man waved her off, indicating that he would talkter, and turned his face away. Hello? Business matters? Cant Old Wan handle those? Cant I leave for a while? Whats the point of having your employees if they cant handle this? What? The other side insists that the CEO must attend the meeting to take on this project? The man appeared frustrated. Fine, fine, Ill tell them. Ill make time to go over there this afternoon! Song Yuhang waited for him to finish. The man ced his phone inside the inner pocket of his suit. Im sorry, works been quite busy My wife and I divorced a long time ago, probably around middle school for our daughter. I essentially started anew, leaving the house and assets to them. When shees of age, everything will be in her name. Has your daughter had any recent thoughts of suicide? The man shook his head, his face carrying a hint of sorrow. I wouldnt know about that Our divorce wasnt amicable. I rarely see the two of them. We hardly cross paths throughout the year, so I wouldnt have known about these things. Well, it seems there wont be much more to uncover. At least the woman knew how to shed some tears, but it seemed like the mans heart and mind were preupied with his business. The few young detectives apanying the questioning exchanged nces and shrugged. ording to regtions, you can go see your daughter onest time. Upon hearing this, the man struggled visibly, and after a while, he gritted his teeth and said, Forget it, I wont go. Seeing her will only bring more sadness. Song Yuhang stood up and shook his hand. Thank you for your cooperation. If needed, we will contact you again. Alright, youre wee. Its been tough, really tough. * * * What?! The family doesnt agree to an autopsy? No, I have to go Lin Yan was saying as she rushed to leave but was stopped by someone. Youre going, but what for? To argue with people? Just as Lin Yan was about to retort, Zhang Jinhai walked in, holding a teacup. Weve discussed this case thoroughly. Through on-site investigation, interviews with the surrounding people, and reviewing surveince footage, weve ruled out any signs of homicide and can conclude it was a suicide. The He Miao case was an exceptional one, Dr. Lin, dont oveplicate things. How am I oveplicating things? Isnt pursuing the truth the duty and responsibility of the police? Yes, but the issue is that you conducted the autopsy yourself. Have you found any suspicious points? If there are no issues, we can continue the investigation without further dy. The head of the criminal investigation team and the chief of the forensic department shed, and the subordinates remained silent, their heads down, in an awkward silence. Song Yuhang also furrowed her brow. I Lin Yan hesitated for a moment. Indeed, the autopsy hadnt revealed any suspicious points. There were no external injuries, and there were no signs of sexual assaulther hymen was intact. She thought for a moment and phrased it differently, There are certain suspicions that cannot be uncovered through a simple autopsy. I must perform a full autopsy. Yes, public security authorities have the right to decide on a bodys autopsy and notify the family to be present. However, thats only allowed when there are clear indications of a criminal case or significant doubts. Right now, you have nothing, so how can I inform the family? Miss, conducting an investigation isnt just your personal desire. We have to respect the facts, the familys wishes, and public opinion. Once a person has passed away, cant you at least leave them with their body intact? Zhang Jinhais words were reasonable and pointed out her willful and spoiled temperament as a youngdy. Someone below softly chuckled. Lin Yans face couldnt bear it, and she was about to rush forward when someone grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the meeting room. Let go of me! Let go! Lin Yan struggled, and she was dragged up to the rooftop before Song Yuhang finally released her, watching her pant heavily. Hes right. Without finding any doubts, we cant ssify it as a criminal case, and if the family doesnt consent to the autopsy, conducting it forcefully would be illegal. Youd have to bear the responsibility. For some reason, when others advised her, she could tolerate it, but even when Song Yuhang said this, her anger suddenly surged. Im breaking thew? What has thew done for the victims? It cant punish Sun Xiangming, it cant save Ding Xue and Li Shiping. Even the vulture who harmed He Miao is dead, and her treacherous uncle, who betrayed her, will serve three to five years and thene out to live happily ever after with his family! What about the deceased?! Only this one life! Whos going to protect their rights?! If you ask me, Fan Lins death is a result of her parents long-term neglect. They are the indirect killers! Is thew effective? Lin Yan spat bitterly. Its useless! Even if we pursue responsibility relentlessly, it wont bring back the life lying cold and motionless in front of me. I cant see her anymore. Thew may be powerless, but conscience resides within our hearts, Song Yuhang said, cing a hand on her shoulder and looking at her. Its true that not every pair of parents in this world are qualified parents. When Fan Lin died, you didnt see how devastated her mother was in front of me. The burden of guilt, as heavy as a mountain, will haunt her for the rest of her life. Its not necessarily less painful than physical suffering. Lin Yan, you cant view the issue so one-sidedly. Are you going to give up pursuing the truth just because thew is ineffective? Lin Yan moved her lips, and she had answered that for her. You wont, because thew is thest line of defense in human society. No one can cross it. Crossing that line is a crime, and our purpose as police officers is not only to maintain social order but also to bring those who cross that line to justice one by one. You say thew is useless, but look Song Yuhang led her to the edge of the rooftop. In this era of peace and prosperity, the streets were bustling with life, a continuous flow of people and vehicles. A white dove glided through the sky above their heads, leaving a trail of feathers. You can stand here, and thats why thew isntpletely useless. Lin Yan bit her lip, and the cool breeze on the rooftop ruffled her hair, dispersing some of the heaviness in her heart. She reached for a cigarette, lit it, and ced it at the edge of her lips, leaning on the railing with her high heels tapping on the ground. I just feel that, when ites to being parents, why isnt there a test one has to pass? Even if its a stranger who has passed away, they should Empathy is indeed a human instinct, but not everyone possesses it naturally. We cant demand cruelty from others; we can only strive to live up to our own conscience. She reached out to Lin Yan and asked for a cigarette, then leaned forward to borrow a light. Amidst the swirling smoke, their eyes met, and their lips were inches apart. Song Yuhang quickly withdrew, taking a few puffs from her own lit cigarette. But I still think empathy is a good thing. All things have spirits, and it makes you feel like a living, breathing person rather than a zombie. People who can empathize can experience the ups and downs of life more deeply, and they can also find pure happiness more easily than others. Lin Yan sneered, taking a drag of her cigarette and leaning casually against the railing. So, ording to your logic, I should be able to find happiness more easily. Then why is all I experience pain? Song Yuhang blew a smoke ring and looked at her calmly. Thinking about your father, perhaps? Lin Yan turned around, maintaining her nonchnt appearance, but Song Yuhang could clearly sense a hint of destion in her gaze. No, why would I think about him? I just feel that since these people dislike children so much, have no intention of being responsible for them, andck themitment to raising them and growing old together, why do they even bother having kids? Her tone carried a hint of sarcasm. They might as well exist on a piece of toilet paper. The cigarette in her hand was about to burn her fingers, so Song Yuhang extinguished it against the railing. I cant judge what kind of person your father was. Let me tell you about my dad. He was a special forces officer, and during his lifetime, he received the third-ss medal of honor four times, the second-ss medal twice, and the first-ss medal once. When I was ten years old, he sacrificed himself in a drug sweep operation coordinated with the Border Narcotics Brigade to cover his teammates. You could say that during my long childhood, he was absent from almost every parent-teacher conference, never took me to an amusement park, and was not there for my middle school exams, high school exams, my entry into the police academy, or the start of my career Every significant moment in my life that required a parents presence, he was nowhere to be found. For a while, I used to watch other kids call their dads, cuddle with them, sit on their knees, and I even wondered why this person suddenly appeared in my life, why I should call him Dad, when he couldnt provide me with any meaningfulpanionship. But it doesnt matter, Lin Yan. She turned to face her and called her by name. What you cant understand now, what you cant figure out, someday, time will reveal the answers to you. Lin Yan was momentarily taken aback as she met her gaze. Those light brown eyes seemed to possess a magical quality, effortlessly calming the turbulence within her. The cigarette had burned her fingers, and she flinched, causing the ash to drop from her fingertips, leaving arge red mark on her pale skin. Ouch that hurts. Lin Yan seemed to have just snapped out of it. She tossed the toffee aside like a piece of trash, and Song Yuhang had already picked up her hand and gently blew on it near her lips. Are you okay? How did you get so careless? The warm breath gently brushed over her fingertips, and the burned area became even more itchy and ufortable. Lin Yan withdrew her hand as if she had been electrocuted. Im fine I have some burn cream on my desk. Ill get it for you in a moment. No need, Im not that delicate, Lin Yan said, taking a deep breath to calm her emotions. She steered the conversation back to the case. Do you think there are any simrities between this case and the He Miao case? They are both suicides, and they both left suicide notes at the scene. Moreover She thought about the cartoon drawings by He Miao and the pictures of whales in Fan Lins phone album. They both share amon interest or hobby, rted to the ocean or whales. Impressive deduction from the head of the Criminal Investigation Division, always thinking critically. Lin Yans lips curled into a faint smile, but she quickly suppressed it.
Chapter 45-2 Chapter 45-2 White Whale I dont know if these suspicions are enough to reopen the investigation and get the familys consent for an autopsy. Song Yuhang shook her head. We need to find concrete evidence to prove that these two cases are rted for the authorities to agree to reopen the investigation. Could it be rted to that person in ck, the one you saw on the Green Building? Song Yuhang pondered for a moment and said, I initially thought that person might be Vulture or one of Vultures henchmen, but Operation Aurora was highly sessful, and the criminal organization waspletely dismantled. Its unlikely that there are any remaining loose ends. Lin Yan hadnt yet shared the test results with her. Have you ever thought, what if its real? Song Yuhang raised her gaze to meet Lin Yans eyes and replied with just five words, I believe in Director Zhao. Lin Yan gave a sarcastic smile and remained silent. I think its best to simplify things for now. Lets not oveplicate matters. Well start with this case and gather enough evidence to prove the connection between these two suicide cases before reopening the investigation. It wont be toote. Lin Yan nodded and said, In that case, Ill pay a visit to Fan Lins alma mater. Song Yuhang stopped her, saying, Its better for you to stay at the city bureau. Thest assassination attempt still haunted her. Lin Yan smiled and replied, Is that so? Im really fine Song Yuhang, in a rare disy of helplessness, said, Listen, I have something more important for you to do. Lin Yan pulled her arm back from Song Yuhangs grasp, and for some reason, she felt like ever sincest night, this person seemed to want asional physical contact with her, and what was with that indulgent tone! She wasnt a child anymore. Lin Yan thought this but still felt somewhat pleased. So, what is it? Go to the file room and look for detailed case files on suicides from the past three months Song Yuhang furrowed her brow, No, make it a year. Gather all the files rted to suicide cases. * * * All of Fan Lins paintings are basically here. Fan Lins art teacher handed her a stack of sketchbooks. Song Yuhang took them with both hands and said, Thank you. The art teacher removed her sses and wiped away the fog. Its a pity. That child worked so hard, just two points short. She could have continued next year. I cant understand why this had to happen. Song Yuhang didnt respond and quickly flipped through a couple of pages. They were all watercolor paintings, depicting blue skies, white clouds, mountains,kes, and even an endless azure sea. Fan Lin was indeed a remarkably talented and intelligent child. She was the one who painted the ckboard in this ssroom, too. It brings back memories! The elderly teacher put her sses back on and sighed deeply. Song Yuhangs gaze shifted backward, and she was suddenly seized by a shudder. On the massive ckboard, an ocean with tumultuous waves had been meticulously painted in shades of blue, with even the foamy crests appearing lifelike. At the seas surfacey a white whale, peacefully exhaling bubbles. It was undeniably a profoundly serene and beautiful scene, yet it sent shivers down her spine. Thats because she had seen this very image in He Miaos notebook. Song Yuhang took out her phone and quickly snapped a picture. After asking the art teacher a few more brief questions, Song Yuhang got up to bid her farewell. As she walked down the hallway, she noticed a group of kids at the end of the corridor near the entrance to the boys restroom. They were pressing a waste paper basket onto another boys head and gave him a forceful kick. Trash is just trash. The guy who rankedst in the monthly exam still dreams of entering a marine university. Dream on! Hey Song Yuhang strode over. Several boys, upon seeing someone approach, exchanged nces and quickly scattered like startled birds and beasts. Hurry, hurry, someonesing. Before Song Yuhang could extend her hand to help him, the boy who had been struck was already getting up, holding his face, and limping down the stairs. Its okay, thanks. * * * In a dim and cramped room, aputer emitted a faint blue glow, and the CPU buzzed softly. On the screen, a line of text appeared in a chat box: White Whale, I got beaten up again. I dont want to live anymore. Why do they all bully me, even though I havent done anything wrong? The hand resting on the keyboard was rough, marked by wrinkles and age spots. Its okay, its not your fault. Its this damned world. Its okay not to understand. Child,e find me. The White Whale will show you the answers. * * * When Song Yuhang returned to the city bureau with the sketchbooks, Lin Yan was still in the file room, surrounded by a table full of case files. Take a look at this, its shocking when you see it. The suicide rate in Jiangcheng City has been terrifyingly high in recent years, and Lin Yan paused for a moment. She hadnt slept wellst night, and she had been working tirelessly all afternoon, so her dark circles were as prominent as a pandas. Almost the majority of the victims are teenagers and students. Song Yuhang handed her a lunchbox she had brought. Youve worked hard. Have something to eat first, and Ill continue sorting through these. Reviewing case files was physically demanding work. It involved digging through piles of old cases, categorizing them, and organizing them properly. Lin Yan had been staring at documents all afternoon, feeling dizzy and tired, and her stomach rumbled in response. She looked at the lunchbox without touching it and her gaze wandered. Its not from a street vendor again, is it? I wont eat it. Song Yuhang smiled, sat down across from her, and reached for the neatly organized case files. Its not from a street vendor. I called home and had my mom make it specially. Lin Yan mumbled, Arent you supposed to be at school? Song Yuhang cleared her throat and said, Well, I drove, and its on the way. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Taking a detour to go home for lunch during work, neglecting your duties, and not focusing on your job. As Lin Yan spoke, suppressing a smile at the corner of her lips, she lifted the lid of the lunchbox. Inside, the rice and dishes were neatly separated, and there was a generous serving of corn spare rib soup. The rice was topped with glossy, bright red oil-braised prawns. Lin Yans appetite was instantly piqued. Seeing her reaction, Song Yuhang clicked her tongue twice and twirled the pen in her hand. Tsk, if I had known youd nder me like this, I wouldnt have brought it for you. I havent taken a single bite. Just as she finished speaking, a pair of chopsticks reached out in front of her, holding a glistening oil-bathed prawn. Song Yuhang was momentarily surprised, thinking Lin Yan was offering it to her. A gentle curve formed at the corner of her lips. No need, I wont eat Miss Lin had an expression on her face that exuded an air of fearlessness and righteousness. Who said I was going to give it to you to eat? Do you think my delicate hands are suitable for peeling prawns? Song Yuhang clenched her teeth. My mistake. I shouldnt have brought it for you. Words were one thing, but when Lin Yan handed her the gloves, she still epted them reluctantly. She begrudgingly set aside the case files and began peeling the prawns whileining. I mean, are these gloves the ones you use to handle corpses? Lin Yan rolled her eyes and retorted, Get lost. Do you think Im that careless? As Song Yuhang peeled prawns, she also ate them. Under the dim yellowish light, she sat to the side to avoid spilling soup on the case files. She appeared focused on the documents, but her hands kept moving, transferring the peeled prawns into Lin Yans bowl. Perhaps it was the soft lighting, but her profile seemed to be bathed in a porcin-like glow. Lin Yan tasted her mothers cooking, a thoughtful gesture from Song Yuhang. In the quiet file room, there was an inexplicable sense of serene moments in time. As Lin Yan picked up another prawn to put in her own bowl, she extended it towards Song Yuhang and said, Ahopen your mouth. She stretched her arm to reach, cing a hand under Song Yuhangs chin. Song Yuhang instinctively opened her mouth to swallow as Lin Yan instructed, but before she could finish, the door to the file room swung open with a whoosh. The lights came on brightly, and all eyes were on them. Shock! The Criminal Investigation Team Leader of Jiangcheng City Bureau, Song Yuhang, and the Chief Forensic Examiner, Lin Yan, were openly sharing a meal! I Fell in Love with My Archnemesis, Fang Xin even came up with this title for them, wearing an auntie-like smile that seemed utterly bewildering The two following them felt utterly devastated. Lin Sis Lin Duan Cheng was on the verge of tears. Do Do I not have a chance? Zheng Chengrui eximed, This is outrageous! Howe you didnt invite us to enjoy such delicious food? Lin Yan was still sitting on the table, and in a quick motion, she tossed her chopsticks aside, which ttered onto the table. She had already returned to her chair, wearing an expression that said, Im not me, and I dont know what youre talking about. Song Yuhang, with a prawn still unswallowed, suddenly felt like she was choking and instinctively grabbed the cup on the table to start drinking water. Lin Yan looked heartbroken. That that was mine. Pfftcough, cough! Song Yuhang turned away and began coughing, her ears turning red, making the alleged affair between the two seem even more convincing. The three of them exchanged suspicious nces between Lin Yan and Song Yuhang, then simultaneously eximed, How did we not know that your rtionship had gotten so good that you could sit at the same table and eat together? The cup that Song Yuhang had drunk from was left on the side. Lin Yan stood up to tidy things up. I-Im full now. You guys go ahead and work. Ill go back to the office for a moment. Saying that, she picked up the lunchbox separately, swept all the trash on the table into a stic bag, and hurriedly left. Song Yuhang watched her retreating figure and couldnt help but smile. She maintained herposure well, then tapped the table with her pen. Alright, tell me, whats the matter? With so many case files, when are you two going to finish going through them? Fang Xin spoke and pulled out a chair, taking a seat. Zheng Chengrui opened hisptop. Ill see if I can use an algorithm to organize this more quickly than handwriting. Duan Cheng also sat down. I I cant help much, but I can bring you tea and water, at least. Song Yuhang looked at the faces of these individuals and sensed amon purpose in their calm or teasing tones. Their goal was clear: to solve cases, pursue the truth, and expose the darkness. She smiled faintly, opened the case file in her hand, and said, Then lets work together and speed things up.
Chapter 46-1 Chapter 46-1 Probe Hey, Dr. Lin, are you still here sote? a colleague preparing to leave asked her. Lin Yan turned on the deskmp, set her cleaned lunchbox aside. Yeah, I havent finished my work yet. Well, Dr. Lin, were going to leave now. Goodbye. Lin Yan nodded briefly, acknowledging the farewell. After everyone in the office had dispersed, Lin Yan pulled open a drawer and retrieved a yellowed file, gently brushing off the dust from its surface. As she flipped open the first page, her teeth gradually clenched when her fingertips skimmed over that line of small print. Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau. Forensic Medical Autopsy Report. Jiang Public Forensic Examination No. 23 (1994). Next came a lengthy summary of the case and detailed autopsy findings. Even though she couldnt absorb a single word, Lin Yan forced herself to digest it all, to the point where her eyes were bloodshot, and she tasted a hint of blood on her tongue from biting down hard on her teeth. On June 18, 1994, a sanitation worker in our city discovered an unidentified package of flesh while performing routine duties at the Fenyang Dock. Forensic examination confirmed it as human tissue. As her gaze moved down, Lin Yan felt as though she had returned to that summer. Despite the scorching weather, with temperatures reaching 40C, the zing sun overhead, she stood outside the funeral home, inexplicably feeling a chilling sensation in her limbs. The words those criminal investigators had spoken to her now appeared before her eyes in ck and white. The fragmented fleshcked a head, torso, bones, and more. DNA analysis confirmed the deceased as Chen Chunan, a senior high school student from Jiangcheng City. Those three words pierced her eyes deeply. Lin Yan clenched her right hand into a fist, clinging to the table as if she were on the brink of drowning, breathing heavily. She seemed to want to crumple, crush, and throw away the paper, but at the same time, she had to continue reading word by word. As she chewed through her overwhelming hatred, her eyes welled up with tears, almost uncontrobly, leaving water stains on the desk. She covered her mouth with her hand and let out a suppressed cry in the empty room. After a few deep breaths, she raised her head, forcing the tears back. Her fingernails dug into her skin as she struggled to regainposure, but her body continued to tremble violently. Her heart felt like it was being twisted, and the suffocating sensation made it almost impossible for her to catch her breath. Time was running out, and she needed to quickly put the file back. Lin Yan frantically opened the drawer, took out a bottle of chewing gum, poured out a few pieces, without bothering to count how many, and shoved them all into her mouth. She washed them down with the cold water from the morning on the table. She closed her eyes, took deep breaths, andposed herself before continuing to flip through the file. She wanted to see the photos taken during the autopsy at that time, but as she turned several pages in a row, there was nothing. She turned the file upside down, and a few thin sheets of paper fell out, but there were still no photos. This couldnt be! Under currentw, autopsy examinations must be conducted in conjunction with criminal photography and video recording. The photographs taken are also supposed to be archived together with the case file. When the case file is archived, the lead forensic pathologist signs off on it, the chief forensic pathologist signs off on it, the head of the criminal investigation team signs off on it, and it is submitted for approval and closure by the Public Security Bureau director before being ced under the unified management of the file department. If any link in this chain has gone wrong, its not just a matter of not being able to switch a cat for a prince; its a major crime that could lead to the loss of ones official position! Who could it be? Who! Lin Yan gritted her teeth and went directly to the end of the case file to find the name of the lead forensic pathologist responsible for the autopsy at that time. Li Bin. She quickly took a photo of this page with her phone, then organized the case file back to its original state, tucked it into the spacious pocket of her whiteb coat, and got up to head towards the file room. Hey, not bad. In the time it took me to use the restroom, youve managed to organize so much. Song Yuhang didnt even lift her head. I thought youd vanished. Lin Yan scoffed, Well, Im that kind of person. In return for that meal you treated me to, Ill reluctantly work an extra shift with you. She then bent down slightly and picked up the stack of files in front of her. Are these all sorted out? Ill put them back; otherwise, there wont be any ce to sit. Song Yuhang nced up at her and replied casually, Sure, youve been so busy taking things out that you forgot to put them back. Lin Yan turned and walked away, while Song Yuhang watched her retreating figure, lost in thought. That night was the first time Lin Yan had voluntarily stayed sote for overtime. She rubbed her eyes, reviewed the case files, and transcribed the important details onto paper to hand over to Zheng Chengrui for summarization and organization. The others were no different. Such work was dull and tedious, and even Song Yuhang couldnt help but stifle several yawns. Duan Cheng ran out to the convenience store and bought them arge bag of canned coffee. He sat on one side, nibbling away like a small bird while his head bobbed slowly, and eventually, he slumped over the table, unable to get up anymore. Outside the window, all was quiet, and on this autumn night, there was not even the sound of insects. The entire citys Public Security Bureau was shrouded in darkness, with only this corner still illuminated. Zheng Chengruis eyes were bloodshot from staring at theputer screen for so long. Fang Xin got up a few times to use the restroom, and the coffee in the stic bag gradually diminished. Thest can ended up in her and Song Yuhangs hands simultaneously. Lin Yan was momentarily surprised but instinctively pulled her hand back. However, the other person pushed it towards her again and even opened the can tab for her. Here. She nced over, but Song Yuhang had buried her head again, focusing on the files in her hands. Lin Yan took a sip and then set it down to continue working. Outside the window, the moon gradually descended to the west, and the eastern sky started to show a faint light. Even with the coffee to keep her awake, she couldnt hold out any longer. Unconsciously, she ended up resting her head on the table, letting her thoughts drift back to the summer of 1994. Song Yuhang got up, intending to return thest stack of files to the shelf. She took a few steps but saw Lin Yan sleeping soundly, so she turned back, removed her own coat, and gently draped it over her. She continued her journey through the years, organizing the files in her hand into categories. However, she must have taken a wrong turn in the dark area ahead, where the lights were not turned on. Suddenly, she shivered all over. Song Yuhang tightened her lips, continued further in, and stopped at thebel for the year 1994. Her fingertips brushed over these yellowed case files, inevitably picking up some dust. Finally She pulled out a case file from among them. The sealing thread on it was still intact, well-preserved, unlike the dusty files nearby. Song Yuhang carefully bypassed the sealing thread. Chunan! A womans frightened voice echoed from the reading room outside. Song Yuhang set the case file down and rushed out. Lin Yany on the table, trembling all over, her eyes closed, her face pale, and sweat-dampened hair sticking tightly to her forehead. Song Yuhang ced her hand on Lin Yans shoulder. Lin Yan? Wake up Lin Yan suddenly jolted awake, wrenching her wrist away, and was about to exert force when she gradually focused on those light brown eyes. Song Yuhang rxed her grip, and there was a visible hint of concern in her eyes. Did you have a bad dream? Lin Yan rested her hand on her forehead to steady herself. No Are they all gone? Yeah, weve pretty much finished organizing. We have a meeting early tomorrow, so I sent them all home. Song Yuhang went to the water cooler and fetched a ss of warm water for her. Feeling unwell? Yourplexion looks really pale. Lin Yan held the warm paper cup, and over her shoulders draped her own clothes, which still retained some warmth. It was as if she had just fully emerged from that dream, and she managed a weak smile. No, Im fine. Ill head back now. Alright, then Ill walk you out, Song Yuhang said as she followed Lin Yan towards the exit. No need, Ill have Old Line to pick me up. Lin Yan stopped at the entrance of the city bureau, declining Song Yuhangs offer with a meaningful look in her eyes. Whenever she looked at her like that, Song Yuhang couldnt help but recall numerous moments when they exchanged meaningful nces. Her own unspoken thoughts wereid bare in front of Lin Yan, who had a knack for reading people, making her turn to dig a pack of cigarettes out of her pocket and light one up. You didnt smoke this often before. Lin Yan nced at the cigarette pack. Oh, its still Zhonghua. Why not go for the womens brand? Song Yuhangughed and waited for the car with her. Its too mild, doesnt give me a kick. So, Dr. Lin, are you concerned about whether I smoke or not? A subtle exchange. Lin Yan responded in kind, Its a professional habit. You can extract a persons DNA from a cigarette butt, and DNA sequences determine a persons aging, pathology, and time of death. Some theoretical studies also suggest that DNA determines whether youll like someone at first sight. Lin Yan snorted, Its elusive. Liking someone at first sight probably boils down to primal instincts. A car approached in the distance, its headlights piercing through the mist. Song Yuhang stubbed out her cigarette. Your ride is here. Lin Yan returned the coat she had draped over her shoulders and prepared to leave. Before she departed, Song Yuhang asked her one final question. Who is Chunan? Under the stairs, Lin Yans expression shifted like a kaleidoscope, and in just a minute, the full spectrum of human emotions yed out in her. No words were needed, as Song Yuhang had already understood the answer. She took a step back, waved a perfunctory goodbye, and said, See you tomorrow. Lin Yan didnt utter a word, got into the car, and watched as the streetlights flowed past her vision. Gradually, Song Yuhangs face disappeared. In the rearview mirror, thest glimpse was of her crouching at the street corner, lighting another cigarette. Back at home, Lin Yan, after taking a shower and drying her hair, walked out. She retrieved another phone from the studys drawer and made a call. Hello? Can you help me look up someone? His name is Li Bin, and he served as the lead forensic pathologist at the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau fourteen years ago. * * * In the past year in our city, a total of 2,752 adolescents died by suicide. Their ages ranged from 11 to 18 years, with a majority being females. Even after excluding factors such as family issues, academic pressure, and conflicts with teachers and students, there are still over a thousand cases where the cause of suicide cannot be determined. Song Yuhang, dressed in a police uniform, stood before therge screen and spoke confidently. So, we used statistical data to summarizemon characteristics among these suicide cases. First, most of the deceased had introverted personalities and were not good at socializing. Second, they came fromplex family backgrounds and had experienced varying degrees of long-term bullying or exclusion from their peers. Third She paused slightly, looking up. They all left their own suicide notes at the scene. Below, there was a murmur of whispers, and Zhang Jinhai raised his teacup, taking a sip, his brows furrowing into a character. Fourth, there were no eyewitnesses during the suicides, and there were no biological or physical evidence left at the scene besides the deceased. If the first two points were based on personality analysis derived from statistical big data, thetter two points did indeed raise significant doubts. However, Song Yuhang continued, undeterred. Fifth, when reviewing these case files, the most frequently urring words were ocean, white whale, and liberation, with a repetition rate approaching seventy-five percent. Song Yuhang clicked on the PowerPoint presentation and erged a graph on the screen, which was colored predominantly in red. This was prepared by Zheng Chengrui during his overnight work. The two of them exchanged a nce, and Song Yuhang nodded slightly in gratitude towards him. Additionally, its worth noting that during the investigation of the He Miao case, we also found simr patterns in her notebook, and these same images have appeared in the current case. Song Yuhang clicked the pen, and two nearly identical pictures appeared on therge screen. Regardless of whether its a coincidence or not, the high frequency, high suicide rate, and the fact that most of the victims are adolescents in these cases should indeed be a cause for concern. Psychological suggestion varies in strength, and the effectiveness of it cannot be controlled by a persons will. For instance, some people, after discovering their paleplexion, go to the hospital for a check-up, only to be diagnosed with cancer. The suggestion works, and they lose hope, eventually sumbing to illness. On the other hand, some individuals remain optimistic, engage in physical activities, and lead a healthy lifestyle, unaffected by such suggestions. In principle, the effects of psychological suggestion cannot be consciously controlled by individuals, but if someone deliberately creates certain circumstances Song Yuhang observed her speaking confidently in her police uniform, standing among the crowd. Her demeanor exuded confidence and vitality, and a subtle smile yed on her lips. For instance, if a teacher tells you that you did much worse in this exampared to the previous one, you might start to question if youre truly not intelligent enough. Over time, even if youre not inherently unintelligent, your subconscious may make you feel less smart and less capable. This is what we call deep psychological suggestion, or psychological induction. After delivering this long exnation, Lin Yan felt her mouth dry and parched. She picked up a ss of water from the table and took a big gulp, wiping her lips afterward.
Chapter 46-2 Chapter 46-2 Probe When I was abroad, I handled a death investigation case of this nature. The murderer was a psychologist who induced murder, directing her patients to follow her steps. Starting from the most basic, such as staring unblinkingly in the mirror until they felt a sense of unfamiliarity, to the eventual cruelty of torturing animals and setting fires. Step by step, she cultivated a regr person into a deranged killer who ultimately murdered her own husband. We must take this case seriously; otherwise, if it continues unchecked, the number of casualties will only increase. Who knows if the next victim could be one of your children? Lin Yan spoke with authority, her voice, though soft, carried weight. It was as if she had tossed a stone into a calmke, causing a stir among the crowd, which buzzed with excitement. Duan Cheng rubbed the goosebumps on his arm, saying, Th-this what Forensic Doctor Lin just said really sent shivers down my spine. Can I trust anyones words from now on? Fang Xin gave him a sidelong nce and said, You? Youve been around the block. Youre not afraid of what people say. Its the ones who dont ept criticism who should be. Zheng Chengrui couldnt help it and let out a chuckle. When he looked up, he saw the meeting rooms door being pushed open, and he immediatelyposed himself, saying, Take your seats, take your seats, Director Feng is here. On the stage, Song Yuhang and Lin Yan took their seats, with Lin Yan fully engrossed in the case. She didnt notice that Director Feng had already stood at the door as she continued. In addition, weve not only organized data on suicide cases from the past year but also data from the past five years. You all can take a look. Song Yuhang pointed with her pen, saying, It shows a significant upward trend in a bar chart, and the intervals between incidents are getting shorter, from dozens in a year to just a few in a month. Its all rted to this pattern. We have reason to believe that behind these extensive cases of adolescent suicide, there might be some secretive organization at work. Their motives remain unknown to us, but adolescents are the future of our country, and any criminal force that harms them will be eradicated in its infancy. As she finished speaking, a round of apuse came from the door, saying, Well said! The crowd stood up one by one, calling out, Director Feng, Director Feng Feng Jianguo waved his hand, gesturing for them to sit back down, and walked to the front of the stage. Song Yuhang set down her pen and stepped aside. Now, I announce, with the approval of the higher authorities, the 9.27 Fan Lin Case and the 6.1 He Miao Case will be reopened for investigation. A special task force will be established, with Song Yuhang appointed as the head of the task force and Zhang Jinhai as the deputy head of the task force. All departments of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau will fully cooperate with the task force to solve these cases. Feng Jianguo called out loudly, mentioning the names of the two individuals, Song Yuhang, Zhang Jinhai! Here! Both of them stood up simultaneously, their hands firmly by their trouser seams, standing at attention. The higher authorities have given us a one-month deadline to solve the case. Do you have the confidence?! Yes, I guarantee the missionspletion! Song Yuhang raised her hand to her temple, with a steadfast determination in her gaze from beginning to end. * * * After the meeting, they dispersed for lunch. A person who usually avoided the cafeteria cautiously carried their tray over and slowly moved to Song Yuhangs side, discing Duan Cheng in the process. Uh, Sis Lin, I got here first Lin Yan smiled with gritted teeth, Ive, taken, this seat. Arent you avoiding the cafeteria? Duan Cheng questioned, looking puzzled, but he had already been dragged away by Fang Xin. Lets go, lets go, well sit over there. Why, I just found this seat. Fang Xin said, Old Zheng bought a big chicken leg and is waiting for us Before she could finish her sentence, Duan Cheng had already grabbed her sleeve, saying, Alright, alright, lets go. Wheres he sitting? Song Yuhang seemed oblivious to everything that was happening until a pleasant aroma wafted by, prompting her to scoot aside. Participating in the task force is non-negotiable, and its a rule that forensic experts dont go to the front lines. Just stay honestly at the municipal bureau. One sentence from Song Yuhang cut off all her retreats. Lin Yan, gritting her teeth, picked up a piece of braised pork from her bowl and offered it to her. Can Captain Song be a bit more amodating? Its not a big deal, right? Song Yuhang watched her transferring braised pork into her own bowl as if she didnt care about money or life, feeling deeply exasperated. Enough, I wont eat it. I really dont eat fatty meat!!! Lin Yan froze for a moment, then picked up a piece of duck meat with her chopsticks and offered it to her, saying, Then have a piece of duck meat, just a piece, its all lean. Looking at the mountain-like bowl of food in front of her, Song Yuhang felt hopeless and shifted aside, saying, I wont eat it, I really wont. Lin Yan pushed her te and followed her, saying, Come on, eat. All of this is prepared for you. She blinked, showing a somewhat innocent and harmless expression. I fell for your trick. If she hadnt seen Lin Yans resolute side, she might have fallen for it. Cant she fight back or hide? Song Yuhang moved her tray further in, and Lin Yan closed in step by step. Half of the cafeterias upants turned to look at them. Duan Cheng, with a piece of half-chewed noodles in his mouth, swallowed it with a gulp and asked, Whats whats going on there? Zheng Chengrui adjusted his sses and concluded, The cat catches the mouse. Fang Xin added the next sentence, Theres no escape when disaster strikes. What about the horizontal scroll? Lin Yan tossed her chopsticks and directed her words at the cafeteria crowd, saying, Eat your meal! The three of them tacitly lowered their heads. Song Yuhang was squeezed into a corner, and she couldnt bear it, especially considering that she often wore just the standard uniform shirt underneath her police uniform, with the buttons often left undone, revealing a bit of alluring charm. The softness rested against her arm. She couldnt help but recall the sensation of several skinship moments, feeling embarrassed yet simultaneously savoring the memory. This led to her ears turning slightly red as she lowered her voice to scold her, Move over! Lin Yan remained unyielding, holding her arm in a way that prevented her right hand from moving, saying, I wont move. If you dont let me join the task force, Ill stick to you every day. She emphasized the word every day. Song Yuhang felt a tingling sensation on her scalp. She couldnt resort to violence in front of so many people, so she suppressed her anger and said, Let go first. Lin Yan, noticing her irritation, was aware that this was a yful situation. With a hint of teasing in her eyes, she looked at her. I wont let go. If I do, youll run away. Song Yuhang, Officer Song, Team Leader Song~ She intentionally drew out her voice when calling her, looking affectionate. What exactly about me displeases you? It wasnt clear who had a sore throat and coughed suddenly. Out of nowhere, the entire cafeteria was filled with people coughing, the sound echoing in waves. Song Yuhang could feel the veins on her forehead pulsating. She was testing the limits of her patience. In various senses. The two of them were close, and the scent of her perfume surrounded Song Yuhang. Their conversation was almost within arms reach. Red lips opened and closed before her, eyes filled with hints of ambiguity, desire, and a touch of supplication. Lin Yan sensitively noticed her evasion, hesitation, and her bodys tension. She was too skilled at manipting others, including herself. She practically leaned in, getting so close that she was practically breathing into her ear, saying, Officer Song, Im begging you. If it were any other time, when Lin Yan first flirted with Song Yuhang in the file room, her response would have been more vehement, pushing her away with a single motion. Lin Yan had once mocked her: Clueless about the art of seduction. Now, Song Yuhang and she had a rather deep personal rtionship, and they hade to understand each others personalities quite well. Lin Yan had expected her to react with impatience, push her away, and then, amid a string of insults, reluctantly agree to the matter. But Song Yuhangughed. This was entirely unexpected. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow and saw her approaching, lowering her voice in a hidden corner where no one could see. It can be arranged, but I have one request. Lin Yan lowered her gaze, and then she felt Song Yuhang grasping her hand tightly, preventing her from struggling. Lin Yan tried to pull her hand away but couldnt break free. Gritting her teeth, she asked, What do you want? Werent you the one who willingly came to me? Song Yuhang held her hand and pulled her closer to herself, following the pattern of two close friends, draping her arm over Lin Yans shoulder and sliding it down along her shoulder. Her tone was soft and gentle, but her voice had a hint of hoarseness. What do you think? The moment those words left her mouth, Lin Yan felt like pping her. She was flustered and furious, her face turning red as her lips moved up and down. With fair skin, she tended to get red at the corners of her eyes when agitated, giving her an alluring yet hard-to-define appearance of resistance and allure. Song Yuhang was momentarily stunned. The look in her eyes was tantalizing, and she hadnt had time to fully register it. Lin Yan tossed her chopsticks, pulled her hand away, and turned to leave without hesitation, clearly genuinely angry. She was joking, and she was serious. Song Yuhang sighed and couldnt help but say, Come back. Ive agreed, you can go, but you have to stick with me and not act on your own. Lin Yan paused, didnt turn around, still angry, not looking at her, her lips pouting high. Song Yuhang, feeling helpless, reluctantly set down her chopsticks, pulled Lin Yan back, and made her sit next to her. She then picked up a piece of meat from her own bowl and handed it back to her. If we do find a mastermind behind this, that person will be extremely cunning and difficult to deal with. So, not letting you go is for your own good. Lin Yan sneered and watched as she handed all the lean meat to herself, saying, I can take care of myself, no need to worry about me. Song Yuhang put down her chopsticks and said, Alright, you can go. I take back what I said earlier. Lin Yan was almost tempted to pounce and scratch her, gritting her teeth as she said, Song Yuhang, are you ever going to stop?! Is she addicted to teasing her?! She used to think of her as a fierce tiger when she got angry, but now she was no more than a yful kitten, showing her ws. Song Yuhang had Lin Yans character figured out very clearly, and it was time to soften her stance a bit. Im not joking with you. Im genuinely concerned about you. If you want to go, you can, but I have Lin Yan stared intently at her. If she dared to say that sentence, she was ready to dump the entire dish of food on her face and angrily dere, Shameless! Song Yuhang blinked innocently and added, Well have three rules. Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief, not bothering to respond to her. Go on, speak your piece. First, you cant leave my line of sight. Lin Yanzily nodded. Alright, I can do that. Second, no throwing tantrums. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow. Oh? For example, if you get tired and cant walk, were here for a case, not a vacation. Lin Yan gritted her teeth in frustration. You really do understand me. Whats thest one? Song Yuhang thought for a moment and said, I havent decided on thest one yet. Well figure it outter. Lin Yan was about to say something, but Song Yuhang had already buried her head in her rice, stopping her with a hand. Lets eat. We dont have much time left, and youve already wasted fifteen minutes of my time. Lin Yan turned around, and most of the people in the cafeteria had already left. She was slightly taken aback and said, Once the case is over, Ill treat you to Before her sentence was finished, Song Yuhang handed her a piece of spicy chicken. Try it. It may not be as refined as what you make at home, but its definitely clean, hygienic, and authentic. Lin Yan, with some hesitation, picked up the chicken and put it in her mouth. Song Yuhang watched with satisfaction as the word delicious seemed to radiate from every pore on her face. She smiled contentedly. Is it good? Its alright. Then eat up. Okay.
Chapter 47-1 Chapter 47-1 Investigate A Case The Jiangcheng City Criminal Investigation Team was divided into groups and scattered throughout the streets and alleys, questioning the families of the deceased. This is the most fundamental and crucial part of daily criminal investigation work. Hello, police. Did your daughter have any contact with symbols like white whale or ocean before she passed away? I dont know; my daughter didnt live with me. Alright, thank you. Hello, police. Did your son ever mention words like white whale or liberation before his passing? The man thought for a moment, retrieved a diary from inside the house, and handed it to the police officer. Yes, my son he had a car ident when he was young, leaving him with a disability, and he was often bullied by his ssmates at school. Once he came back and told me that he didnt want to live anymore and wanted to seek white whale for liberation. I thought he was just saying it in jest, but who knew this is my sons diary from before his passing. If its of any use, you can take it. The investigator opened the diary, and the first page held a picture of the boys handsome face. He looked somewhat mncholic and asked, Regarding this white whale, did your son ever mention it to you? Is it an individual or an organization? I work at a construction site during the day ande homete at night. We didntmunicate much, the man thought for a moment. However, there was a period before he passed away when he was immersed in the inte. Ide homete at night and see him chatting with people online. I thought maybe this white whale could be an online friend. Zheng Chengrui stepped forward, saying, Can we take a look at your sonsputer? The man opened the bedroom door for them and replied, Sure, please. The room was notrge, with ayout of two bedrooms and a living room. The interior was modest, and there were signs of water damage on the ceiling. The man lived alone, worked at a construction site, and didnt appear to be well-off, but he had still purchased aputer that his son loved. Zheng Chengrui gently blew away the dust from the keyboard, pressed the power button, and skillfully navigated the vast ocean of information to find something useful amidst the chaos. Lines of vibrant blue code danced across the eyess lenses. As time ticked away, he finally extracted keywords from the vast and boundless sea of information. Ocean, white whale, liberation, want to die. Apanying these words was an encrypted chat room. He tapped on the keyboard, attempting to decrypt it, and the onlookers held their breath. After a chilling alert sound, arge red X appeared on the screen. Decryption failed. A bead of sweat formed on Zheng Chengruis forehead as he turned to the father of the victim and asked, Do you know your sons password? The man thought for a moment and admitted, I dont know. Ive never even touched this thing; I dont understand it at all. What about your sons birthday? After receiving the answer, Zheng Chengrui inputted a six-digit string of characters, but the decryption still failed. He clenched his teeth and inquired, Are there any other numbers that could be a password or something of great significance to your son? The man pondered for a moment, and his gazended on a photo of his deceased wife ced next to theputer. Try his mothers birthday. Alright. Zheng Chengrui sped his fingertips, took a deep breath, and entered the characters. After a brief silence, nothing seemed to happen. Just when they thought the decryption had seeded, a slow emergence of a whale appeared on theputer, transitioning from white to red, oozing blood. Oh no! Zheng Chengrui cursed under his breath. Before he could react, the whale burst with a resounding bang, scattering fragments of glowing blue light throughout the air, and theputer screen immediately went ck, rendering it unresponsive. He kept pounding on the keyboard, attempting to restore the program, but theputer continued to emit a chilling alert sound. Sorry, the program is damaged and cannot be started. Sorry, the program is damaged and cannot be started. Sorry, the program is damaged and cannot be started. He let out a sigh of defeat and lowered his hands. This chat room not only had an unconventional encryption program but also an additional self-destruct program outside of the encryption. When you input the wrong password three times in a row, the self-destruct program activates. Im sorry, I was careless. A teammate patted his shoulder and said, Its alright. Lets go back and report to Team Leader Song, and then we can figure out a way to recover slowly. * * * Throughout the day, both Song Yuhang and Miss Lin had gathered a fair amount of information about the white whale. Despite having set some ground rules, Miss Lin was not the type of person to keep her word. Hey, she drawled, calling out to her, Song Yuhang, I cant walk anymore. Song Yuhang paid no attention, shouldering her bag and clutching a notebook for recording information as she continued forward. Officer Song Lin Yan weakly tugged at the hem of her clothes, Can you please stop for a moment? I havent had a drop of water all day. Do you think youre in a race? Song Yuhang turned to look at her and said, You chose to follow, and we have our ground rules. Are you going back on your word? Lin Yan was momentarily silenced, seething with frustration. I Hurry up; well need to return to the police headquarters for a meeting soon, Song Yuhang interrupted, shaking her head slightly, then turned and continued walking. The fabric had slipped through her fingers, and Lin Yan clenched her teeth as she quickened her pace. Damn it, if it werent for the fact that she, too, was just trying to solve the case, Lin Yan would have given her a piece of her mind long ago. As she thought this, she braced herself against the wall and managed to take a couple of steps, her heels skin smarting from the chafing of the high heel straps. Lin Yan bit her lower lip, her face turning somewhat pale. Song Yuhang turned around and noticed that she hadnt caught up yet. Whats wrong? Lin Yan was currently bending over to unfasten the troublesome strap that had been causing her difort. Its nothing, I can still Before the words had fully left her lips, her wrist was already seized by someone. Song Yuhang crouched down and said, Dont move; let me have a look. Lin Yan leaned on her shoulder for support, and with one hand, Song Yuhang steadied her. Without waiting for her to object, her other hand had already removed Lin Yans shoe. No need Lin Yans face turned slightly red. Song Yuhang held her foot in her hand, and the heel was chafed to a bright red, with a sizeable piece of skin havinge off. Why didnt you say something earlier? Did you give me a chance to talk? Throughout this journey, theyve either been questioning the families of the deceased or rushing around. There really hasnt been much time for conversation. Song Yuhang rubbed her nose and looked around. Lets find a ce to sit for a while. In the future, we can talk in situations like this. In the future? What future? I never want to go out with you again in the future! After this afternoons walk, Lin Yans mouth was dry, her feet were in pain, and she was not in a good mood. Song Yuhang put her foot back into the shoe and assisted her as they walked. Its also your fault. You knew it would be tough, yet you still wore high heels. I wonder whos in such a rush, or else I could have run out without even having time to change my clothes, Lin Yan retorted, and as they bickered, she noticed that her feet didnt hurt as much. Song Yuhang couldnt be bothered with her spoiled attitude. What would you like to eat? Lets grab something to eat and take a break. Lin Yan allowed her to assist and, ncing at the array of signs along the street, pointed to one. Lets go to that one. * * * Mn Bar. It was early evening, and the bar had just opened, with not many patrons yet. Bai Ling stood at the counter, polishing sses, when the curtain was suddenly lifted, and the wind chimes at the door jingled. She looked up and was pleasantly surprised. Sister, youre here. Song Yuhang helped Lin Yan sit at the bar and said, You go ahead and order; Ill go buy something. When Bai Ling returned with the menu, she exchanged a nce with Song Yuhang, offering a polite smile by way of greeting before turning and pushing open the door to walk outside. The girl had a hint of mischief in her eyes. Is Sister out with a friend again? Lin Yanzily leaned on the bar, her long legs resting on the floor. One of her high heel straps wasnt fastened properly, swaying loosely, and she exuded an unexpected charm. Her? Shes definitely not just a friend. Bai Ling handed her the menu and innocently asked with wide eyes, Then, whats going on? That night, not only did she protect you, but I also saw her hugging you near the restroom. Lin Yan nearly choked on her water, coughing a bit before she replied, Ahem Kids should mind their own business and not peek into grown-up matters. Ill have a Mojito, a lemon water, and two waffles. Tell the kitchen to hurry; Im starving. Bai Ling revealed a mischievous smile as she handed thepleted order slip to the young kitchen assistant. At the age of fourteen or fifteen, one is at the age of budding emotions. Although she didnt quite understand the rtionship between her beautiful and kind-hearted sister and the short-haired woman they had just encountered, she could still see the undercurrents between them and the evident care they held for each other. Lin Yan observed her as she wrote, her strokes strong and her handwriting neat. Wow, not bad at all. Are you in the ninth grade? Bai Ling replied with a charming smile, Im in the ninth grade, preparing for the provincial entrance exam next year. I hope I can get into a provincial key school. As the girl spoke, a faint trace of sorrow became apparent. Her mother was bedridden, and she had to work hard to not only get into a provincial key school but also secure a schrship. Otherwise, her meager ie alone wouldnt be enough to cover her mothers high medical expenses. Lin Yan took a sip of her drink and observed her carefully. Is something troubling you? The girl returned to her senses and smiled, declining her offer. No, its alright. Im content with things as they are now. Thank you, sister. Thest time, that money hade just in time to alleviate her urgent situation. Faced with the girls sincere gratitude, Lin Yan turned her face slightly awkwardly and said, No, theres no need to thank me. Thank you for what? Money is thest thing Ick. Bai Ling gazed at her, admiring and aspiring to be someone like her a woman who was not only beautiful and stylish but also possessed a strong sense of justice and kindness. She decided quietly in her heart that she would learn from this sister and be a woman who could help those in need. By the way, sister, Ive learned a new way to mix cocktails. Would you like me to make one for you? She couldnt repay her in money, so she could only put effort into these small things. Sure. Lin Yan lightly tapped her fingertips on the table, watching Bai Ling prepare the cocktail. However, her thoughts were preupied with Song Yuhang and where she might have disappeared to for such a long time. Did she leave her, the tag along, behind and go off on her own? Just as she was pondering, Song Yuhang returned, holding alcohol wipes and a box of band-aids. Lift your foot. Lin Yan was reluctant. Ive already told you theres no need Before she could finish her sentence, Song Yuhang had already knelt down and lifted her foot, cing it on her own knee. Hey Lin Yan tried to move backward, but Song Yuhang firmly held her ankle. As soon as the alcohol-soaked cotton swab touched her, she let out a sharp gasp of pain and gripped the edge of the bar stool. Song Yuhang nced up at her. Bear with it; I couldnt find any iodine, so well have to make do. Hiss Each time she lifted her foot, Lin Yan would flinch, causing her smooth skin to slide back and forth in her hand. Song Yuhang had to exert more force to hold her in ce. Lin Yan cast her eyes downward, and they were tinged with red. Song Yuhang, are you done yet?! Song Yuhang seemingly calmly ced the alcohol wipes on the ground and gently applied the band-aids. There, its done. Later on, dont put your shoes on just yet. With that, she picked up Lin Yans shoes and applied two band-aids at the back of her heels before returning them to her.
Chapter 47-2 Chapter 47-2 Investigate A Case Bai Ling watched as they interacted and handed them their prepared drinks, saying, One mojito and one lemonade, please enjoy. With that, she skipped over to Lin Yans side and whispered, Sister, why is she being so nice to you if youre not friends? Song Yuhang looked puzzled and asked, What did she say? Lin Yan calmly picked up her ss and took a sip. Its nothing, not your concern. Oh, alright then. Song Yuhang packed the alcohol and other items she had bought into her bag, then sat down. But before she could even sit for three minutes, a phone call came through to her phone. She got up and headed outside, saying, Im going outside to take a call. The waffles werent ready yet, and Bai Ling was worried she might get hungry, so she brought out a te of snacks. Sister, have some in the meantime. Thanks, Lin Yan said while snacking on melon seeds and peanuts as she waited for Song Yuhang to return. The bar was empty at the moment, and the two of them engaged in casual conversation. By the way, I havent asked for your name yet, or maybe we could exchange contact information. As for that money Ill pay you back in the future. The girl spoke and pulled a thin notepad from her apron pocket, pushing the paper and pen toward Lin Yan. Lin Yan nced indifferently and continued munching on melon seeds, saying, Theres no need for repayment, Sister doesnt buy into this. She was used to keeping people at arms length, but the girls face clearly showed a hint of hurt. Lin Yan hesitated for a moment, but before she could think too long, Song Yuhang had already rushed in with an uneasy look. Quick, lets go! She urged Lin Yan, and their gaze met, understanding that the situation had escted. Lin Yan got up from the bar stool, pulled out her wallet, tossed a few red bills on the counter without counting much, and waved before turning to leave. Goodbye, little sister. As Bai Ling rushed out, trying to catch up with the extra money, the two of them had already gotten into a taxi and merged with the traffic. At that moment, Lin Yan didnt know it would be thest time she saw this girl named Bai Ling, and she would never have the chance to tell her own name. * * * When she and Song Yuhang arrived at the riverside of the city moat, the evening had set in. The area was cordoned off, and onlookers outside the perimeter were craning their necks, whispering among themselves. I heard it was another suicide, huh? Yeah, people watched as they jumped from the bridge. They were still holding an exam paper when they jumped, tsk tsk, such a tragedy. If they didnt do well on the exam, they could have tried again. Theyre so young, what a waste. Song Yuhang pushed through the crowd, parted the police cordon, and let Lin Yan through first, following closely behind. The various sub-bureaus and police stations under the Jiangcheng City Police Department had received orders from higher-ups to fully cooperate with the special task force on this case. So, the entire public security system in Jiangcheng City was on high alert when they heard the word suicide. They wasted no time, and within five minutes of receiving the public report, the nearest police officers had arrived. Lin Yan had someone fetch a pair of gloves for her, preparing to examine the body. When she turned around, she noticed Song Yuhang was still up there. Whats wrong? Is Deputy Song afraid of water ghosts? Song Yuhang pursed her lips, walked down with determined strides, and replied, I recognize this person; I saw them yesterday afternoon. Yesterday afternoon, when she was at school, she had a brief encounter with this young man in the hallway. Song Yuhang bent down, gently lifted his chin, and a faint little mole appeared on his jaw. As a detective, she had a photographic memory, especially when it came to recognizing people. Thats right, its him. They exchanged a nce, sensing the gravity of the situation. Another victim has emerged. * * * Lin Jie, which of these two bodies should we autopsy first? Due to the nature of the case, Fan Lins body had also been brought back from the funeral home. Lin Yan was changing her clothes outside and turned to look. Lets do them together. Send the assistant forensic examiner to handle Fan Lins side, and Ill take care of this one first. Ill join you once Im done. The assistant forensic examiner nodded and walked over to her, washing their hands and changing clothes. Alright. She flicked the excess water from her hands, lifted her gaze to look at herself in the mirror, dressed in a white protective suit and a blue mask, making her features appear even sharper. Lin Yan took a deep breath and entered the autopsy room. It was time to see what kind of monster was lurking. Duan Cheng set up a camera, saying, September 26, 2008, 20:05, the first autopsy of Fan Lin and Wu Wei begins now. As the autopsy on this side progressed methodically, the discussion in the training room about the case heated up. Zheng Chengrui opened hisputer, bringing up the interface from earlier in the day for them to see. Its like this. This is an encrypted chat room. You need a key to enter, and if you input the wrong key three times in a row, your ount is frozen, and the program self-destructs. Song Yuhang leaned on the table, bending to take a closer look. Can we trace the IP address of the other party? A cybersecurity team member shook their head, saying, No, weve checked. Its a server overseas, and we cant trace the specific IP address. So, the only way to ess this secret chat room is through a key? Zheng Chengrui nodded, wearing a grim expression. Cracking the key would involve thousands of variations of six-digitbinations. Its a massive task, and by the time we decipher it, the next On the first day of the special task forces establishment, the unseen enemy had already shown the police a significant disy of power. Song Yuhangs face reflected the changing winds. She recalled the faces of the deceased young man, Fan Lin, He Miao, and many more whose faces she had never seen but would forever live on in photographs. She pulled up a chair and sat down, typing with determination, Since this approach isnt working, lets try to flush them out. A spark of inspiration shed in Zheng Chengruis mind. Oh, you mean He didnt finish his sentence before Song Yuhang had already opened multiple search engines and entered suicide. Countless forums of various colors and styles popped up. The others were also quickly alert. Someone hesitated, saying, Deputy Song, what if the other party is a dangerous criminal? Isnt this too risky? We are the police; we shouldnt shy away from danger. Who should face danger if not us, the ordinary citizens? She said calmly, her fingers not pausing as she posted a message on a forum, saying, I want tomit suicide. The other cybersecurity team members exchanged nces, and Zheng Chengrui was the first to open hisputer and start typing. As soon as one person emted her, the rest of them returned to their respective workstations and began posting on various forums. In the spacious training room, the sound of keyboards clicking and cking filled the air. * * * Time passed minute by minute, and Lin Yan conducted a meticulous autopsy. Bending and standing for an extended period, she began to sweat slightly on her forehead, and there were marks of sweat on the protective suit at her back. They examined the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and other organs of the deceased, but found nothing suspicious. Lin Yan picked up a pair of scissors from the tray, and her hands already looked as if they had been pulled from the blood. Cut open the stomach and examine its contents. A pungent odor filled the air. Duan Cheng turned away and retched a few times before quickly turning back and aiming the camera at the deceased. Lin Yan dug in with her bare hands, a series of squelching and squishy sounds apanying the process. Red, yellow, and white substances spilled out, creating a scene akin to an epic horror or disaster movie. Duan Chengsplexion alternated between shades of green and white, and he couldnt help but retch again. Lin Yan remainedposed, her expression unchanged, not even a hint of a frown on her face. She continued digging and used a spoon to scoop out the contents, saying, Most of the stomach contents have moved to the duodenum and have been partially digested. Visible to the naked eye, we have rice, tomatoes She paused for a moment and continued, and beef. Scooping up a portion of the minced meat, she lifted her mask close to her nose and said, And theres more beef. The others watched her in horror, and even the intern forensic examiner responsible for taking notes had his pen frozen. Lin Yan didnt raise her head and said, What are you standing there for? Keep writing! The young forensic examiner snapped back to attention. Alright, alright, just as we were saying, as we were saying Lin Yan continued, Based on the degree of digestion in the stomach contents, the estimated time of death is roughly 2-3 hours after eating. After conducting two autopsies, Lin Yan had worked for six hours, and by the time she came out, it was already two in the morning. The training room was still brightly lit. After taking a shower and drying her hair, she came out and went to find Song Yuhang. Before the person arrived, the fragrance was already there. To cover up the scent of dposition, she sprayed a lot of perfume every time she finished an autopsy. In essence, she was someone who cared about her appearance. Song Yuhang didnt look up but pointed to the box of food on the table that she had set aside for Lin Yan. Century egg and lean pork congee. Go ahead. At the mention of food, Zheng Chengrui poked his head out from hisputer on the other side, looking somewhat aggrieved. Why do we all have regr takeout, and Forensic Doctor Lin gets century egg and lean pork congee?! Suddenly, several heads all turned to look, and Song Yuhang, who had been observing this, felt somewhat embarrassed. She scolded with a smile, Having food is good enough, dont be so picky, get back to work! Lin Yan gave Song Yuhang a meaningful look as if she were deep in thought. Her hair was still slightly damp after the shower, and her curly locks cascaded smoothly over her shoulders. Water droplets traced down her corbone. How did you know I like congee, Deputy Song? Song Yuhang couldnt take it anymore. With so many people of the opposite sex here in the training room, can you note out unting your tank top every time you finish showering? Lin Yan scooted closer, opened the food container, and found the congee was still warm. She began to eat it, mouthful by mouthful, while leaning in to look at Song Yuhangsputer screen. What I wear is my own business. Deputy Song, are you being too lenient or She paused, biting her spoon, and raised her eyes to look at Song Yuhang. Her gaze was filled with a hint of desire. You just dont want others to see me. Song Yuhangs throat subtly tightened, and she turned her face away, not intending to engage further. Lin Yan, however, smiled again and leaned back in her chair, looking nonchntly at her. Hey, Ive made some new discoveries. Do you want to hear? Song Yuhang immediately turned back and, at the same time, grabbed her own jacket and tossed it to Lin Yan. Speak up, if you have something to say. Also, put this on while youre at it. Lin Yan caught the jacket that was thrown at her, unfazed by it. Since it was a bit chilly, she draped it over herself. I examined his stomach contents, which included rice, tomatoes, beef, and more. Based on that, I estimate the time of death to be within 2-3 hours after eating. Song Yuhang raised an eyebrow, showing her intelligence. She quickly made connections, saying, Wu Wei was a boarding school student who had all three meals in the school cafeteria. Ill have someone check todays school menu. If none of these items were part of their dinner, it suggests he didnt eat at school, and the person who dined with him could be thest person who saw him alive. She paused for a moment and added, It could also be the killer.
Chapter 48-1 Chapter 48-1
Please be aware that a content warning has been ced in the first chapter due to themes explored in this chapter. I sincerely apologise for only cing a warning now. Heres the warning: Content Warning: This novel contains scenes and themes rted to police work, violence, death, and forensic investigations. Readers should be aware that the content may include graphic descriptions, crime scenes, and situations that may be distressing. Please exercise caution and consider your personalfort levels while reading. It is rmended for mature audiences who can engage with such content. If you find any of these themes distressing, please proceed with discretion or seek alternative reading material that better suits your preferences. This chapter contains death, suicide, implied sexual violence, and implied drowning.
Rejection Captain Song, we found out that there was no beef in the Shuren Middle Schools dinner recipe today, and when we asked Wu Weis homeroom teacher, he didnt eat in the school cafeteria; he left right after school. An investigator handed her a sheet, which was todays menu from Shuren Middle School, and indeed, there was no beef dish listed. So, who did he have dinner with? After looking at it, Song Yuhang handed it to Lin Yan, then stood up and went over to the cybersecurity team member. Check the surveince videos near Shuren Middle School. The time Wu Wei left was precisely at the end of the school day, and the area outside the school was bustling with cars and people. Everyone was trying to see clearly, and someone said, Captain Song, could he have left by climbing the wall? Song Yuhang decisively refuted, If he took leave, he could have walked openly without needing to climb any walls. Lin Yan lightly chuckled at this, making the other person lose face. Song Yuhang rolled her eyes lightly and gestured for her not to speak out of turn. Lin Yan shrugged and joined the crowd, still wearing her coat. She said to Song Yuhang, If we cant find the person, lets check the car. Shuren Middle School is not close to the crime scene by the city wall, and without transportation, it would take a while to get there. As soon as she finished speaking, Song Yuhang pointed at the screen. Zoom in and look at that car. An inconspicuous Santana was parked on the roadside with its door open. A student in a school uniform was about to get in. Although it was just a silhouette, Song Yuhang still recognized him from his backpack it was indeed Wu Wei. Due to the angle, the front part of the license te was obscured, but she could barely make out thest two digits, which were 8 and 7. Check the surveince videos at major intersection crossroads in the urban areas, and pay attention to the ck Santana with license te ending in 8 and 7. Also, contact the traffic management bureau and request them to provide us with information on the owner of the local ck Santana. With thismand, the operations room bustled with activity: some members went online to bait, others checked surveince footage, and some made calls to coborate with other departments. Song Yuhang holstered her handgun at her waist and said, Field team,e with me. Lets go to the crime scene and find eyewitnesses. Lin Yan blended into the crowd and started to move along with them but was soon pulled out by someone. Song Yuhang lowered her voice and asked, Im on a mission; what are you doing here? Lin Yan held onto her arm, her smile warm, and her eyes filled with emotion. Im following you, ording to our three rules: no quarreling, no causing a scene, and no losing temper. With so many people around, Song Yuhang couldnt publicly shake her off and didnt want to embarrass her. Besides, looking at that beautiful face, she couldnt bring herself to be too harsh. She chuckled. You keep darting here and there. With so many people, I dont have the time to keep an eye on you. Lin Yans response ignited her anger once more. She shook off Song Yuhangs hand and said, Do you think Im just dead weight? I dont I Song Yuhangs words trailed off, but Lin Yan had already turned and walked away, heading straight for the police car. What nonsense rules! Even if I have to go, can you find clues without me?! It seemed like she had a particr interest in this case, perhaps rted to that person, Chu Nan? Song Yuhang watched her depart, deep in thought, but she didnt stop her and appeared somewhat resigned. Duan Cheng, you should go too, follow Lin Jie. * * * The group went along the street, knocking on store doors and inquiring. Have you seen this person? No, havent seen them. No, dont remember. Whos that? Police, have you seen this person? No, havent seen them, the shop owner said, mming the door shut with a thud and muttering, This is the middle of the night, disturbing peoples peaceful sleep. Song Yuhang sighed and, holding the photo, moved on to the next store. * * * The news said they wouldnt kill again, right? Why The woman pointed at the newspaper on the table, her voice sharp. An unidentified male corpse was found by the city wall, suspected to be a high school senior student, who jumped into the river due to excessive stress. The headline was quite eye-catching, but the content was quite ordinary. At the very bottom, there was a recent update stating that the police had initiated an investigation into a series of suicide cases. The woman interviewed in the newspaper had shoulder-length hair, sharp eyebrows, starry eyes, well-defined features, and two horizontal stripes on her shoulder. The speaker waspletely covered in a ck robe, and their face and expression were not visible. They reached out and took the newspaper, saying, He wanted to die on his own; I just gave him an opportunity. No ones to me. These past two years have been too frequent. The police have started investigating. Stop now! The womans voice carried a hint of pleading. The person sitting across from her coldly snorted, saying, Stop? Impossible. Ive already selected the next candidate. Fear appeared on the womans face as she pointed at him and stepped back, You you want to The figure in the ck robe chuckled, revealing half of a gaunt chin, Yes, thats right. Shes a very lovely girl, and Ive already obtained her blood type. It perfectly meets the requirements. No! You cant! This time I absolutely wont wont help you again! The woman gasped for breath as she stepped back. But as soon as she finished speaking, someone grabbed her by the throat. A massive body pressed down on her, and the man exuded a foul, decayed odor that hadnt seen the light of day for years. The hand gripping her had wrinkled, chicken-like skin with brown spots. The woman struggled, coughed, and pped at his hand, while a hint of madness flickered in the mans eyes. He enjoyed watching people struggle on the brink of death, finding it much more sincere than those fake masked smiles. The hand around her neck gradually applied more pressure, and the womans legs kicked aimlessly in the air, her eyes rolling back. Creak The door to the inner room made a noise. The man seemed to startle and turned to look. Through the crack in the door, a pair of jet-ck, emotionless eyes were visible. * * * Bai Ling finished her night shift, locked up the shop, and was about to head home when she heard footsteps in the distance. She quickened her pace, keeping her head down, knowing that she was just a hundred meters away from the street corner where there would be a police patrol car. The person behind her also increased their speed, and the streetlight cast the shadow of a well-built man. Bai Lings heart raced, and she started running. The person behind her also quickened their steps. When a scream got stuck in her throat, the man and she stumbled past each other. It was just a drunkard. Bai Ling breathed a sigh of relief, but before she could feel too happy, a dark figure darted out from a nearby alley and covered her mouth, dragging her into the darkness. Mmm Bai Ling struggled, and the person pped her hard a few times. Damn it, you wretch. I wonder why you rejected me. It turns out youvetched onto a wealthy one. The man said with a sinister tone, his hair in small braids. He was the same man who danced with Lin Yan at Lin Ges birthday party. What are you standing around for?! Help, get in here, help me hold her down The man unbuckled his belt. If we cant have the big one, well settle for the little one. Hehe, still The sound was drowned out by the weak, stifled crying. Someonesing, lets go, go, go. Several young men finished, pulled up their pants, and scattered. Bai Lingy on the cold ground, looking up at the pitch-ck sky, tears flowing unconsciously, her spirit crushed. It wasnt until a drop of water fell on her forehead that she moved her stiff fingers. It was raining. A shadow fell in front of her, and someone held an umbre over her. The man crouched down and helped her adjust her torn clothes. Bai Ling looked at the familiar face, and it seemed to restore some of her awareness. She choked back her tears and called out, Uncle The man didnt say anything; he simply helped her up from the ground. Upon the first touch of his warmth, Bai Ling seemed to find sce and nestled into his arms like a weary bird returning home, crying softly. An invisible smile tugged at the corners of the mans lips. Sleep now. Itll be better once youre asleep. The White Whale will bring you happiness. Whether it was due to her extreme fatigue or some other reason, as the man gently patted her back, drowsiness like she had never felt before washed over her. Bai Lings head tilted, and she wanted to say something more, but she had already fallen into his arms. * * * The car was parked on the side of the road, and outside, the rain started to pour, making a pitter-patter sound on the car roof. Lin Yan had her feet up on the dashboard, peeling edamame beans, and humming an unfamiliar English song. Duan Cheng was tasked with watching over her, ncing at her while busy responding to various forum posts. Lin Yan nced at him, Is this fishing forw enforcement working? Who knows? Its like a blind cat encountering a dead mouse, Duan Cheng replied, eyeing her delicious-looking snack and swallowing hard. Dontugh, but when you look at it, there are so many people thinking about suicide every day. Lin Yan pushed herte-night snack a bit farther away, Other people posting might actually have a chance to find the killer, but for someone like you, its better to forget about it. He was ustomed to her sarcastic remarks, so it didnt bother him. Duan Cheng forced a smile, Actually, I didnt think I could find the killer either. I was just purely curious Lin Yan sat with her back to him, and her hand, in the middle of peeling edamame, paused when she heard his question. During the meeting the other day, it seemed like Forensic Doctor Lin was quite knowledgeable in this area. Why not give it a try? If both the deceased and the prime suspectmunicated through a single online connection, then why wasnt his phone found at the crime scene? Duan Cheng was left puzzled by her question, but Lin Yan had already opened the car door and stepped out. The location wasnt far from the crime scene, and the rain had caused the river water to rise rapidly, almost flooding the banks. Lin Yan descended from the riverbank. Duan Cheng pushed aside the willow branches swaying in the rain and followed her, wading through the rain with each step. Forensic Doctor Lin, Lin Jie! Come back quickly! Lin Yan pushed through the grass along the bank, retraced her steps, but still found nothing. She gritted her teeth and looked out at the dark, unfathomable water. As soon as Duan Chengs voice trailed off, he heard a sshing sound. Oh my god! When he stumbled over, there was no one left by the bank. The rain intensified, and the autumn rain felt bone-chilling as it soaked through their clothes. Duan Cheng shouted again, Lin Jie, Forensic Doctor Lin His voice echoed in the pitch-ck night. Duan Chengs hands and feet were freezing. Shivering, he pulled out his phone and started calling Song Yuhang. Hey, Captain Song Song Yuhang had rushed back on her police motorcycle, and after hanging her helmet on the handlebars, she vaulted over the guardrail. She grabbed Duan Cheng and demanded, Where is she?! Didnt I tell you to watch her?! Duan Cheng, drenched from the ongoing rain and rattled by the consecutive shocks caused by Lin Yan, was left trembling all over. He pointed at the waters surface and stammered, She she jumped in I couldnt stop her in time Song Yuhang turned to look, and raindrops sshing onto the waters surface created ripples, asionally pushing waves toward the shore. This wasnt the first time someone had drowned in the moat, and nobody knew what was happening beneath the surface. It seemed calm, but it was treacherous. She felt like her bodys warmth had been extinguished by the rain, and in the confusion, she heard her own teeth chattering. How long has it been? Duan Cheng nced at his watch and was on the verge of tears. F-f-five minutes
Chapter 48-2 Chapter 48-2 Rejection An average person can hold their breath for two minutes in unfamiliar waters, which is considered remarkable. Exceeding five minutes poses a life-threatening risk. Song Yuhang, while gritting her teeth in her heart, both hated Lin Yans reckless impulsiveness and couldnt help but worry about her safety. She quickly removed her gun and ced it on the ground, then took off her coat, intending to jump down, even though her swimming skills were not that great. But she couldnt just let Lin Yan At the thought of this, a certain ce in her chest began to ache faintly. Song Yuhang bit her lower lip tightly, and just as she reached the riverbank, a head emerged from the calm water. Lin Yan shook her wet hair, coughed a few times, and raised the mobile phone in her hand, saying, I found it! Before she could get too excited, Song Yuhang had already jumped into the water. She angrily dragged Lin Yan onto the shore, snatched what was in her hand, and threw it to Duan Cheng. Take it back for Fang Xin and Zheng Chengrui to investigate the contents inside! Just as Lin Yan emerged from the water, her eardrums were ringing, and she hadnt recovered yet. Song Yuhang almost forcibly half-dragged, half-carried her into the car and mmed the door shut with a loud bang. Lin Yan, who had been thrown around, was in pain as her arm bumped against the car door. She was instantly furious. Song Yuhang, have you gone insane?! Song Yuhang quickly threw a clean piece of clothing over Lin Yan and said, Whos gone insane? I thought you were the one going crazy, wanting to seek death! I Lin Yan hesitated for a moment, but she could see that Song Yuhang was panting, her eyes slightly red, with strands of water grass clinging to her hair. Song Yuhang had pulled her out of the water and seemed genuinely concerned and impatient. Miss Lin turned her face slightly, feeling a bit awkward. Who asked you to care? I obtained my international free diving certificate ages ago, long before you even learned to swim a few meters and were left gasping for breath. Song Yuhang was left momentarily speechless by her retort. She grabbed the clothes Lin Yan had thrown aside and covered her head and face with them, retaliating by tousling her curly hair. Only you can! Youre amazing! Will you die if you dont cause trouble for a day or two? In the narrow car cabin, two tall and leggy young women found themselves in a sudden struggle. When it came to strength, Lin Yan was no match, but in terms of skill, she instinctively used a Kimura lock, wrapping her legs around Song Yuhangs waist and straightening her arm. Song Yuhang, youre insane!!! After shouting this, the world fell silent, with only the sound of rain hitting the car windows like a constant drumming, and the heavy panting of the two young women. Song Yuhang stopped her movements, water droplets trickling down her chin. Their hands were locked by each other, mutually restraining one another. Dimly, the outside streetlights filtered into the cabin. She watched in amazement as a droplet of water slipped into Lin Yans cor. When Lin Yan entered the water, she took off her coat, still wearing that ck fitted camisole and shorts. Her slender legs were wrapped around her waist, and the fighting posture was indeed quite ungraceful. Both of them were soaked, their whole bodies drenched, and some hidden emotions were fermenting and heating up in the stuffy cabin. Even through ayer of clothing, they both felt the intense heat. Song Yuhangs face was burning, and she dared not move, reluctant to even blink and miss this moment, where Lin Yan exuded a sultry sensuality. Lin Yan was breathing slightly heavily, staring intently at her, unconsciously tilting her head, exposing her neck to her gaze. Yes, her neck. It was as if she had found the core of what had been catching her attention for a long time. As their clothes brushed against each other, at this moment, no matter what Lin Yan said, it seemed like she was both resisting and weing, What what are you doing? Song Yuhang held her hand and gently brushed aside the hair by her ear, saying, Let me see your injury. Madwoman, lunatic Lin Yan started speaking without restraint when she got agitated, and Song Yuhang, annoyed by her noise, decided to cover her mouth. Duan Cheng stood under a nearby tree to avoid the rain, watching the car start to shake, his expressionplicated. He held himself tightly, feeling the loneliness and vulnerability deep in his heart. Before long, the car door opened, and Song Yuhang stepped out, holding an umbre. She saw him still getting wet in the rain, walked over, and handed him an umbre. Duan Cheng carefully observed her expression. Although her face seemed calm, there was a hint of satisfaction in the corners of her eyes and the edges of her brows. The young forensic scientist who had witnessed everything was still trembling slightly and asked, Is it over? He was about to go and drive, but Song Yuhang reached out and stopped him, saying, Wait, Dr. Lin is still changing her clothes. Ah, alright, Duan Cheng had no choice but to crouch back down. For some reason, ever since Officer Song was released from confinement, she had this inexplicable possessiveness and protective instinct towards Dr. Lin. This feeling startled him and sent a shiver down his spine for no apparent reason. Lin Yan climbed up from the seat, wiped her neck with a tissue, and tossed it to the ground. Damn, have I turned into a dog?! * * * On the way back, the two of them sat in silence, one in the front and the other in the back. Song Yuhang asionally nced back at her, licked her lips, as if wanting to speak but feeling hesitant. Lin Yan, on the other hand, leaned back in her seat, closed her eyes, half of her face shrouded in shadow. Her lips were pressed tightly together, a stark contrast to her usual lively self. When they arrived at the police station, the head of the special task force was immediately swamped with work, leaving no opportunity for further conversation with Lin Yan. Lin Yan, trailing behind, turned and headed to the duty room to change her clothes. She removed the coat that Song Yuhang had draped over her shoulder and tossed it onto the bed. Facing the mirror, she tilted her head slightly upwards. The scar from thest time she had self-harmed with a syringe had mostly healed, leaving only a small puncture mark. Lin Yan touched it with her hand and examined herself in the mirror as if she could still hear the hoarse voice whispering in her ear, Does it still hurt? Hurt? What was that? She hadnt felt this kind of pain in many years, except for when it came to Chu Nan. But that wasnt pain; that was something close to unbearable agony. But when she asked herself this question, it felt as if her heart was pricked by hidden needles, causing her to feel both sore and bitter with each puncture. All the men and women she had been involved with would only ask her, Is it big? Does it feel good? Out of all of them, Song Yuhang was the first to ask her if it hurt. Lin Yan smirked and pulled up the corner of her lips. She looked at her nearly wless face in the mirror and thought to herself, Lin Yan, do you even deserve this? Can you please stop harming others? Youre nothing but an animal, trash, lower than a dog, a wretched bug in a sewer. What right do you have to stand in the sunlight, openly epting the goodwill and admiration of others? You dont deserve it. With these thoughts in mind, she slightly closed her eyes, as if making a determined decision, and her throat bobbed up and down. * * * Hows the progress on the license te number? Song Yuhang walked straight into the briefing room and went directly to the surveince expert. ording to the information sent by the Traffic Management Bureau, there are over 10,000 ck Santanas in the city. Owners with license te numbers ending in 7 or 8 amount to approximately 4,000. We are currently investigating each one. Solving cases sometimes has no shortcuts. Song Yuhang patted the experts shoulder and said, Good job. On the other side, the cyber security team members were also reviewing surveince footage. Zheng Chengrui dismantled the mobile phone that Lin Yan had recovered, inspected the circuit board, and connected it to hisptop, attempting to recover the data. After tidying herself up, Lin Yan walked into theboratory, and to her surprise, Fang Xin was also there. The entire criminal investigation team had been awake for two days and nights. Lin Jie, could you take a look at this? Does it seem odd to you? Fang Xin made way for her, and there was a test tube in front of her. What is this Lin Yan put on her gloves, approached the test tube, and shone a purple light on it. Then, she lifted it and examined it, causing it to reflect a deep blue glow under the light. It was purified from the blood of Wu Wei and Fan Lin. Do we still have the evidence left from thest time with He Miao? Lin Yan adjusted the microscopes parameters, concentrating on her work. Fang Xin went to a cupboard and said, It should still be there. As per the regtions, evidence is stored for three months before being destroyed. Three test tubes were ced together from left to right: He Miaos, Fan Lins, and Wu Weis. This one, He Miaos, appears slightly lighter because we couldnt obtain fresh blood at the crime scene, Lin Yan pondered, touching her chin. The color of Fan Lins and Wu Weis blood samples is progressively darker, but theres no such substance in ordinary peoples blood. This indicates they either came into contact with or ingested some kind of substance. Is it poison? Lin Yan shook her head, saying, Whatever the poison is, its bound to cause physical changes once it enters the body, either corroding the digestive system or leaving a residual taste in the mouth. I wont miss it during the autopsy. So, what is it then? Fang Xin looked utterly puzzled. Lin Yan considered for a moment. Its probably some sort of neuroactive drug. As for the specifics, our littleb here cant determine that. Lets send it to the provincial forensic examination center. As she finished speaking, she felt a nudge on her arm from someone who had appeared to be listening attentively. Whats up? Did you hear it? Lin Yan evaded the nudge and, out of the blue, nced behind the ss door. A figure had just darted into the corridor. Fang Xin pursed her lips and smiled at Lin Yan, saying, I heard it. Ill contact the provincial office. Someones looking for Lin Yan. You should go~ There was only one way in and out of theboratory, and Song Yuhang was leaning against the corridor, waiting for her. She held a disposable paper cup in her hand and handed it to Lin Yan as soon as she came out. Here, brown sugar ginger tea, to warm you up. Lin Yan didnt take it, her hands in her pockets. She looked at Song Yuhang, and Song Yuhang sensed a change in her expression, observing the coldness that had resurfaced on her face, unlike when they first met. Song Yuhang felt a pang in her heart but remained silent. Lin Yan wasnt one to beat around the bush. She simply asked, Song Yuhang, what do you think of me? Colleague she blurted out subconsciously but felt it was inappropriate. She added while looking into her eyes, Can be friends who share life and death. In this police station, were all colleagues. If someone else is in danger, Song Yuhang, you wouldnt just stand by and watch, would you? Song Yuhang didnt quite understand what she was trying to say, but what she said was true. She nodded, albeit with some difficulty. Yes, thats right. Lin Yans lips curved into a sardonic smile. But no ordinary friends would inquire about each other all the time, remember each others preferences, embrace each other in the morgue, promise to treat each other well when theyre drunk, or even uncontrobly bite each others necks She deliberately emphasized the word neck, and Song Yuhang blushed like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Im sorry, I No need to apologize. You were just following your heart. You think theres a vast divide betweenw enforcers and criminals, but in reality, theyre not even separated by a wide chasm. Her words made Song Yuhang feel utterly embarrassed. Lin Yan gazed at her with a hint of pity in her eyes. Its such a shame, a shame that you ended up with me. For someone as devoted and loyal as Song Yuhang, her first feelings shouldnt have been for someone like Lin Yan, even without a beautiful first love. She bore a deep-seated grudge, and she didnt want to burden anyone. Especially not someone like Song Yuhang, who still represented herst shred of conscience. After she finished speaking, Song Yuhang remained silent for a long time. Lin Yan thought she had given up, but then Song Yuhang took a step forward and handed her the paper cup. Im sorry, but I cant quite process what youve said and the questions youve asked right now. My mind is like mush, overwhelmed by this case. Song Yuhang smiled wryly and said, Give me some time to think and Ill tell you my answer. But one thing I can assure you of right now is that what I said when I was drunk that day still holds true. You mentioned that Im someone who follows my heart, so whether it was initially disliking you orter developing feelings for you, it was all about following my heart. Being good to you is also in line with that. Theres no need for any reasons. She shrugged and gave a yful yet helpless expression. If theres any reason, its probably because I grew up being a tomboy, surrounded by more delicate girls. I naturally developed a bit of a heroic spirit, wanting to protect them. Choosing a career in the police was also like that, wanting to protect my mom, my family, and more vulnerable groups. She paused and observed Lin Yans expression. But you are different Lin Yan turned her body to face Song Yuhang, her lips curved slightly, then quickly returned to her usual cold indifference. Song Yuhang continued, What makes you special is that sometimes you can be my equal, a worthy opponent, and other times, you can be fragile and adorable like an ordinary girl Its thisbination that deeply attracts me. Lin Yan didnt expect that her rejection would lead to such a lengthy confession from Song Yuhang. She was stunned, helpless, and had a mix ofplex emotions written all over her face. Her usuallyposed expression had finally crumbled. Song Yuhang, you should change your name. To what? Song Silly.1 She had never encountered someone so genuinely simple and naturally naive. Could she not hear that she was being rejected? Or was her rejection not clear enough? Lin Yan took a deep breath, intending to speak again, when someone from the Criminal Investigation Department rushed in and called out, Captain Song, Dr. Lin, we have a new lead.
  1. is a yful term in Chinese that can mean silly or simple-minded but is often used affectionately.
Chapter 49-1 Chapter 49-1 Day and Night When Song Yuhang entered the training room, she immediately saw several people gathered around Duan Chengsputer. Whats going on? Duan Cheng turned back with a lingering anxiety and stammered, Someone someone replied to my post. Lin Yan leaned in to take a look. It was an anonymous forum, and the person who replied to Duan Chengs post had an IDposed of a string of numerical codes and a profile picture of a whale. Zheng Chengrui promptly opened herptop to search for this persons IP address. Captain Song, we found it. Hes in an inte cafe in East City. Song Yuhang made a phone call to the nearby police station. Half an hourter. Officer, I swear, it wasnt me. Im innocent, said the disheveled man sitting in the interrogation chair behind the iron bars, with handcuffs on his wrists. I just I thought it would be funny. You know how the newspapers say there might be someone who would actuallymit suicide. I just wanted to see who would be dumb enough to do it. I had no idea it was a police operation. Hehe, hehe, Im really sorry. The investigators mmed their pens on the table, Are you full and looking for trouble? This is disrupting public order, threatening public safety, and causing confusion! A little whileter, the criminal investigation personnel reported, Captain Song, weve interrogated him thoroughly. This guy is just a small-time troublemaker with no legitimate job. He only has an elementary school education. He hangs out in inte cafes ying games. Writing code and programming might be his only skill Song Yuhang flipped through a couple of documents, tossed them onto the table, and rubbed her temples, Alright, lock him up for a few days to teach him a lesson. Lets release him as a gesture. On the third day after the task force was established, the case had hit a dead end, and the police officers in the station were exhausted. Byte at night, when Song Yuhang turned around, most of the people in the office were dozing off at their desks. She sighed quietly in her heart, got up, and tiptoed to the wall, turned off the lights, preparing to step outside for a smoke. When she reached the rooftop, Song Yuhang reached into her pocket and found that her cigarettes had be soggy in the water, rendering them unsmokable. As she hesitated, a fair and slender hand extended in front of her, with the cigarette box open, Here, no Chinese cigarettes, but you can make do with this. Song Yuhang smiled, took one, and tried to light it several times before it caught fire. Not taking a break? Youre not either, Lin Yan remarked, shielding the me with her hand as she lit her cigarette, no longer engaging in the ambiguous back-and-forth as they used to. Song Yuhang watched her actions, feeling a sense of loss, but she simply said, You should get more rest. Lin Yan smiled, Closing your eyes can be just as nightmarish. Its better to stay awake and alert. Seeing her standing here, Song Yuhang couldnt help but recall their conversation in the corridor. She took a deep drag from her cigarette and asked, Is that question important to you? Lin Yan responded calmly, You should ask yourself if its important to you. I feel like Ive touched on something, but I cant quite grasp it. Its like this case, seemingly right in front of me, yet utterly perplexing, Song Yuhang said, her brow furrowing slightly. In just a few days, her eyes were bloodshot fromte nights, dark circles had formed under her eyes, and her lips were chapped. Even her once vibrant gaze had grown dim. The pressure of solving the case, the expectations of the deceased, and Lin Yans words had be the final straw that broke the camels back. Song Yuhang stood here, gazing at the city beneath her feet, and the person by her side was nothing but confusion,yer uponyer of it. Lin Yan moved her lips as if struggling with something, but she didnt say anything and extinguished her cigarette. Instead, it was Song Yuhang who, as Lin Yan was about to leave, turned and said, Wait for me. Once this case is over, I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer. Song Yuhang, always prioritizing work. Lin Yan smiled briefly and then turned back, saying, I wont be going hometely; Ill be sleeping in the duty room. Song Yuhang was momentarily stunned but understood her implication. Feel free toe to me if you have any questions; I will also devote myself entirely to solving the case. Whats even more important is that she deciphered the unspoken words Lin Yan wanted to convey: even if you cant answer that question, we dont know what the oue will be, but one thing will always remain unchanged. We are colleagues who spend day and night together, as well asrades who share life and death. What a subtle kind of romance. Song Yuhangs mncholic heart suddenly brightened. Her features rxed, and her troubled expression faded. As she was about to descend the steps, she called out to Lin Yan. Hey, the cigarettes still dont taste right. Next time, invite me to smoke a Zhonghua. Lin Yan, with her back turned, raised her middle finger. Song Yuhangughed, but then she saw Lin Yans wrist turn over, clearly making an encouraging gesture. The officer could no longer contain the joy at the corner of her lips. She took two hearty drags, crushed the cigarette against the railing, and looked down at the bustling traffic and vibrant city lights below. In her eyes, the fighting spirit was reignited. * * * Hey, Lingling, whats going on with you? You were actuallyte today, luckily the homeroom teacher arrivedte too, or else After ss, a ssmate affectionately linked arms with her and swayed. Bai Ling sat at her desk, head lowered, silent, unlike her usual lively self. Her ssmate called her a few more times before finally bringing her back to her senses. Bai Ling removed her friends hand from her arm, her smile appearing somewhat forced and pale. Her friend then noticed the injuries on her face. Ill go to the restroom for a moment. Hey, Lingling Her friend couldnt stop her in time. Bai Ling rushed out of the ssroom, making her way to the restroom, where she turned on the tap and sshed water on her face. In a bustling environment with peopleing and going, discussing unrted topics, she still felt a dark, malevolent, and lecherous gaze fixed upon her. Everything that had happened the previous night was causing her immense anguish. Bai Ling choked back tears, her hands resting on the sink. Large tears streamed down her face. Why why me? What did I do wrong? In a daze, she felt someone gently ce a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find the familiar yet unfamiliar stranger, still shrouded in a ck robe. Bai Ling, look at yourself in the mirror. Is it still you? Bai Ling widened her eyes, gazing at the girl before her who was no longer the same as the pure and innocent girl of the past. This girl with a face marked by pain, regret, struggle, sorrow, and resentment was not her. It was not her. Bai Ling stumbled back a couple of steps, supported by someone, and the voice spoke again. Bai Ling, do you want to find your true self? Do you want to go to a ce without pain? Come with me, follow in the footsteps of the white whale. Bai Ling, Bai Ling Someone urgently shook her shoulder, rescuing her from that elusive dreamlike state. She snapped back to reality as ifing back to life, turning to see her homeroom teacher who touched her forehead gently, Whats wrong with you? Youve been standing here muttering to yourself for half the ss. If youre not feeling well, you should take the day off and go home. Bai Ling forced a smile and bowed to her teacher, Thank you, Im fine. Ill go back to ss now. * * * Early in the morning, the Jiangcheng City Police Department convened the fourth special task force meeting regarding the White Whale case. Feng Jianguo was an observer, and Song Yuhang presided over the meeting. After a brief break of a few hours, her condition was noticeably better than the previous day. The redness in her eyes had diminished, and she stood tall and confident in her police uniform. Since we havent made significant progress in either the search for the license te or the questioning of eyewitnesses, lets change our approach. We should consider the motives of the suspect and work backward to determine what kind of person might bemitting these crimes to narrow down our investigation. She turned her gaze to the forensic team, and Lin Yan stood up, handing over a report, Based on the autopsy results for He Miao, Fan Lin, and Wu Wei, its evident that the perpetrator is meticulous and left no traces at the crime scenes. They also seem well-versed in psychological maniption. Additionally, a certain type of neurological drug was found in the blood of all three victims. I specte that the individual may have a background in the medical field or some medical experience. Song Yuhang nodded and slightly curled her lips toward Lin Yan, Furthermore, this person is also aputer expert, proficient in programming and coding. We boldly specte that their modus operandi involves searching for suicidal tendencies in adolescent students online, subjecting them to psychological maniption, and ultimately meeting them in person, using some method or substance to coerce them intomitting suicide. So, we can roughly outline several characteristics of the suspect: a ck Santana vehicle, high education, knowledge of psychology, previous employment in the medical field, currently unemployed. They possess a certain level ofputer skills, have inte ess at home, introverted personality, severe psychological abnormalities, a propensity for violence or murder, and a preference for operating at night rather than during the day. Most serial killers have a history of animal abuse, bedwetting, or arson. This person is no exception, and may even exceed these behaviors, suggesting an unhappy childhood that sowed the seeds of hatred in their heart. As she spoke, she nced at Lin Yan unintentionally, but the person was lounging in the chair, idly twirling a pen, paying her no attention at all. Song Yuhang turned her face back and continued, Due to the extended duration of the serial crimes, I estimate this person to be over thirty years old. The ocean represents inclusivity, vastness, the power of life, or mystery. And the white whale is at the top of the marine food chain. I specte that this person may have a special connection to such elements, or in other words, what they desire, pursue, and be obsessed with is rted to the ocean and white whales. In just one night, she hadpletely rified her train of thought and narrowed the scope of the investigation. The officers at the police station felt an adrenaline rush, and even Zhang Jinhai couldnt help but sigh, A talent with great potential; the younger generation is truly formidable. She was indeed the person Zhao Xiang valued. Feng Jianguo lifted a teacup, took a sip, and then left quietly. He trusted Song Yuhang with this case. In just one afternoon, out of over 4,000 owners of ck Santana vehicles, she screened and interviewed 68 individuals who were highly educated, had a background in psychology or medicine, worked in the medical field, were proficient inputer technology, and were around thirty years old. From morning to night, Song Yuhang didnt even have time to drink a ss of water.
Chapter 49-2 Chapter 49-2 Day and Night Provincial capital. You said this thing would never appear again, didnt you? In front of them were three test tubes, emitting a faint blue light in the darkness. The person sitting across from them looked at the test tubes, their pupils suddenly contracting, and they reached out to wrap the tubes with a piece of tissue and picked them up. No its impossible they should have been destroyed long ago This is what the Jiangcheng City Bureau presented. Can it be fake? Upon hearing this name, the person across from them shuddered, their eyes filled with turmoil. After a long pause, they ced the test tubes back down. Now that things havee to this, what do you n to do? The man who was asked got up and walked to the window, bathed in darkness, while outside the window, the city lights were just beginning to shine, casting a brilliant and colorful disy. Darkness and light intertwined and struggled within him, and eventually, the man took a step back. Check, provide them with the test results, but the samples must be retained. * * * Lin Jie, a fax has arrived, the office assistant said. Lin walked over and pulled the paper from the fax machine. Two thin sheets of paper in hand, she grabbed a cup of coffee and walked while reading. Song Yuhang was talking to someone and heading in her direction. No one noticed each other. When Lin snapped out of it, she nearly spilled coffee all over herself. Song Yuhang quickly reached out, simultaneously steadying her waist. Be careful, watch your step. Lin Yan steadied herself with a hand on her shoulder, quickly stepping back two paces. Seeing that no one was watching, she straightened her clothes, snatching the coffee cup back from her with an air of annoyance. That should be something I tell you. Song Yuhang smiled and passed by her. After a couple of steps, Lin Yan turned back and tapped her on the shoulder, saying, Wait, theres a new discovery. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid? This unfamiliar name startled Song Yuhang. Lin Yan repeated, Yes, thats right, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, a natural substance found in the central nervous system and can also be artificially purified. Its present in foods like wine, citrus, and fruits, and in small amounts in almost all animals. In medicine, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid has been used as a sedative to treat conditions like insomnia, depression, and narcolepsy. This was her area of expertise, so Lin Yan spoke confidently. However, she couldnt tell Song Yuhang that the medication she had been taking for a long time also contained this substance. With a somewhat somber expression, Lin Yan continued, An overdose of this medication can easily be fatal, and She paused, and Song Yuhang asked, And what? Long-term use can lead to drug dependency, and discontinuing the medication can result in withdrawal symptoms simr to those experienced during drug detox. The rm bells were ringing in Lin Yans mind as she held that thin piece of paper, overwhelmed by a sense of hatred that left her momentarily speechless. The methods used by the culprits were ruthless, exerting control over both the mind and body, and it was a wonder that they hadnt gone insane or ended their lives. So, that means once we trace the source of the medication, well be one step closer to the truth. Feeling like Lin Yan had once again peeled back anotheryer of the mysterious veil surrounding the White Whale, Song Yuhang was filled with a slight excitement and a thirst for more. She took a couple of steps, but seeing that Lin Yans expression wasnt quite right, she turned back. She held her hand, squeezing it tightly, then let go. Thank you. Lin Yans clouded heart seemed to have a corner of it cleared away by her smile and childlike actions. The warmth still lingered in her palm as Lin Yan picked up a folder and yfully swatted at her, saying, Get lost, stop teasing me! * * * Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, also known as GHB, isnt tooplicated to purify. A few beakers and distilled water are all thats needed, but you must have its synthetic substance, gamma-butyrctone. All these chemical names and technical terms left the non-experts in a state of confusion as they exchanged bewildered nces. Lin Yan sighed and said, Okay, let me simplify it. Gamma-butyrctone is a voring, amon food additive on the market. Song Yuhang, sitting in her chair, brought that sheet of paper closer and simultaneously asked a colleague for a map. So, that means we just need to search all the food factories, chemical nts, and small workshops in Jiangcheng City, right? Lin Yan nodded, saying, Thats right. Song Yuhang stood up, folded the map and tucked it into the pocket of her tactical vest, loaded her gun with bullets, and ced it in the holster at her waist. Field Team One,e with me. Our target is all the major food factories, chemical nts, and small workshops within Jiangcheng City. Field Team Two, continue to gather information and screen potential suspects. Cybersecurity, surveince, and data analysis teams, keep reviewing video footage and monitoring, especially any online posts rted to suicide. Wed rather bring them in for questioning first than let anyone with suspicion of involvement slip through. Yes! With themand issued, each team prepared for action. Lin Yan grabbed her arm and said, Id like to go with Field Team Two. Song Yuhang furrowed her brows and said, No Fang Xin is there. Why cant I go? Remembering her reckless behavior from the previous night, Song Yuhang felt a sense of unease, fearing she might act recklessly again if she didnt allow her to go. Without being at the bureau, there was no one to restrain her. Instead of letting her act alone, it was better to have her with the rest of the team. Three rules of engagement. Lin Yan readily agreed, Three rules of engagement. As she began to gather her things to join the field team, Song Yuhang, who had already taken a few steps, turned back, checked for any onlookers, and whispered in her ear, Remember to use the hashtag key. Lin Yans ear felt the warmth of the breath brushing gently against it, and she pursed her lips before responding by throwing a document in her face. Get lost! Duan Cheng peeked through the crack in theputer and looked up at them, saying, Its starting, its starting. A few people whispered to each other. Let me tell you, let me tell you, that night, Dr. Lin and Captain Song were in the car In the car, what about the car? What happened in the car, tell us! A few people leaned their chairs together, pulling at Duan Chengs clothes from behind. Duan Cheng twisted the cap off a c bottle, took a few sips, and was about to embark on some grand storytelling when a shadow fell over him, and his words came to an abrupt halt. Song Yuhang stood in the adjacent workstation, rubbing her now slightly reddened cheek from the previous hit. Dont me me for not warning you. Just as she left, a metal clipboard came flying through the air andnded squarely on her head. Ouch! Lin Yan coldly huffed, saying, If you dont want a swollen pigs head, youd better stop. She said that, but a faint blush appeared on her typically fair face. * * * As a woman returned home with groceries and reached her doorstep, she coincidentally found the police visiting the house next door. If necessary, please cooperate with our work. Yes, of course. The neighbor shook hands with the leading officer. The woman didnt dare to look any further, cing the vegetables she had bought on the ground. She then took her keys out of her bag to open the door but struggled to fit them in after a few attempts. The sound of metal shing suddenly caught Lin Yans attention. Whats that? Oh, thats one of our long-time residents in the housingplex, not a doctor. Her husband passed away, and the hospital felt sorry for her, especially since she has to take care of her child. So, they let her continue living in the house. The woman had a hunched back, and she was no longer young. Her hair, even at the temples, had turned somewhat gray in the setting sun. Even her hands, as she held groceries and keys, trembled slightly. Lin Yan averted her gaze and gave a small nod in parting. After entering her home, the woman heard themotion outside gradually fade, as if she had released a sigh of relief. She then ced the groceries in the entryway and changed her shoes before washing her hands in the bathroom. Once her hands were clean, she opened the door to the inner room, and a mixture of a lingering odor and the scent of disinfectant hit her. She opened the window in the room but only slightly, reluctant to open it any wider. Afterpleting these tasks, she turned back to her son, who was lying on the bed, and carefully changed his diaper and cleaned him. Once everything was tidied up, she gently touched the childs face, her face betraying deep sorrow. She ced his pale, delicate hand under the nket, tucked him in, and then stood up to prepare a meal. As soon as she heated the pot, there was a knock at the door. She nced through the peephole and saw the policewoman she had encountered in the hallway just moments ago. The woman opened the door, and Lin Yan produced her credentials from her pocket. Im a police officer, and I have some questions for you.
Chapter 50-1 Chapter 50-1 Corpse Police, call your boss out. This was already the thirteenth food factory they had visited. Song Yuhang got out of the police car and mmed the door shut. It is said to be a food factory without a sign or a storefront, hidden deep within the urban vige. The rusty iron gate, peeling wall paint, and faintly visible red paint with a fewrge characters: Selling Raw Materials. If it werent for the stack of metal containers and cans at the workshops entrance, Song Yuhang wouldnt have been attracted to it. Regr businesses registered with government departments have transparent and controble supply channels, but this kind of underground workshop doesnt necessarily follow the same rules. So, it is the main target of the search. The elderly woman guarding the entrance heard themotion and quickly lifted the curtain, only to see the armed police with live ammunition and the watchful police dogs, which made her legs go weak. She hurriedly retreated and knocked on the iron door of the inner room. Boss, boss, someones here Song Yuhang and her team followed her inside. The courtyard was also in a state of disarray, with garbage and stic bottles scattered everywhere, industrial waste, and even sewage, emitting a strong and unpleasant odor. Can anything edible be produced in a ce like this? Song Yuhang gestured to the detective next to her, who immediately took out her phone to call the citys regtory authority. Who who the hell in the middle of the night The bald man with a gold chain hanging around his neck, not wearing a shirt, lifted the curtain and walked out. Holy crap! He was frightened by the courtyard full of police officers and was about to rush back inside to secure his valuables. Song Yuhang swiftly subdued the man with a single move, holding onto his arm and securely handcuffing him before helping him back up. Officer, officer, I really havent broken anyws or caused any trouble. Im just running a small business, an honest trade One of the investigators led him as they followed Song Yuhang into the storage room. As soon as the lights were turned on, several mice scurried across the ceiling beams, with one of them dropping in front of her and quickly escaping. The wooden structures beams were covered in cobwebs, and chemical raw materials were haphazardly piled on the floor, with ck mouse droppings scattered around the edges of the barrels. A member of the detective team rushed over and handed her a thin booklet. Captain Song, weve found it, this guys ount book. Song Yuhang quickly flipped through a couple of pages. Despite the ce being small, the records were surprisingly clear. Oh, quite a few buyers, do you remember who they sold to? The bald man with a gap-toothed smile nodded and bowed to her. I remember, I remember. They were all small workshops like ours, or roadside stalls, and there were those who made online products like influencer foods and drinks At this point, several members of the detective team couldnt help but feel disgusted, whispering to each other: Damn, Im never eating that stuff again. Song Yuhang continued flipping through the ledger and noticed that he had severalrge iing transactions every month, likely from those businesses he mentioned. Strangely, it was a few smaller amounts that caught her attention. She continued flipping through the book and found that these transactions had the same buyer. She brought the ledger in front of him to show him. Recognize this? Whos this buyer? The book was filled with information, all contact details, and no names. The bald man looked at it for a while and then said, I dont recognize them, never met them. So how do you deliver the goods? We always make contact by phone, have the goods ced at a designated location, and once the buyer picks up the goods, they transfer the money to my ount. Song Yuhang handed the ledger to another member of the detective team. Let Zheng Chengrui check this phone number. Buying industrial materials, its like a drug deal. Song Yuhangs expression darkened slightly. Where is the exchange location? At the guard booth at the entrance of the Beidou Industrial Park. * * * Inside the iron bars, the man had an innocent look on his face. Officer, officer, Ive said everything I should. Besides selling subpar goods for profit, Id never do anything to harm people! With a loud ng, the iron door was opened again, and Song Yuhang sat down, throwing the ledger in front of him. Now, you have a chance to make amends. It depends on whether you can seize it. The man swallowed nervously, ncing at the ledger on the table and then at her expression. He nodded, Ill do it, officer. Whatever you want me to do, Ill do it. * * * After waiting for Lin Yan to leave, the woman didnt make her move untilte at night when everything was quiet. She nced down the corridor to ensure no one was around, then slipped out of the family quarters, went to a convenience store, bought some snacks, and carried a stic bag discreetly to a public phone booth. Seeing no one in the vicinity, she dialed the number. Before long, the call was answered. Hello? she cautiously inquired. A hoarse voice from the man came through, with a hint of impatience. Didnt I say not to contact me unless its necessary? The woman tightly held the phone receiver to her ear. Today today, the police came to see me. There was a pause on the other end. How did you handle it? The woman collected her thoughts. I said what you taught me to say, so they shouldnt be able to trace anything back to me. Did they do anything besides asking you questions? They didnt do anything else, just sat on the couch, chatted for a while, and then left. It was just routine questioning, the man said as he prepared to hang up. However, the woman became nervous again, stuttering, Um, when can we The man coldly interrupted her, Just wait. Get me another batch of raw materials; were running out of seawater. The woman could only nod, Okay. Before she could finish her sentence, the phone emitted a dial tone. The woman hung up the phone, and with a heavy heart, she made her way back home. * * * Returning to her office, Song Yuhang removed her sidearm and ced it on the desk, finally rxing a bit. She stretched her muscles and went to the water cooler to pour a cup of hot water for tea. Lin Yan was lounging in the criminal investigation office, her legs propped up on the table, and she had a bag of potato chips, likely a contribution from someone, in her hand. How did you know that person would continue to buy -butyrctone? I guessed, Song Yuhang replied. She held her cup and started to make her way back. You mentioned that this type of material cant be stored for too long, right? Plus, looking at his ledger, he clearly bought it every couple of months. If you calcte the time, it should be running out. Lin Yan clicked her tongue. Cunning and crafty. What about you? Any progress today? Song Yuhang asked, leaning against the desk, looking at her. Lin Yan tossed a notebook over, but before she could say anything, Fang Xin already chimed in, Same old, not much progress. If this continues, were going to turn the entire medicalmunity in Jiangcheng upside down. Song Yuhang chuckled, Youve been working hard. Fang Xin turned to chat with other colleagues, However, today, we visited a household, the one in the family quarters. Theres an elderlydy living there, and its quite a tough life for her. Her husband passed away a few years ago, and she never remarried. Shes been raising her sick son on her own. We even chipped in some change on the spot to help her As they conversed, Lin Yans phone rang, and Song Yuhang perked up her ears.
Chapter 50-2 Chapter 50-2 Corpse Hey, what have you been up totely? Mid-Autumn Festival ising in a few days, and my mom suggested I ask if you cane over for a meal, for a little family reunion. Lin Yan still had that nonchnt look on her face: Eat what? Im busy, no time. Is it still that White Whale case? Oh, even you know about it. Lin Geughed a bit: It made the front page of the newspapers. How could I not know? Well, thats true, Lin Yan replied, switching her phone to the other hand and reaching for some potato chips to snack on. Lin Ge paused, hesitating to speak: When will you be done with your work? Its been a long time since Ive seen She doesnt even answer my calls. Lin Yan nced at someone who was quietly drinking tea and reviewing case records at the table, feeling secretly pleased but not showing it on her face: How would I know? In any case, until we solve the case, we wont have any rest. Look, shes right here now. Do you want to talk to her on the phone? Lin Ge quickly declined: No, no, you guys are busy, and solving the case is important. Take care of yourselves and stay safe. For someone she had grown up with, Lin Yan didnt im to understand himpletely, but she knew him fairly well. This kid was probably entangled in a romantic rtionship. Lin Yan looked at Song Yuhang with aplex expression, then turned away and said, Can you do it, or should we find someone else? You two really arent suitable Whats the matter? Do you have a bias against her? Its not that Lin Yan recalled the day in the car when they couldnt resist their desires. It was supposed to be an examination of injuries, but it had turned into Song Yuhang gently licking her neck, and she had surprisingly experienced a physical reaction herself. This was simply too difficult to put into words. How could she tell Lin Ge that his future wife might not be straight and seemed to have taken an interest in her sister-inw? It was tooplicated, better to keep it to herself. Seeing her hesitating and stumbling over her words, Lin Ges voice carried a hint of amusement as he said, Well, I cant say for others, but if she bes your sister-inw, she will definitely treat you well. Lin Yan had an uneasy feeling about that statement, but she couldnt quite put her finger on what was wrong with it. Before she could think too much, Song Yuhang approached and patted her on the shoulder, saying, We have new leads,e over. Lin Yan was startled, almost dropping her phone. She hastily hung up the call and got up. I wont bother you with this anymore, off to work. Song Yuhang intentionally fell a half step behind others, waiting for her to walk by her side and whispered, I heard it all. Lin Yan gritted her teeth, You eavesdropped on my conversation? Its not really eavesdropping, is it? You didnt hide to make the call, Song Yuhang shrugged, leaving her with onest question before quickly walking ahead. Why dont you want me to be with Lin Ge? Lin Yan blushed, as if she were about to strike, but she was already three steps ahead and swiftly entered the training room. She had no choice but to bite her lip and follow. * * * Captain Song, we found this in the mobile phone recovered from Forensic Doctor Lin, Zheng Chengrui erged the image for them to see. It looks like a shop, maybe a restaurant, judging by the interior decor. And the food appears to be, Lin Yan leaned in, Steak. Several people exchanged nces, all of them looking delighted. Lets immediately cross-reference the surroundings, locate this shop, and well find out who the person dining with Wu Wei that day was. As soon as Song Yuhang finished speaking, another member of the cybersecurity team called out, Captain Song,e take a look at this, its its unbelievable! Song Yuhang walked over, asking, Whats going on? The cybersecurity team member vacated a seat, Based on the phone number, the owner is listed as Yu Xinye, but but this person died twenty years ago! The internalwork of the Ministry of Public Security disyed a ck-and-white record. Deceased: Yu Xinye. Cause of Death: Passed away due to illness. Contact Information: xxxx, which is the same string of numbers on that ledger. On the openputer screen, the deceased person gazed at them silently. A chilling breeze swept in through the open window, and nearly everyone felt a shiver down their spine. Someone cleared their throat, and the sound of a gulp became increasingly pronounced in the hushed atmosphere. Duan Cheng hesitated and finally broke the silence, Could it be could it be a ghost? Song Yuhang cast a stern nce at him, Asw enforcement officers, we dont believe in ghosts and spirits. Its a fundamental requirement of our profession. How could a deceased person make a phone call to the living? Song Yuhang furrowed her brow, To my knowledge, as long as the number isnt voluntarily canceled at the service center and there are continuous payments made for the phone number after the owners death, it wont be suspended. That means, whoever has this phone number might not necessarily be the owner; it could be someone else. But regardless, whoever it is, they must have a close connection to this case. Check if this Yu Xinye has any other rtives? The cybersecurity team member typed on the keyboard, No, Captain Song, ording to our records, there are no surviving family members in their household. Both parents are deceased. Song Yuhang pondered for a moment, Find out where this person is from. The registered residence is Xiaohe Vige in Wuli Town, Qingan County, Jiangcheng City. Immediately contact the local police station for verification. Before long, the phone rang, and the operator covered the receiver before handing it to Song Yuhang. Hello, my surname is Song, Im the Deputy Team Leader of the Criminal Investigation Division in Jiangcheng City. Upon hearing her official position, the person on the other end instantly showed respect and began flipping through a booklet, creating a rustling noise. Lead Leader, I checked. There is indeed a person from Xiaohe Vige who died ten years ago. Were not sure about the specific illness, but what we can confirm is that he had a distant rtive still living in the local area. This rtive came to our towns social security office justst month to collect welfare. Song Yuhang had a hunch that once they established the identity of this person, they would be closer to the truth. Thank you. Ill go there in person. As she hung up the phone, she selected a few people to apany her. Unusually, Lin Yan didnt volunteer this time. Just as she was about to direct her gaze at Lin Yan, thetter swiveled her chair, took a sip of coffee, and ced it back down, saying, Hey, dont look at me. Its a remote and impoverished area, and I really dont want to go. Song Yuhang shook her head in resignation, gathered her belongings, and holstered her sidearm in her waist holster. Lets go. As she passed by Lin Yans seat, she intentionally slowed down, expecting Lin Yan to say something to her. However, Lin Yan was engrossed in ying the Russian block gameTetris on her phone, seemingly carefree. Song Yuhang sighed quietly to herself and continued to stride ahead of the group. Once she had moved a considerable distance away, the police car, with its shing lights, departed from the city bureaus gate. Lin Yan stood up from her seat and walked to a dim corner of the hallway to make a phone call. Hey,st time you said, where is Li Bin from? Hes from Wuli Town in Qingan County. He worked as a forensic doctor at the local police station for half his life. Because of his diligent work and outstanding performance, he was transferred to work at Jiangcheng City Bureau. However, he didnt stay there long and voluntarily returned to his hometown. Is the source of this information reliable? Its reliable. You can find his transfer records on the internalwork. Lin Yan clenched one hand into a fist, her fingernails digging into her flesh. After a long pause, she exhaled a heavy breath and said slowly, Thank you, the money will be transferred to your ount.
Chapter 51-1 Chapter 51-1 Old Person A tour bus pulled into the service area, and the tourists got off in small groups to use the restroom or take a walk. Lin Yan blended in with the crowd, wearing a woolen cap and a mask, and a in windbreaker. She also went to the restroom. When she came out and was washing her hands, she caught a glimpse in the mirror of a police car from the Criminal Investigation Team pulling into the gas station across the way. She was momentarily stunned, flicked the water droplets off her hands, and hid in the shadows. She joined a few other ordinary tourists and made her way back to the bus. Once on the bus, she finally looked outside through the window. A familiar figure was standing at the convenience store, buying water, and then carrying a crate back to her car. After she left, several people emerged from the side of the gas station. One of the gas station employees pointed in the direction she had left. Just as Song Yuhangs police car left the gas station, another ck car in the service area immediately followed. As the tour bus set off, the mountain road was narrow, but there werent many vehicles on the road. The ck car continued to follow, not too close, not too far. When the tour bus and the ck car passed each other, Lin Yan nced down. The tea-colored ss reflected the blurry silhouette of the driver. She couldnt see his face, but she noticed something on the front passenger seat. Lin Yans pupils contracted, and she instinctively reached for her phone to send a message to Song Yuhang: You are being followed. She stopped typing halfway and clenched her teeth. No, she couldnt tell her. It would also expose her own whereabouts. As they approached a sharp bend in the road, the police car intentionally slowed down to let the tour bus pass. Lin Yan reached out and pulled down the curtain, and her phone screen lit up with a message from Song Yuhang. When she saw that name, she felt a twinge of apprehension. Could it be that in just that fleeting moment as they passed by each other, she had been recognized? Opening the message with an anxious heart, she breathed a sigh of relief. Song Yuhang: What are you doing? She had nothing to say. Lin Yan rolled her eyes, At home, on vacation. She casually sent her a photo of herself swimming in the courtyard as proof. In passing, Duan Cheng nced at the picture on Song Yuhangs phone and saw Lin Yan wearing a bikini, looking refreshingly cool, with her damp curly hair draped over her shoulders. She was holding a ss of red wine, sitting by the pool with a slight turn of her head. There was no smile on her face, making her appear even more alluring and enchanting. She effortlesslybined twopletely different styles. Duan Cheng had a look on his face that seemed to say, Have you two be familiar enough to exchange sultry photos? Song Yuhang became alert and quickly locked her phone screen. Though nobody said anything, her cheeks inexplicably flushed. After a while, she turned slightly and replied to Lin Yan, Its broad daylight; can you not be so flirtatious? Lin Yan felt like she could almost reach through the phone screen to scratch her and sent several angry emojis in a row, saying, Get lost! Song Yuhangs lips curled into a faint smile as she said this. Although she said that, she secretly saved the photo. Song Yuhang looked at her profile picture, which was in keeping with her typical old cadre style, with a gun and a national emblem on her ck police training uniform. She sent a few unrted topics one after another, but Lin Yan didnt respond. Thinking about the car that had been tailing her earlier, she gradually pursed her lips. Her phone was bing sweaty from being gripped tightly. Lin Yan rubbed her forehead and turned her phone back over to type a message to her. Song Yuhang waited for a response for a long time and felt somewhat disheartened. Then, she saw The other party is typing, and a smile suddenly appeared on her lips. Lin Yan only said 3 words: You stay safe. For some reason, every time she was cared for and encouraged by her, Song Yuhang felt a renewed sense of strength deep inside. Perhaps it was because this person was sharp and acerbic, not one to show muchpassion, and was ignorant of worldly matters, so her asional concern seemed all the more precious. Okay. She thought for a moment and added, Wait for me. Wait for you toe back? Lin Yan tugged at the corner of her lips, showing a disdainful smile, and tossed her phone back into her bag. In any case, she had done what she could. She had given all the necessary reminders, and the rest would depend on fatewhether it would bring good or bad fortune. She would not allow any variables to interfere with her investigation, not even Song Yuhang. * * * After leaving the provincial road, they were on a mountain road with a bumpy cement surface. The jolting ride left everyone feeling a bit disheveled, but they finally reached Wuli Town. The town was small, the kind you could see from end to end at a nce. Distant green hills stretched in session, and the road underfoot was in and dusty. The few well-maintained tall buildings in town belonged to government departments and state-owned enterprises. There werent many people on the streets, only a few vigers carrying bamboo baskets on their backs, hurrying along. As the car drove through, they only saw that the local branch of Postal Savings Bank was still open, but it was nearly empty. The officers from the Wuli Town police station had been waiting at the entrance, and when they saw the police car pull up and stop, the station chief immediately rushed forward to shake hands. Captain Song, hello, Captain Song, hello. Its rare for leadership from the city toe here. Its been tough, really tough. Weve prepared some wild game and hope the leadership can enjoy Song Yuhang discreetly withdrew her hand from his handshake. No need for the wild game. Just a simple meal in the canteen will do. Our colleagues all have duties and cant afford to dy. Despite being the chief of the local police station, Song Yuhang held a higher administrative rank at the deputy bureau level. She was also the head of a special investigation unit, which meant her administrative level was one notch higher than his. So, even though Song Yuhang refused to indulge in the pleasantries, he still nodded and bowed around her. Alright, alright, the canteen is fine. You can try some of our local specialties; its mushroom season The others found their seats, and the station chief subtly signaled to a subordinate who promptly approached with a pack of cigarettes. I heard Captain Song usually smokes Zhonghua cigarettes Even when handling cases, the police station chief was quite adept at understanding the thoughts of those higher up. Song Yuhang smiled thinly, No, thanks. Give them to our colleagues here. The police station chiefs expression stiffened, but Song Yuhang became serious, saying, The city bureau attaches great importance to this case. Solving it will be a significant aplishment, and I will report the situation truthfully. In a small town with agging economy and simple folk, one might never have a chance to make significant achievements or advance in their career. Song Yuhang was subtly advising him. The police station chiefs face finally brightened, and he waved to dismiss the onlookers. Alright, alright, Captain Song, go ahead and eat. We can talk while we eat. Twenty years ago, I was still working at the grassroots Duan Cheng was thinking to himself as he ate, Youre still working at the grassroots now. I remember there was someone in Xiaohe Vige named Yu Xinye. Song Yuhang raised an eyebrow slightly, and the station chief understood. I remember because Xiaohe Vige used to rely on tin mining for their livelihood. Most of the vigers worked in the mines. Unfortunately, that year, there was a tragic mining ident with a copse and a gas explosion, resulting in dozens of deaths. The provincial leaders even came. Among the deceased was a person named Yu Xinye. I remember that my colleagues and I were the ones who helped carry him out. Back then, the internalwork of the Public Security Bureau hadnt yet taken shape, and county records were handwritten. The police station chief had someone bring over a thick, yellowed book. The musty scent of old books filled the air as Song Yuhang set down her chopsticks and quickly found the ount of the mining disaster in Xiaohe Vige in the index. The person who wrote the record back then was very clear. Eleven people perished, and Song Yuhang scrolled down to find Yu Xinyes name in thest column of the deceased. Song Yuhang furrowed her brow. If it was a fatal ident, why does the internalwork of the Public Security Bureau now say he passed away due to an illness? The police station chief shook his head. I dont know. Its also possible that its because its been so long, and the personnel who entered the information made a mistake. However, at the time, the countys forensic expert performed body identification and determination. Maybe something was discovered during the autopsy process, but we cant be sure At this point, he was afraid that Song Yuhang would hold them ountable, so he chuckled and picked up arge piece of free-range chicken for her te. We reported it as a fatal ident. As for how others wrote it and what happened when it was sent to the city bureau, thats beyond our knowledge. Its not within our scope of responsibility. Captain Song, eat the food, dont just keep eating rice. Have a drink, have a drink, pour one for ourrades as well. Song Yuhang pushed the cup away. Thanks, I dont drink on duty. Seeing her response, the others dared not drink anymore and put their cups down. Duan Cheng nced at that Maotai bottle1, feeling somewhat disappointed. He thought, Too bad, if Dr. Lin were here, we could have lifted the alcohol ban, and I could have had some too. Is the forensic expert responsible for the autopsy still alive? Yes, yes, hes from our Wuli Town, but, but The police station chief hesitated. But what? Song Yuhang frowned, showing some impatience. Just go and see for yourself. * * * The towns only nursing home, built with government funds, was surrounded by earth slopes and enclosed by wire mesh, to prevent the confused elderly residents from wandering away. There was only one rusty little iron gate for entry and exit. The director of the nursing home led them inside. The residents here are all subsistence allowance recipients, most of them have no family, and their mental faculties He tapped his temple and said no more. The courtyard was small and had a few cement ping pong tables, covered in fallen leaves. It had rained a few days ago, and the ce emitted a smell of decaying vegetable leaves. The nursing home was only two stories tall and housed about ten people. When they reached the fifth room on the second floor, the director knocked on the door. Old Li, Old Li, someones here to see you. After waiting a long time without any response, he pushed the door gently, and the wooden door creaked open because it hadnt been closed properly. Hey, Old Li, dont eat that! An elderly man with white hair was crouched on the floor, using his tongue to lick his own excrement. The director rushed over, lifted the man up in one swift motion, and pulled him away while holding his nose. At the same time, he said, Quick, someone clean this up clean it thoroughly! A janitor cleaning the hallway rushed over when she heard themotion. Song Yuhang had been observing him the entire time. The elderly man had graying hair, almostpletely falling out, with strands sticking together. His clothes were dirty, and one foot had a shoe on while the other was bare, still smeared with filth. He appeared to be an ordinary old man, impoverished and with an impaired mind. Sitting on the bed, he remained silent, his hands beginning to shrivel and curl together, constantly fidgeting and muttering to himself. Eat, eat, eat Song Yuhang rummaged through her bag and pulled out the bread she had bought in the morning, gesturing to the director to hand it over. Before it could reach him, the old man snatched it away, desperately stuffing it into his mouth. Crumbs stuck to his beard, falling down from the corners of his lips. It was truly pitiful. The director, afraid that the visiting official might have some criticism, hurriedly exined, Normally, we have sufficient food for everyone here. We wouldnt let the elderly He blushed mid-sentence due to Song Yuhangs actions. She rummaged through her bag again, pulling out a food bag and collecting the remaining food. The other members of the police team did the same, offering their own snacks. Duan Cheng even stuffed in his favorite potato chips. Song Yuhang threw it back to him, jokingly scolding, The old man cant eat this. Finally, she took out a few bills from her wallet, leaving only two hundred yuan for emergencies, and ced the money and the stic bag on the table. Grassroots work isnt easy, but we also need to make sure the elderly have enough to eat. Ill go back and talk to the higher-ups. It may take some time for budget allocations. This statement had two implications. First, it was a reminder not to mistreat retired government department personnel. Second, it assured them that their urgent needs would be reported truthfully. The director was both grateful and frustrated but quickly responded, Yes, yes, of course. Please rest assured, leadership. Lin Yan sat on the rooftop, holding half of a steamed white bun in her hand, watching the real-time transmitted images on her tablet. She couldnt help but snort in disdain. Always meddling in others business. Old man, my name is Song Yuhang. Im a police officer from Jiangcheng Citys Public Security Bureau Song Yuhang spoke as she crouched down, pointing to her police badge and patting her shoulder patch. Worried that he might not understand, she repeated it. I, police, want to ask you if you know someone named Yu Xinye? She took out a photo from her pocket and held it out to the old man. The old man stuffed a piece of bread into his mouth, then reached for a banana, not bothering to peel it before shoving it in. Hey, Song Yuhang quickly took it from him and peeled the banana before handing it back. The director shook his head and whispered, Hes been suffering from senile dementia for over a decade. He cant remember anything. Its probably a lost cause. Song Yuhang turned around and gestured for everyone to leave. While it was true that the old man suffered from senile dementia, the avoidance in his eyes when he saw the photo was also apparent. Once everyone had left, and the old man was still eating, Song Yuhang opened a bottle of mineral water for him, saying, Take your time drinking. She had plenty of patience, but the old man was getting a bit anxious, which caused him to choke and cough, spitting out what he had just eaten. A foul odor filled the room as a result. Song Yuhang got up to gently pat his back, waiting for him to catch his breath. She then grabbed a broom leaning against the wall and began cleaning up the mess. The old mans gaze followed her every movement, from the Great Wall emblem on her shoulder patch to the soft police badge on her chest and the two bars and one star on her shoulder epaulettes. Finally, his attention shifted to the food bag and the money ced on the table. The old mans lips moved slightly, and he began eating again. Song Yuhangpleted all these tasks, set up a small stool in front of him, and took out a nail clipper to trim his nails, carefully removing the dirt from underneath, even though the smell from his body was unpleasant. As for the case, she didnt mention a single word.
  1. Maotai or Moutai is a style of jiangxiang baijiu made in the town of Maotai, Guizhou Province, China. Maotai is made with few ingredients and uses traditional Chinese techniques of fermentation, distition, and aging, to produces a spirit with a unique nutty, grain forward, and in many ways savory aroma and vor.
Chapter 51-2 Chapter 51-2 Old Person After finishing cutting his nails, Song Yuhang sshed water on his face andbed his hair, which had stuck together. Finally, she tidied up the bed sheets and covers. Song Yuhang opened the window, letting the sunlight in, and hung the nket on the iron railing outside the window. Old man, you should let the nket air out more. If you cant do it yourself, let the caregiver help you. The old person continued to babble, unclear if he were listening. Song Yuhang smiled, turned and walked away. After taking a few steps, she heard the old man clearly utter a word: Ye Ye Song Yuhang shuddered, turned back, and knelt beside the old man, Ye Ye what? Do you know something about Yu Xinye? The old man waved his hand feebly, with incoherent speech, Ye Ye Ye is not Ye Song Yuhang was puzzled, but no matter how she asked, the old man couldnt utter more words. She stayed until it was dark, feeling somewhat disappointed, and left. As she walked out of the courtyard, she looked back at the window, feeling that something was amiss, with a faint sense of unease lingering in her heart. On the other side of the building, Lin Yan gripped the rope tightly, her body forming a straight line in mid-air. Thank goodness my reflexes are sharp. She waited for the group of people to leave, then climbed up again. She leaped in through the window Song Yuhang had opened, grabbed the old mans neck, covered his mouth, and dragged him into a shadowy corner where the moonlight couldnt reach. * * * Walking out of the rehabilitation centers gates, the police station chief was already waiting and offered a cigarette. Its still Zhonghua. Song Yuhang felt troubled but didnt refuse. She took it and let him light it for her. Is that distant rtive from Yu Xinyes family still alive? Could it be that? Song Yuhang took a couple of puffs, and even the familiar cigarette tasted nd. She strangely found herself missing thedys cigarette that Lin Yan had given her. She couldnt quite tell whether she missed the cigarette or the person who handed it to her. Theyre alive, theyre alive. They came to the social welfare office justst month. Song Yuhang remained silent and gestured to indicate it was time to leave. The police station chief took a couple of steps to catch up, Hey, hey, Captain Song, dont be in a hurry. Its over ten kilometers to Xiaohe Vige, and the road isnt paved yet. Its all gravel, quite rough to travel. There are eighteen bends on the mountain road, and they just nted a ditch there for poverty alleviation this year. Wait until daybreak. Ill find a few locals to apany you. Youve had a long and tiring day; you should rest a bit, take a break. * * * Song Yuhangy on the cold, hard wooden bed in the guesthouse, tossing and turning. It was a double room, and Fang Xin next to her had already fallen asleep, emitting a steady breathing sound. She fished her phone out of her pocket, intending to send a message to Lin Yan. The chat interface was still paused on the picture Lin Yan had sent her. Turning over, Song Yuhang looked at Lin Yans slender neck and exquisite figure, recalling the moment of intimacy in the car that day. It seemed like she had never had such thoughts about anyone other than Lin Yan. At that moment, she felt like she was going crazy. Lin Yan clenched her own clothes, tilting her head slightly, breathing heavily, her hand on Song Yuhangs shoulder was so weak and feeble. She was not a weak girl with no strength. At a certain moment, Song Yuhang even felt that she was amodating her. The sensation was so beautiful that she went mad and fell into a trance, something she had never experienced in the first thirty-five years of her life. She had always been aposed, self-disciplined, and self-respecting person, be it with cigarettes or alcohol, she knew her limits, never excessively indulging to the point of addiction. But Song Yuhang rolled over and got up, taking a deep breath. She lifted the covers and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. Just the thought of her would make me Song Yuhang turned on the tap and sshed water on her face. This is ridiculous, damn it! It must be because of the recent pressure from solving cases and the fact that its been so long since Ive done any boxing, leaving me with excess energy and nowhere to release it. Yes, thats definitely it. Song Yuhang took a few sips of cold water and rinsed her mouth, forcing herself to calm down. She walked out onto the corridor to get some fresh air. She leaned against the wall, toying with a lighter, flipping it on and off, catching it steadily every time. Her thoughts drifted aimlessly. She even thought about her childhood, stumbling along behind her father and brother. The ceremony of bing a police officer, her older brother pping for her enthusiastically in the crowd. And then, the moment the criminal held a gun to her brothers head Song Yuhang frowned as the tossed lighter wasnt caught and fell to the ground with a thud. She bent down to pick it up, and it was as if Lin Yans warning echoed in her ears: You be safe. Song Yuhang hesitated for a moment, then suddenly snapped out of her thoughts. She remembered her meeting with Li Bin in the afternoon and, like a lightning bolt through the chaos, a revtion hit her. Ye Ye He had been repeating that word, homophonous with night. Could it be that he meant for her to meet him at night? Song Yuhang picked up the lighter and quickly turned to run down the stairs. * * * Dont you damn well pretend to be dead. I know youre not crazy, Lin Yan used a dagger to tap his face, pressing on his neck to force him to look up at her. Do you recognize this person? The person in the photo was Chu Nan. The old mans mouth was blocked, so he could only produce hoarse monosybic sounds. Lin Yan grew impatient, and with a p, she smacked the photo onto his face. I know you conducted the autopsy for her, she paced around the room with a touch of restlessness, her beautiful face losing its smile and appearing even more ominous in the darkness. Lin Yan suddenly turned around, gnashing her teeth, Why, after finally escaping from this remote ce, do you voluntarily return to your hometown? Did you find something? Tell me! Tell me! She shouted in a low voice, shaking the old mans shoulders. An unpleasant odor rushed out, and Lin Yan looked down, suddenly startled. The old man had rolled his eyes, convulsing all over, drenched in sweat. Lin Yan put the dagger aside and removed the cloth covering his mouth, shaking his head, Hey Before she finished speaking, the old mans head had already drooped to one side, barely breathing. Lin Yan quickly untied the ropes binding him, lifted the man onto the bed, tore open his dirty clothes, and bent down to listen to his heartbeat. She also checked his neck for a pulse. She muttered to herself, This is bad. She rummaged around for the medications the old man usually used, yanked out a bottle of nitroglycerin from a drawer, ced it under his tongue, and then started performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Darn it, dont die, please dont die. If you die, my lead will be cut off, and Chu Nan will Lin Yans eyes welled up with tears, and her arms ached too much to lift. She leaned down to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The old mans chest slowly rose and fell, and after several repetitions, he began to breathe on his own, and his neck pulse returned. Lin Yan, exhausted, took a few steps back, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and realized that her tank top was already soaked, even in the cool autumn night. The old mans cloudy eyes flickered, and his voice, like rough sandpaper, grated against the ss, You you didnte to kill me? Nonsense, Lin Yan took a few steps forward, retrieved a bottle of mineral water from the stic bag Song Yuhang had brought, unscrewed the cap, and took a few big gulps. For a while, she drank her fill, then wiped the droplets from her lips and said, If I wanted to kill you, I would have attacked as soon as I entered. No need to wait until now. The old mans gaze shifted back, and he appeared vacant again. Lin Yan ced the mineral water bottle on the table, saying, Hey, youre quite an interesting person. When I wanted to kill you, you were willing to talk to me. Now that Ive saved you, youre silent again. Do you know what it means to repay a debt of kindness, to reciprocate a spring with a fountain? Li Bin didnt pay her any attention. Lin Yan grew impatient, picked up the dagger, and pressed it against his neck. Do you believe Ill really kill you? The old man closed his eyes, signaling her to proceed. Lin Yan was infuriated, and her wrist was trembling. She gritted her teeth, and a fierce look suddenly surged in her eyes. She raised the dagger high and thrust it fiercely toward the person on the bed. A gust of wind swept across his face, Li Bins throat tightened, but the expected pain didnt follow. He opened his eyes to see the bright de hovering above the pillow. Lin Yan released her grip, stepped back, and bumped into the table across the room. She covered her face with her hands, her voice choked, Im sorry. I just wanted to find the truth for my friend, seek vengeance, and ensure she didnt die in vain. After Chu Nans death, her unusual cause of death made her a frequent topic in the newspapers for a period of time, bing amon subject of post-meal conversations. Everywhere Lin Yan went, she could hearments like: Could it be that her private life wasnt proper, and she offended someone? Otherwise, how could the other party have been so ruthless? Oh, isnt her dad a murderer? Isnt this just karmaing full circle? Payback for the sins of the past? Well, you know, people get what they deserve. If you lead a clean life and dont have any guilty conscience, you wont fear the night knocking on your door. But howe, in a city as big as Jiangcheng, they specifically targeted her? You know, its all about hehehe! Every time, Lin Yan would rush forward with clenched fists. Sometimes she could win the fight, but more often, she couldnt. She would get kicked to the ground, punched, and kicked mercilessly, her head bloodied. Darn it, whore, you bitch! Just because you have a little money?! ying with the daughter of a murderer, youre no good either, bleh! The other person spat a wad of thick phlegm on her face and walked away with a smirk. Lin Yan rolled in the muddy ground, rain pouring down on her, and a faint trace of blood oozed from her hairline. Her stiff fingers moved, and she found a brick. She gritted her teeth and got up from the ground, shouting, Hey The other person turned around, and she swung the brick down hard, cursing, Go to hell! Days like this, mired in confusion, went on for a long time. No, it could be said that her world had never been bright since she learned of Chu Nans tragic death. The deceased had passed, leaving the living with endless regret and a sky full of rumors and gossip. Lin Yan was in another street brawl when Mother Chen rushed over, wielding a rolling pin, and yelled, Stop fighting, stop fighting! As she held Lin Yan in her arms, Lin Yan decided that for the rest of her life, no matter how difficult it might be, she would fight for the truth until herst breath. This moment was no exception. Lin Yan took two sniffs, turned her back to steady her emotions, not wanting anyone to see her in such a wretched state. The old man looked at her, his throat moved, and he was about to speak, but it was followed by a series of coughs. Lin Yan wiped her eye corner, turned back to check his condition, and said, Dont move. Do you have heart problems or any other conditions? Tell me. You are you a doctor? The old man coughed while his face turned red. No, although Im a forensic doctor, basic medicine is also a required course. Lie down and dont move. Forensic doctor The old man chewed on these two words, and a glint suddenly appeared in his eyes. He tightly held her hand, as if he had something to say. Lin Yan felt his pulse, which was very unstable. She didnt have her phone with her, so she took another nitroglycerin tablet and gave it to him. I know youve been a forensic doctor for most of your life. Dont talk for now. Ill go find a doctor. Youll be okay. Wait until youre better, then you can tell me slowly. She forced a smile, seeminglyforting the old man, but also soothing herself, saying, Youre very important to me; I cant let you die. The old man nodded, and Lin Yan withdrew. Just as she stepped out of the room, a dark figure slipped in through the window, quietly closed the ss, approached the old mans bed, and lowered their mask. Li Bins pupils suddenly contracted, his face filled with fear and panic, and he couldnt speak a word. The person in ck reached out and covered his mouth.
Chapter 52-1 Chapter 52-1 Despair Lin Yan had just walked down to the first floor, and when she turned to look at the dark staircase, her usually sharp intuition sent a shiver down her spine. On the surface, it seemed like those people were following Song Yuhang, but could it also be possible that they were following her? A chilling sensation crawled up her spine, and Lin Yan quickly turned back to run. The mere dozen meters she had to cover felt incredibly long. Every moment felt like a race against death. As soon as her hand gripped the door frame, she heard a gunshot. Lin Yan kicked open the door, and two figures were locked in a struggle. One of them was slightly taller, holding a gun, and his hand had been raised by someone, causing two holes in the ceiling with dust and debris falling down. Lin Yan brandished her dagger and pounced, aiming straight for the man in cks throat. Another familiar figure firmly held onto the man in ck, pushing him back to create an opportunity for Lin Yan. Seeing that things were going south, the man in ck, with his gun hand pinned down, had no choice but to use his left elbow to strike heavily at her back. Song Yuhangs vision went blurry as she bent over, and Lin Yans sharp de was right in front of her. The man in ck clenched his teeth and delivered a knee strike to Lin Yans abdomen. Song Yuhang lost her grip, getting thrown away, and Lin Yans knife was at her throat. Before Lin Yan could recover her stance, she watched in horror as Song Yuhang was about to collide with the de. Meanwhile, as Song Yuhang retreated, she drew a handgun from her waist holster, fired twice, and sparks flew from the window frame. The man in ck clutched his shoulder and tumbled out of the window. She wanted to chase, but behind her came the sound of a metallic weapon hitting the ground. Song Yuhang hurriedly turned around and caught her as she swayed dangerously. Lin Yan?! Excruciating pain causedrge beads of sweat to form on her forehead. Lin Yans face turned pale as she clutched her left hand, blood flowing freely. In a critical moment, she had used her own hand to block a potentially fatal blow for Song Yuhang. Im fine its fine hurry hurry, go after them, Lin Yan said, her hand covered in blood, gasping for breath. You Song Yuhangs eyes welled up with tears. Go quickly! Lin Yan growled, pushing her aside with a bloody, mangled hand and a hard shove. Song Yuhang stumbled back a couple of steps, colliding with a table. With determination, she looked at her, bit her lip, and then leaped from the windowsill. Stop! Or Ill shoot! Song Yuhang emerged from a thicket of grass and trees, fired a shot into the air without hesitation. The man in ck ran haphazardly, leaving a trail of bloodstains along the way, until he reached the front gate and escaped. Song Yuhang ran with the gun aimed at the mans head, her palms sweaty as she tightly held the trigger. After a while, she clenched her teeth, adjusted the sights, and aimed at his leg. She needed to capture him alive; a dead man was meaningless. An unlicensed ck car with its headlights on and ring horns rushed toward them, its tires screeching on the gravel road. It executed a perfect drift and came to a halt at the entrance of the sanatorium. The car door swung open, and the man in ck got inside, with bullets striking the cars body with a resounding thud. In the brief dy, Song Yuhang covered three steps in two andunched herself at the car door. A submachine gun emerged through the shattered car window, the ck barrel pointed directly at her forehead. Song Yuhangs pupils constricted, and every hair on her body stood on end. Instinctively, she let go as the wind from the elerating car hit her hard. A bullet grazed her scalp, and the smell of gunpowder mixed with the stench of singed hair rushed into her nostrils. Her face grew hot, and blood was already trickling down, rendering her once noble features unrecognizable. Gritting her teeth, she tried to muster everyst ounce of strength to crawl into the car through the window. Her body dangled from the car door, and the wind turned her skin a deathly shade of pale, her long legs dragging on the ground, torn and bloodied. Inside the car, the man in ck leaned against the seat, clutching his bleeding shoulder wound, and muttered, Damn it. He picked up his own gun from the seat and extended his head out of the window, using the gun butt to strike her hand. They were approaching a sharp turn about to exit the small town, with a raging river beside it. The driver began to elerate, the engine emitting an angry roar. A beautiful skid sent her into the air. Song Yuhang crashed heavily onto the road, rolling several times before tumbling down a cliff. Everything fell into silence. After a while, a blood-soaked arm wed its way onto the road. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth and exerted every ounce of strength to slowly drag herself up until shepleted the arduous climb. Shey on the icy gravel road, gasping for air, her vision bing blurry. * * * The City Police Bureau. Zhang Jinhai stood nervously in front of therge screen in the training room, holding his breath. Three days ago, an informant, the bald man who ran the illicit workshop, had provided information. He said that this morning a buyer had arranged to meet him at the entrance of the Beidou Industrial Park to pick up a delivery. The police force was on standby. Unmanned drones hidden in the woods had already taken off. Surveince cameras were set up in the guard booths, and heavy reinforcements were stationed around the perimeter. This was the n that had been devised before Song Yuhang left a two-pronged approach,ying in wait for the target. It was time to cast the. Zhang Jinhai nced at the watch; the appointed time had arrived. The bald mans car pulled up right on schedule at the entrance. It was an abandoned industrial park with no one to guard it. He, along with inclothes police officers, got out of the car, and they began unloading several barrels of acetone from the trunk, cing them one by one in the guard booth. The surveince cameras transmitted the scene in real-time. Zhang Jinhai lifted the teacup, took a sip, and then picked up the walkie-talkie. Instruct everyone to prepare and stay vignt. Once the buyer appears, execute the arrest immediately. In his earpiece, he received clear and uniform responses of Received. He set the teacup back down, feeling a hint of satisfaction. The n was devised by Song Yuhang, but he was the one implementing it. With such heavy security in ce, it should go off without a hitch. Reporting this to the provincial headquarters would be another significant aplishment. There was hope for a favorable year-end performance evaluation. As he was feeling ted, the inclothes officers on the scene reported back, Report to 02, I have sessfullypleted the mission. Im preparing to return. The suspect is expected to arrive in about ten minutes, and Ill assist with the arrest from the outside. Good, stay safe. The radiomunication was cut off, and the scene returned to calm. In no time, the unmanned drone captured footage of a car heading their way, and the rm sounded. Zhang Jinhai picked up the walkie-talkie again, All units, be ready for the arrest. It was a ck Santana, with its headlights on as it made a turn. The special police hidden in the jungle discreetly raised their firearms. Darn it, what kind of ce is this? The driver pped the steering wheel twice, parked to the side, reached for a pack of cigarettes on the center console, and lit one before pushing open the car door. Before he could reach the guard booth, he was tackled to the ground by a swarm of detectives. Cold handcuffs clicked around his wrists, and the muzzles of guns were aimed at his head. Dont move, dont move, police! The man had never experienced this kind of situation before. His knees went weak, and he wet his pants. Police officers, what have I done? I I just took money to pick up something for someone Not far away, a man on a rooftop had witnessed it all through binocrs. He quickly packed up and returned inside. We cant stay in this ce. We have to leave. The person in the wheelchair, concealed in a ck robe, their face not visible, but their voice sounding somewhat younger, responded, Do we need to hide again? The man set down his belongings and walked over to the wheelchair-bound individual, crouching down. Yes, we cant let the cops find us. But the person beneath the ck robe hesitated. Dont worry. The man even affectionately patted the persons head. Youll get better soon. I promise. * * * The first thing Song Yuhang said upon waking up was, Wheres Lin Yan?! People in the room exchanged nces but remained silent. Song Yuhang propped herself up in bed, her head still throbbing. She reached to rub her temples but felt a bandage. What about Li Bin? Fang Xins face took on a hint of sadness. Hes dead. Song Yuhang threw off the nket, got out of bed, and removed the IV needle herself. Inside the prison cell. Lin Yan hung her head, motionless. Regardless of the questions directed at her, she neither reacted with the same fiery rebuttals as before nor spoke a word. Why did you go to find Li Bin? Why did you break into his room in the middle of the night? Have youmitted acts of abuse against Li Bin? Did you kill Li Bin? Lin Yan sat there quietly, not lifting her head or uttering a word. Her hair fell over her face, concealing it, and she had lost the vitality she once had. There was an air of impending decay about her. A heart like ashes. This was Song Yuhangs first impression upon seeing her. Her chest suddenly felt both sour and bitter, tinged with a faint ache.
Chapter 52-2 Chapter 52-2 Despair Open the door, she coldly uttered those words. Captain Song, this doesntply with the regtions. We found arge number of her fingerprints and footprints at the scene, and we even discovered clothing fibers identical to those on Li Bin in the rope on the ground Song Yuhang adjusted her cor, rarely using her authority to pressure someone. I told you to open it, so open it. Obey the orders from higher-ups. She emphasized the words higher-ups, and the junior officer dared not speak out, obediently taking out the key to unlock the iron door for her. Song Yuhang opened the door, took a step forward, and rushed over to support her shoulder. Lin Yan, Lin Yan, are you okay? Look at me Lin Yan followed her movements without resistance, her eyes devoid of any luster,pletely lifeless, as if the joys and sorrows of the outside world could no longer affect her in the slightest. Song Yuhangs gaze fell on the handcuffs she wore on her wrist, and an inexplicable anger surged in her heart. Who the hell authorized handcuffing someone before the case was properly investigated?! Is this how your grassroots department conducts its work?! The junior officer received a severe scolding and hurried over to unlock Lin Yans handcuffs. The local police station chief also arrived to mediate. Its a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding. People in the same family dont recognize each other. The mix-up was due to ourck of information. It turns out that shes Dr. Lin from the City Bureau, and a friend of Captain Song Song Yuhang helped Lin Yan to her feet, flinging the handcuffs to the side, and they made a loud nging noise against the iron door. She raised her head and said, word by word, Lin Yan is not the killer. Last night, I was at the scene as well. When I entered, the assant was in the midst ofmitting the crime. Dr. Lin, the forensic expert, arrivedter, and if were talking about suspicion, Im the most likely suspect. You can report this truthfully; I am willing to bear the legal consequences for every word Ive said. The station chiefs expression tightened. Reporting it this way might cost her a promising career. Before he could dwell on it too much, Song Yuhang had already turned away, supporting Lin Yan. Her injured hand was tightly wrapped in gauze, and there were faint traces of blood seeping through. Song Yuhang felt a deep pang of sympathy. You said your hands are delicate. Why did you shield me? I have tough skin; a blow wouldnt have harmed me. Lin Yan remained silent, her hair falling disheveled as she moved her throat slightly. Are you hungry? What would you like to eat? Ill go get it for you. Then What would you like to drink? We probably only have beer here Or maybe I could catch a wild chicken and grill it for you? The chicken we had yesterday was quite good You probably dont often get to enjoy authentic farmhouse delicacies like that. She didnt ask why Lin Yan hade here, nor did she inquire about herte-night meeting with Li Bin. She simply offered care and consideration, being gentle and empathetic towards her difficulties and feelings. But precisely because of this, Lin Yans heart became increasingly uneasy. She had been chasing the killer for fourteen years, and this was the closest she had evere to the truth, yet it had slipped through her fingers forever. Li Bin was dead. How many more fourteen years did she have to waste? She even had a slight regret; if she hadnt cared about Song Yuhangs lifest night and had let the killer do as they pleased, not wasting those precious seconds but instead had pounced on the murderer, would she have been a little closer to the truth, even just a bit closer? She felt a deep hatred. She hated her own weakness and ipetence, she hated her momentary kindness, saving Song Yuhang but ultimately failing to find the truth for Chu Nan. How could she face her six years of friendship, how could she justify the times when Mother Chen had been so protective when she was getting into fights. She was a beast, not a human. Two drops of water fell to the ground. Lin Yan halted her steps, and Song Yuhang also stopped talking, her eyes containing a hint of expectation as she turned slightly to look at her. You deserve to die. What? Song Yuhang thought she had misheard. But she raised her head again, her eyes filled with bloodshot veins, and stared at her, saying each word with emphasis, You deserve to die. From the tone of this statement, Song Yuhang could clearly hear the deep-seated resentment, and her blood ran cold. Duan Cheng couldnt bear to watch any longer and rushed over, shouting, Captain Song also saved a life. When we found herst night, she was lying on the side of the road, battered and barely alive, with a head wound! The doctor said if that bullet had deviated just a centimeter more, it would have prated her skull, and she would have died right there! Can you still stand here and curse her?! Huh?! A faint mocking smile tugged at the corner of Lin Yans lips. Heh. Duan Cheng wanted to say more, but Fang Xin pulled him aside. Dont say anything. Song Yuhangs hand was still supporting Lin Yans arm, and Lin Yan gently withdrew her sleeve from her grasp. She addressed her as Officer Song, not Song Yuhang or Captain Song. Officer Song, now youve seen it clearly. Im the kind of person who repays kindness with enmity. I beg you to stay away from me in the future. I dont need colleagues, I dont need friends, and I certainly dont need your self-indulgent care. After Lin Yan finished speaking, as if unable to bear looking at her expression any longer, she turned her body and descended the stairs. She had only taken a couple of steps when her eyes welled up. She forced herself to hold back her emotions, waiting until she was certain that no one was following her, and until she was sure that she couldnt see her anymore. Only then did she allow her emotions an outlet. She covered her mouth with her hand, squatted down, and quietly sobbed. * * * The wind on the rooftop gradually grew stronger. Lin Yans hair was disheveled, her clothes rustled in the wind, and a pile of beer cansy scattered around her. Cigarette butts littered the ground. When Song Yuhang went up to find her, she was sitting on the edge of the railing, her legs swaying in the void. Her silhouette looked thin and lonely, as if she could be carried away by the wind at any moment. Song Yuhangs heart tightened, and she forced a smile. Youre not thinking of doing something reckless, are you? Lin Yans hand, holding a cigarette, paused, and a faint smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. She exhaled a smoke ring slowly. Of course, she wasnt thinking of that. She still had unfinished business she would only consider such a thing after settling the score with the killer. Despite their harsh exchange in the afternoon, Song Yuhang couldnt help but worry about her. Come down. Come over to me. You havent slept for a day and a night, and youre injured. Lin Yan extinguished her cigarette on an empty can. Do you have no ears or eyes? Do you remember the nickname you gave me? Lin Yan was taken aback. Song Silly. She called it out for her, I dont have many virtues, but I do have a lot of tenacity. You can talk to me, scold me, its better than this afternoon, Lin Yan Before she could finish her sentence, Lin Yan picked up an empty can and threw it at her. Get lost! Song Yuhang raised her hand to block, and the can rolled away, nging against the wall. Fine, you dont want to hear these things. Then, Ill tell you something you might find interesting. In 1994, you were eighteen, just graduated from high school. That year, Jiangcheng City had a shocking case, the Fenyang Dock Dismemberment Case. The brutality of the murderers methods, the convoluted and mysterious nature of the case, and the absence of any clues left at the crime scene frequently made it to the front page of the newspapers, bing a hot topic for peoples conversations. At that time, I was still in police academy and had heard about it. I knew it was a major case under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Public Security. Solving such a high-profile case is a source of pride for every police officer, including myself. Even while I was still in school, I attempted to analyze it, but I got nowhere. At the time, our technological capabilities were limited, and the detectives in charge of the case were at a loss. They couldnt even find all the body parts Song Yuhang spoke methodically, but Lin Yan was gradually clenching her teeth. Later, they arrested many people, and the entire city was turned upside down. Nearly all males who fit the profile of the killer were blood-typed, including government employees, and that included my father and brother. Lin Yan, she took a step closer, calling her by her name. The police did make efforts. Fourteen years ago, there was no internal policework, no surveince footage, no trace analysis, no DNA testing The only suspected criminal that was captured died in custody due to illness. Consequently, this case was left unsolved and became a headless cold case that spanned fourteen years. I believe that every police officer with a conscience and integrity wouldnt want to see this kind of oue Song Yuhang spoke with a pained expression, reaching out as if she wanted to touch Lin Yan. I also didnt expect that fourteen yearster, I would stand with the person involved in this case. Believe me, I swear on my police uniform, within my lifetime, I will solve this case and provide you, the victims, and the victims families with a satisfactory answer. Lin Yan, youre not fighting this battle alone. In the distance, the mountains concealed most of the view, and sporadic stars shone. The wind in the wilderness produced a mournful howling as if someone were weeping. Just as her hands were about to touch her, Lin Yan pped her hand away. Song Yuhang still wanted to approach, but Lin Yan covered her face. With a cigarette pinched between her trembling fingers, she gestured for her not toe closer. Lin Yan sniffled intermittently, tears falling inrge drops. She covered her lips, choked silently, and fumbled to adjust her breathing. She shakily attempted to reach for a beer can but ended up knocking down several. She wanted to pick up her cigarette but realized it had already gone out. She trembled as she reached for a lighter along the edge of the rooftop, but her hand was shaking so much that she couldnt even ignite the lighter. Song Yuhang watched her panic, break down, and show her vulnerability, feeling a heart-wrenching pain. She took a lighter out of her pocket, wanting to light a cigarette for her. Lin Yan turned her head slightly, and she was abruptly pulled down from the railing. Then, ass if a fuse had ignited all the bitterness, sorrow, hatred, and resentment she had umted over the past fourteen years, Lin Yan pushed her away, tears streaming down her face, and screamed, You understand nothing?! You know nothing! All this talk about technical limitations and dead suspects is just an excuse! Fourteen years, fourteen years She pointed to her own chest, clenched her fist, tears streaming, Do you know how Ive survived? Do you know how Chu Nans mother survived?! Not a single day of peace, not a single night of rest! As soon as I close my eyes, Chu Nans face appears before me. Sometimes shes smiling at me, and other times she turns into a pile of mangled flesh on the autopsy table. I want to dream of her, yet Im afraid to dream of her. Im caught in this constant tug-of-war, and its been going on for fourteen years, fourteen years! Do you know why I studied medicine, why Lin Yan spoke, choked up, covered her mouth, bent down, and tears flowed through her fingers. I just wanted to find the truth, just the truth Others should be the one standing here, those who are pursuing a career as a forensic pathologist, but not me, not me Lin Yan felt drained, and she knelt down with her hands on the ground. She was then pulled into someones arms. Song Yuhang gently stroked her soft hair, tears falling into it, and sniffled. I know, I know it all. Cry if you need to, its okay, its okay. Im here with you. Well investigate together, okay? Lin Yan pushed her away repeatedly, and Song Yuhang came back every time. Until eventually, Lin Yan grabbed her clothes and began to tear into her, demanding that she leave, but Song Yuhang remained unfazed. Lin Yany in her arms, gradually losing her strength, and Song Yuhang held her tightly. She couldnt break free, so she bit down hard on her shoulder. Song Yuhang winced, her whole body tensing, her throat tight, but she still pressed Lin Yans head into her shoulder, allowing her to bite. She knew that if this pain wasnt released, Lin Yan would eventually lose her mind or end her life after the truth was revealed. The only thing that had kept her going all these years was the determination to uncover the truth. Song Yuhang looked up at the empty sky. She knew it was inappropriate and excessive, but she couldnt help feeling a tinge of envy, envy for that stranger named Chen Chu Nan. Do you know? She didnt forget you. After you left, she lived her life for you.
Chapter 53 Chapter 53 Eat Vinegar Lin Yan cried enough. When Song Yuhangs shoulder was also grazed, and she tasted a hint of the metallic tang of blood, Lin Yan let go. Sensitive to her change, Song Yuhang gently patted her back. It hurts a bit; Ill switch sides for you to bite. Lin Yan refused to show weakness, pulling at Song Yuhangs uniform cor and biting down, but this time, she didnt apply any force. It was more like grinding her teeth or licking her wound. A little wolf cub. Be kind to her, and she might just bite you back. Even if she realizes shes wrong, she wont admit it openly. Instead, shell use her eloquence to dodge the issue, like a sly tiger smelling roses. Song Yuhangs throat churned, and this tender action of Lin Yans gave rise to a faint trace of intimacy. Her fingers lightly stroked her nape, kneading the two cervical vertebrae as if to soothe her emotions. Her voice was husky. Go back. Back in her room, Lin Yan still felt somewhat embarrassed, tears staining her face. She let her undo the gauze on her hand and rewrap it for her, but she avoided making eye contact. Song Yuhang knew that this person was feeling embarrassed after just holding her and crying for that long, appearing fearless on the surface but having a very thin skin. With just a little teasing, she was like an irritated cat, but that was also easy tofort. As she applied medication to her hand, Lin Yan flinched slightly. She grabbed her wrist and wrapped it in gauze to prevent her from moving. Thank goodness it didnt damage any nerves. If you cant hold a scalpel in the future, lets see if youll cry. Whos crying?! Who Lin Yan instinctively retorted, and Song Yuhang patted her shoulder and tugged at her clothes in front, being honest. The clothes got wet. Lin Yan wiped away a tear at the corner of her eye and grabbed a pillow to throw at Song Yuhang. Song Yuhang caught it with one hand, took a step forward, and sat on the bed to restrain her. Enough, dont act up. The medical conditions here are too poor. When you get back to Jiangcheng, you need to have your hand properly examined. She didnt mention this before, but once she did, Lin Yan felt even more uneasy, especially when she looked at the bandage on her head. She turned her face away and said awkwardly, Im fine. Im doing well. But you Dont listen to Duan Chengs nonsense. Its just a bullet graze Song Yuhang tried to reassure her, but Lin Yan suddenly crumpled the bedsheet with her hand, and her body tensed for a moment. You dont have to You dont have to wade into this muddy water, risking your life. I always keep my word, she began to say but was interrupted. Song Yuhang carefully wrapped the bandage for her and then applied adhesive tape. Lin Yan looked at her with her fluffy head leaning in front of her for a moment, lips slightly curved, and then quickly returned to her usual indifference. This time, Ill allow you to change your mind. I dont want you to make a hasty decision out of pity for me Song Yuhang chuckled, and it stung her eyes, making Lin Yan grit her teeth. What are youughing at? But the person reached out and pinched her nose, urging her to rx. The posture and gesture were so intimate that Lin Yan didnt react at first. When she did, she had quietly blushed. Imughing because you think too highly of me. Im helping you, and seeking justice is the duty of every detective. No matter how many years pass, as long as the perpetrator isnt brought to justice, I wont stop pursuing them for a day. Thats only fair. She paused and looked into her eyes. Yu Qing, I want to help you, simply because I want to help you, without any reason. Lin Yans eyes welled up, and she bit her lip, lowering her head. Justice dyed is justice denied. She repeated in a low voice, Dyed justice is no longer justice. Sometimes, I dont even know if what Im doing still makes any sense Song Yuhang shifted and pressed her head against her chest. Strangely, she was bing more and more skilled at handling these situations. Lin Yan didnt resist her touch, so she gently stroked her hair. You know, they say a person dies three times in their life. The first time is when their breath and heartbeat stop, and theyre dered biologically dead. The second time is when people attend their funeral, and a priest deres their passing, and they cease to exist in society. The third time is when thest person in the world who remembers them forgets, and only then do they truly die, with no connection to the entire universe. Lin Yan, remember, thats the greatest meaning. Perhaps she was too gentle, or maybe she herself was too fragile. Lin Yan clenched her clothing and wiped away her tears. From elementary school through graduate studies, she received the most elite education, but no one ever taught her how to truly face death, including after she started her profession, when her heart was filled with intense resentment when faced with the bodies of the deceased. Song Yuhang was different, both gentle and sharp, serving as both a sharpening stone and a hidden-edge de. She quietly struck at the softest corners of her heart. The previous crying had been an emotional release from pent-up feelings, and now, her tears flowed freely with nostalgia and reminiscence for an old friend. Song Yuhang gently cradled her face, using her thumb to wipe away the tears. ustomed to her arrogant and domineering demeanor, seeing her in such a tearful state was an extremely rare sight, and it made her all the more heartbroken. Lin Yan, if one day I Will you also remember me like this? Before she could finish her sentence, Lin Yan covered her mouth and shook her head, signaling her to stop. Song Yuhang understood, and with a slight smile, she held Lin Yans hand and ced it in her own palm. Lin Yan was momentarily surprised, with tear streaks still on her face, but she had already forgotten about crying. Her hand remained on her own face, wiping away the remaining tear stains for her. Song Yuhangs fingertips were calloused, and there was a faint scent of gunpowder. When she gently touched her skin, there was a strange shiver of sensation. Her hand moved downward, settling on her lips, stroking the soft lip petals back and forth until they gradually grew warm. Lin Yans originally pale lips gradually gained a rosy tint, bing plump and inviting. Song Yuhangs gaze darkened slightly, and she cleared her throat. Lin Yan tugged at the hand held tightly by Song Yuhang, but she didnt pull it back. There was a hint of urgency in her expression. Song Song Yuhangs index finger gently pressed down to signal her to be quiet, but the finger on her lips intensified. Lin Yans lips throbbed with a fiery sensation, and her eyes still held a lingering watery gleam. When she didnt wear makeup, she had a different kind of natural and transparent beauty, like an innocent elf in the depths of the dark forest. Song Yuhang was like a knight who had strayed from the path, lured step by step by her, sinking into the swamp of desire. They silently locked eyes, as if they had exchanged nces a long time ago. The atmosphere grew warmer, and Lin Yan unconsciously swallowed saliva following her movements. Whether it was the fingertip pressing on her lips or the fact that both of them were unconsciously breathing heavily, the ambiguous atmosphere expanded infinitely in the dark of the night. Once addicted to her nape, it now seemed like there was something new added to it. She felt somewhat lost, her mind a jumble, her body light and floaty, and her hands not following hermands, resembling an addict. No, this shouldnt be happening. As Song Yuhang despised herself internally, she slowly moved closer to her. Lin Yans head tilted slightly under her touch, her red lips slightly parted, as if inviting someone to pluck them. The narrow single bed in the hotel couldnt bear the weight of two people and emitted a faint creaking sound. Lin Yan suddenly clenched the sheets beneath her. Their breaths were now almost within reach of each other. A knocking on the door interrupted them, as if awakening two dreamers. Fang Xin: Captain Song, Captain Song, are you there? Ivee to pick something up. Lin Yan pushed her away and sat up to straighten her clothes. Song Yuhang was taken by surprise and had a twitching corner of her mouth, reluctantly going to answer the door. Yes, yes, what is it? Its nothing, Im staying in a single room tonight, justing to get some toiletries. Fang Xin replied as she entered. She immediately spotted Lin Yan and her eyes lit up. Oh, hehe, hehe, Forensic Doctor Lin is here too, thats great, thats great She had a feeling that Lin Yan would get angry in the next moment, but seeing an opportunity to exit gracefully, she grabbed her bag and left. You two continue, continue, I wont disturb yourreunion. Once she left the room, Fang Xin took out her phone and sent a message in their group chat: I told you, didnt I? Hurry, hurry, get the snacks!!! Duan Cheng sent a crying emoji pounding the ground, while Zheng Chengrui had a look of realization. In a short while, the red envelope arrived, and Fang Xins face lit up with joy. Song Yuhang closed the door, shaking her head with an expression of helplessness, and then returned. Lin Yan packed up her things and got off the bed. IIm going back. Dont go, where are you going in the middle of the night? Song Yuhang stopped her, but Lin Yan kept her lips tightly sealed, her gaze wandering, avoiding eye contact. Alright, its rare to see you being hesitant about something like this. We have two beds, lets sleep separately. Are you reassured now? Song Yuhang reached out to take her bag and ced it on Fang Xins bed. She also attempted to pinch Lin Yans nose again, but Lin Yan dodged. Have you been sleeping with Fang Xin these past two days? Song Yuhang was puzzled and didnt see what was wrong. Yes, of course. Its just the two of us female colleagues, after all. When were on a business trip, we should take care of each other. Lin Yan ground her teeth. Arent there single rooms? Song Yuhang made her bed, knowing that Lin Yan preferred cleanliness, and she shook and fluffed the bedding, changing the sheets and covers with new ones. We have limited budget for the case, no money to waste. The logic chain was so perfectly wless. Lin Yan wanted to get angry, but there was nowhere to vent her frustration. She pointed her finger inside the room. I want to sleep on your bed! Well, she set it up for nothing again. Song Yuhang resignedly took the bed apart once more. Lin Yan threw her bag onto it andy down, turning her back to Song Yuhang. Suddenly, Song Yuhang had an epiphany. Could it be jealousy?! As she thought of this, she couldnt contain the smile at the corner of her lips, and even her steps became much lighter. Hey, are you feeling Before she could reach Lin Yans bed, a pillow came flying through the air and hit her. Get out! Song Yuhang obediently returned with the pillow in her arms. Inside the room, there was a rustling sound as if someone was searching for something. Lin Yan quietly perked up her ears, and after a while, someone nudged her shoulder. Song Yuhang presented a ornate box before her,plete with exaggerated sound effects. Ding, ding, ding Open it up and take a look. Lin Yan was slightly surprised and sat up. This is Go ahead, take a look, Song Yuhang encouraged her. When Lin Yan hesitated to ept it, Song Yuhang stuffed the box into herp and then turned on the bedsidemp. Lin Yan, puzzled, opened the ornate box at Song Yuhangs urging. She was immediately stunned, a warm feeling welling up in her heart, causing a slight tingling in her nose. This is It was the retractable mechanical baton she had thrown away, the one with the bent shaft, now picked up and returned to her. The shaft had likely been reforged, as it had been restored to its original condition. It had also been freshly painted, and it glistened with a glossy, metallic finish under the dim bedside light. Song Yuhang seemed a bit proud. How do you like it? Not bad, right? Although its an imported product, I have an old ssmate who works in the defense industry. He has some knowledge of blueprints, so I took it back and studied it for several months. She pointed to the mechanical baton. See, I even wrapped the handle for you with afortable and non-slip cushion. Most importantly, you mentioned its called Sentry, right? I had the name engraved for you as well. Lin Yan touched the rough lettering on the back of the mechanical baton. The inscription was messy and not particrly neat. She gradually tightened her lips and gripped the baton. Song Yuhang observed Lin Yans expression. Whats wrong? Dont you like it? Lin Yan lowered her head and didnt look at her. Her voice was somewhat muffled. Why did you bring it back? Song Yuhang scratched her head. Oh, I saw you always carried it with you everywhere. You used it when we sparred, so I guessed She looked at Lin Yan with a slightly tentative expression. It should be important to you, right? Losing it would be a shame. What she didnt say was that this personally carried item was most likely given to Lin Yan by Chu Nan. She didnt want Lin Yan to lose this one remaining connection. Unexpectedly, when Lin Yan heard this, she burst intoughter with a chuckle. There were even tears in her eyes, but her lips carried a strong, genuine smile. You got the nickname right. I carried it with me because its handy, theres no other significance. Its just an ordinary mechanical baton, not not as important as you. Thest two words were mumbled by Lin Yan as they passed. After she finished speaking, Song Yuhang let out a loud Ah, her face expressing shock. Lin Yan curled her lips slightly, feeling a bit warm. But now, it has something more. Song Yuhang was taken aback, and a soft smile appeared at the corners of her lips. She instinctively reached out to ruffle Lin Yans head. Lin Yan dodged the gesture, and the mechanical baton in her hand was already drawn from its sheath, making a distinct swish as it pointed toward Song Yuhangs throat. She maintained precise control, raised an eyebrow slightly, and looked down on her from a higher position. Dont move. Im going to take a shower and sleep now. Its best for you to behave tonight and keep your hands to yourself. Song Yuhang raised an eyebrow and used her hand to push the tip of the baton away. Miss Lin, Ive repaired your beloved item and saved your life multiple times. Isnt it unfair to return kindness with enmity? As Lin Yans baton moved with her hand, Song Yuhang gradually retracted the mechanical baton. With her movements, the distance between the two of them became closer and closer. What do you want then? Lin Yan took a step back, meeting Song Yuhangs intense gaze. Sitting on the bed, Song Yuhang held her mechanical baton and suddenly pulled it. She stumbled forward and heard her whisper in her ear, Shouldnt there be some reward? Song Yuhang, youve gone too far! She finally shouted Song Yuhangs full name in anger, released the mechanical baton, and pushed her on the bed. Then, she stepped back a few paces and rushed into the bathroom, mming the door behind her. Song Yuhangy on the bed, grumbling to herself as she watched Lin Yans retreating figure. Hey, Lin Yan, can you be reasonable? Whos the one going too far She muttered quietly, Ive saved you so many times. In ancient times, I would have already offered myself to you, you know? The response she got was the sound of angry running water from the bathroom. Later on, some phnthropic entrepreneur donated a significant sum of money to the Jiangcheng City Police Department, specifically designated for the travel and case expenses of the detectives. From then on, the detectives of Jiangcheng City could enjoy the luxury of having their own separate rooms when traveling for cases. But thats a story for another day. As for this night, Lin Yan slept soundly. She ced the mechanical baton by her pillow, findingfort in knowing it was within her reach. Before turning off the lights, Song Yuhang walked to Lin Yans bedside and squatted down, tucking her in tightly. Sleep well. Dont think about anything. When you wake up tomorrow, youll still see me. Whether it was her words or not, Lin Yan didnt need any sleeping pills that night, nor did she use intimacy with others to exhaust herself. She simplyy in the dark, gazing into Song Yuhangs eyes for a while. Then, both of them drifted off to sleep. Once Lin Yan was in a deep slumber, Song Yuhang got up and returned to her own bed. She stared at the ceilings patterns, counting imaginary sheep. But it seemed Lin Yan had a good nights sleep, while Song Yuhang was the one experiencing insomnia.
LP: Cutting this chapter into 2 parts would make eating vinegar lose its effects. So, eat vinegar with me. (
Chapter 54 Chapter 54 Care Last night really? How could it be fake? Its too bad; I lost a years supply of spicy snacks. In the cafeteria, small groups of people were chatting. Lin Yan walked to the door and sat down with a bowl of rice porridge. It is said that she was sociable and knew how to get along with people, and also that she preferred to be alone and didnt like to join in the crowd. Song Yuhang, a female, watched her walking away and took a steamed bun from a te and followed her. Here. Faced with her kindness, Lin Yan sipped her porridge and didnt reach out to take it. Im full. Song Yuhang had no choice but to take it back, but before she could say anything else, her phone in her pocket started vibrating. Regardless of whether she wanted it or not, she handed the steamed bun to Lin Yan and hurried to the side to answer the call. Lin Yan looked at her stiff body and knew she was talking to someone, either Director Feng or Director Zhao. The steamed bun she had in her hand was still warm and emitted the fragrance of wheat. Lin Yan took a bite and perked up her ears to listen to the conversation. Song Yuhang moved her phone a bit further away, listening to the other person yelling, Director Feng The other person shouted, You useless brat, hurry up and bring Lin Yan back to me! Do you know that even the local police station has filedints with the Disciplinary Inspection Commission?! It was as if she could feel the other persons spittle flying through the screen, and Song Yuhang moved the phone a bit further away, somewhat disdainful. As an official, I must sometimes act against my wishes There was a three-second silence on the other end, and Song Yuhang quickly spoke up before the person could start yelling again. Please listen to me She nced at Lin Yan and turned her back to her. Dr. Lin may have employed somewhat aggressive methods to solve the case, but she hasnt done anything unreasonable. If she had, why would I go out to pursue the person in ck? We could have just arrested her on the spot. Feng Jianguo let out a coldugh, picked up a teacup, took a sip to calm himself down. I didnt know you two were birds of a feather! Acting without proper authorization is unauthorized action. Who gave you the right to interrogate a witness in an excessive manner? Do you know that this is illegal? Song Yuhang stood up straighter. Sir, Dr. Lin didnt act without authorization. I sent her. As for excessive interrogation, I think thats a stretch. At most, it was an aggressive method She said it with a sense of righteousness. Feng Jianguo mmed his teacup onto the table, causing tea to spill over, and he was trembling with anger. Song Yuhang, listen to me, is what youre saying even reasonable? Song Yuhang narrowed her eyes for a moment, as if she had made a significant decision. She had never revealed the true purpose of Lin Yans presence in Wuli Town. Anyway, since I am in charge of the criminal investigation and the head of the special task force, all of Lin Yans actions have been authorized by me. After the White Whale Case is resolved, I am willing to ept any punishment from the organization. Song Yuhang hung up the phone, and Lin Yan shifted her gaze, casting a shadow on the ground in front of her. Song Yuhang crouched down and looked at her. Is it good? Lin Yan hadnt taken more than a few bites of the steamed bun in her hand and didnt look up at Song Yuhang. Theres no need for this. Youre at it again. Didnt I talk to you about thisst night? Lin Yan was momentarily taken aback and lowered her gaze. Song Yuhang had initially wanted to pat her on the head, but the cafeteria was crowded, so she refrained. You still dont trust me. Even a stone would warm up, but when it came to Lin Yan, her guard was stronger than anything, and distrust was her instinct. Song Yuhang felt a bit disheartened, but she still didnt say anything. Quick, eat. After youre done, Ill take you to see Li Bins body. Lin Yan only raised her head when she heard this. In no time, she stuffed the steamed bun into her mouth, choking and coughing. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, and she wiped her lips and stood up with a stammer. I, Im done. * * * The towns funeral home had no air conditioning; it was essentially a morgue. As soon as he stepped inside, Duan Cheng pinched his nose and backed out, taking a deep breath. He put on an additionalyer of a mask before mustering the courage to go back in. Lin Yan was already gloved up and conducting the autopsy. With her left hand wrapped in gauze, which was a bit inconvenient, Song Yuhang held the examination light for her. I stumbled upon him as he was about to escape through the window, and we came face to face As Song Yuhang spoke, Lin Yan gently pressed Li Bins forearm, then opened his eyelids. There are pinpoint-sized hemorrhages in the conjunctiva, and the facial skin has a bluish tint. After examining the eyeballs, Lin Yans hands gently pried open Li Bins mouth, and she leaned down to observe. There are signs of bleeding in the mouth muscles. Duan Cheng hastily recorded the findings in his notebook. When the examination light passed over, Lin Yan discovered a small clothing fiber on his broken and almost falling front teeth. A cotton swab. Song Yuhang handed her the item. Lin Yan used a cotton swab to collect the thread and ced it in an evidence bag. This is something from the perpetrator. The reason she was so confident was that, despite the short duration of their encounterst night, she not only had an impable memory but also had incredible eyesight. The perpetrator had worn gloves and was well-prepared; otherwise, how could there be no fingerprints left at the scene? After this, she tore open Li Bins clothes, pressed on his chest, and Song Yuhangs examination light followed. Dtion of veins and capiries throughout the body, preliminary cause of death is asphyxiation due tock of oxygen. In other words, he was suffocated to death while alive. Lin Yan looked at him with a touch of sorrow in her eyes, her hands clenched into fists on the autopsy table. Song Yuhang reached out and patted her shoulder. Do you want to perform an autopsy? Lin Yan let out a heavy sigh. No, the cause of death is clear. Theres no need for an autopsy. Let the old man rest in peace. After the group left the morgue, Song Yuhang asked the head of the local police station, Does Li Bin have any other rtives at home? No, he was on government welfare and divorced from his wife over thirty years ago. His son and daughter were taken by his ex-wife. He relied on the government for food, drink, and living after retirement. Song Yuhang nodded and offered him a cigarette. In that case, lets pay a visit to Li Bins former residence and go to Xiaohe Vige in the afternoon. Youve been very helpful The police station head was pleasantly surprised and took the cigarette, lighting it up promptly. No need to be so polite, Captain Song. Ill make the arrangements right away. * * * Li Bins home was not far from the police station, just about a hundred and eighty meters away. It was surrounded by fields, and coal trucks asionally passed by on the road, causing dust to fill the air. The courtyard gate was tightly closed. Song Yuhang removed the padlock, pushed the gate open, and entered. The yard was in a state of disrepair, covered in dry leaves, and there were several empty vegetable patches. There was nothing nted in the soil, and a pear tree in the corner of the yard had withered, leaving only bare branches. This was a typical two-story rural building in the south. Song Yuhang assessed the courtyard while Lin Yan went straight into the main room. In the center of the main room was an altar dedicated to Guan Yu, but the incense was sparse, and the altar was covered in a thickyer of dust. This investigation had nothing to do with the White Whale Case, which is why Song Yuhang had intentionally sent away the other team members. Judging by the level of decay in this courtyard, no one has lived here for at least a decade, she remarked, her hands getting dirty from touching the furniture. Lin Yan finished inspecting the main room, even searching the incense burner. Dont you find it strange? Li Bin was in his fifties over ten years ago, and its too early for him to be in a nursing home. He wasnt even at the age for senile dementia, was he? Song Yuhang was taken aback and followed her into the inner room. Are you saying someone forced him to act crazy and senile? Lin Yan thought of the way he had held her hand before he died, the gleam in his eyes when he heard she was a forensic expert, and she couldnt help but feel a sense of sadness. I dont know. Ive been secretly investigating for so many years, and every time I feel like Im making progress or about to make progress, I always feel an invisible force pushing me back to square one. I dont know if this is fate or just random chance. Youre a forensic expert and have received a Western education. You should be a staunch materialist, shouldnt you? Do you believe in destiny? As Song Yuhang spoke, she picked up a photo frame from the bedroom nightstand and gently blew away the dust on it. In the photo, a family of four was smiling happily. Back then, photography was limited to ck and white, and she carefully examined the two men and two women in the picture. The man was likely Li Bin, and the woman was his wife, while the smaller figures were probably their children. Song Yuhang was about to put the photo frame down but suddenly felt that the little boy in the picture looked familiar. She called out Lin Yans name. Take a look at this. Who does this look like? Lin Yan, upon hearing her, came over, picked up the photo, and examined it for a while, then furrowed her brows. I cant recall. Are you sure youre not mistaken? The young boy in the photo was only about five or six years old, slim and small. His bright, intelligent eyes gave him a handsome and clever appearance, which was amon trait among good-looking young boys as Lin Yan remembered them. Song Yuhang touched her nose, her throat feeling itchy from all the dust in the room, and she decided to put it down. Alright. After inspecting the two bedrooms, only the kitchen and the bathroom were left. The dry toilet in the rural area was connected to the pigsty, and the stench was overwhelming. Lin Yan felt a bit disappointed. Logically, as a veteran forensic expert who worked for several decades, there shouldnt be nothing in his house. Its strange not to find any work records or even a diary. Song Yuhang pondered for a moment. Lets keep searching. If Li Bin was pretending to be crazy and senile, he might have hidden something, even in such a small ce. In this tiny ce? Where could he hide anything? Lin Yan continued to search around. If they couldnt find anything soon, they would have to resort to searching the pigsty. Song Yuhang even looked behind the woodpile behind the house. As she moved some dry branches, a thumb-thick garden snake was startled, slithering out like lightning. She didnt have time to dodge, and her index finger was bitten, causing her to let out a slight cry of pain. The bundle of firewood she was holding also fell to the ground. Lin Yan heard themotion and ran over. She only saw the creature that had bitten Song Yuhang swiftly retreat into the furrow of a field, its long patterned tail disappearing. She broke into a cold sweat, her heart racing. In one swift movement, she dashed towards the field, while Song Yuhang took a couple of steps back and was steadied by someone. Why are you so careless?! I Perhaps due to the pain, Song Yuhangs face turned pale. She didnt finish her sentence before Lin Yans actions froze her in ce. Lin Yan squeezed the area around Song Yuhangs injured finger forcefully. Seeing only a small amount of blood seeping out, she opened her mouth and gently sucked on it. An electric sensation swept from the tip of her tongue to her spine. An indescribable pleasure lurking within the dull ache. Song Yuhangs throat moved slightly, and for a moment, she forgot to react, staring nkly as Lin Yan sucked out the pooled blood and spat it onto the ground, repeating the process until the wound returned to its normal color. Lin Yan let out a sigh of relief and raised her head. There was still a bit of bloodstain on her lips, and her increasingly fair skin entuated her stunning beauty. Song Yuhang felt the lingering itch had crawled into her heart, causing her to be anxious and restless. Her entire body and soul seemed to be teeming with ants, agitating and stirring. Its alright. Lets go down the mountain now and get some antiviral serum Lin Yan tried tofort her, but before she could finish speaking, she met Song Yuhangs slightly dim gaze and was suddenly taken aback. It was too familiar; it was the same expression she had seen in her eyes when they locked gazesst night. While Song Yuhang hadnt fullyprehended her emotions towards her, there was already a desire within her. Lin Yan felt a mixture of anxiety, anger, and frustration and couldnt help but burst out in anger. Song Yuhang, what are you always thinking about? Peoples lives are at stake, dont you know? You should hurry and Seeing her get angry, Song Yuhang chuckled softly and her eyes and lips carried a sense of delight. Lin Yan was getting more and more flustered. What are youughing at?!! Lins temper was about to explode. Song Yuhang hugged her tightly, and her slightly amused voice rang in her ear. Imughing at how you care about me but still put on a fierce face. Dont you have the words honesty in your life dictionary? Seeing her standing there for so long, saying so much, and still having the strength to hug her, Lin Yan finally realized that the snake was not venomous at all! She figured it out and suddenly felt a bit agitated. You knew all along that the snake wasnt venomous, and you still you made me made me She was so angry that she couldnt find the words to express herself. Her instincts had driven her to rescue Song Yuhang without a second thought, but when she came to her senses, she felt her face burning with embarrassment. Song Yuhang held her face and teased, You said you didnt care about me? You wanted me to go away, to die? She still remembered their argument from yesterday, and when it came to holding grudges, Song Yuhang was unparalleled. Feeling the finger inching towards her lips again, Lin Yan smiled wryly and decisively stomped on it with her foot, even giving it a little twist. Song Yuhang hopped away on one foot, hissing in pain. Hiss Hiss You Lin Yan let out a cold snort and turned to walk away. You never change. Clean up your mind filled with perverted thoughts! Limping, Song Yuhang followed her and said, No listen to me Ive figured out where he might have hidden something * * * Song Yuhang, wearing gloves, reached into the hearth to scoop out ashes, while Lin Yan held a dustpan to collect them. Dust filled the air, and she could barely keep her eyes open. Cough Have you recovered? Im fine now, Song Yuhang replied. With one hand resting on the hearths edge, she reached deep inside and pulled out a half-burned book. I thought that since its something important, if Li Bin didnt want it to be found, he might have destroyed it. So, I took a chance in the kitchen, and I actually found She exined while brushing off the ash from the notebook and wiping her sleeve. The notebook had a hardcover, but the pages inside had been mostly burnt. Lin Yan flipped through it page by page, but most of it was iplete. She handed it back to Song Yuhang with a hint of disappointment. It was a lot of effort to find it, but it doesnt seem very useful. Song Yuhang took it back and continued flipping through the pages. Fortune favors the persistent. While Lin Yans case didnt yield any valuable clues, she noticed the three names, Yu Xin Ye, among the burnt pages with a keen eye. She pointed to a yellowed, burnt corner of a page and said, Look here. It says, The blood type test of the deceased Yu Xin Ye and the blood rtives of Yu Xin Ye did not match, raising suspicion that the deceased may not be the actual person. What does that mean? Lin Yan shivered all over, took the notebook from her, and considered the text. At that time, when DNA testing wasnt widespread, blood type testing was a rtively urate method for identifying the deceased, especially inrge-scale disasters. There are two possibilities: one, Yu Xin Ye didnt die and they swapped the body, or two, there was simply an issue with the blood type test. As she finished speaking, a draft of air gently blew in, causing a slight chill in the warm afternoon of autumn. * * * As they set off towards Xiaohe Vige, there were checkpoints and inspections along the highway in Wuli Town, Qingan County, and Jiangcheng City. Stop, stop! Routine inspection. Show your ID and drivers license. The driver grumbled as he got out of the car, Im in a hurry to get home. Why are they checking today when they never do it usually? Quit theining and show your documents. Reluctantly, the man took out his identification. While the traffic officer checked his documents, a few other officers inspected his car. Once they found nothing suspicious, they allowed him to proceed. Damn it, wasting my time. Although he cursed, the traffic officers stepped back, saluting him as a gesture of apology, and watched him drive away. Qingan County. Officer, have your hospital recently received and treated gunshot victims? Upon seeing several armed detectives enter the hospital, the receptionist nurse immediately stood up and started searching through the medical records. Nono all the patients weve admitted in the past week are here The medical records were meticulously detailed, containing information from patient names to causes and conditions, as well as the admission times. One detective remained at the reception desk, flipping through the records, while the others dispersed into the hospital. At the end of the corridor, in the distance, the two men saw the police. One of them took a step back, sat down on the steps, and held his shoulder, panting heavily, his face pale. Hispanion helped him up, saying, Lets go to the next hospital. The mans forehead was covered inrge beads of sweat. He had lost a lot of blood, and the overnight exertion had left himpletely exhausted. He licked his dry lips. No, the police are already bing suspicious. It doesnt matter which hospital we go to. What about your injury? Lets go. Ill figure it out myself
Chapter 55-1 Chapter 55-1 Clear If it really is as the director of the local police station said, once you leave Wuli Town, its all muddy roads. The mountain road has eighteen bends, with a turbulent river on one side and towering mountains on the right. The driver responsible for the journey is a police officer from Wuli Town Police Station, and in order to prevent any dangers on such a road, the speed of the car is kept very slow. The scenery on both sides is indeed beautiful, but no one is in the mood to appreciate it. Everyone in the group is feeling a bit queasy. Lin Yan tapped on the car door, signaling the driver to stop. As soon as the car pulled over by the roadside, she opened the door and jumped out. Song Yuhang quickly handed her a bottle of mineral water and some tissues. She hadnt eaten much in the morning, and she vomited it all out. Song Yuhang saw her sitting on the side of the road with a pale face and gently patted her back, feeling a bit sorry for her. Here, have some water. Hold on a little longer; were almost there. Lin Yan took the bottle, the cap already loosened, and a slight smile yed at the corner of her lips before quickly disappearing. Its okay, lets go. The group continued their journey, making stops along the way. By the time they reached Xiaohe Vige, it was already dark. The police officer leading the way parked the car by the side of the road and pointed halfway up the mountainside. Captain Song, thats Xiaohe Vige right there. The vige halfway up the mountainside was lit up with scattered lights, and from a distance, it looked like stars had fallen in the mountains. Duan Cheng was amazed, How can there be a vige built on the mountain? The police officer took a drag from his cigarette and said, Well, its poverty. The young and capable ones have all gone out to work, leaving only the older generation who are holding on to their little piece ofnd. They can still get some harvest every year. If they dont live on the mountain, where else? Decades ago, the tin mine here used to be prosperous for a while, but then there was a mining ident. Experts came, evaluated it, found it didnt meet safety production standards, and closed it down. Even these electric lights were just installedst year. The narrow mountain road meant that the police car couldnt go any further, so the group had to climb up step by step, following the police officer. Song Yuhang reached out to brush aside the prickly eucalyptus leaves and casually picked a handful of fruit. She peeled it and handed it to Lin Yan, saying, Try this. Its called Golden Cherry. Its very sweet.
Golden Cherries or Ground Cherries.
Lin Yan hesitated and looked somewhat disgusted at the unattractive fruit in her palm. She didnt dare to take a bite. Without looking back, Song Yuhang continued to climb while picking some more for the others. Its edible. My mom used to use it to make liquor, and its also medicinal. The police officer ahead chuckled, I didnt expect Captain Song to know so much. Upon hearing this, Lin Yan, now more cautiously, took a small bite. The sweet and tangy vor instantly spread on her tongue, and the difort from the car ride was significantly reduced. She raised her eyebrows, swallowed it all, and her mouth felt refreshed. Pleasure was evident in the corners of her eyes and mouth. Song Yuhang timely handed her a peeled fruit, saying, Dont eat too much; share some with the others. Lin Yan replied with an Oh and reluctantly shared some. As Song Yuhang continued climbing, whenever she spotted some tasty wild fruits, she shared them with the group and casually chatted with the police officer. Its quite remote here. How often do youe here? The question made the police officer a bit embarrassed. Well about once a month. Its not that we dont want toe. As you can see, the road is quite difficult, and there arent many people in the vige. Every time wee, its usually to handle some minor incidents. Justst month, we solved a case of chicken theft. Can you guess who the suspect was? Song Yuhang didnt take offense and smiled, A yellow weasel, perhaps. Youre really clever! The police officer pped his thigh. He appeared younger than her and had a more lively personality. He tried to climb a small hill and was about to turn around to help her up, but Song Yuhang didnt need his assistance at all. She grabbed a tree and easily ascended, then turned around to pull her team members up one by one. I can, Lin Yan began to say, but before she could finish, Song Yuhangs hand was already on her arm, and one hand fell to her waist, effectively lifting her up, a sort of half-support, half-hug to get her up. Lin Yan gritted her teeth and whispered, Song Yuhang, have you be addicted to carrying people? Song Yuhang blinked with an innocent look, as if she didnt understand what Lin Yan was talking about. She then reached out to assist Fang Xin but did so very properly without touching her. Is everyone up? Once the group had gathered, Song Yuhang looked down and saw the dark thicket of low trees below. She turned to leave. Captain Song, Captain Song, Im still down here Zheng Chengrui was at the bottom, holding onto a tree, waving his strong arms vigorously, panting heavily, feeling like he could copse at any moment. Song Yuhang jumped down again, saying, Come, lets help. Several male detectives also went down. Lin Yan stood on a t part of the slope, watching them all struggling to pull, push, and drag, subjecting a two-hundred-pound man to torturous efforts that left him near death. Fang Xin said, Who gave old Zheng the courage toe up with us? Lin Yan replied, Liang Jingru1, probably. * * * Qingan County. Thete-night streets were deserted, with few pedestrians in sight. Two or three drunks staggered across the road, leaning on each other for support. The wind knocked over a soda can at the corner of the street, and it was kicked aside by someones foot. The private clinic hidden in the alley was also getting ready to close. The small doctor yawned, just as he was about to lower the rolling shutter, he felt a cold, metallic object press against his lower back. He swallowed hard and said, Whos there? Robbery? I I dont have any money His face was mostly concealed by a mask, and the man outside only revealed a pair of eyes. His voice was particrly low and menacing. Open the door. The trembling small doctor fumbled for his keys in his pocket, and as he turned around, he caught a glimpse of the object pressed against his back. His knees gave way, and a scream got stuck in his throat as he was struck unconscious with the butt of a gun. The man opened the rolling shutter, dragged him inside, and tied him to a chair. Then he went back outside and helped another person into the clinic from the street corner. The rolling shutter came down, and darkness engulfed everything. * * * Even though Lin Yan had better stamina than most girls, thebination of motion sickness and the high-altitude mountain climb was still taking a toll on her, not to mention the others walking behind her. How much longer? she panted, leaning on a tree. Not much longer, one of the detectives in the front shone a shlight and checked the map. About one kilometer to go. Song Yuhang turned around, took her survey kit, and slung it on her own back, extending a hand to help Lin Yan. Are you okay? Lin Yan gripped her hand and ascended another steep slope, stepping on dry branches and leaves. Im fine. Lets keep going. Song Yuhang squeezed her hand, her palm sweaty. If you cant go on, just say so. We can stop for a rest. No need Lin Yan pulled her hand away and adjusted the survey kit on Song Yuhangs shoulder. I can manage it myself. Song Yuhang dodged and helped the others up, while Lin Yan gradually tightened her lips, showing a bit of displeasure on her face. However, there was a faint warmth deep in her heart. After all, who doesnt like being taken care of? Even the strongest of women are no exception. This is strange. I distinctly remember this ce from thest time we came, a police officer said, holding a map and apass, grumbling. Song Yuhang walked over and asked, Whats wrong? Thepass is malfunctioning. He tapped the instrument and shook it, but the needle remained still. Old Zheng, Song Yuhang called out. Zheng Chengrui, panting, responded and eventually climbed up. Lets determine our current location. To avoid getting lost in the deep mountains and forests, they had taken extra precautions with both a paper map and GPS coordinates. He sat cross-legged, opened hisptop, and entered the coordinates. Several small red dots on the map blinked, marking their location, with their destination not far in the southwest direction. Song Yuhang looked into the woods to find a direction, then touched the tree bark beside her. After some contemtion, she said, Lets go in that direction. Lin Yan wiped the raindrops off her forehead and asked, Why As she looked up, the woods were already pitch ck with no daylight in sight, and a gust of wind caused the trees to sway as raindrops started pouring down. In high-altitude areas, when it started raining, it often became a downpour, catching everyone off guard. They watched as their equipment began to get wet. Zheng Chengrui hurriedly collected everything and held it close; this equipment was his lifeline. Duan Cheng took his camera bag off and covered it with a stic bag, shouting in the pouring rain, Captain Song, should we keep going? Song Yuhang climbed a few meters upward, wiping the rain off her face and finding a sheltered tform beneath a protruding cliff. We wont go on. Come over and take shelter. Well wait for the rain to stop. The group crowded into the shelter one by one, three women and five men, all with drenched clothes. They couldnt help but find some humor in their soaked situation. A police officer said, Usually, were here to rescue lost tourists, but today, we get to be tourists for once. Here, have a cigarette; theyre still dry, one of the detectives took out a pack of cigarettes and distributed them to everyone. Duan Cheng was the youngest among them. When it was his turn to take a cigarette, the detective withdrew it and said, You, you can skip this. Youre underage. There wasughter, and the police officer who had offered the cigarette lit it, exhaling a smoke ring thoughtfully. I just started working, and Im only this old. Ive spent the first half of my life in this remote corner of the world Outside, the rain grew heavier. A few people chatted leisurely. Lin Yan sat by the ridge, hugging her knees. She didnt take a cigarette or say a word. Unlike her usual self, she was always the center of attention, the liveliest one in the group. Song Yuhang knew that with Li Bins death, Lin Yans lead had gone cold. She was feeling upset, unable to be as lively as usual, but she didnt say it. She moved closer to Lin Yan, draping her own coat over her. Are you cold? No, Lin Yan replied, pulling the coat down and sitting a bit further away. Rainwater dripped down from the trees, and Song Yuhang pulled her back gently. They were a bit far from the rest of the group. Lin Yan struggled and lowered her voice, Song Yuhang, what do you really want? Song Yuhang draped the coat over her again. I just care about you. You dont have to keep rejecting my kindness. I, dont, need, it, Lin Yan said, emphasizing each word. Song Yuhang turned her head to nce around, ensuring nobody was watching them, then yfully pinched Lin Yans nose. Actions speak louder than words. This gesture was quite intimate, causing Lin Yan to blush even more and feel increasingly ufortable. Fortunately, someone intervened to change the subject. Captain Song, youre not married yet, are you? The grassroot officer was still curious about his female leader from the city. Song Yuhang sat back down and replied, No, Im not. The officerughed and said, Thats what I guessed. Married folks with families to take care of arent as eager to be on the frontlines. What about Dr. Lin? The conversation somehow circled back to her. Although this female forensic doctor didnt talk much during the journey, her appearance made her impossible to ignore. The officer struggled to find the right word to describe her, but then it struck him, and he used a phrasemonly found in martial arts novels: a cold beauty. Unexpectedly, Lin Yan turned her head, and her lips curled into a smile with a hint of alluring charm. No, but I do have several boyfriends. Theyre always showering me with attention and care. I visit one on odd days and another on even days. It can be quite tiresome. As she finished her sentence, the branch Song Yuhang was using to dig into the soil snapped with a crack in her hand. The police officers smile froze on his face. Uh Uh Dr. Lin, youre quite He couldnt find the right words to continue. Duan Cheng, on the other hand, perked up his ears. Listen, whats that sound? Everyone fell silent, and the world around them was eerily quiet, with only the sound of raindrops hitting the branches. They huddled in the mountain hollow, surrounded by darkness, unable to see a thing beyond their hands. Fang Xin was getting a bit frightened; this was her first time camping in the wilderness.
  1. Fish Leong, whose names hanyu pinyin is Liang Jingru, is a renowned Mysian-Taiwanese singer and songwriter. She released a song titled Courage in 2000.
Chapter 55-2 Chapter 55-2 Clear What What sound? How did I not hear it? As she spoke, a loud wolf howl suddenly echoed in the mountains and forests, rising and falling, sending shivers down ones spine. This was the first time Duan Cheng had heard the howling of this animal up close, a creature he had only seen on television and in zoos. It gave him goosebumps. With the sound of the wolf howls, there was also a rustling noise in the nearby woods. Lin Yan calmly reached for the mechanical baton at her waist. Song Yuhang pulled her back and loaded a bullet, crouching as she moved forward, saying, Ill go check it out. Lin Yan tried to hold her back but failed, feeling both anxious and frustrated. Song Yuhang! Song Yuhang, with a shlight in hand, disappeared into the woods without looking back. The rest of the people remained in ce, anxiously waiting. The rain was getting heavier, and Lin Yan stood there, her words catching in her throat. She wiped the rain from her face, tightly gripping the mechanical baton in her hand, and kept a close eye on the direction she had gone. The rustling sounds in the woods grew louder, and the shlight beam swayed back and forth. After a distance of about several tens of meters, the trees obscured her figure, and Lin Yan heard her say something before the shlight abruptly went out. Lin Yan shot out like an arrow released from its bow. Song Yuhang! she shouted, raising her voice. Song Yuhang, struck by rainwater and tree branches, wiped the mud from her face. The shlight revealed Lin Yans anxious expression above. She picked up a stone and hit a tree to make a noise to get her attention. Im here; theres a viger trapped here with me. Go get help. Lin Yan lowered her shlight, revealing an elderly woman in her arms, who was around seventy or eighty years old, along with a goat. The recentmotion was probably caused by this woman and the goat, and they had mistaken it for wolves. Lin Yan was genuinely tempted to scold her, Do you think you can mind your own business and not get into trouble? The buffer tform was small, and one step backward would mean falling into a bottomless abyss. Song Yuhang just kept on smiling, Im fine now, please go quickly. A rope was quickly brought over. The elderly woman was hoisted up first, followed by the goat, and finally Song Yuhang. Lin Yan initially didnt want to reach out to help her, but seeing that she was struggling with the rope, she reluctantly extended her hand. Song Yuhang used her strength to climb up, and the recoil caused both of them to step back a few paces, almost as if Lin Yan was holding Song Yuhang or Song Yuhang had stumbled into her arms. Their heartbeats echoed like a downpour. Lin Yan pushed her away with both hands and turned to walk away. Hey, Lin Yan, listen to me, Song Yuhang patted her holster to make sure her sidearm was still there, breathed a sigh of relief, and saw her walking away, quickly catching up. The elderly woman muttered in the local dialect, leaving everyone puzzled, including the police officers who couldnt understand a word of it, scratching their heads. She went back to Song Yuhang and handed her the rope tied to the goat, muttering a few more words. Song Yuhang understood, Are you asking us to follow you? The elderly woman nodded at the uniform Song Yuhang was wearing and gave a thumbs-up. Song Yuhang raised her foot to signal the rest of the group to follow. The locals were familiar with the terrain, and after walking in the rain for a short while, the terrain became more level. They passed through a bamboo forest and arrived at the elderly womans home, a small thatched hut. With their group being quiterge, the elderly woman felt a bit embarrassed. She continued to speak and bow, and Song Yuhang helped everyone to their feet. Thank you for taking us in, or else we would have had to spend the night outside in the rain. Song Yuhang herded the goat into a fence and closed the wicker gate. The elderly woman, being elderly and somewhat unsteady on her feet, limped her way back from the house with a towel and handed it to Song Yuhang, gesturing for her to wipe her face. The towel was so dirty that its original color was barely recognizable, but Song Yuhang didnt mind. She took it, intending to wipe her face. However, she suddenly thought of something and handed the towel to Lin Yan. Lin Yan took a step back, showing her disdain, You can wipe your own face. Song Yuhang didnt get upset. She wiped her face, and then ran her fingers through her short, wet hair. Her wet, ck hair hung neatly behind her ears, and her uniform clung to her body, entuating her curves and muscles. The elderly woman lit an oilmp in the room, started a fire, and gestured for them toe inside and sit down. The room was notrge, and it had openings on all sides, allowing for venttion. Outside, there was a small table for dining, also dark and covered in soot. They found a few ces to sit, but there were no extra chairs. The elderly woman brought in some dry straw for them to sit on. The group sat on the floor and warmed themselves by the fire. The elderly woman stammered for a while, then walked out. The group didnt understand her intentions, so Fang Xin, feeling uneasy, followed her outside. After a while, she returned and said, Someonee help with the fire. They suddenly realized what she meant. Duan Cheng rolled up his sleeves and followed, saying, Ill do it, Ill do it. After a long day of travel and a rainy mountain climb in the evening, the group was already exhausted. However, when they heard there was food, they became excited, even Lin Yan had a slight anticipation. But when the food was brought in, she was dumbfounded. She stirred the unappetizing rice porridge with adle, finding bits of leaves and ingredients she couldnt name floating in it. Pig feed? Duan Cheng gave her an indescribable look but still picked up a bowl. Song Yuhang took a sip andmented, Try it, it tastes pretty good. Lin Yan sat back and said, No, you go ahead and eat. As soon as she spoke, her stomach let out a timely growl. Lin Yan turned her face away, and Song Yuhang shook her head, slightly helpless. The elderly woman, seeing that Lin Yan wasnt eating, became somewhat anxious. She circled Lin Yan, muttering inaudibly, and Lin Yan paid her no attention. The elderly woman served another bowl and handed it to Lin Yan, her hands trembling due to her age. Lin Yan was growing impatient and pushed the bowl away with a p, saying, I said Im not eating. Take it away! Song Yuhang took the bowl from the elderly woman and steadied her, saying, Lin Yan, why are you acting like a spoiled princess? If you dont want to eat, then dont eat. Is that necessary?! Lin Yan held her breath and didnt respond, while the elderly woman turned to Song Yuhang and tried to persuade her, Ah ah Lin Yan reluctantly sat back down and silently drank the porridge. Unhappily, Lin Yan took her baton and went to the door to listen to the rain. After a while, Song Yuhang apanied the elderly woman to the kitchen to tidy up the dishes and cutlery. They talked at the door, and the elderly woman pointed to the hill behind. Song Yuhang then took a sickle and went outside. Lin Yan leaned against the door, holding her baton, and didnt want to engage with her. She also didnt notice when she had returned. After about half an hour, the male detectives had all crowded into the woodshed to rest. Lin Yan reached into her pocket and found that her cigarettes were all wet, making them impossible to light. She listlessly toyed with her lighter. Song Yuhang came over and pulled her, saying, Come with me. As they entered the kitchen, it was warm and cozy. The elderly woman was squatting by the hearth, using tongs to sift through the ashes and pulled out two golden-roasted sweet potatoes. A sweet, glutinous aroma wafted from them. Lin Yan swallowed her saliva but didnt step forward. The elderly woman had the sun-exposed hignd red on her face, her hair wrapped in cloth, her skin wrinkled, and she was thin, with her bones showing. Even her front teeth had gaps. Despite her in appearance, her smile was so sincere and lovely. In the dim candlelight, there was a warmth simr to that of an elder looking at a child. Lin Yan felt increasingly embarrassed. Seeing her hesitate, the elderly woman held the roasted sweet potatoes and made a gesture of peeling them, making tsk tsk sounds with her mouth. Song Yuhang pushed Lin Yan over, took the roasted sweet potatoes from the elderly woman, and rolled them back and forth, saying, Ouch its hot. Do you want me to peel it for you, or will you do it yourself? Lin Yan snatched it from her hand, and her fingertips turned red from the heat. She jumped, and Song Yuhang and the elderly woman both watched her andughed. Lin Yan sat in the kitchen, nibbling on the roasted sweet potatoes bit by bit. Song Yuhang sifted through the remaining ashes in the hearth, and the elderly woman was at the door, collecting wet firewood to dry. Song Yuhang nced at the elderly woman and said, What were eating today might be half a months worth of rations for the elderlydy. Lin Yan was taken aback, and even the sweet and delicious sweet potatoes became hard to swallow. She held them at a distance and asked, Where did you get these? They were dug from the field behind the mountain. The elderlydy grows them to sell but cant bear to eat them herself. As the elderly woman continued to sift through the ashes, Lin Yan looked at her chopping firewood at the door. Is there more? Song Yuhang retrieved some from the earthen stove and handed it to Lin Yan, saying, Is this not enough? Lin Yan picked it up, not minding the heat, and ced ayer of straw on her way to the door, where she put it on the elderly womans apron. Eat. She uttered just one syble, and the elderly woman didnt understand at first, trying to hand it back, saying, You eat you eat This time, Lin Yan understood. But she was never good at arguing or reasoning with people, and she was growing impatient. I said eat it! Song Yuhang couldnt help but burst intoughter. Lin Yan shot her a cold, disdainful look and forcibly put the roasted sweet potatoes back in the elderly womans arms. After taking a few steps, she turned around, took out all the money from her pocket, and handed it to the elderly woman. The elderly woman became even more frightened when she received this wet money, her face expressing pure fear. Song Yuhang stood up to reassure her, Its okay, please ept it. She has plenty of money; she wont miss this small amount. Lin Yan didnt say a word, crouching on the ground and burying her head in the sweet potato, like a child who had done something wrong but refused to admit it. Song Yuhang found it amusing. How could someone be so stubborn, so contradictory in words and actions, and yet so adorable? After the elderly woman left, Lin Yans heart warmed. She offered the only short stool in the kitchen to the elderly woman, indicating that she should sit. Lin Yan herself crouched down in front of her. Their eyes met at the same level, and Song Yuhang raised her gaze to look at Lin Yan. The pupils of her eyes had a shallow hazel color, like translucent gems, and her fuzzy head was close to Lin Yans. Her smile was gentle and serene. For a moment, she even felt that this person had been born as the wrong species and should have been some kind ofrge dog. Song Yuhang hesitated, then asked, Is it delicious? Lin Yan lowered her gaze, avoiding her eye contact, and mumbled, Yes. Im not full, Song Yuhang honestly said, You gave my portion to the olddy. Lin Yan hesitated and then extended her arm, passing over half of the sweet potato she had been eating, saying, Im full. Song Yuhangs gaze was still lingering on the sweet potato. She couldnt help but smile at the scene. She epted the offered portion without further protest, and Lin Yan opened her mouth, not saying a word, and reluctantly swallowed her pride. Here, Ill give you half, so now its fair, Song Yuhang said, but unexpectedly, she also split the sweet potato in half and handed it to Lin Yan. Lin Yan was taken aback, her lips curled up, and she wanted tough but held it back. Song Yuhang stuffed the half piece of sweet potato into her hand and said, When will you be a bit more honest? Lin Yan nibbled on the soft sweet potato flesh, experiencing physical satisfaction on a cold and rainy autumn night. Perhaps because she was so gentle and understood her well, Song Yuhang tolerated her stubbornness and all her bad temper, making her feel emotionally content with someone like that by her side. Unconsciously, she wrinkled her nose slightly, revealing a yful side, with a hint of sweet potato crumbs at the corner of her lips. As for me, didnt you say it yourself? The words honesty dont exist in my life dictionary Her trailing tone was cut off by an unexpected action. In Lin Yans pupils, that face grewrger andrger, until a gust of wind extinguished the candlelight, leaving everything in silence. Her lips were touched in a lightning-fast motion, and the tiny sweet potato crumb had vanished. Song Yuhang blushed, and even someone experienced in the matters of love couldnt help but blush. Lin Yan, Ive thought it over. How about you?
LP: Song Yuhang, so bold! If Lin Yan rejects her, Song Yuhang can be mine
Chapter 56-1 Chapter 56-1 Sleeping Together Lin Yan didnt answer her, holding half a roasted sweet potato in her hand, feeling unsure about what to do. In the dim candlelight, there was a hint of moisture in his eyes. Song Yuhang noticed that she wasnt speaking and didnt rush her; she had plenty of patience. However Her eyes darkened slightly. The soft touch had been so delightful; she was both thrilled and wanted to experience it again. She thought, this time it had tost longer, even longer. The sensation of truly kissing was even more wonderful than the gentle touch of fingertips. With these thoughts in mind, she indeed took action. Unexpectedly, Lin Yan gave her no opportunity for a surprise attack. She pushed her away and then turned to run. Song Yuhang chased after her. Just as they reached the bamboo grove, the elderly woman happened to be carrying firewood into the area. The two of them rushed past her like the wind. Song Yuhang chased after her. Just as she reached the bamboo grove, the rain had started to subside. She grabbed her, saying, Lin Yan! Lin Yan turned around and, as if electrocuted, shook her off, avoiding her like a snake. She took two steps back and bumped into the bamboo. Rainwater poured down on them, drenching both of them. Song Yuhang still wanted to approach, but Lin Yans voice suddenly became sharp. She called out, Song Yuhang, are you insane? She had to stop and said, Im not insane; Ive thought it through. Thought it through? Lin Ge is my brother, and youre his girlfriend. What are you thinking? What are you thinking? Lin Yan became somewhat agitated, with a hint of redness in the corners of her eyes. Im not his girlfriend. I didnt agree to that, Song Yuhang shook her head honestly and took a step forward, trying to reach out to her. Lin Yan hesitated for a moment and instinctively dodged, Then what about the time you spent together on Qixi (Chinese Valentines Day)? Song Yuhang realized that she had misunderstood and smiled bitterly, That was just a regr gathering of friends, I had no feelings for him. Lin Yan felt aplicated mix of emotions, a moment of heartache for Lin Ge, and a fleeting sense of joy at her exnation, although she knew it was wrong. She was torn between love and family. Being uninterested? Do you know how Lin Ge feels about you? What would he think of us like this? Song Yuhang, not many people treat me well, Lin Ge is one of them, and I dont want to hurt him. Perhaps her inner struggle was too evident in her eyes. Song Yuhang felt a pang in her heart, turned away topose herself, and quickly turned back. Lin Yan, when we return to Jiangcheng, Ill talk to him and make everything clear. Lin Yan retorted mockingly, What did you say? What did you say? That you like his cousin, want to kiss her, and want to sleep with her? If I were Lin Ge, Id be fucking Her words suddenly stopped as she realized that something was amiss. The words had already left her mouth, and she wished she could bite her own tongue. Song Yuhang had a smile in her eyes by now. See, you understand too. It couldnt be clearer. She paused for a moment and continued, I feel that youre the same way towards me Before she could finish, Lin Yan picked up a bamboo branch and hurled it at her, drenching her with rainwater. Bullshit! Song Yuhang raised her hand to shield herself, wiped the water off her face, her eyes burning, and her smile open. She wasnt angry; the more Lin Yan reacted this way, the more it confirmed that she had hit upon her true feelings. Alright, if you think Im talking nonsense, then Ill give you an example, Song Yuhang became more serious. Just now when I kissed you, you could have dodged, but you didnt As she recalled that moment, she held Lin Yans wrist, slightly tilted her head, and saw a mix of surprise, joy, excitement, and a hint of affection in Lin Yans eyes. It was as if all the beauty of a lifetime had been poured into this moment. Song Yuhang licked her lips, as if savoring the moment, and said, In that instant, I felt your pulse, and your heart rate exceeded a hundred beats per minute. Your vagus nerve was extremely excited, causing your heart rate to elerate. She was now in a highly excited state, no better than Lin Yan. As adrenaline rises, pores expand, blood flow increases, which is why your face turned red, and then your body produces a hormone called phenlanine, leading to a feeling of joy Lin Yan, youre a forensic doctor, I dont need to exin much, do I? Lin Yan couldnt take it anymore and said, Song Yuhang, cant you use your professional knowledge somewhere else?! Song Yuhang blinked, with a slightly innocent look, There are also microexpressions, behavioral psychology, and other things that support my conclusion. Do you want me to exin it slowly to you Lin Yan roared, Get lost, shut up! Song Yuhang obediently closed her mouth, keeping silent. Lin Yan, looking at how she obeyed her words, became even more frustrated. Why was this person so stubborn? Song Yuhang was the most stubborn one, the number one stubborn mule in the world!!! She was so angry that her face felt hot, but she found herself unable to refute what Song Yuhang said. Lin Yan couldnt take it any longer and turned to leave. Song Yuhang caught up with her again, grabbing her wrist, with a hint of caution in her eyes, Where are you going? Its not safe to go down the mountain now Lin Yan took a deep breath and Song Yuhang spoke up just as she was about to explode in anger, Im sorry, I was abrupt. Song Yuhang scratched her head, looking somewhat troubled, Its the first time Ive developed feelings for someone, and the person happens to be a girl. I dont know how to handle this Dont be angry. If you dont like this, I wont kiss you in the future. Lin Yan felt her temples throbbing and felt like she was on the verge of being driven to anger. Is this the matter of kissing or not? She lowered her voice, her anger evident. What kind of rtionship do we have? Why do you assume that I also like you? Yes, I admit I have those physical instincts you mentioned, but that doesnt mean I have a chemical reaction with you, do you understand? Song Yuhang gradually tightened her lips, and her gaze turned colder. Lin Yan looked away from her, speaking with difficulty, Ive had those instincts with every lover Ive been with. You She struggled to say, At best, youre just one of them. Song Yuhang released Lin Yans wrist and regained herposurepletely. She asked, What will it take for you to agree, to confront your feelings? Without waiting for Lin Yans response, she walked impatiently among the trees, then abruptly stopped in front of her. The issue you raised about Lin Ge, Ill handle it properly, so dont worry. Lin Yan moved her lips, and Song Yuhang leaned forward, covering her mouth. Her eyes dimmed slightly. Stop talking, Im feeling a bit sad, Lin Yan forced a smile and then stepped back, distancing herself from Song Yuhang. Although I dont know how to treat you well or how to get closer to warm your heart, I wont give up. Whether you see me as your colleague, friend,rade, or lover, it doesnt matter. Just dont reject me, give me the right to pursue you. Lovers can also be official, cant they? A trace of bitterness was chewed out of the smile that habitually hung on Lin Yans lips. Her heart softened, and her eyes welled up, but she looked away, bit her lip a few times, and held back the tears. Song Yuhang came over to pull her, but she maintained her boundaries, gently tugging on her sleeve. Lets go, get some sleep Tomorrow we still have a case to handle. * * * Jiangcheng City. Another heavy rain showered the city in the evening. Bai Ling got up to close the windows. Just as she had closed the only window in the shabby tile-roofed house, she heard a series of rapid coughing soundsing from her mother lying in bed. She hurried over, fetched a cup of warm water, and helped her sit up, saying, Mom, have some water. Are you feeling unwell again? As soon as she finished speaking, her mothers cough suddenly became sharp. She spat a mouthful of blood into the cup. Panicked, Bai Ling patted her mothers back, Mom, Mom, whats wrong with you? Ill go get you some medicine get you some medicine The water cup fell to the ground as Bai Ling frantically searched through drawers, looking for a thin strip of pills. However, when she tried to put it in her mothers mouth, she found her jaws tightly clenched. Her frail mothery on the bed, less substantial than the teddy bear she had found in a garbage heap. Her eyes rolled back, foam came out of her mouth, and her body convulsed. A foul odor emanated from beneath the bedsheets. Bai Ling cried out, Mom! Mom! Hang on a little longer. Ill go get help! She pushed open the iron gate and ran out into the alley, knocking on doors one by one, shouting, Is anyone there? Is anyone there? Uncle, Uncle, please help my mom Go away, go away! Where did this beggar childe from? Get lost, get lost! The lights in one household flickered on and off. Bai Ling, braving the pouring rain, ran to the next house, crying and shouting, Auntie, Auntie, please save my mom. Shes not doing well not doing well A woman gave her a disdainful look and mmed the door shut with a loud bang, saying, Are you crazy?! Uncle, Uncle can you please help take my mom to the hospital? Shes not doing well, shes not please, please She knelt in the rain, bowing to her neighbors, knocking her head against the ground. The man threw a couple of hundred yuan out from behind the rain curtain, with a reluctant expression. Its not that Uncle wont help you youre our neighbor, and my wife often gives your family vegetables, right? But its bad luck to have someone die halfway through. Uncle drives a taxi, after all He seemed unable to bear to watch any longer and closed the door, but his wife pulled him inside, and the house resounded with arguments and shouting. Youre meddling again! Meddling again! And you even gave her money?! Are you eyeing that little slut, huh?! Are you?! The sounds of the womans crying and the mans furious roars, apanied by the tter of pots and pans falling to the ground, striking hard against her heart. Bai Ling stood up, turned to run, then turned back to pick up the two hundred yuan bill floating in the water. She clutched it tightly and rushed into her home. Mom, Mom, Ill take you to the hospital, to the hospital! She said, tears streaming down her face. She wrapped her mother in a bedsheet, put a raincoat on her, and tied it tightly around herself. Years of suffering from illness had already reduced a middle-aged woman in her forties to a state barely recognizable. Bai Ling ran while carrying her, frantically trying to g down a passing car. Help! Help! Driver, stop the car stop the car She shouted hoarsely in the rain, getting sshed with mud by passing vehicles. She sat down in the mud, holding her mother, using her hand to touch her cold face. Tears mixed with raindrops fell down like broken beads. Mom Mom She could hardly speak. You have to hold on you cant die you promised if you die, I wont have any family left in this world Mom Mom look at me again look at me She pressed her face tightly against her mother, crying incoherently. Seeing that the rain was getting heavier and no one was stopping their vehicles, some even honking and cursing at her to get out of the way, Bai Ling, with her heart ashen, lifted her mother and took slow steps forward. At that moment, a car stopped in front of her, and a man holding an umbre got out. He was dressed in ck, his face obscured. She raised her eyes to look at him, Mister The man uttered only two words, Get in. In the hospital, the lights in the emergency room went out, and the doctor came out to announce the final result. Bai Ling dropped to the ground, clutching the doctors legs, wailing, Please save her, save her, I beg you, I beg you. In my next life, I will work hard to earn money for you, be your servant, be your servant In the deep corridor, the man pushed a wheelchair with a child sitting in it. The child turned around and said, Shes very pitiful. The man smiled, ruffled the childs freshly shaved head, and said, Living in this world, who isnt pitiful? But it doesnt matter. She will soon be free, and you, my little princess, will be reborn.
Chapter 56-2 Chapter 56-2 Sleeping Together In the elderly womans home, the ce is notrge. The boys voluntarily crowded into the firewood room, leaving only one heated brick bed (kang) in the main room. The elderly woman insisted on giving it to the girls for sleeping. Song Yuhang repeatedly refused, No, no. I think theres a wooden board in the kitchen, we can tidy it up and manage to sleep there. One bed for two people is already crowded, let alone three people. Lin Yan took the initiative, Fang Xin, lets sleep together. Fang Xin pulled the old woman, Oh, forget it. Ive already reserved it. Its better for me to sleep with granny here. The elderly woman looked at them, a smile appearing in her eyes. This thatched cottage hadnt been so lively in a long time. She muttered something again, leaving several people confused. Song Yuhang pushed Lin Yan out. Lets go, well sleep in the kitchen. Lin Yan looked unwilling, Who wants to sleep with you The elderly woman followed them, carrying a nket and wiping the hard wooden board with a cloth repeatedly before cing it for them, making their bed. She gestured and eximed, and Song Yuhang roughly understood her meaning, Are you saying that if it gets cold, we should light the fire in the kitchen stove, close the door at night to prevent rain from leaking in? The elderly woman nodded repeatedly, and Song Yuhang felt relieved, a soft smile forming at the corner of her lips, Thank you. The elderly woman waved her hand, signaling them to rest and gently closed the door for them. Song Yuhang spread ayer of straw on the ground, and Lin Yan watched her busily, asking, What are you doing? She raised her gaze, a hint of mischievousness in her smile, Im sleeping on the floor. Unless you want to share a bed with me? Lin Yan casually picked up a piece of firewood from the pile and threw it. Get out. Song Yuhang froze for a moment. Thisdy is so ruthless? She touched her nose, Well, Lin Yan, you see, its so dark outside, its raining, and there are wolves roaming around at night. Isnt it unsafe for me to sleep outside? Lin Yan smirked, Are you, Officer Song, afraid of danger? Arent you the one who likes to meddle in dangerous situations? Alright, Song Yuhang epted her fate. She began to pack her things, taking her lighter and sidearm with her, preparing to spend the night outside. Lin Yan watched her in action, Youll do whatever I say? Has your brain been eaten by a dog? Song Yuhang took out a cigarette from her bag and lit it, saying casually, Well, what else can I do? I dont even know how to truly treat you well. You dontck money or people. Maybe this way, I can leave some impression on you. She was being self-deprecating and brought up that matter again. Lin Yan was speechless, and Song Yuhangs words made her temples throb with frustration. She pointed her finger outside. Get out and give me five minutes of peace! Song Yuhang turned to look at her, feeling a bit pleased and a bit puzzled. You What are you going to do? Lin Yan grabbed the cigarette box from the bed and threw it at her, saying, Change clothes! Song Yuhang took the cigarette box and happily went outside to smoke. Duan Cheng, still half asleep, came out from the firewood room, feeling parched and thinking of getting some water from the kitchen. However, someone stopped him. He rubbed his eyes, Oh, Captain Song, youre not sleeping yet at this hour? Song Yuhang shook her head, No, not yet, in a while. He tried to move forward again but was pulled back, Hey, wait a moment, dont go in just yet. Whats the matter? Dr. Lin is inside Song Yuhang hesitated, Shes changing clothes inside. Duan Chengs eyes immediately lit up, and he excitedly rubbed his hands together. Song Yuhang could tell exactly what he was thinking, so she threw the cigarette and yfully scolded him, pushing him back. Alright, hurry back to sleep. Duan Cheng took a couple of steps, then doubled back to whisper in her ear, Dont you think Dr. Lin has an angelic face and a devilish figure? Shes like the female protagonist straight out of a manga Song Yuhang stepped away a bit, feeling a bit embarrassed by hisments. She certainly knew that Lin Yan had a great figure, and she wasnt just aware; she had even touched it. Alright, alright, go back to sleep quickly! Duan Cheng chuckled a couple of times and then swiftly ran back. After pushing open the door to the firewood room, Zheng Chengruisputer was still on. He yawned and sat down, Old Zheng, youre not sleeping yet? Zheng Chengrui, wearing sses, didnt turn around, Hmm, myputer got wet. Im fixing it, or else it wont be usable tomorrow. Duan Chengy down, turned over, and said, Okay, once youre done, get some sleep early too. Alright. After Duan Cheng left, Song Yuhang hadnt initially considered that direction. However, hisments had unexpectedly stirred up restless thoughts within her. It felt like an unruly ant had infiltrated her bloodstream, coursing through her every fiber, making her uneasy. Desire, once it breaches a barrier, bes difficult to shut offpletely. Song Yuhang paced back and forth, and as time passed by, even smoking couldnt relieve her restlessness. Until a thought suddenly crossed her mind, what if it doesnt matter, right? She swallowed nervously, her body overpowered by her soul, and she discreetly nced at the crack in the wooden door. Lin Yan smirked, Nice view? Ah! The wooden door swung wide open, and she stumbled right in, with someone grabbing her cor and giving her head a good beating. Fang Xin listened to themotion in the next room and silently put on earplugs, thinking to herself, Damn, this is way too intense. Do they even care about letting people sleep? These young couples interests are something us single folks dont understand. Lin Yan let out a sigh of frustration, then grabbed her mechanical baton andy down on the bed, fully dressed, refusing to look at her. Song Yuhang slowly moved to the edge of the bed, touched her swollen cheek, and said, Uh Lin Yan, can I discuss something with you? With a thud, the mechanical baton sprang out again, and Song Yuhang quickly took a step back. No its not Can we not fight next time? Lin Yan turned over and didnt respond to her. Song Yuhang smiled, went to ignite the fire in the stove, added more firewood, put in some charcoal, and spread some ashes to ensure it would burn throughout the night. She returned, sitting on the floor beside the bed. Lin Yan moved aside a bit and said coldly, Come up. Her tone remainedmanding. However, Song Yuhangs lips curved into a smile, and she didnt refuse. She climbed up. Feeling the warmth beside her, Lin Yan moved a bit further inside. Although it was a single bed, it seemed to have a gxy dividing it. Song Yuhang looked at her head; her hair behind her ears was still a little damp, scattered on the bedding. She was wearing something thin, just a white shirt, with faintly visible ck shoulder straps. Sleep. Lin Yan said so, and Song Yuhang shared most of the nket with her, turning her back to her own side. Okay, good night. In thetter part of the night, Lin Yan was awakened by the cold. Rainwater was leaking through the roof, and the raindrops were making a pinging sound as they hit the iron pot on the stove. The mountain weather was damp and chilly, and even with a thick nket, she was covered in goosebumps. Her feet felt like they were soaking in ice, and the hard wooden bed was making her ufortable, causing pain in her joints. She kept drifting in and out of sleep, repeatedly waking up from the cold, and unconsciously moved closer to the only source of warmth. Song Yuhang looked at her shivering in her arms, Cold? Lin Yan closed her eyes; herplexion was somewhat pale, and her teeth were chattering. She was shivering all over, as cold as ice. Song Yuhang held her tightly, resting her chin on Lin Yans forehead without saying a word. Lin Yan felt as if she had been walking in a snowy wilderness, and suddenly, warmth enveloped her. She jolted awake. Song Mmm Song Yuhang covered her mouth, signaling her not to speak, Im holding you. Itll be warmer. Go to sleep. Lin Yan struggled, her eyes turning red, but she was held so tightly by Song Yuhang that almost half of her body was pressed against her. This wasnt just about keeping warm; it was clear that Song Yuhang, you shameless person! Taking advantage of someone in trouble! Lin Yan finally managed to pry her hands off, but then Song Yuhang held her by the nape of her neck. Song Yuhangs hand caressed the vertebrae in her neck, with a hint of intimacy. Her voice was a bit hoarse, Dont move recklessly. If you keep moving like that, youll see what real taking advantage of someone in trouble looks like. With her vital point held in Song Yuhangs grasp, Lin Yan fell silent, her eyes reddened with a sense of grievance. Song Yuhang returned to her original position, and in passing, she settled a score with a satisfying beating, feeling quite pleased with herself. She grabbed Lin Yans hand and ced it on her abdomen. Lin Yan was taken aback, and her words became incoherent, W-what Im not that kind of person Song Yuhang rolled her eyes, Right, youre not that kind of person. I just wanted you to warm your hands. Dont think too much. The warmest parts of the body are probably the armpits and the belly. Lin Yan was held there by Song Yuhang and didnt dare to move. Song Yuhang, on the other hand, closed her eyes and remained still. It was very warm, that was Lin Yans first reaction. Hmm, the muscles were toned and textured, and this person had put more effort into her abdominal muscles than Lin Yan Lin Yan felt a little sore and couldnt help but caress back and forth. Song Yuhang suddenly opened her eyes, firmly holding Lin Yans hand. She gritted her teeth, and there was a hint of danger in her eyes, Dont want to sleep? With Song Yuhang acting like this, Lin Yan was surprisingly unafraid. She knew that this person was actually quite stern and reserved. Without her consent, she wouldnt do anything to her. Once the crisis was averted, the sly fox spirit in her came back out. Lin Yan hugged her openly, wrapped her legs around her waist, and buried her head in Song Yuhangs neck. Sleep, its a free human mattress. Why arent you sleeping? Song Yuhangs chest rose and fell, and she wrinkled the nket, taking a few deep breaths to suppress her palpitations. She gripped the back of Lin Yans neck, her tone stern but her actions gentle. One of these days, youll y yourself to death.
Chapter 57-1 Chapter 57-1 Past In thetter half of the night, Lin Yan found herself sleepingfortably, but Song Yuhang was feeling ufortable. She was half in a dream and half awake until daybreak. When she woke up early in the morning, her arms were numb. She moved slightly, and Lin Yan followed by curling up next to her. One hand was tugging at her shirts cor, the other hand rested on her waist, and his legs were on her thighs. His sleeping position was not very honest. The shirt cor was slightly loose, and Song Yuhang noticed it inadvertently, and her breath caught. As the outside world was getting brighter and the rain had stopped, faint voices could be heard from outside. Song Yuhang pinched her nose and said, Lazy cat, its time to get up. Lin Yan subconsciously pped her palm across and itnded on her face, muttering something in her mouth, telling her not to make noise. Song Yuhang chuckled, grasped her hand, and pinched it, saying, If you dont get up soon, someone will be here. Lin Yan, still half-asleep, opened her eyes drowsily, rubbed her eyes, slightly dazed. When she finally saw Song Yuhangs face, she suddenly pulled her hand back and tried to get up. Song Yuhang held her without letting go and said, Just a little longer, just a little longer. Didnt you hold me all nightst night? Lin Yan, embarrassed and angry, had her wrist held firmly, and without thinking, she tried to bite her. Song Yuhang hid, and the bedsheets were thrown into a chaotic mess. When Duan Cheng entered the room, he happened to see her pressing Lin Yan beneath her, with Lin Yan biting her shoulder. Duan Cheng, holding an enamel basin1, covered his eyes with one hand and, with an exmation of Aima!, quickly took a step back as if he had stepped on andmine. Both individuals on the bed turned their heads to look at him, and Lin Yans hand gripped a mechanical baton. Duan Cheng swiftly retreated, nodding and bowing, closing the door for them, saying, You can continue, continue, I didnt see anything. As soon as he finished speaking, the mechanical baton mmed against the door with a loud thud. At the same time. Pa! Song Yuhang covered her face and sat up, looking very wronged, because she couldnt speak properly due to the pain. Lin Yan, didnt we agree not to p faces? Lin Yan gave a cold snort, got out of bed, and sat on the edge, fastening the buttons of her shirt. Old habits die hard. Deserved to be pped. Song Yuhang opened her mouth and watched as Lin Yan meticulously buttoned her shirt, slowly tilting her head back. Regardless of how you put it, there was a hint of that something in the gesture. She still missed the feeling of the hand pinching the back of her neck, pouting. Lin Yans temple pulsed for a moment, and she immediately fastened the topmost button, picked up her mechanical baton, and stormed out of the room with a murderous air. Duan Cheng was squatting by the well, gossiping with the others, speaking animatedly. When he saw her approaching from a distance, he dropped the enamel cup he was holding and ran around the house beams. Sister Lin, Sister Lin, Im sorry, its not its not, I really knocked on the door, I knocked on the door! Its just that you didnt hear, ahhhh, Murder! Help me!!!! Listening to the cries and howls outside, Song Yuhang shook her head, smiled helplessly, and prepared to tidy up the bedding to return it to the elderly woman. Last night, it was pitch dark, and Song Yuhang couldnt see much. However, now as she touch this nket, she find it exceptionally clean and neat. The pattern is simple, but the stitching is delicate, with not a single loose thread. It doesnt look like it was handmade. She looked around this rundown thatched hut, and she couldnt imagine the elderly woman living here could afford such a nket. She bent down, turned on her shlight, and carefully examined the nket. After flipping it over, she finally found a smallbel at the bottom: Jiangbei Weaving. Song Yuhang took out her phone and took a picture. * * * In the autumn, there is a lot of farm work to be done. If the elderly woman were to work alone, she would be busy untilte at night. But now, several young and strongborers have arrived. Early in the morning, the police officers, along with another police officer (the one from Wuli Town), have gone out to herd sheep. Zheng Chengrui helps split firewood. He might be a bit on the plump side, but he still has some strength. As for Fang Xin, she carries a basket and helps the elderly woman gather fruits, vegetables, and tend to the garden, including fertilizing. Lin Yan finishes her morning routine and, with nothing else to do, she picks up some stones and sits on the porch, targeting the frogs that are frolicking in the garden after the recent rain. She asionally throws a few at Duan Chengs head, thoroughly enjoying the game. Duan Cheng, with teary eyes, says, Captain Song, Sister Lin not only has a lot of energy but also has a tendency for violence. How have you put up with her for so long? Song Yuhangs handprint is still visible on her face because its swollen, and she speaks with some difficulty, almost incoherent, on the verge of tears. Lets not talk about it. Lets repair the door Chasing after girls is indeed quite challenging. It not only requires a strong mental fortitude but also a robust physique. As they finished speaking, two more stones suddenly flew through the air and hit them on the head. Lin Yan held the stones and said in a displeased tone, Do you think I couldnt hear it? Both of them turned their faces away at the same time. While they were talking, the elderly woman brought a bowl of freshly cooked goats milk from the kitchen and gestured for her to drink. Lin Yan was taken aback and said, This The elderly woman insisted and ced the bowl in her hands, making empty-handed gestures, with a slightly anxious expression. She knew that the city girl, although delicate, had a good heart, and she might not be ustomed to the food in the countryside. Therefore, in the morning, she specially squeezed some goats milk for her to drink. The events ofst night were still vivid in Lin Yans memory. She felt a bit embarrassed and, seeing that no one was watching her, she discreetly took a small sip from the bowl. It was surprisingly delicious, not overly sweet like cows milk. Lin Yan wasnt sure what the elderly woman added while cooking, but there seemed to be a hint of tea fragrance, perfectly bncing the gaminess of the goats milk. Lin Yan really liked it and her eyes lit up with a smile. Seeing her enjoyment, the elderly woman also smiled contentedly. After Lin Yan had finished the first bowl, the elderly woman patted her hand and went back to the kitchen. Lin Yan didnt understand her intentions until she returned with another bowl, holding a cloth soaked with well water, and pointed towards Song Yuhang, indicating that Lin Yan should take it to her. Lin Yan hesitated, I dont want to go The elderly woman firmly handed the bowl and cloth into her hands, gently pushing her forward a few steps. In front of the elderly woman, Lin Yan couldnt bring herself to act, so she took a few reluctant steps forward. Song Yuhang had already noticed her. Here, Lin Yan reluctantly extended her arm, offering it to her. Song Yuhang leaned against the swaying wooden door, her hands not empty, and said, I wont drink it; you have it. Drink it if I offer it to you! Lin Yans spoiled temperament red up again. Duan Cheng chuckled, and just as Fang Xin called them for dinner, he handed all the responsibility over to Song Yuhang and quickly ran away. Outside the door, only two people were left. Song Yuhangughed, a thinyer of sweat on her forehead. Look at me, I really cant rx. If I let go, the door might copse. In the morning, Lin Yan had made a gap in the kitchen door using her mechanical baton. So they had brought some wood and fashioned it into a wooden nk. Since the door was already on the verge of falling apart, they decided to dismantle it and repair it from scratch. Thinking about this, Lin Yan felt somewhat ufortable and averted her gaze. Then turn around. Song Yuhang put down the iron hammer in her hand, not understanding what was happening. Nevertheless, she turned around as Lin Yan suggested, leaning her back against the door. Whats going on? As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Yan had already brought the bowl to her lips. Drink it. Song Yuhang was taken aback, and a soft smile appeared at the corner of her lips. She sipped it delicately from Lin Yans hand. When she reached the bottom of the bowl, due to the height difference, Lin Yan had to raise her toes slightly, carefully holding the bowl to avoid spilling it on Song Yuhang. Inside the house, Duan Cheng was using chopsticks to pick at the noodles in his bowl and, through the crack in the door,mented, Looks like shes feeding a dog. The grassroots police officer sighed, Captain Song and Dr. Lin really have a great rtionship. A few people knowinglyughed and the police officer was puzzled. He asked, Why are you allughing? Isnt it true? Fang Xin nodded seriously and said, I think youre right. The close bond between Captain Song and Dr. Lin is truly admirable, like a sisterly revolutionary friendship. Several people couldnt stopughing, and the police officer became even more bewildered. He had no choice but to join in theughter with them. As the bowl of goats milk reached the bottom, Song Yuhang felt content, with a warm feeling in her stomach. She licked her lips, as if she hadnt had enough. In the early morning, the sunlight was beautiful, and the rays filtered through the trees. asionally, you could hear the calls of frogs and the sounds of insects, with lush greenery all around. Water droplets from the leaves fell into small puddles, creating ripples. In such an environment, even the most agitated feelings would be remarkably calm. Lin Yan was no exception. In fact, she didnt like Song Yuhang at first. She thought Song Yuhang was old-fashioned, inflexible, and overly meddlesome, always trying to right wrongs. Their worldviews and approaches to life were miles apart. However, as they spent time together in recent days, Lin Yan slowly discovered her strengths. Behind the old-fashioned demeanor is the day-to-day dedication to ones professional work, strict and serious. Behind the inflexibility is the mark of a true gentlewoman, doing as one pleases while staying within bounds. Behind the meddling to right wrongs is a deep-seated kindness that runs in her bones. Gentle, kind, meticulous, serious, practical, asionally revealing a youthful spirit, and always maintaining a passion and original intent for life. All the positive adjectives Lin Yan can think of can be used to describe her. On this morning, she suddenly felt a deep and longsting affection, growing gradually stronger. Even the uneven, somewhat prickly short hair behind her ears became charming to her. Lin Yan took a step closer. Song Yuhang turned around, asking, What Before she could finish her sentence, her face felt a cool sensation. Lin Yan had gently ced a towel on her face, crumpled it and pressed it back and forth, whispering, Does it hurt? The well water was very cool, but her heart felt warm.
LP: Its happening! ( > < )
  1. An enamel basin. My grandma has so many of this
Chapter 57-2 Chapter 57-2 Past Song Yuhang shook her head and said, It doesnt hurt. Lin Yan lowered her gaze, not looking at her, and said, Next time, if theres a next time, dont indulge me like this. Ive never had a good temper to begin with From childhood to now, nobody ever taught me these things. My father only knows how to hold and console Lin Cheng, while for me, its either scolding or hitting. The servants always said strict discipline was good for me. ording to them, hitting means love, and scolding means care; he still has a ce for me in his heart. I believed it, and I treated people around me the same way until I grew a little older She hesitated for a moment, her long eyshes trembling. Someone told me that its not right to do this, that love should be expressed in the right way, but I cant change now. Lin Yan gave a bitter smile, saying, So, please dont indulge me. I tend to take things too far and exploit the situation. Song Yuhang stopped her movements, tilted her head slightly to look at her, and softly called her name, Lin Yan. Whats wrong? Lin Yan wiped away the sweat that had slipped down her cheek. Song Yuhang tightly held her hand and swallowed nervously, I, I want to kiss you. Lin Yans expression changed rapidly, and she pped a towel onto her face and simultaneously kicked her knee hard. Song Yuhang hopped in pain, and the wooden door that hadnt been properly secured came crashing down on her head, creating a cloud of dust mixed with her cries. Several people in the room exchanged nces and shook their heads in unison, saying, Captain Song is in quite a miserable state because of a girl. Fang Xin had an annoyed expression and said, I used to consider Captain Song as my role model when I first entered the municipal bureau. She was the pride of all the female police officers in Jiangcheng. And now, what is this, a Husky? Duan Cheng observed for a while and said, Its not a Husky; its a milk dog, the kind that only barks at Sister Lin. Zheng Chengrui adjusted his sses and made a final judgment, In life, be like Doctor Lin. Punch the bullies, kick your superiors, and still have money and influence at home. All three of them nodded in agreement, saying, I think youre right. * * * After having breakfast and fixing the door, Song Yuhang scooped some water from the well to wash her hands. She used a corner of her own clothes to wipe herself off and then went into the kitchen to assist the elderly woman with her nkets. At the same time, she took the opportunity to ask her about the matter. There was no phone signal in the mountains, and they had lost contact with the outside world. The only way to make calls was with a satellite phone, and Zheng Chengrui was still busy with hisputer. The others all sat down around a brazier to keep warm. Song Yuhang held the elderly womans hand and inquired, Grandmother, do you have any other rtives? Why dont you live in the city? At the mention of this, the elderly womans eyes welled up again. She wiped away a tear and unsteadily got off the kang, fetching a photo album from an old, worn-out chest. She opened it and began turning its pages one by one. The album was quite worn on the outside, but inside, it was very clean, filled with ck and white photographs. After spending the night, the police officers had picked up some local dialect basics and could barely understand a few words, which they tranted for the elderly woman. Grandmother says that her family is no longer here. This is her husband The police officer pointed to the photo of a man with a crew cut, and the elderlydy nodded, wiping away tears. This is her daughter The police officer paused again before continuing, She got married and moved to the provincial capital, and she hasnte back since. Lin Yan coldly snorted and said, Those heartless creatures might as well be dead outside, who knows. Song Yuhang pulled her to signal that she shouldnt speak out of turn. Lin Yan was still unwilling, but the other party narrowed her eyes slightly, with a hint of threat in her gaze, and put her index finger to her lips. I Lin Yan clenched her teeth and swallowed her words. Song Yuhang then pointed to a photo of a young boy in the pictures and asked, What about this one? The elderly woman wiped her tears with her hand and shook her head. Fang Xin quickly handed her a piece of paper. When it came to her son, the elderly woman was ovee with tears, saying, He was seven or eight years old He fell seriously ill, and we couldnt get him to the hospital in time The police officer looked at Song Yuhang and ryed the information to her. Song Yuhang gently patted the elderly womans back tofort her. Lin Yan took the photo album from the elderly womansp and continued flipping through it, suddenly pausing. She seemed almost in disbelief, took out her phone, opened the photo album, and looked again. Then she handed her phone and the album to Song Yuhang. Take a look. Is this the same person? Several people gathered around to look. In the photo, three young men stood shoulder to shoulder, approximately in their early twenties. They were all wearing tank tops, T-shirts, and shorts, with straw hats on their heads, and the background was a vast expanse of golden farnd. The two on the left and right looked remarkably simr, clearly brothers, while the one in the middle was holding a piece of dogtail grass, disying a somewhat carefree and unrestrained expression. His facial features bore a striking resemnce to the picture on Lin Yans phone. It was a young Yu Xinye from years ago. The elderly woman looked at the photo on the phone, and with a hint of surprise, she eximed, Ah, this is my nephew Truly a case of finding something when you least expect it, and without much effort. Song Yuhang was slightly excited as she asked, Are you sure? Did your nephew also die in the mine disaster twenty years ago? The elderly woman, with hesitation, nodded and, looking at the people in uniforms in the room, she grabbed Song Yuhangs hand and asked in the local dialect, What happened to Ye Wazi? Several people exchanged nces, and Song Yuhang reassured her, Its nothing. Were just conducting a routine inquiry. So, over these years, with no close rtives and limited ie, how have you been managing your life? At this point, a hint of contentment appeared on the elderly womans face, The government provides subsistence allowance, and the crops I grow are enough to eat. Besides my daughter-inw sends things to the towns post office from time to time Song Yuhang touched the nket on the bed and asked, Is this from her as well? The elderly woman nodded and said, Ah a couple of times. Since Yu Xinye had a wife, why isnt she listed in the household registration? Lin Yan keenly noticed a discrepancy. The elderly woman blushed slightly and replied, They got married early, and at that time, in the countryside, marriage certificates werentmon. They celebrated with a simple feast. Song Yuhang pointed to the remaining two young men in the photo and asked her, What about these two? The elderly woman looked at the photo, her expression showing a hint of nostalgia. Her son passed away early, and her daughter married young. They relied on her nephew and herself to manage their ten-plus acres of farnd, working from dawn till dusk, day in and day out. This continued until those two educated youth arrived in Xiaohe Vige. During that time, they promoted the system of responsibility for contractednd and collective farming. As orphans and a widow, nobody was willing to help them. Auntie, once we finish plowing this acre, we can head back and rest. With the moon high in the sky, Yu Xinye wiped the sweat from his forehead and continued digging with a spade. Hey! What would you like to eat when we get back? Auntie will cook for you. Too much trouble, just have some noodles. As they were talking,ughter came from the field across the road. Some locals were teasing the newly arrived educated youth. Look at this tender young one, are you a girl? Oh my, look at you, youre even blushing! Get lost! Dont touch my little brother! As the boy cried out in distress, the young woman, who was still in her prime, grabbed a sickle and rushed out, shouting, Hey?! Whats going on here? Youre done with your work? Bullying city folks who have no shame, are you?! Well, if it isnt the old widow. Several young people begrudgingly withdrew their hands. Yu Xinye also jumped up to the field and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a towel. Hurry up and leave, or Ill report you to the vige head. Alright, well count you as tough. The leader of the troublemakers shoved the young man they were bothering, then spat on the ground a few times before swaggering away. Younger brother, are you okay? The boy lying on the ground had a big bruise on his forehead. He shook his head and, without a word, returned to his own field, just like the elderly woman and the young child. If youre fine, then get up. We wont have food tomorrow if we dont finish our work today. The older boy helped him up. They worked until the moon gradually set, and as they were preparing to finish for the day, the other group was still busy in their field. The young boy who had been beaten turned back to look, but the older one pulled him forward. Lets go, lets go, its time to go back to sleep. The younger boy stopped in his tracks, Brother, lets go help them. Eh, you Before he could finish his sentence, the younger boy had already grabbed a hoe and jumped down. Auntie, Ivee to help you. And so, the two brothers tended to their assigned fields during the day, and at night, they secretly helped the others. Yu Xinye would step in to assist when he saw them being mistreated, and Auntie Yu, noticing they couldnt cook and were getting thin from hunger, would share her limited food supply with them, often inviting them over for meals. Over time, they became good friends with Yu Xinye. For the two young men, who were thousands of miles away from home, Yu Xinye was not only a friend but Auntie Yu was like family to them. In that era, the connections between strangers were quite miraculous. Sometimes, it could be just a caring word, a bowl of warm porridge, or a helping hand in times of difficulty that formed the most significant warmth and concern in the hearts of two young people from the city. As the elderly woman thought about this, she felt a bit sentimental and her eyes moistened. They they are all Ye Wazis friends The three of them got along so well they could wear the same pants. Song Yuhang nodded and handed the elderly woman a piece of paper and a pen. Grandmother, can you write? The elderly woman nodded, saying, I can a little. Could you please write down the names of your nephews wife and the names of Yu Xinyes two friends so that we can verify them? The elderly woman started feeling somewhat uneasy and hesitant. What What does this mean? Lin Yan was about to speak but hesitated. Song Yuhang spoke first, spreading a well-intentioned lie, Its nothing, we work in the countys household registration department. Were conducting a poption census and, as a part of it, were also looking into the stories of the educated youth who went to the countryside back then for promotional purposes. The elderly woman didnt quite understand, but she thought that promoting something was a good thing, so she took a pen and began writing. Lin Yan signaled to her with her eyes, as if to say, Can you tell a lie without feeling guilty? Song Yuhang gave a wry smile and said, What if, instead, we tell her that her nephews wife and her nephews good friends might be involved in a series of murders? The elderly woman would have had a heart attack right then and there. After she finished writing, they took a look. The elderly womans handwriting was quite messy, and it took a while for them to decipher it. Song Yuhang asked, Is your nephews wife named Wei Fengzhen? The elderly woman nodded repeatedly, saying, Ah, ah. Song Yuhang pointed to the boy on the left and said, The older brother is called Her pupils suddenly constricted, and she said, Li Hai. And the younger brother is called Li Yang?!
Chapter 58-1 Chapter 58-1 Reunion In an open space, a satellite phone has been set up. Zheng Chengrui tinkered with it for a while and then called out to her, Captain Song, its ready. Song Yuhang ran out of the house, picked up the walkie-talkie and extended the antenna. A direct call was made to the training room at the Jiangcheng City Bureau. Zheng Chengrui typed on theputer, keeping a real-timemunication record. The blue dots on the big screen in the training room blinked, and Zhang Jinhai paced back and forth. The operator called out, Captain Zhang, Captain Song has news. Zhang Jinhai dashed over in a single stride and said, Captain Song, youve been out of contact for a whole day and night. If we dont receive any news soon, well have to send a rescue team to search the mountains. Song Yuhang smiled, but her expression was serious. We had a little ident and got stuck in the mountains. It happened to coincide with heavy rain, and all our electronic equipment got waterlogged and malfunctioned. We just managed to fix it today. Without further ado, she got straight to the point, How did the operation to capture the Beidou Industrial Park go? Zhang Jinhai furrowed his brow and replied, We spooked the snake in the grass; the operation failed. Song Yuhang thought to herself, Just as I suspected. Its alright. If it were so easy to catch him, he wouldnt be the White Whale, Zhang Jinhai was momentarily surprised, but he detected an unprecedented severity in her tone. Captain Zhang, weve been yed for a long time; its time to close the. Are you suggesting? His brain was struggling to keep up with her pace. Song Yuhang continued, Weve obtained some leads here. During his time in Xiaohe Vige, Yu Xinye had a briefmonw marriage with a woman named Wei Fengzhen, who gave birth to a daughter for him. After the mining disaster, his wife and daughter disappeared, and I suspect she changed her name and identity and left Qingan County. Go check the Jiangbei Weaving Factory, see if anyone has recently sent nkets to the post office in Wuli Town. Its a remote ce, so it should be easy to find the right person. Once you find that person, bring them in for questioning. Additionally, investigate these two individuals, Li Hai and Li Yang. If my hunch is correct, one of them must be the culprit. Not long after the phone call ended, several police cars sped out of the Jiangcheng City Bureau, racing to their destination. Song Yuhang was also preparing to descend from the mountain. Lin Yan was packing things in the room, cing the mechanical baton into a bag. Her hand reached into the side pocket of her backpack, retrieving a thumb-sized card reader. Song Yuhang came in and knocked on the door, Lin Yan, are you ready? She hesitated for a moment but still handed the card reader to her, saying, Here. Song Yuhang asked in surprise, What is this? Lin Yan put the backpack over her shoulder and replied, Evidence. Song Yuhangs pupils contracted, You Lin Yan gave a wry smile, The other day, I arrived earlier than you did. I installed a miniature camera in Li Bins room, intending to monitor and record his actions. However, it identally captured my interaction with Li Bin She paused for a moment before saying, I me myself for being too blindly confident during the abusive process, for not being able to protect him. Song Yuhang held the thin memory card, her expression difficult to discern. You could have destroyed it as if nothing had happened. Why didnt you Lin Yan shook her head, One persons actions, one persons responsibility. Its not right to let you take the me for something I did wrong. Someone should be ountable for Li Bins death, but that person shouldnt be you. Song Yuhang clutched the card reader as if it were a hot potato, torn between holding onto it and letting it go. Lin Yan walked up and lightly patted her shoulder, a hint of a cheerful smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Anyway, Ive given you the evidence, how you handle it is your business. Song Yuhang turned around and asked, Is there a possibility of capturing the face of the culprit? Lin Yans steps faltered, and the smile on her face froze. I dont know; I havent had a chance to look. Song Yuhang carefully stashed the card reader in her jacket pocket and buttoned it up before raising her eyes to look at Lin Yan. This is the evidence of the culprit, not yours, Lin Yan. I trust you. Lin Yan was taken aback, didnt say a word, and pushed the door open, striding out. Song Yuhang followed her, lifting her steps. The elderly woman heard that they were leaving, so she dug up a big bag of sweet potatoes from the back hill and pushed it into Lin Yans hands, insisting, Take it, you can have it Lin Yan politely declined, saying, No, please keep it for yourself The olddy became anxious, her eyes reddened slightly, and she continued to speak earnestly. Song Yuhang walked over and lifted the bag of sweet potatoes, carrying it on her shoulder whileforting the elderly woman. Lin Yan nced at her and said coolly, The Three Disciplines and Eight Points of Attention1, dont forget the principle of serving the people, Officer Song. Song Yuhang handed thest 200 yuan in her pocket to the olddy, saying, Im not taking it, Im buying it. Lin Yan rolled her eyes and walked away. Song Yuhang, with a snakeskin bag on her back, waved to the elderly woman and turned to leave. When they walked out of the bamboo grove and turned to look back, the elderly woman was still standing in front of the house, waving at them on tiptoe. Lin Yan felt a sharp pang from this scene, turned her head, and walked away. Song Yuhang followed her, and the two of them trailed behind. Next time, we dont know when well meet again. Why not say goodbye? Lin Yan brushed aside the overhanging branches, jumped down the slope, and said, No need. Its just a chance encounter, after all. Song Yuhang struggled to descend the slope with therge bag of sweet potatoes, feeling slightly out of breath as she moved step by step, clutching the tree for support. Its precisely because of chance encounters that they appear even more precious. Lin Yan walked ahead, and her steps faltered for a moment, but she didnt look back. Whats truly precious isnt the encounter. What is it then? Reuniting after a long separation. There are many people who can only meet once in their lifetime. As the stars revolve and the seasons change, day and night alternate on this with 510 million square kilometers, and China alone has a poption of 1.3 billion. Some statisticians have calcted the probability of two people meeting. If you can live to the age of 80, youll have roughly 29,200 days in your lifetime, and youll encounter around 1,000 people on average each day. So, the probability of a chance encounter is 0.00487. But as for reuniting with a specific person, its akin to the probability of aet colliding with Earth. Since she turned eighteen, every birthday wish Lin Yan made has been rted to a reunion. Even though she knows its impossible, she has more than once hoped for the end of the world, the turning of time, to return to the day she first met her and say, Hey, Chu Nan, long time no see. Perhaps as the investigation phase progressed, she encountered unprecedented danger and resistance, and it became easier for her to think of Chu Nan and reminisce about the past. Lin Yan was lost in thought when she heard a startled cry from Song Yuhang, Be careful! She stood on the next slope, while Song Yuhang, struggling to keep her bnce with the snakeskin bag, quickly slid down. Song Yuhang told her to hide, but without thinking, she rushed up, using her body as a buffer between her and the rocks and trees. Lin Yan was bumped against a pine tree, but the expected pain didnt follow. Song Yuhang had cushioned her with her hands. You Lin Yan was at a loss for words. However, she smiled as she usually did. She didnt smile often, and her smile was faint, like the sun on a mild autumn afternoonneither intense nor dazzling but always warm. Youre right, she said, but I think just being able to meet someone is already remarkable. Its precisely because we dont know if well ever meet again that every time, we should embrace life and each other with the same enthusiasm as the first time, making an effort not to have regrets. As they spoke, one of the team members down below called out, and Song Yuhang released her, leaving the meaning of her words for Lin Yan to savor.
  1. The Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention (Chinese: ; pinyin: Sn d jl b xing zhy) is a military doctrine that was issued in 1928 by Mao Zedong and his associates for the Chinese Red Army, who were then fighting against the Kuomintang. The contents vary slightly in different versions. One of the major distinctions of the doctrine was its respect for the civilians during wartime. The Three Main Rules of Discipline:
    • Obey orders in all your actions.()
    • Do not take a single needle or piece of thread from the masses.()
    • Turn in everything captured.()
    The Eight Points for Attention:
    • Speak politely.()
    • Pay fairly for what you buy.()
    • Return everything you borrow.()
    • Pay for anything you damage.()
    • Do not hit or swear at people.()
    • Do not damage crops.()
    • Do not take liberties with women.()
    • Do not ill-treat captives.()
Chapter 58-2 Chapter 58-2 Reunion Lin Yan leaned against a tree, with the chatter of her teammates in her ears. She raised her gaze to the empty sky, a formation of geese passed over the treetops flying southward. Regret The reason she couldnt forget the death of Chu Nan, besides wanting to uncover the truth, was there any other reason for regret? She thought there was, for the words unspoken over the years, the things they hadnt had a chance to do together; she regretted for fourteen years, the best fourteen years of her life. Now Lin Yans gaze fell on that person. She was wearing a ck training uniform, without a hat, her slightly disheveled hair piled behind her ears as she struggled to carry arge bag of sweet potatoes down the mountain. Song Yuhang didnt rush her, focused on her own path, but suddenly felt her load lighten. She turned around, and Lin Yan had held onto one side for her. Lets go. Song Yuhangs lips curved into a gentle smile. Alright. When they reached the bottom of the mountain, the police car was still parked on the side of the road, its engine having soaked overnight, undergoing emergency repairs. Song Yuhang took off his jacket, washed a few sweet potatoes in the drainage ditch, and wiped them on his clothes before handing them to her. Here, eat them raw; theyre very sweet. Use them as a cushion, or else you might get motion sickness again. Just having a bowl of goats milk in the morning is definitely not enough. Lin Yan looked somewhat disdainfully at the water in the mountain ditch, Is it safe? Of course, its pure natural spring water. Why wouldnt it be safe? To assure Lin Yan, she took a bite as a demonstration. Here, its very sweet, crunchy, and thirst-quenching. Lin Yan, with some skepticism, took it from her but hesitated to eat it. Song Yuhang couldnt help but smile at her reaction and reached over, taking one for herself. Come on, you really do live a pampered life, fussing over every little thing except for when ites to forensic work. Its really quite maddening. As she scolded, she took out a tactical knife from her pocket to peel the sweet potatoes. Lin Yan stood by and watched her busy herself. Hey, youre mistaken. The reason I dont fuss during forensic work is because Im fully equipped, and contaminants are kept at bay. If you ask me to touch a corpse with my bare hands, I wouldnt do it either. Besides, this is a wild environment now. Can you see any microorganisms or bacteria in the water? Getting an upset stomach is one thing, but ingesting parasites is a different story, Officer Song. She stretched out her words and called out, making Song Yuhangugh. She handed her the peeled sweet potato. Alright, youre quite the worrier. I shouldnt have discussed these things with a forensic expert; its killing my appetite. And what about tomato and egg stir-fry, knife-cut noodles, green bean fly stew with brain flowers, five-spice spare ribs? Have you heard of the four famous dishes in the forensic field? Lin Yan pursued relentlessly, determined to nauseate her even if she couldnt win the argument. As Duan Cheng spoke, he thought of those colorful scenes under the camera, and his face turned pale, making him feel nauseous. Officer Song, Officer Song, can you please control her? Can we even eat anymore Song Yuhang shrugged. If I could control her, do you think Id still be getting hit? Lin Yan didnt hold back. She raised an eyebrow, a slight curve at the corner of her lips, finally showing a smile from the heart she hadnt shown for days. Officer Song, the city bureau is calling. Zheng Chengrui called out. Song Yuhang rushed over with a quick step, opened the car door, and pulled out a walkie-talkie from inside. Hello, this is Song Yuhang. Did you find Li Hai? What? Hes already dead?! * * * The car was fixed and speeding along the mountain road. Song Yuhang took out a notebook from her bag and was in the midst of searching for a pen when Lin Yan already handed one over. She didnt even lift her head. Thank you. The notebook contained the new clues they had obtained, and Song Yuhang had categorized and written them neatly, making them easy to understand. She spoke while writing, and everyone listened attentively in silence. After returning from Xiaohe Vige, Li Hai, who had graduated from medical school, secured a job at Jiangcheng City Hospital through his family connections Whenever Jiangcheng City Hospital was mentioned, Lin Yans mind started to recall something vague. That evening. A woman sat on the couch, wiping away tears with a tissue. My husband passed away early, leaving us as a widow and orphan. If it werent for our sons severe illness, I would still have to take care of him. At the very least, I would have to raise him to adulthood, or else I would have gone with him long ago. What kind of illness? Chronic kidney disease. It was as if a bolt of lightning had split through the chaos. Lin Yan blurted out, I know who Wei Fengzhen is! Song Yuhang also looked up at the same moment. If Im not mistaken, Li Hais current wife, Wei Lihong, is the former wife of Yu Xinye, who was Wei Fengzhen. Fang Xin finally recalled the memory as well. When they went to the family quarters at Jiangcheng City Hospitalst time, they had some impression of this middle-aged woman named Wei Lihong. However, they didnt think much about it at the time because their focus was on middle-aged men over 30. Who could have imagined that a single, child-rearing, and frail woman would also have some connection to a series of serial murders? Why are you still standing around? Hurry up and bring her back to the station! Lin Yan was anxious, fearing that the newly discovered lead might slip away. Song Yuhang rubbed her temple, and as the mountain road twisted and turned, everyone was being jostled around. However, she couldnt afford to be disoriented; she needed to maintain clear thinking and a rational mind at all times. You just said, Wei Lihongs son has what illness? Chronic kidney disease, Lin Yan repeated again. But having a sick child cant be a reason for not restraining her, can it? Song Yuhang shook her head. No, do you remember? The olddy mentioned that Wei Fengzhen gave birth to a daughter for Yu Xinye back then. However, after the mining ident, she and her daughter disappeared, and now theres only a son by her side. So what happened to that daughter? Lin Yan felt an inexplicable chill. Is she dead, or Lets not forget, theres also a key figure, Li Yang, who has also disappeared. During crucial moments, Song Yuhangs words always helped clear the fog for everyone. Lets make a hypothesis: if that child from back then didnt die, they should be around twenty now, and most of the victims in the White Whale Case were of a simr age. Is it a coincidence, or did the perpetrator n it this way? Why would they n it like this? Why not target and manipte younger children, which should be easier, both mentally and physically? The perpetrator using psychological maniption for murder might seem seamless, but in reality, the more theymitted, the more traces they left behind. Whether it was appearing at the scene during the He Miao Case initially orter detecting gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in the bodies during the Wu Wei Case, it was all guiding the police step by step closer to the truth. Song Yuhang closed her eyes and immersed herself in that scenario. If I were the perpetrator, why would I choose teenagers? Why why Teenagers are lively and full of vitality, their bodies are at their peak metabolism, they have the healthiest physique, the freshest blood Most importantly they are of a simr age to her! As if a single statement had awakened a dreamer, Song Yuhang suddenly opened her eyes, grabbing Lin Yans hand. Is chronic kidney disease hereditary?! Fang Xin was a forensic examiner with a basic knowledge of biology. She shook her head, saying, Its not, right? The likelihood of it being hereditary is very low. The gaze of several people suddenly turned to Lin Yan, waiting for her authoritative answer. Lin Yan furrowed her brow, recalling the literature she had read abroad. She pinched her brow, leaving a red mark. The likelihood is very low, but that doesnt mean its impossible. Whether its hereditary depends on the cause. If its due to congenital kidney diseases like polycystic kidney disease, Alport syndrome, etc., there is a possibility of it being hereditary. She didnt quite catch the name of the disease, but she understood the meaning. Song Yuhang immediately picked up her walkie-talkie. Hello, this is Song Yuhang. Take a team to Wei Lihongs house immediately to protect her and her son. Yes, do it right now! The unspoken words she didnt voice were that any dy might be toote.
Chapter 59-1 Chapter 59-1 Orange A police car with its turn signal on swiftly made a turn on the bustling street, heading towards another road. And that was the way to the Jiangcheng City Hospital Family Residence. A man was pushing a wheelchair along the sidewalk. The person with the hat turned around and said, Dont you want to notify them? While out and about, the man was also wearing a mask and a duckbill cap, looking just like an ordinary family member of a patient. Howe, have you be soft-hearted? The person sitting in the wheelchair gripped the armrest tightly and said, I Dont forget who abandoned you, the man pushing him across the pedestrian crossing said in a subdued tone. A nearby traffic police officer, on duty at the intersection, rushed over to help them lift the wheelchair onto the tform. The mans eyes revealed a hint of genuine gratitude and he said, Thank you. Youre wee. Feel free to seek our help anytime you need it. The man smiled, pushed the wheelchair away, and in that instant he turned around, his gaze turned cold. That smile seemed to float on thin ice, devoid of any warmth. She owes you, owes Xinye. Ive already allowed her to live for so many years, which is already a favor. Now its time for her to repay the debt. He affectionately touched the childs head in the wheelchair. Besides, without her blocking the polices view, how could we have gotten away so easily? Alright, now its time toplete the final task. * * * Wei Lihong had been feeling unsettled these past few days. She hurried back home to prepare lunch for her son as soon as she got off work. While waiting for the water to boil, she helped her son get up from the bed and washed his body. Despite being in his early teens, his illness had made him thin and weak, with arms and legs so slender and soft that he looked like a seven or eight-year-old child. Her heart ached, and she turned away to wipe away a tear. Her son had a drool hanging from the corner of his lips and when he saw her crying, he pped his hands andughed. Helplessly, Wei Lihong gently pushed him back to lie down and gestured for him not to move. Just then, the phone rang, and she picked it up, holding the receiver to her ear, saying, Hello? A sinister and terrifyingughter emerged from a man, saying, Wei Fengzhen As soon as she heard this name, she shivered almost instinctively, and goosebumps covered her entire body. However, as she looked at her foolish son, who was staring from the hospital bed, she forced herself to focus, saying, Last time, didnt you say you found a suitable kidney donor? Yes, too bad you wont have the chance to see your son lively and jumping around anymore. The mans voice was rough, piercing, and it seemed to emanate from everywhere through the receiver. The womans growing sense of unease in her heart intensified, and she abruptly turned around, slightly out of breath, surveying her own room. What What do you mean? My meaning is The man smiled faintly, and in the midst of a prolonged pause, the doorbell rang, apanied by a knocking sound. Is someone there? Police, open the door quickly. The woman hurriedly stepped back, knocking over a chair, and the knocking on the door outside paused for a moment before growing more urgent. The devilish voice on the receiver continued, Do you want your son to live? Do you? If you do, you know what to do. Dial tone The phone line was cut, and the police broke in. Wei Lihong voluntarily extended her hands, saying, I surrender. * * * Inside the iron bars. Wei Lihong, with handcuffs, sat with her head hanging. Zhang Jinhai walked in, sat in the main seat, and called her by her original name, Wei Fengzhen? She nodded, her eyes dim and lifeless. Zhang Jinhai examined her and asked, Are you Li Hais wife? Why did you change your name? Wei Lihong licked her chapped lips, her voice hoarse, Li Hai and I eloped. When we left Xiaohe Vige and registered in Jiangcheng, we changed our names. Several criminal investigators exchanged nces, and one of them pushed a photo toward her, asking, Do you know Yu Xinye? In the ck and white photo, Yu Xinye was still young, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and regr features, making him quite a handsome young man. But she seemed to be pricked by something, suddenly shrinking back, lowering her head, unable to look any longer. I I know him. He Hes my ex-husband A typical guilty evasion psychology, Zhang Jinhai calcted in his mind. At the time, you were newlyweds with Yu Xinye, and you had just given birth to a daughter for him. Why did you still run away with Li Hai? As soon as this question came out, Wei Lihongsplexion changed. * * * Winter of 1988. Xiaohe Vige. Younger brother, look, the official documents from the county have arrived. Our group of educated youth can finally return home! Li Hai, drenched in sweat, rushed over to his side, holding a thin sheet of paper. At the mine, they were on a lunch break, and Li Yang was sitting, resting. In his hand, he held half a dry steamed bun, and Yu Xinye brought over two bowls of cold water. Oh, thats good news! You can go back to the city and enjoy your life now! Li Yang dipped the steamed bun in the cold water, elongating his voicezily, What kind of good life awaits us back home? My dad will keep pushing me to take the medical college entrance exam. Im not interested. I dont want to take it. Its easier to just dig coal here. Why dont you care at all? This is a good thing! Li Hai, taking advantage of Yu Xinyes distraction, quietly nudged him. In our group, there are only two slots avable. You better buckle down a bit for me. Hey, Old Yu, its time for dinner! A woman stood at the entrance of the mine calling out, and Yu Xinye ran over like a cat that smelled fish, lifting her up in his arms. Why did youe? Werent you supposed to be at home looking after the little one? The baby is sleeping. I was just thinking, worried that you might not get enough to eat at the mine. Theres some leftover lunch I cooked, so I brought it for you. Alright, alright, there are so many people watching. Put me down quickly! I wont put you down. Youre my wife; let them watch! Yu Xinye not only didnt put her down but also lifted the woman up and spun her around. The woman in her flower-printed dress blushed with embarrassment. Li Yang, with a piece of dogtail grass in his mouth, leaned against the rocks, saying, Brother Yu and Sister-inw have such a good rtionship. Brother, when you go back, should Dad arrange a marriage for you too? Li Hais eyes were fixed on the woman, and it took several calls from Li Yang to snap him out of his thoughts. Huh? Whats wrong? What did you just say? Li Yang spat out the dogtail grass and teased, Brother, have you gone crazy thinking about women?! Li Hai, whose face was usually fair and refined, blushed bright red and retorted, Nonsense! Let me tell you, when we finish work tonight,e with me to themune for registration, got it? Li Yang hoisted the hoe and headed towards the mine, drawling, Got it, Brother. Youre so talkative. Li Hai shook his head; there was no changing him. Being the eldest son in the family, their parents had high expectations for him from a young age, and they had been less strict with Li Yang, their younger son. Thats why he had grown up with such a carefree personality. Even after all these years of toiling in the mountains and the countryside, he couldnt shake this stubborn trait. However, when he thought about going back Li Hai turned his head to look at the woman in the red dress, her figure still curvy from recently giving birth, licked his lips, and then entered the mine as well. In the evening, terrible news arrived. Wei Fengzhen was busy cooking at the stove, and her one-month-old daughtery in the bed, babbling and cooing. She was humming a country tune while tending to the fire. An elderly man from the same vige rushed over and said, Fengzhen, go take a look. Theres been a mine copse! Wei Fengzhen froze for a moment, then rushed outside. She had lost one of her shoes in her hurry, and her child started wailing. She returned, secured the baby to her back with a piece of cloth, and ran barefoot to the mine. In Wei Fengzhens memory, winter had never been so cold. Heavy snowkes fell from the sky as she walked barefoot on the rough gravel road. The ground beneath her feet was half-frozen. The scene was chaotic, with the mines entrance copsed, and the mine shaft no longer visible. Some vigers hade to the scene to help rescue people, and they lifted one lifeless body after another from the pile of rocks. She held her child and asked one by one, Have you seen Xinye? No, no. The vigers shook their heads as they passed her, continuing to dig out the next person. Wei Fengzhen ran to the area where the bodies were ced and knelt down. Trembling with fear, she lifted the stic sheet, only to find that the person underneath had been crushed beyond recognition. With a horrified gasp, she vomited. That day, she had stayed at the mine untilte into the night, searching through seven or eight bodies but still couldnt find Xinye. It was only when the rescue team and experts from the county arrived. She held her child, shivering in the cold wind. As soon as her tears and runny nose started to flow, the wind would whisk them away. Vigers tried to persuade her, Go back, go back. The child is most important. If theres any news about Xinye, well let you know. In a daze, she felt like someone was crying in her ear. When she snapped back to reality, her child had lost the strength to cry. The babys face was as pale as ice, and her whole body was frozen. She took off some of her clothes, wrapped the baby in her arms, and with her feet covered in blood, she stumbled her way back home. * * * After she finished speaking, the detectives in the interrogation room remained silent for a moment before saying, So, in the end, you and Li Hai, who miraculously survived, left Xiaohe Vige. What about your one-month-old daughter? When it came to her daughter, Wei Lihong waved her hand, covering her mouth as she choked up, Couldnt couldnt afford to raise her. It was the third day after the mining disaster. In 1988, there was a severe drought, followed by a deep winter blizzard, with no harvest in the fields. The Yu family had lost theirbor force, yet they still had two mouths to feed at home. Wei Fengzhen no longer had breast milk to feed the child. Yu Yi brought over thest bit of millet they had at home. Auntie, this cant go on Its tough Hearing about Yu Xinyes ident, Yu Yis hair had turnedpletely white in a single night, and she washed her face with tears every day. My family doesnt have much food left. You and the child can make do for now. Xinye is gone, and if anything happens to you or the child, how can I go on living? The elderly woman wiped away tears, and they both held their heads and cried. On the fourth day after the disaster, she left her home, carrying her child, and went to the mine first. Theyre still digging, still digging, but I dont think theres any hope Thats what the construction workers told her. As she was leaving, a friendly-looking police officer in arge padded coat stopped her, saying, Hey, take this, for you and your child to eat. She took it, which was a rare sight at the time, a half package of biscuits. The woman smiled gratefully and tears welled up in her eyes as she said, Thank thank you benefactor
Chapter 59-2 Chapter 59-2 Orange She was about to kneel and kowtow when the police helped her up. Are you a family member of the victim? the police officer asked. The woman nodded in a daze, then shook her head, Not yet not dug out The police officer nodded, and the breath he exhaled turned into a cloud of white mist, I see. Whats your mans name? Im a forensic expert. Ill let you know as soon as we have the results. His name is Yu Xinye. The woman took three steps and turned to look back at the mine, where she saw the police officer still standing in the snow, waving at her. She then turned around, holding her child, and bowed before reluctantly departing. On the fifth day. The bowl of millet that Auntie Yu had given herst time was also finished. The child was starving and crying incessantly. She had no choice but to go from house to house, begging people to spare some leftover food or rice. She even hoped that somectating women would be willing to share some breast milk. Sorry, we really dont have anything left at home. Its getting tough for us too. If any of the folks in the vige had something, theyd surely share it with you if they had it. Hurry and take this, go somewhere else. A household threw out a stiff and moldy steamed bun. Before the woman could pick it up, a stray dog searching for food by the roadside snatched it away. The woman pounced on the dog, trying to take the food back, shouting, Give it to me, give it to me, you beast! There was a flurry of dog fur, her hands were covered in fresh blood, and it was unclear whom she was cursing at. * * * She was speaking while the investigators were taking notes. Zhang Jinhai: What happenedter? How did Li Hai get out? The woman cried with her face covered for a while, and no one rushed her. A female police officer handed her a tissue. Wei Lihong wiped her nose, her eyes were red, and there were some wrinkles on her face, but even when a beautiful woman gets old and cries, shes still beautiful, and her youthful charm remains. During the interrogation by the criminal police, she briefly thought about her daughter, but the reason it was brief was that sheter had a son. She had invested a significant amount of time, energy, and money in only this son. In rural areas, isnt there a saying? Raise a son to provide for old age. A married-off daughter is like pouring water away. So when Li Hai told her that she should abandon her daughter and go back to the city with him to live a better life, she hesitated. He raised his fingers to the sky and swore, Fengzhen, believe me, I will treat you even better than Xinye does. We will return to the city, meet my parents, ask them to arrange our marriage, and you will wear a bright red wedding dress to marry me openly and honestly. You wont have to suffer or be poor anymore As he spoke, he snatched the spoiled steamed buns from her hand and threw them away, saying, Stuff like this, dont even think about eating it. I wont ever let you see it again! Later, she had also inquired about the whereabouts of Yu Xinye and Li Yang, but every time, she received vague answers. Seven dayster, on the day they were supposed to return to the city and when she had reached the end of her rope, there was still no news from the mine. Li Hai got up from her bed and fastened his pants. Lets go, dont hesitate any longer. It wasnt until ten yearster that Li Yang found her again, and she still felt like it was all a dream, a never-ending nightmare. He hade for revenge. Just thinking about it, Wei Lihong couldnt help but tremble, and the investigators, thinking she was scared, reassured her, Dont be afraid. Honesty is the best policy. Resisting will only make things worse for you in court. Wei Lihong was indeed afraid, but she wasnt worried about herself; she was afraid for her son. She remembered what Li Yang had told her, Experienced detectives can see through anything. Dont try to lie to them. If you know, you know. If you dont know, you dont know. Thats the safest way to answer. Wei Lihong shook her head honestly, I really dont know how he managed toe out from under the mine. She genuinely didnt know. The only ones who knew this secret now were Yu Xinye, who was resting beneath the earth, and Li Yang, who was living a half-human, half-ghost existence. Song Yuhang and Lin Yan were remotely monitoring this interrogation from inside the police car. As soon as Wei Lihong finished speaking, Song Yuhang furrowed her brow. Lin Yan keenly noticed and asked, Whats wrong? She shook her head and continued to listen to Zhang Jinhai. Is this number yourte husbands? Looking at the number card that had been pulled out in front of her, Wei Lihong nodded. Every month, you use this number to contact the boss of the small workshop and order a batch of -butyrctone to be delivered to the guardhouse at the entrance of the Beidou Industrial Park. This is an invoice. Is there anything else you want to say? Wei Lihong shook her head, her face pale. I have nothing else to say. Zhang Jinhai mmed the table, saying, Over a dozen lives, and you say theres nothing to talk about?! Why did you get so much -butyrctone? Tell the truth! Wei Lihong finally lifted her gaze to look at him, her expression very calm. To make -hydroxybutyric acid, which can be used as an anesthetic. Youre a rural woman; who taught you this? My husband was a doctor. I learned as I watched. Are you involved in the deaths of these people? Several photos wereid out one by one on the table, all depicting young teenagers, very young. Wei Lihong nced at them and then withdrew her gaze indifferently. Yes, I started by posting online to attract the attention of people who wanted tomit suicide. After getting to know them, I would arrange offline meetings, give them medication to cloud their minds, deepen their depressive tendencies, and eventually drive them tomit suicide. What was your motive? She shifted slightly in her seat, and in the dim light of the interrogation room, her face became somewhat chilling. Why should my son want to live and cant live, while they have their health, happy families, but want to die? If they want to die, then Ill help them. Wei Lihong leaned forward, resting her body on the table,ughing uncontrobly, tears streaming down. From between his teeth, Zhang Jinhai muttered, Madwoman. Song Yuhang took off her headphones and threw them on the seat. The car had stopped at a gas station for refueling, and the others also got out to stretch their bodies. She opened the car window a bit and stuck her head out to ask Duan Cheng, How much longer until we reach Jiangcheng City Center? Duan Cheng checked his watch and replied, Itll take over two hours to reach the City Center of Jiangcheng, if the traffic is good. Song Yuhang nodded, and on the other side, the interrogation had also taken a brief break. She finally had the chance to turn her head and look at Lin Yan. What are you thinking? Lin Yan leaned back in her seat, her face somewhat pale, and she had been staring out the window. Only when she heard Song Yuhangs question did she snap out of it. Im thinking about the case. I feel like Wei Lihong is lying. Even though it seems seamless on the surface, upon closer examination, the logic doesnt add up. She seemed somewhat ufortable and furrowed her brows slightly. Song Yuhang felt the same way, Even if the exnation for -hydroxybutyric acid makes sense, the process isnt something an ordinary person can carry out. Finally, seeing her difort, she rolled down the window a bit more, Feeling carsick? Wait a moment She looked around in all directions, as if searching for something, and through the car window, she spotted vigers selling oranges on the mountain road outside. Excited, she quickly jumped out of the car. Lin Yan couldnt stop her in time and eximed, Hey Sure enough, she went to buy oranges with the money she borrowed from Fang Xin. Lin Yan shook her head and rummaged in her backpack, pulling out a gum bottle. She took out two pieces and started chewing on them. By the time Song Yuhang came back, she had already swallowed them with a sip of mineral water, and she still had the gum bottle in her hand, not having a chance to put it away. Lin Yan jiggled the bottle at her, Want two? Song Yuhang was taken aback. There hadnt been much opportunity for conversation with a crowded car all the way, and they had finally gotten out of the car. She cleared her throat, Are you offering me some? Lin Yan pretended to smack her, but Song Yuhang took them herself, saying, Hey, hey, dont throw them. I can do it myself. Lin Yans pupils constricted, and she snatched them back, saying, Who gave them to you? You think Mmm The sweet and sour juice of the oranges burst between their lips and teeth, perfectly offsetting the bitterness of the medication. Lin Yan was taken aback, and Song Yuhang peeled another segment of the orange for her. Youre so stingy, carrying candy with you and guarding it so closely. Are you a child? With a mouthful of orange, Lin Yan didnt want to talk to her. She swallowed it down and then spoke, Do you have a problem with having a childlike heart? No, no, Song Yuhang became more obedient and didnt confront her. However, she still hadnt handed over the orange segment she held. Lin Yan had one, and wanting more, she reached out to take it. Song Yuhang dodged, saying, Want some? Open your mouth, and Ill feed you. Im very generous. Song Yuhang was sitting on the outer side near the car door, and Lin Yans attempt to grab the orange segment looked as awkward as if she were hugging her from the side. It seemed ufortable no matter how you looked at it. As her spoiled personality red up, Lin Yan decided to sit back down, thinking, I wont eat it then, damn it! Who cares about your stupid orange!! Ill buy a whole orange grove when I get back and eat as much as I want!!! Lin Yan was gritting her teeth in frustration, while Song Yuhang was savoring the orange with delight, peeling another piece and cing it in her mouth. Mmm, its delicious. Truly, these oranges, grown by the farmers themselves, are both sour and sweet. Theyre not at all bitter, and theres no pesticide taste. The unique fragrance of the oranges filled the car. Lin Yan swallowed her saliva and turned her head away. Song Yuhang chuckled, still holding a segment of orange, and brought it to Lin Yans lips. Ah, its a real shame that someone isnt enjoying this. When we get back to Jiangcheng, there wont be oranges as tasty as these. That cool, moist thing kept inching toward her lips, but Lin Yan resisted. Nheless, she was fed several pieces. Song Yuhang enjoyed seeing Lin Yans resigned and helpless look as she ate, and it made her smile broadly. Hey, this is thest one. Lin Yan looked at the smiling face in front of her, which seemed increasingly annoying. She decided to y a little prank on her. When it came to flirting, the spoiled princess was not one to be outdone. Her red lips gently parted, and she ate the orange slice along with Song Yuhangs fingers. Song Yuhang gulped and swallowed hard, her throat moving up and down, rendering her speechless. The car door was half-open, and the ss was transparent. Colleagues coulde up at any moment. She imitated a certain ambiguous action, different from thest time when she helped her remove the congestion from her finger. This time, it had a deliberate hint of seduction. When her tongue lightly brushed the thin callus on the inside of Song Yuhangs index finger, Song Yuhang couldnt help but tremble. An electric current surged up her spine. She felt an itch all over her body, and her free hand clutched the fabric at her knee tightly, twisting the sturdy training suit into a tangled mess. Time seemed to stand still, but the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. While Lin Yan proceeded deliberately, Song Yuhang became somewhat impatient. She both hoped that someone woulde over quickly to end this somewhat lengthy torment for her and wished they wouldnte over. So that Lin Yan could have more time, a bit more time with her Lin Yan observed her reaction, and her eyes sparkled gently, radiating a watery glint. She seemed overwhelmed by this action, and the orange juice flowed down her chin, slipping into her cor. For a brief moment, Song Yuhang wanted to rush forward and wipe it off for her. Faint voices could be heard from behind. Lin Yan let go of her, licked the corner of her lips, and her gaze was both seductive and haughty. Thanks for your hospitality, Officer Song. Fang Xin noticed that her ears were all red as soon as she came up. Whats wrong, Captain Song? Not feeling well? Lin Yan sat next to her, ying with her phone calmly. Feeling hot, arent you? Song Yuhang pulled her hat down over her face. Im fine
LP: My body felt hot reading that (_)
Chapter 60-1 Chapter 60-1 Experiment Lin Yan took out a wet tissue from her bag, calmly pressed the corner of her lips, and wiped away the orange juice along her jawline, meticulously cleaning each finger one by one. Song Yuhang couldnt bear it any longer and said, Youre just wiping your hands, is it necessary to be so so, you know? She couldnt bring herself to say those two words, especially in front of so many people. Lin Yan nced at her with a light look in her eyes. Whether in the past or now, perhaps she herself wasnt aware that she always intentionally or unintentionally revealed her desire in front of Song Yuhang, in other words, she seduced her without leaving a trace. However, Song Yuhang still fell for it. Lin Yan smiled and handed her a tissue emitting a fragrant scent, saying, Sometimes a mountain is just a mountain, and water is just water. You see what you want to see. This statement is a bit awkward, and theres a touch of Zen to it. Duan Cheng leaned over the front seat, asking, Captain Song, what are you guys talking about? Fang Xin pulled him back with a single motion, saying, Buddhist studies. If you dont understand, just sit down. Lin Yan giggled. In herughter, Song Yuhang blushed quietly again. She snatched the tissue away from her hand. Just wipe it if you want. Whos afraid of who? While she turned to talk to Fang Xin, Song Yuhang noticed a faint lipstick mark she left on the tissue. She immediately nced to the side as if feeling guilty like a thief, while Lin Yan continued chatting with Fang Xin. She originally just wanted to wipe her mouth, but unexpectedly, their lips met, and she slightly closed her eyes. So fragrant. Her scent. Lin Yan looked at her thoughtfully. When Song Yuhang snapped out of it, she met that ambiguous gaze, as if someone had just uncovered a big secret. Instantly, her face turned red and hot, embarrassed. As the vehicle moved, she intentionally or unintentionally leaned towards her. The subtle and elusive fragrance seemed to permeate through every pore of her body. The noise of the wheels drowned out the sound of her speaking. Captain Song, dont be shy. Its a gift for you. Song Yuhang held the tissue as if holding a hot potato, quickly wiped her hands, tossed it into the trash can, and without looking aside, she also supported her increasingly nted body back into ce. Sit properly. In public, all serious; behind closed doors, letting loose. Captain Song, oh Captain Song, where did that boldness from when you forcefully kissed me in the kitchen go? Lin Yan lowered her voice. They were sitting close, and she leaned in to speak into her ear. Song Yuhang straightened her back, avoiding eye contact. Lin Yan, I warn you not to go too far. Oh, hugging and cuddling is not too much, but flirting in words is over the line, such double standards. You Song Yuhang took a deep breath, subtly shifted forward to prevent the warm breath of her words from creeping into her neck and ears. It tickled intensely. Lin Yan found it amusing. Song Yuhang was truly an interesting personon one hand, she relentlessly pursued her, and on the other, she would get nervous and shy when Lin Yan got close. It was quite entertaining to see someone who usually feared nothing show a hint of embarrassment on her face. Thinking this, Lin Yan yfully and intentionally scraped her earlobe with her nails, a light touch like a dragonfly skimming the water. However, Song Yuhang reacted as if shocked, suddenly turning to look at her, clenching her teeth. Lin Yan. She was really going to be driven crazy by her. Without considering the current situationeveryone in the carshe was on the verge of exploding with embarrassment, yet she still managed to provoke her Lin Yan innocently blinked her eyes and sat back down. It seems Captain Song doesnt like my kisses. What a pity, I thought Song Yuhang nced over. What a pity for what? Lin Yans gaze lingered on her lips. While her mouth imed otherwise, her eyes clearly suggested otherwise. Song Yuhang really felt like sitting next to her for another minute would kill her, either from embarrassment or being stifled. She gritted her teeth, tried to stand up, but bumped into the car roof, making a loud bang sound. Lin Yan couldnt hold back and burst intoughter. Song Yuhang rubbed her head, and before she could scold her, Zheng Chengrui in the front handed over the walkie-talkie. Captain Song, Captain Zhang is looking for you. * * * She insists on keeping quiet, no matter how much we ask, she wont budge. Modern interrogations no longer resort to torture for confessions. The omnipresent surveince cameras serve not only to monitor the actions of criminal suspects but also as a constant reminder to detectives to set an example and not overstep boundaries. Outside the interrogation room, Zhang Jinhai paced back and forth. After hearing him, Song Yuhang furrowed her brow. What about her son? Hes been taken to the city hospital for protection. Deploy more people, patrol continuously 24 hours a day. We must not give anyone an opportunity. Zhang Jinhai quickly gave the order, and another team of armed police officers hurried to the hospital. Song Yuhang thought for a moment. How about this, Ill conduct the interrogation. Captain Zhang, please wear the earpiece and join me inside. Ill say a sentence, and you respond. With the deadline of one month looming, the pressure was immense until the case was solved. Zhang Jinhai quickly set aside his reservations. Alright, youre experienced in interrogations. Give it a try. In the Ding Xue Case, Lin Yan had witnessed her interrogating suspects, knowing that this person not only adeptly utilized micro-expression psychology but also had a knack for attacking the heart, systematically breaking down the psychological defenses of the other party. Even someone as experienced and highly conscious of counter-surveince like her had to carefully consider when dealing with Song Yuhang. Hey, Officer Song finally couldnt resist getting involved personally. Once the conversation turned serious, Song Yuhangs entire demeanor reverted to that serious and solemn aura. She handed an earpiece to Lin Yan, saying, Do you want to listen in? Lin Yan snatched it and put it on. Of course, lets begin. A slight smile curved Song Yuhangs lips as she heard the sound of the iron door opening and closing on the other end. She resumed her seat. Wei Fengzhen, Yu Xinye have been dead for so many years, yet you still use his old number, it indicates that you are not a heartless and unscrupulous woman. You are a mother, and mothers are strong for their children. I have reason to believe that you might do something to protect your child, but I cannot believe you would kill for your child. Those children who died, they also had families, parents. You abandoned one daughter before, the heart-wrenching pain, I think you should understand. The difference between humans and animals lies in the fact that humans have instincts to seek advantage and avoid harm, as well as the innate ability to empathize. Having experienced pain yourself, how can you bear to inflict it on others again? We, the entire police force, express deep sympathy for your situation. However, thew is fair and just. It wont let a guilty person go free, and it wont allow an originally innocent and upright person to suffer unjustly. Think carefully. Your son is still young. If you really take on this charge, you might waste your life in prison or, worse Song Yuhang paused. Never see your son again. While alive, one can seek survival, so theres no need to seek death. Zhang Jinhai continued her words. What other concerns do you have? Speak up and see if we can help. Trust us, the police. In this world, no one wishes for truth and justice to prevail more than the police. If these words were said face to face, Lin Yan would probably have been deeply moved, on one hand disdaining this persons kindness and naivety in her heart, and on the other, feeling a stir of emotions for her words. Song Yuhang is such a person, possessing a natural and convincing power in everything she says and does, as well as in her character. Zhang Jinhai managed to mimic about seventy to eighty percent of Song Yuhangs tone, but it was sufficient. Across from them, Wei Lihong had gone from choked sobs to being unable to speak clearly, saying, No I didnt those people, its all because of me its all my fault Song Yuhang dropped a bombshell. What are you afraid of? Afraid that someone is threatening the safety of your sons life? Rest assured, Zhang Jinhai said, taking a tablet from his subordinate and handing it over. Your son is very safe in the hospital. You can take a look at him. The real-time surveince video transmitted from the hospital showed two armed police officers standing at the entrance of the ward, and there was another one beside the hospital bed. Medical staff were caring for the child, washing his body and recing his urine bag. The City Central Hospital is a facility that cooperates with our police force. Your son is safe there. We will protect him 24/7, and medical staff will attend to his health around the clock. Wei Lihong touched the screen, looking at her sons pale face, tears streaming down inrge drops. Song Yuhang continued, Histest medical report is out. Hes in the end stage of uremia, requiring at least three dialysis sessions per week. You not only have to take care of him but also bear the economic pressure. Just imagine, if your husband, Li Hai, were still here, your days probably wouldnt be so difficult. So, tell me, how did Li Hai die? Did that person kill him, or did you all kill him together? No!!! Hearing the womans desperate cries through the earpiece, Lin Yan moved it a bit further away and lowered her voice. How do you know they killed Li Hai? Song Yuhang gestured with her mouth, Guessed. They were about to pass thest toll station and exit the expressway. As they got closer to Jiangcheng City, everyone in the car became more tense. This atmosphere indirectly affected Lin Yan as well. She rubbed her forehead, took a deep breath, and looked at the road signs indicating the approaching urban area of Jiangcheng. She knew deeply that the suspect had not yet revealed themselves, hidden somewhere in a corner of Jiangchengs urban area. The enemy was in the dark, while they were in the light, and for some reason, there was always a lingering sense of unease in her mind. She shook her head, trying to dispel this feeling. The more the situation intensified, the calmer Song Yuhang became. She quietly waited for the other person to finish shouting, putting the final straw on the camel that was about to fall. Let me guess. Your marriage with Li Hai wasnt happy. Firstly, his parents couldnt ept you,ing from a rural background. However, unable to resist their sons wishes, you two still got married. The post-wedding excitement quickly faded. Li Hai began staying outte, enjoying himself outside, and after you had a child, it intensified. But due to face-saving considerations, he didnt divorce you. You felt like ashes, pouring all your love into your child. However, the good times didntst. Your son fell ill, went to the hospital, and was diagnosed with congenital kidney disease. Not only did Li Hai not want to spend money on the childs medical treatment, but he also began preparing for a divorce. It was at this time that the other person appeared. He transformedpletely, returning to seek revenge on you. However, instead of killing you, you both ended up killing Li Hai together.
LP: Im sorry for taking so long to upload. My monthly visitor is bringing in cramps and body aches this time
Chapter 60-2 Chapter 60-2 Experiment Zhang Jinhai inclined his body slightly, his gaze firmly fixed on every expression she made. Tears streamed down Wei Lihongs reddened face as she vigorously shook her head. Handcuffed, her entire body trembled. No no no I didnt kill him no no!!! Song Yuhangs voice abruptly rose, Where did the incident ur?! How did you kill him?! Wei Lihong copsed, crying, and buried her head in her hands. No, its not, I didnt mean to, no Song Yuhang decided to employ a final, forceful approach, Confession could be considered a mitigating factor. The government will cover a substantial portion of your sons subsequent medical expenses. Its a form of benevolence. Wei Lihong cried uncontrobly, struggling for breath. Ill talk, Ill talk, Ill say everything, just as long as you protect my son * * * This was still Bai Lings first time visiting his home. Hidden in a house next to the garbage heap in the suburban industrial park, the man removed therge lock hanging on the door. It resembled the kind of sturdy iron lock one would find on a warehouse. Darkness followed, and Bai Ling felt a bit frightened. The man reached in and pulled the greasymp cord, and the entire room suddenly brightened, revealing that it was divided into two levels. Go in. Shes around the same age as you, and you should like her. Who is this she? Bai Ling had been feeling a bit disoriented these days, with wounds on her wrists that she had inflicted herself with a knife. Fortunately, the uncle came to her rescue once again. Soon, she met the she he had mentioned. It seemed to be an abandoned warehouse, cluttered at the entrance with misceneous items. A washbasin stood nearby, emitting the scent of disinfectant. Moving further inside, the person in the wheelchair turned around. They wore a knitted cap, had fair skin, and their face was marked with spots due to the metabolic issues caused by kidney disease. Their eyes were calm, and the entire person was wrapped in a ck outfit, appearing particrly frail. Bai Ling curiously widened her eyes to look at her, but the girl suddenly turned away, manipting the wheelchair to move to theputer and continue typing. The man smiled, She doesnt talk much. You two y; Ill step out for a moment. After saying this, he walked over to the person in the wheelchair, pretending to pick up something for her. In a low voice, he said, Dont let her leave here alive. What about you? The girl finally turned away from theputer screen to look at him. The man smiled meaningfully, Me? Im off to find our final experiment. * * * Jiangcheng City Central Hospital. The detective on duty at the ward entrance had been standing there for the entire afternoon. He handed his phone to his colleague. Oh, I cant take it anymore. I need to use the restroom. Can you keep an eye out for me? Fine, go on, but make it quick. Youre such a bother. His colleagueughed and scolded, waving him off to go. Not long after he rushed into the restroom, a janitor pushing a cart appeared in the corridor, heading in his direction. Hold on, this is the istion ward. Unauthorized ess is not allowed, the detective blocked his way. The middle-aged man, wearing a mask and a blue disposable surgical cap, with some gray hair showing at the temples, and shoe covers on his feet, spoke in a local dialect. Wasnt it Dr. Zhao who asked me toe? He said the patient soiled the bed, and I shoulde to change the sheets. Dr. Zhao? The detective paused, as if he recalled a Dr. Zhao who had just examined a patient inside. Subconsciously, he checked the mans credentials. The name, position, and hospital stamp on his ID were all in order. He stepped aside, saying, Alright, go ahead. Hurry up. Okay, thank you,rade police. Youve worked hard, the mans face showed a simple smile. However, as he wheeled past, the detective suddenly felt that something was wrong, an instinctive awareness of danger. He instinctively ced his hand on his gun, but quicker than him was the other persons knife, stabbing straight into his abdomen and viciously twisting, causing him such pain that he couldnt utter a word. The man gripped the knife handle and thrust it deeper. The detective staggered back a few steps, and someone steadied him. Inside the room, another detective heard themotion at the door and rushed over to open it. Outside stood a janitor in his forties, Hello, Im here to change the sheets. The strong smell of disinfectant in the room masked the heavy scent of blood on him. The detective stepped back, opening the door, Come in. Strange, where are those two at the entrance? The janitor pushed a handcartrge enough for a person to fit into. I saw them just went to the restroom, so I knocked on the door right away. They shouldnt both leave for the bathroom, the detective muttered, holstering his gun. The janitor retrieved clean sheets from his cart. Maybe one of them had an urgent need. Seeing that the man seemed a bit overwhelmed on his own, the detective offered, Let me help you. No need Before the man could finish his sentence, the detective had already lifted the white cloth covering the handcart, revealing a dark head underneath. His pupils contracted, and before he could react, the man had already lunged at him with the knife. The man was incredibly strong, firmly gripping the detectives shoulders and swiftly shing at his throat. The sttering blood painted the snow-white walls. Licking the fresh blood from the de, the mans face revealed a mix of madness and excitement after the bloodlust. The window on the 24th floor of the hospital was opened. With two loud bangs, the crowd below erupted in screams. The man lifted the child from the bed, stuffed him into the car, covered his mouth, tucked the handguns of the two detectives into his waist, threw his blood-stained coat into the janitors cart, and swaggered out. The entire process of the crime was executed seamlessly, taking no more than five minutes. The detective, who narrowly escaped by going to the restroom, rushed back and, seeing the wide-open door, immediately knew something was wrong. With a swift stride, he entered the room, only to be hit by a strong scent of blood that almost overwhelmed him. Bloodstains were also on the window sill. Leaning over and looking down, he was instantly struck by a sight that made his eyes widen in shock. (LP: This guys are stupid wth) * * * The bell in the duty room rang loudly, and the operator swiftly answered, Hello, Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau. Before the other person could finish speaking, his face instantly turned pale. Zhang Jinhai was urgently called out from the interrogation room. Two detectives dead in a single incident, the perpetrator ruthlessly wickedit was enough to send shivers down ones spine! Feng Jianguo mmed his hand down on the table in the training room with a resounding pop, causing tea cups to jitter. The room fell silent, even Zhang Jinhai, who had just entered, dared not speak, shrinking back. Director Feng paced back and forth, visibly agitated. Call Song Yuhang, find out where the hell she is. Damn it, that turtle should have crawled back by now! The two brothers who died were both members of her team. When Song Yuhang received the news, she was briefly stunned, then slowly reddened around her eyes, leaning her head against the front seat. Lin Yan looked at her, opened her mouth, but couldnt bring herself to say the teasing words she had in mind to cheer her up. She slowly raised her hand, gently cing it on her back, offering silentfort. They had entered the city, with bustling traffic and the evening rush hour making progress slow. Lin Yan watched her shoulders tremble. She gently patted her back, and she suddenly lifted her head, bloodshot eyes aze in the twilight. Song Yuhang gasped for breath, gritting her teeth, We cant we cant have more deaths we need to quickly find that little boy and the next victim. Lin Yan was startled, awakened by her words, That little boy also has uremia; his kidney source cant be used again. So, did he abduct the boy just to practice before the kidney transnt?! She spat harshly, feeling a bit uneasy, Damn the lunatic! Since hes no longer afraid of exposure and daring to openly kill, it means hes reached the point of no return. That also means he has found a suitable kidney source Song Yuhang mumbled, Who could it be? Who could it be? Who could it be As she spoke, she rubbed her forehead a bit anxiously. The urgency of the imminent threat, with the sorrow of losingrades, seemed to fade away in the face of the killers impending actions. They must get ahead of the killer to find that person. Zheng Chengrui opened theputer, and the satellite map of the entire city unfolded before them. Captain Song, were currently on South Ring Road. Taking North Fifth Road will help us avoid traffic. Duan Cheng, responsible for driving, immediately made a turn. Lin Yan was also recalling all the clues from the beginning of the case until now. The victims are mostly teenagers, and the reason the kidneys werent taken is due to mismatched blood types. So, can we confirm that the group of victims is alsoprised of teenagers? Song Yuhang nodded, Thats right. They all share amon trait: most of them have tense rtionships with their parents ore from single-parent households. Children in such families are more prone to being neglected, providing the killer with opportunities tomit crimes. Fang Xin was puzzled, Then why go through the trouble of psychologically manipting them? Why not just target whoever you fancy? Song Yuhang squinted slightly and furrowed her brow, Perhaps the killer has an extremely psychologically twisted mind. They derive pleasure from manipting people, feeling the thrill of having the power of life and death. In their world, they are God, the ultimate authority. Even if the blood type doesnt match, they still want to kindly free them from suffering in their own warped way and send them to paradise.'' She recalled Wei Lihongs statement during questioning: Since they want to die, I might as well help them. Its probably a sentiment originating from the killer. Single-parent households, divorce, left behind A sh of insight crossed Lin Yans mind. She grabbed Song Yuhangs wrist, exerting so much force that her fingertips turned white. Song, Song Yuhang, I know who the next victim is.
Chapter 61-2 Chapter 61-2 Corpse Coming from a poor family, raised by a single parent, around the age of fourteen or fifteen, introduced by an uncle As Lin Yan thought about this, she couldnt help but feel that Bai Ling perfectly fit the profile of the murderers hunting target. Her heart tightened instantly. The fingertip resting on her wrist felt cold, and the person beside her was trembling slightly. Song Yuhang grabbed her hand and gave it a firm squeeze. Its okay, its okay, everything will be fine. Lin Yan forced herself to calm down, and Song Yuhang had already snatched the map from Zheng Chengrui, spreading it out on her knee. You mentioned the first time you saw Bai Ling, where was it? In the alley next to the Green Building. Lin Yan pointed with her hand, her face a bit pale. Song Yuhang circled it with a pen. She goes to school during the day and works at the Mn Bar at night. Song Yuhang circled a school and a bar nearby, connected these two points with a drawn line bisecting vertically. Then, she extended and intersected these three lines, determining the center, and finally, with a swift motion, she circled the location on the walkie-talkie. Using the northern alleys of the Xicheng District as the center, search for Bai Lings home within a radius of five kilometers. Shes a fifteen-year-old girl, slender, not tall, probably around 1.6 meters, raised by a single parent. Exclude upscale residential areas and focus on searching urban viges, understood?! Understood! A resolute response came through the earpiece. Duan Cheng swiftly turned on the indicator light, heading towards another road. Half an hourter. They were the first to arrive at the scene. The door of the house was locked, and the technicians hadnt arrived yet. Song Yuhang kicked the door open directly amidst the swirling dust, with Lin Yan quickly entering. She took two steps, abruptly stopping as she looked at the sttered blood inside the room. Rarely, even in such situations, she maintained a hint of theposure expected of a professional. Dont move. Put on gloves and shoe covers! Song Yuhang brought in the investigation kit for her. Lin Yan buried her head, using a magnifying ss to inspect the bloodstains dripping beside the sofa. To an ordinary person, these bloodstains might seem insignificant, but for a forensic expert, they were extremely valuable clues. Even though she was impatient, Lin Yan patiently and carefully analyzed, Drip-shaped bloodstains, intact edges with spurs, indicating that at the time of the incident, Bai Ling was in apletely static state She pushed the magnifying ss along the sofa leg and also discovered elongated drip-shaped bloodstains on the sofa fabric. She is very likely to have In Lin Yans mind, the image slowly emerged of Bai Ling lying on the sofa, cutting her wrist while crying. She bit her lip tightly. Fang Xin examined the fruit knife on the coffee table, repeatedly brushing it with carbon powder, and suddenly eximed, Captain Song, theres only one persons fingerprint on the handle! Song Yuhang put the ck and white portrait in her hand back on the altar. It seemed that during the time they were away, Bai Lings life had undergone a tremendous change. The incense in front of the altar was still burning, and a faint blue smoke curled upwards. With a wave of her hand, she led the way and rushed out. It seems they havent left for long. Pursue! The reinforcements arrived shortly after. Song Yuhang took Bai Lings personal clothing and let the police dog sniff it. After a few sniffs, she patted the dogs back, and the tall and imposing wolfhound immediately perked up, barking wildly. The group quickly got into the vehicles, the police lights shing, sirens echoing over the city. Dark clouds shrouded the sky, and a storm seemed imminent. * * * Jiangcheng City Bureau. Hello, we are from Daily News Channel Hello, we are from Huimin Daily May I ask if there was a mastermind behind the recent highly publicized cases of suicide among teenagers? I heard that two detectives died this morning at the Central Hospital in Jiangcheng City. Is that true? The entrance to therge Municipal Public Security Bureau was blocked, and the crowd was impassable. Everyone, please be patient. The case is currently under investigation, and we have no furtherments at this time. However, once the case is closed, we will immediately hold a press conference to provide aprehensive exnation to the deceased, their families, the public, and the media. The spokesperson bowed deeply in front of the camera. Feng Jianguo paced back and forth in the training room. On therge screen in front of him, real-time footage of the various teams pursuing the case appeared, and technicians were busy at work. His forehead was almost wrinkled into a Chinese character. He didnt even take the tea cup brought by a junior detective. He waved his hand, gesturing for the detective to leave, then walked back to the front of therge screen, picking up the walkie-talkie. Song Yuhang. His tone was unprecedentedly severe. Song Yuhang instinctively tensed her body, Yes! This is a tough battle. Although the opponent is only one person, their courage, intelligence, anti-surveince awareness, andbat experience are not inferior to well-trained detectives. Moreover He paused, The two brothers we lost this morning had their backup guns taken away. This means that in his hands, theres not only a hostage but also firepower. He could potentially threaten the life of any citizen in our city at any moment. Song Yuhang, all the police officers in Jiangcheng City are your solid support. At the same time, you will bear the responsibility of safeguarding the safety of the entire city. This burden is not light. Are you ready for it? Feng Jianguo is good in many aspects, but he has one habit not so good, always stirring up trouble before taking action. Song Yuhang smiled; her response was calm and collected, Since the first day I joined the police force, Ive been prepared to contribute and sacrifice at any time. Now, I request that you grant me the highestmand on-site. I will apprehend the murderer and bring them to justice, applying thew firmly. Thest two phrases she said with a hint of gritted teeth, thinking of the two deceased brothers, so many lost children, and the whereabouts unknown of Bai Ling She felt an intense fire burning in her chest. Good! Feng Jianguo suddenly raised his voice, I not only grant youmand authority, but I also give you the right to shoot the suspect first. As long as there is violent resistance or any action that harms the hostages, shoot directly without reporting to superiors. I will take responsibility for this! Song Yuhang listened with a stirring heart. If she werent sitting, she would have stood up to salute directly. Feng Jianguo continued, The special forces are on standby. Now, well await your good news. * * * Good news was not received; instead, bad news arrived. The police dog stood on the dock, barking incessantly. The workers pulled a corpse from the sea surface. The tide came in. If the girls clothes hadnt been caught in the fishing, she might have Lin Yan swiftly opened the car door and jumped out. Song Yuhang followed closely, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back. Lin Yan struggled, and Song Yuhang supported her shoulders. Both of their eyes were red. Lin Yan, calm down. You need to stay calm! Lin Yan gritted her teeth, a hint of moisture appearing in her eyes. She pushed her away forcefully, Calm down? How do you expect me to stay calm?! Bai Lings body is lying right there. How the hell am I supposed to stay calm?!!! The wind at sea gradually intensified, tousling their hair. After Lin Yan finished shouting, she looked up, wiping away tears. She turned away and headed straight towards the shore. Move aside! She forcefully shoved aside a few recovery personnel, knelt beside Bai Ling, and looked at the familiar face. It seemed as if she could still hear Bai Ling calling sister in her ears. Dont dont hit me Ive seen her. Sister, are you okay? Why did youe to work in Mn? Anyway, I go to school during the day, work part-time at night, and earn enough tuition in a month. Here, its a gift from your sister. When she stuffed the bank card into the girls pocket, the panic on the girls face reminded her so much of her own childhood. It was like the times when she received an asionalpliment or care from her father, fearing that she might not live up to the praise. Behind the overwhelming joy, there was a deep-seated sense of inferiority.
Chapter 62-1 Chapter 62-1 Darkness In the earphones, a chaotic current transmitted, and Song Yuhang shouted her name loudly. Lin Yan Lin Yan?! Lin Yan clenched her teeth, tasting a hint of blood on her tongue. She closed her eyes a few times, her long eyshes trembling. Song Yuhangs voice approached from a distance, pulling her back from the brink of copse. It was then that she felt a dull pain in the palm of her hand. Opening it, she saw that because she had gripped the dissecting knife too tightly, the de had cut through the glove, and crimson blood surged out. Duan Cheng held a machine with one hand and grabbed a piece of gauze from the tray to cover it for her. Sister Lin! upational exposure can be significant or trivial; Bai Ling hasnt had a chance to undergo various examinations. If theres any bloodborne infectious disease, it would be disastrous for her! On the other side, Song Yuhang, listening to her exmation, felt her heart reach her throat. Lin Yan, whats wrong?! Lin Yan snapped out of it, threw the soiled gloves into the medical waste bin, and, with a flick, Duan Cheng poured half a bottle of iodine on it for disinfection. Then, she used gauze to press and stop the bleeding, tightly wrapping it up. Its nothing, just identally grazed by the dissecting knife. Song Yuhang finally breathed a sigh of relief, but her anxiety heightened: Is the dissection finished? If it is, go to the hospital for an examination. Lin Yan forced a smile and tied a knot with her teeth on the gauze: No Ill continue to be busy. Alright. Now was not the time for romantic feelings. Song Yuhang was also preparing to hang up the phone when she heard Lin Yan softly call her name again. Song Yuhang Hmm? Whats wrong? Song Yuhang thought she was going to say something. She turned away, covered the handset tightly, not wanting others to hear. Lin Yan paused for a moment, flexing her fingertips against the palm wrapped in gauze. The sharp prickling sensation reached her heart. Her eyes welled up, and she bit her lip, but after a while, she still couldnt say it aloud: Its nothing you be careful. Song Yuhang smiled slightly. Fatigue was evident in her voice, but her tone was unusually rxed. All right, dont worry. Lin Yan hung up the phone, gestured for Duan Cheng to take it away, and then put on another pair of clean gloves to continue with the dissection. Another assistant forensic doctor was busy with her. He clicked his tongue twice, saying, Not to mention Forensic Doctor Lin, even I havent seen a case like this. Most of the organs in the whole body have been emptied. Can you not be scared? Ive identally been nicked by a dissecting knife before. Look, this young girl should have no major issues. upational exposure isnt terrifying. Discover it early, treat it early. It was meant to beforting words, but Lin Yan suddenly lifted her head. Her gaze was dark, like maggots clinging to bones, mixed with a chilling hatred. The assistant forensic doctor met her eyes and felt a chill down his spine. However, Lin Yan quickly lowered her head again and continued working as if what just happened was only his hallucination. Who said she had never seen it? As early as fourteen years ago, when she had juste of age, she had witnessed such corpses and experienced the cruelty and heartlessness of the murderer. Since that day, her world had plunged into eternal darkness, and the light had gradually drifted away from her. Lin Yans dissection speed had always been fast, so no one noticed her abnormality. Afterpleting most of the preliminary work, she, as usual, tossed the suturing task to the assistant forensic doctor, took off her gloves, removed her hat, and headed towards the exit. Instead of rushing to take a shower, she turned on the faucet, cing her injured right hand under the water stream. More than half an hour had passed, and the wound was still oozing blood, with a pale red stream flowing into the drain. Lin Yan cupped water and fiercely sshed it onto her face, repeating the action several times. Her temple hair becamepletely wet, and water droplets trickled down her chin, soaking arge area of her front clothing. Leaning on the washbasin, she looked at herself in the mirror. The tears had made her eyes even more sparkling. As she continued to gaze, she couldnt help but feel that the person in the mirror didnt resemble herself, but rather like a distorted monster, the face twisted by hatred. Her eyes carried the same cruelty, gloominess, and horror as the murderer. For a moment, she didnt know if she was looking at the murderer or someone else. The tightly stretched thread was about to break, and she breathed heavily. It wasnt until her phone vibrated softly that she took it out and saw a message from Song Yuhang. There werent many words, just an emoji of a hug. Lin Yan felt as if she could hear her saying, Trust me, Lin Yan. You are not fighting alone in this solitary battle. There was a momentary impulse to reveal the autopsy results, but after much hesitation, she resisted the urge. She turned off the screen, clutched the phone in her palm, and pressed it firmly against the wound. Lin Yan gritted her teeth, her long eyshes trembling. When she opened her eyes, she made a difficult decision. Im sorry, Song Yuhang. You trust me, but I must bear the responsibility in the end. The truth she wanted could only be obtained by herself, and simrly, only she could be the one to harm the perpetrator of Chu Nan. She wouldnt give that scum the chance to stand trial, absolutely not. He is not worthy. Lin Yan chewed on these words, feeling a surge of hatred about to burst from her eyes. She tilted her head, swallowed the bitterness, patted her face, and walked out with her phone in hand. Lowering her voice, she made a call, Hey, send me Song Yuhangs location to my phone. The Public Security Bureau, chaotic with peopleing and going, didnt notice she had quietly disappeared from her workstation. Lin Yan climbed over the fence,nded gracefully, put on her motorcycle helmet, fastened the buckle, her long legs on the ground. She took her phone out of her pocket, clipped it in front of the handlebars, tapped the screen twice, and a map appeared, with a shing dot moving. Twisting the throttle, she revved the engine and shot out like lightning. * * * In the Jiangcheng City Public Security System, there were several hundred personnel, along with some special police officers, dispersed into several teams, searching the suburban hospitals. A voice came over the earpiece: Captain Song, Target Five has been searched, no suspicious individuals found. Song Yuhang drew a line on the map with a pen, saying, Alright, move on to the next target point. The leader of the special police unit was also beside her, and the police lights on themand vehicle remained on, ready to depart at any time. Captain Song, this wont work. The suburban area is toorge. We need a more targeted search. Song Yuhang furrowed her brow, pacing back and forth, dressed in a ck training suit, tall and graceful. She suddenly stopped, as if realizing something, pressed themunication device, and called Zheng Chengrui over. Find out how Li Hai died back then. Zheng Chengrui nodded, put on his headphones, and rapidly tapped the keyboard. The internalwork search results showed nothing. He turned back to look at Song Yuhang. The death of Li Hai back then might not have been ssified as a criminal case. If we had investigated it earlier, would we be in this situation today? The murderer and Wei Lihong must have concealed many truths, tidying up the scene seamlessly. Look into some online tabloid news, strange incidents, and the like. Zheng Chengrui entered new search terms and, during the waiting process, lightly bit his finger, a thinyer of sweat forming on his forehead. Everyone was impatient. He swiftly manipted the mouse, and then his eyes lit up, Got it! Captain Song,e and see if this is it Song Yuhang rushed over in a single stride. This is a piece of sensational news titled Well-known Female Inte Celebrity and Boyfriend Suffocate to Death from Overexcitement During Beach Tryst. Zheng Chengrui scrolled with the mouse, not paying much attention to the specific details in the first half. His focus was solely on the identities of the male and female leads in thetter part. ording to the report, the woman was an inte celebrity who appeared on several TV dating shows, while the man was a well-known local doctor surnamed Li. The incident urred at a beach bathing area within Jiangcheng City. Li Hai, Li Yang, lived by the sea and died because of the sea. It really matched their names. Song Yuhang abruptly turned around, chambered a round, and said, Everyone, get ready. Head to Target Ten, the beach bathing area! * * * The light spot on the map moved again. Lin Yan suddenly hit the brakes, leaving a white line on the asphalt road. She leaned against the roadside, took off her gloves, and touched the screen, nning out the nearest route. The beach bathing area? Its not far from Fenyang Pier, indeed. Lin Yan gritted her teeth, put on her gloves, added full throttle, and shot out like an arrow released from a bow. Brown hair danced in the air, and her entire body tensed into a streamlined form. In the pocket of her upper garment, a photo was tucked close. Lin Yan released her left hand from the handlebars and touched her chest. Chu Nan, bless me to personally kill him and avenge you.
Chapter 62-2 Chapter 62-2 Darkness This is an abandoned hospital, quietly standing next to the seaside bathhouse. Since a murder urred, the bathhouse has been deserted, with few people visiting and overgrown with weeds. As night falls, darkness envelops them. A girl sits on the bed with a nasal feeding tube inserted, beside her is an old-fashioned electrocardiogram monitor, still barely functional after many years. The man gently touches her stubbly head, Are you scared? The girl shakes her head. In the days of hiding and evading for so many years, she no longer knows what fear is. Not long ago, she personally handed a bottle of drink containing arge amount of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid to a girl named Bai Ling. She quickly fell into a deep sleep and was painlessly relieved of all her organs. The blood recycling machine nearby continuously pumped fresh blood back into her body. She even had a feeling that she was about to fly. The man could see her excitement and once again touched her head, I know youre thrilled right now, but we still need toplete onest thing. What is it? the girl raised her eyes, looking at him with innocent, big eyes. Get rid of the little tail thats been following us. Is that also the task given to you by that man? the girl asked. The man shook his head, squatting down and taking her hand, No, this is for you, my princess. I wouldnt want us to be disturbed by someone when were in the middle of something. And what about you? After the surgery, are you going to Over twenty years of tumultuous and wandering life had added weathering and lines to his once handsome face. The man smiled, a cold and somewhat world-weary expression on his face, Yes, I was already a dead man. After avenging and repaying debts, its time for me to go. The girl tightened the bedsheet beneath her, and the man noticed her tension, adjusting the IV drip to the maximum speed. All right, get some rest. When you wake up, Ill be back. * * * Lin Yan took a shortcut, directly leaping off the mountain road, soaring over the guardrail. Rocks tumbled down as the motorcycle grazed the steep cliff, with a low fishing vige below. Startled vigers scattered, watching as the motorcycle seemed about to crash onto an elderly person sitting at a house entrance. In mid-air, Lin Yan forcefully lifted the front of the motorcycle, gripping the handlebars, executing a graceful parab, narrowly avoiding the crowd. The tires left a white line on the ground as the motorcycle elerated away with a buzz. Wearing a helmet, Lin Yan caught a glimpse in the rearview mirror of the elderly person sitting on the ground, lips slightly curled. In the next moment, she saw a sh of light reflected from the second floor of a house behind her. Instinctive awareness of the impending crisis made her quickly twist the handlebars to the left. The right rearview mirror was shattered by the bullet that followed closely behind, and fragments grazed her eye. Lin Yan felt a sudden pain on her face as warm liquid trickled down. A scream erupted from the crowd. Bullets hit the ground, creating golden sparks as they struck the motorcycles body. With a bang, the rear tire burst. Lin Yan stepped on the brakes, executing a 180-degree drift. In an instant, she pulled a gun from her waist, following the sound, and without giving the other party a chance to catch their breath, she aimed in that direction and pulled the trigger. The motorcycle had lost control, crashing into a nearby house and shattering the ss at the store entrance. Lin Yan climbed out from the ss shards, with cuts on her legs, face, and hands. Fortunately, her helmet protected her head, so there were no fatal injuries. Gritting her teeth and struggling to stand, Lin Yan hadnt steadied herself when a sh of fire passed through the darkness. She quickly lunged forward, creating a dust cloud where shended, leaving several deep bullet craters on the ground. This time, she saw it. Lin Yan, back against the ground, raised her hand and fired. The opponent dodged into the corner, and tiles flew in all directions. She swiftly got up, dragging her injured leg, limping forward. Fighting in an open space against someone with a gun wasnt wise. She needed to find cover quickly; otherwise, shed be an easy target. Behind her, the cry of a child reached Lin Yans ears, causing her to freeze. Mom Mom where are you? The boys tender voice echoed in the dust and smoke, magnified infinitely. She hastily turned around and saw a figure in ck raising a gun towards her, with the boy and her standing on the same horizontal line. He was still very young, around seven or eight years old, standing in the darkness crying helplessly. He must have be separated from his family in the chaos just now. Whether it was the person in ck firing the gun or her firing it, there was a high chance of identally harming the child. Lin Yans pupils contracted, and her extraordinary vision could already see him squeezing the trigger. In that instant, her body moved. Strangely, it felt as if her body and soul had separated. Reason told her not to intervene, to quickly find a ce to hide. However, her body had already lunged towards the child. It was toote. Lin Yan closed her eyes, pressing the person into her arms and crashing to the ground. The expected pain didnte from behind but Cough, cough Lin Yan coughed up blood from the corner of her lips, looking incredulously at the knife in the boys hand, now lodged in her shoulder. He giggled, took a step back, and broke free from her embrace. Thank you, big sister. Big sister is really a kind person, but brother says, good people dont always get good things. Lin Yans vision began to blur, and she struggled to see his face clearly, but it was in vain. She knew the boy wasnt very strong, and the stab wasnt fatal, but what made it deadly was that the knife had something on it. Otherwise, she wouldnt have lost strength so quickly. She covered the wound, gritted her teeth, took a few steps on her knees. The cirction of blood elerated the evaporation of the drug. The boy pped his hands, One, two, three. As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Yan copsed to the ground, still tightly gripping her phone. The call had already been dialed, emitting a bright light. The boy ran over, stepping on her wrist, stomping on it harshly before retrieving the phone and ending the call. Song Yuhangs phone rang twice. When she took it out and saw it was Lin Yan, she was about to answer, but the call was disconnected. She hesitated for a moment but decided to call her back. Before she could connect, a message came from the frontline team member, Captain Song, weve arrived. She reluctantly stashed her phone in her pocket and jumped out of the car with them. A man held the arm of the person in ck, and the shot aimed at Lin Yan just now was fired into the void. The two were in a standoff, and the ck-d persons wrist was being gripped, causing a subtle pain. Through gritted teeth, he said, What do you want? You want me to kill her again, and youvee from so far away to save her. Im not saving her. I told you, I just want to y a game. After all, if the chess piece dies, the game isnt fun anymore, right? The man waved his hand, and the little boy obediently ran to his side, pouting with the phone in hand. I was too slow. She has already made the distress call. Its okay. You did well, the man said, a rare hint of tenderness on his face. The person in ck watched their interaction and felt insulted beingbeled as a madman. Though he was insane, he hadnt reached the point of having a seven or eight-year-old childmit murder. Alright, you should go back now, the man released him, and despite his seemingly slender frame, it contained a strength as if bearing a thousand pounds. The person in cks wrist had a red mark from being gripped. He shook his arm to get the blood flowing, saying, Four hours, help me hold off the police for four hours. The man nced at Lin Yan lying on the sandy ground, a smile ying on his lips. He spread his hands, I cant guarantee that, it depends on the other side. But well, Im curious too.
LP: Call Lin Yan back, Song Yuhang!
Chapter 63-1 Chapter 63-1
Content Warning: This chapter contains scenes of intense violence and torture that may be distressing for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
Ransom Atte night, ten oclock. Being the CEO of arge listedpany with assets exceeding a hundred million is no easy task. Lin Youyuan is still in the conference room, haggling back and forth with representatives of a foreignpany for a project worth tens of millions. Its a lively scene, with back-and-forth arguments and verbal battles. The other party has been in China for over half a month, and everything from eating and drinking to personal needs is taken care of by Jingtai. They stay in five-star hotels, dine on gourmet cuisine and sushi, and even indulge in activities like taking baths and ying golf in their free time. Jingtais entire team is putting in their utmost effort. Unexpectedly, the other party is unwilling to concede even a 0.1% profit and insists on them prepaying the initial capital. Lin Youyuans eyebrows twitched. He took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, simultaneously suppressing his anger. At that moment, the secretary knocked on the door and hurriedly walked in, saying, Sir. Lin He raised an eyebrow, holding back his anger. Whats the matter? The secretary nced at the others who had stopped their discussion, leaned down, lowered her voice, and said by his ear, Miss, she He sat alone in the main seat, and the other employees were seated far away. The secretary opened a tablet and handed it to him, saying, Sent to your inbox five minutes ago. The screen waspletely silent. Lin Yan appeared on it like a dead dog, limbs chained, suspended in mid-air. Even her neck was circled with a thumb-thick chain, her hair disheveled, and her body covered in blood. Lin Youyuan muttered a few words through his teeth: Useless, piece, of, junk. Sir. Lin, what should we do now? The secretary swallowed nervously, a look of panic on her face. Lin Youyuan picked up a teacup, took a sip, and, treating the tablet like an ordinary report, closed it and handed it back to her. What do you mean, what to do? We dont even have one cent. Clearly, there were representatives from the foreignpany who understood Chinese. Hearing this, some became visibly uneasy. This yed right into Lin Youyuans hands. He waved his hand, signaling the secretary to leave and continued discussing business. As the secretary walked out, she became increasingly frightened. Turning back and forth, she watched as time ticked away, with less than two hours remaining until the deadline set by the kidnappers for the ransom payment. She gritted her teeth, took out her phone from her pocket, and reluctantly made a call, Hello, is this the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau? Im reporting a case on behalf of the Jingtai Group * * * Since the operation began, Feng Jianguo has been standing in front of the training roomsrge screen, not eating or drinking all day. Seeing that they have arrived at the hospital downstairs, Song Yuhang pressed the inte button: Team One, Team Two, Team Three, secure the stairs, be ready for firepower support at any time. Snipers, upy the high ground. A head popped up from the control station on the opposite beach amusement park: Snipers are in position. Team Four, Team Five, Team Six, advance alternately, move with me in a tactical formation for search. Several special police officers carrying explosion-proof shields quickly approached. Song Yuhang held a gun, leaned against the wall, and the loose strands under her helmet were all wet. The group silently moved along the wall. The perimeter drones transmitted real-time footage back to the city bureau, and Feng Jianguo couldnt help but sweat for them. Director Feng, somethings wrong! someone rushed in and shouted. Without turning around, he instinctively burst out, What the hell is wrong?! Cant you say auspicious words at a critical moment like this?! The young police officer rushed in, cradling a tablet, looking flustered and forgetting to salute, Its not not good Forensic Doctor Lin Forensic Doctor Lin is in trouble!!! Duan Cheng, just bringing tea for Feng Jianguo, saw him push the tablet in front of him. He swallowed hard and said, Jingtai Group just reported a case. Forensic Doctor Lin has been kidnapped and is missing, and arge ransom is being demanded. This is the video sent by the kidnappers. The screen was opened, and everyone in the training room instinctively stopped what they were doing. Just from the background, it was impossible to determine where it was. Lin Yan didnt say a word, not because she didnt want to, but because she couldnt. A thumb-thick iron chain was looped around her neck, hanging her head in mid-air. A knife was inserted into her shoulder, and it was unclear whether she was alive or dead. Just from this segment of the footage, even seasoned detectives like Feng Jianguo, with decades of investigative experience, couldnt discern any clues. At the end of the email, the ransom demanded by the kidnappers was one hundred million, a staggering amount! Feng Jianguo paced back and forth, pinching his brow fiercely. Suddenly, he turned around, grabbed the teacup from Duan Chengs hand, and mmed it onto the ground. Tea sttered, shards of porcin scattered everywhere, and the others dared not make a sound. Feng Jianguo breathed heavily, Damn, they sure know how to pick their timing. One billion! Why dont they just rob a bank?! The arrest operation reached a critical moment, with almost the entire avable police force in Jiangcheng City on the front line. Not to mention a detective squad, Feng Jianguo couldnt even assemble a surveince team at the moment! Zhang Jinhai watched the recorded video, and after a long pause, he found his voice and stuttered, Sh-shall we inform Captain Song and have her recall some of the team? Feng Jianguo, hands behind his back, paced back and forth and decisively rejected the suggestion, No, we cant distract her. We havent confirmed the connection between these two cases. Lin Yans life is at stake, as well as others. We cant take that risk. Despite his words, Lin Youyuan was already in his sixties this year, and despite his frequent remarriages, it was unlikely for him to have more children. Lin Yan, as the sole heir of the Lin family and the future CEO of Jingtai, her life was exceptionally valuable. Otherwise, the secretary wouldnt have rushed in to report the case in such a frantic manner. Have the Jingtai people arrived? They have, waiting in the reception room. Block the news first. Not a single word about this can leak out. Technicians, analyze the video location and the opponents server immediately. It must be fast! Experience counts in the end. Feng Jianguo put on a wide-brimmed hat and walked briskly outside, saying, Its good theyre here. Ill inquire personally. After Feng Jianguo left, Duan Cheng approached Zheng Chengrui, saying, Old Zheng Forensic Doctor Lin she she Zheng Chengrui was typing on the keyboard, sweating profusely, Cant decrypt it. The background is a warehouse, no reference points at all. There must be hundreds or thousands of warehouses like this in Jiangcheng City. Duan Cheng was getting anxious, pacing back and forth. Suddenly, he leaned on Zheng Chengruis shoulder, What if we just tell Captain Song? I think shell find a solution. Zheng Chengrui nced at him, pushed him away, and lowered his voice, Are you crazy? Still thinking about taking the civil service exam? Didnt you hear what Director Feng said? Not a single word can be leaked. Duan Cheng choked for a moment, I But but He was as agitated as an ant on a hot pan. Although Forensic Doctor Lin had a sharp tongue and a violent streak, they were colleagues. Every time they watched her dissect a corpse, he could learn a lot. Could they just watch her miss the deadline for the ransom and die in vain? The Lin family is really something, he thought. They have a fortune of millions, yet they cant bear to part with a mere hundred million. While Duan Cheng was getting anxious, Feng Jianguo knew that this wasnt the first time for the Lin family. When he entered the reception room and saw the secretary instead of Lin Youyuan, he felt a pang of unease. Please have a seat. As soon as he finished speaking, the secretary stood up abruptly, not waiting for him to speak, and spoke fluently. Hello, Director Feng. I am Director Lins secretary, representing Jingtai Group in handling this matter. We really cante up with this one hundred million. We justpleted the second round of financing for this fiscal year He had heard this reasoning many years ago. The person who had raged in the training room now maintained the dignity befitting a city-level public security bureau chief when facing outsiders. Feng Jianguo didnt waste words with her, The kidnappers sent the email at 9:30, but you reported the case at 10:10. Now, theres less than an hour and a half left until the ransom exchange. Where do you want me to find people for you? The secretary kept wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief, saying, Apologies, apologies. Director Lin is in a meeting. Its really, really can only rely on therades from the police,rades from the police. Before she could finish, theputer screen of the nearby technician lit up. Director Feng, the kidnapper sent another message. Lin Youyuan watched as Lin Yan in the video was tortured, her head forcefully pushed into the water, struggling desperately. The iron chain dragged on the ground, making a ttering sound. The wound on her shoulder started bleeding again, tinting the once clear water a faint red. She gritted her teeth, remaining silent. Her hair was yanked, pulling her up, and the assant grabbed a handful of white powder from the side, sprinkling it on her wounds. The secretary covered her eyes, her heart pounding, What what is this? Soon, she found out. Coarse salt grains embedded deeply into the flesh, melting in the blood. Lin Yan, in excruciating pain, couldnt bear it any longer. A scream erupted from the depths of her throat. Lin Youyuan forcefully closed theptop, closed his eyes, and sat alone in the dark conference room, his eyebrows lightly twitching. You motherf***er! A roar echoed from the man, his voice hoarse and gravelly. He pped Lin Yan across the face. Lin Yan still didnt relent, tightly biting his arm until he forcefully mmed her head against the wall, again and again, the echoing sound of bang, bang, bang reverberating in the warehouse. The wall quickly bore arge patch of bloodstains. When Lin Yan fell down, a chunk of flesh had been bitten off from his arm. The man, in excruciating pain, kicked her chest several times. He dragged her forward by her hair, leaving a trail of blood wherever they passed.
LP: Sorry for not updating yesterday! One more thing is the site really filled with ads? Im using auto ads for adsense so I dont really know if the ads are much more aggressive to your side than mine, which I only see at least 2-4 ads. Please tell me if this is the case and Ill adjust it!
Chapter 63-2 Chapter 63-2
Content Warning: This chapter contains scenes of intense violence and torture that may be distressing for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
Ransom 10 million, no more. He still called Feng Jianguo. There was silence for a moment on the other end of the line. Arent you afraid that the kidnappers will really kill your daughter? I am. Lin Youyuan spoke frankly. Im even more afraid of losing both my daughter and my money. I dont want to relive what happened 26 years ago. So, I can only give 10 million. The rest is up to you. Feng Jianguo rubbed his temples and stood by the window, almost wanting to curse. You businessmen are always trying to maximize your profits while minimizing your risks. Dont forget how Lin Cheng died. Lin Youyuan smiled without smiling. One Lin Cheng died, theres still Lin Yan. Lin Yan died, theres still Lin Ge. At worst, I can just adopt one from an orphanage and give him the surname Lin. But Jingtai is the only one. If I give out 100 million today, how many subsidiaries will go bankrupt and how many employees will beid off? Lin Yan can die, but Jingtai must live. Butterfly effect, Lin Yan is just a fuse. The second round of financing has just passed, and the situation is still unstable. The economy is in recession and the market is in a cold winter. The capital that has been invested cannot be recovered immediately. This 100 million yuan is really a major blow. He cannot take this risk and bet on Jingtai. Hurry up, hurry up! Decode the IP address, Old Zheng, Old Zheng! Duan Cheng was almost holding a megaphone to cheer him on. Zheng Chengrui was already fat, and he was sweating all over when he was anxious. His hands were shaking so much that he couldnt even hold the mouse. He failed to click several times in a row. He took a deep breath and started over. Duan Cheng stared at the progress bar intently, and Fang Xin looked at theputer screen with anxious eyes. 90%, 93%, 95%, 99% 100%! Everyone held their breath in anticipation. After a short silence, a line of gibberish appeared on the screen. Zheng Chengrui threw his sses on the table and shook his head dejectedly. Its no use. The server is overseas. I cant parse it. Duan Cheng punched the table, his eyes red. Damn it! Then then what should we do now Fang Xin released her bitten fingers and stood up. We cant just sit here and wait for death. We need to find some clues and see how Forensic Doctor Lin disappeared. * * * Buzz The phone, pressed against her flesh, vibrated. Ignoring it, Song Yuhang charged into an empty room, theser beam from the gun cutting throughyers of mist as it swept back and forth. She raised her hand. All clear, no targets found. Lets retreat. Buzz The phone vibrated again. Song Yuhangs heart tightened. She remembered the call Lin Yan had just hung up. She slowed her steps, signaling the SWAT team leader to take the lead. She slung her sidearm over her back and pulled out her phone from her pocket. Two video clips. She opened it and instantly went crazy. She bit off her tactical glove and dialed Director Fengs number. The other end roared, Im damn stressed too! Why are you questioning me?! Lin Yan is such a big shot, who can stop her? God knows what shes up to! Song Yuhang lowered her voice, took a deep breath, and her heart twisted in pain. How much time is left until the agreed ransom exchange? An hour. She couldnt help but shout, Then why didnt you tell me earlier?!! The group turned back to look at her. Song Yuhang removed her helmet and night vision goggles, unplugged themunication mic from her ear, and turned to run downhill. Captain Song, Captain Song Others tried to stop her, and Feng Jianguo heard it, cursing loudly. Song Yuhang, cant you have a little backbone? Dont forget the military order you just made with me! Youre supposed to take responsibility for protecting the entire Jiangcheng City. And now? Are you going to be a deserter just for Lin Yan? Dont forget, youre the highest on-sitemander. Can you live up to your rank?! Song Yuhang pushed her disheveled hair back, turned around several times, and took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down. What about Lin Yan? Whos protecting her?! Shes also in danger! Feng Jianguo hesitated for a moment before saying, Were already on our way to the ransom exchange. How much does the kidnapper want? 100 million. And the Lin family? They only gave 10 million. Song Yuhang was almost grinding her teeth: Isnt this nonsense?! Whenever something rted to Lin Yan happens, you always seem to be particrly emotionally vtile, Song Yuhang. Dont say Im heartless; Im giving you a chance. You cane back to save her, but there are conditions. Either bring the suspect to justice, or take off your police uniform and return to act heroically. Its your choice. After hanging up the phone, Song Yuhang remained silent for a long time. The others had already dispersed to continue searching the entire hospital, as lives were at stake here. She leaned her head against the cold wall and watched the two video clips again. When Lin Yans face contorted in pain and she screamed, tears streamed down Song Yuhangs face as well. She knew why Lin Yan had left the team without informing her. It must have been because during the autopsy, she discovered simrities with the Chu Nan case. Only this reason would be enough for her to go after the killer alone. The White Whale Case and the Fen Yang Wharf Dismemberment Case had simrities, but also many differences. Regardless of whether the perpetrator was acting alone, Song Yuhang felt connection to it. The urgent task is to find the killer, which means Lin Yan is not far away. Chen Chu Nan is her weakness, so shell be her armor. Song Yuhang wiped away her tears, sniffled, put on her helmet, quickly fastened the buckle, and headed upstairs with her gun. Lin Yan, wait for me. * * * Still, no one ising to save you. Blood flowed into her eyes, making her already blurred vision even less clear. The man who had beaten her disappeared, and she was once again suspended in mid-air. She could only hear a cold, emotionless mechanical voice. Lin Yans lips curved slightly in a mocking smile. But then, she couldntugh anymore. Why dont you hit me, scum, idiot, big fool! The familiar voice instantly transported her back to that afternoon 26 years ago. The boy kicked her to the ground, stepped on her chest, twisted her fingers, and took the two yuan tightly clenched in her hand, tearing it to pieces. Bah, you bastard also wants to take my fathers money, do you deserve it?! Just as cheap as your mother, get lost! The ten year old boy was already sturdy like a chubby little guy, and kicked her against the wall with one kick. Lin Yans headnded on the ground, and when she woke up again, she was tied to Lin Cheng, and the water from the ceiling hit her face drop by drop. Before she could regain consciousness, the man wearing a mask whipped her hard. Cry, everyone! The louder you cry, the better. Let your wealthy father see how his children have been tortured by me! The whip was whipped on their body, causing pain. Lin Cheng cried loudly, but Lin Yan was already used to it, gritting her teeth and keeping silent. Oh, shes quite stubborn, but her small face is quite cute, that look in her eyes The man lifted her chin and looked around. Very fierce. After speaking, he whipped the corner of her eyes. Lin Yan closed her eyes and trembled all over. Tears flowed unconsciously, but she still didnt cry out. The man became interested and said, Dont be a mute. The others chimed in, Mute is good, mute is good, she cant speak anyway, so its a good idea to strip naked and show her father, and let us see how different this rich mans daughter is from us poor people. There was a sound of clothes tearing. Lins eyes were full of tears, the sound seemed toe from all directions and returned to her ears through the echo of the warehouse. Her hands and feet are tied, unable to block her ears, her eyes are getting redder and redder, she hissed, the sentence that she said is mixed with broken air sound. You who the hell are you? Comee out! It doesnt matter who I am, whats important is that youre going to die, no one came to save you when you were little, and its still the same when you grow up. Lin Yan, Lin Yan, what a pathetic life you have lived. The steady mechanical voice unexpectedly let out a sigh, which was incredibly creepy. Lin Yanwas hanging in mid-air, turning her neck with difficulty, her whole body ached when she pulled a hair, and blood flowed from her head, irritating her eyes with raw pain. She tugged on her arms, the iron chain rattled, Lin Yan narrowed her eyes slightly, Wanting me to die, its not that easy, Ive always relied on myself, Ive never relied on anyone else. The voice chuckled, a sound devoid of emotion, like the monotonous speech of an NPC in a video game. Lin Yan couldnt quite discern whether it belonged to a man or a woman, or if it was even human at all. Take a look at your current situation, it said. This iron chain descends 6 centimeters every 5 minutes. In half an hour, if I dont see the ransom at the designated location, there wont be anyone left to save~ As the words hung in the air, the chain suddenly ckened, and Lin Yan felt weightless. She closed her eyes slightly, only to be held in ce by an invisible force. The sparkling sea water surrounded her as she hovered above a transparent ss tank. Lin Yans pupils contracted. The voice spoke again. Now, our clever Forensic Doctor Lin, calcte how far you are from the waters surface, how long until you suffocate, and whether theyll actuallye to your rescue~
LP: Some parts are confusing but either way, Song Yuhang hurry up and save Lin Yan! On another matter, there seems to be popup ads ording to a reader! I dont get any at all so I was unaware, I apologize. I dont know where the ad code is, so Ill just deactive some plugins where it might possibly be. If you dont see any popup ads anymore, it means that I got rid of it, but if not, please tell me!
Chapter 64-1 Chapter 64-1 Beast Hey, have you received the money? The secretary sat in the car, making a call to the kidnappers. The inclothes officer driving in the front was apanied by a technician and a detective in the back. This was among the limited forces that the Jiangcheng City Bureau could spare. As for Feng Jianguo, he had to stay behind to oversee the overall situation, while Zhang Jinhai had a different task. Before departure, Fang Xin was about to grab the investigation kit and head out when she ran into Director Feng. She paused, Director Feng Feng Jianguo looked at the young faces of the tech and detective, Where are you going? Fang Xin pulled the investigation kit behind her, and Zheng Chengrui nervously cleared his throat, Uh Duan Cheng took a step forward, stiffening his neck. He had never spoken face-to-face with a leader of this level before, so his face turned red with nervousness. To save people he stammered. With just a few of you? Feng Jianguo furrowed his brow slightly, You cant fight, and you cant handle it. I who said its just us Duan Cheng argued but was pulled back by Fang Xin. Its not me saying this, but its a well-known fact that the annual martial artspetition for the tech and detective units always ranks at the bottom. However Feng Jianguo made way, I also want to see what Lin Yan has taught you in the past half year. Old Zhang! He shouted loudly. Zhang Jinhai, fully geared up, rushed out from the changing room. While running, he fastened the buckle of his helmet. Wearing a bulletproof vest and a bit on the overweight side, he stood at attention when he reached Feng Jianguo, slightly panting. At attention! You lead the team, everyone is going. Go to the armory to get your guns, and make sure to bring Lin Yan back to me in one piece! Yes! The entire tech and detective team were filled with high spirits. Feng Jianguos tense lips revealed a hint of a smile as he watched them run off, but he added one more sentence. You all, tooe back safely. Duan Cheng, who was walking behind, heard this. He turned around, gave Feng Jianguo a thumbs-up, his young face sincere and beautiful with a genuine smile. Then, he caught up with his teammates and disappeared at the end of the corridor. Feng Jianguo then entered the training room, standing in front of the big screen, monitoring two life-and-death assaults. When wearing the bulletproof vest, fasten it like this, so it wonte loose easily. This is a matter of life and death; you must check it carefully, Zhang Jinhai said, cing the gun into the holster and helping him organize it. Duan Cheng adjusted his helmet, feeling a bit ufortable with its weight. I always thought Captain Zhang never went on field assignments. Zhang Jinhai smiled, When I was as young as you are now, I used to go out every day. Things are different now; my life is tied to my family. With more considerations, I cant risk it. Zheng Chengrui struggled to fit his bulky frame into the bulletproof vest, panting heavily. Alright Im ready lets go. Fang Xin had already circled around the entrance of the Municipal Bureau, pointing at tire marks. Lao Zheng, check the surveince on this road. These look like motorcycle tracks. Okay. Zheng Chengrui, holding aputer with one arm, began the task. Duan Cheng drove the car closer. Lets go, get in. Well investigate while on the move. Found it, its Sister Lin, Zheng Chengrui said, erging the image and guiding them. Turn left at the next intersection. * * * Why is there only 50 million? Are you trying to make me tear up the tickets? The kidnapper lowered his voice and roared in frustration. The secretary held a metal box in her arms, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief. No, no, no. Theres only 50 million in thepanys ount. Weve transferred it all to you. The remaining amount will be in the form of a check transaction. The man finally nodded in satisfaction. Hmph. You have fifteen minutes. ce the money by the 18th electrical box on the waterfront highway. Once I have the money, Ill release the hostage. The technician tapped on theputer keyboard, analyzing waveforms. He nodded to the secretary, signaling her to buy more time. The secretary hesitated and, under the guidance of the detective, said, I need to confirm that the youngdy is still alive. Otherwise, not a single cent of this money will reach you. The other party hesitated for a moment, then simply repeated, Once I have the money, I will naturally release her. The secretary nced at the detective and continued, Im already on the way. The money will definitely reach you. I need to confirm first that the youngdy is still alive. Let her say a few words to me The other person coldly repeated, Once I have the money, I will naturally release her. The technician kept tracking the number, frowning at the flickering waveform on the screen. The secretary wanted to say more, but the other party abruptly hung up, the waveform cut off. The detective leaned over and asked, How is it, did you track it? The technician shook his head, It wont work. The call was too short, and besides, didnt you find his tone of speech strange? Whats strange? The secretary was genuinely anxious and restless at the moment, Please,rade driver, drive faster. Lives are at stake here. The 50 million mentioned was virtual currency; the real Chinese yuan was in the metal box she was holding. If the criminals audited the transaction, it would be all over. Except for the initial hmph, there was no other fluctuation in tone, as if he was reciting lines, very monotone. The technician took off his headphones, also feeling uneasy. However, the top priority was to find Lin Yan first before anything else. * * * With the help of Duan Cheng, Fang Xin carried the investigation kit and descended straight down the coastline from the damaged guardrail. Others followed suit. The surveince abruptly ended here. Duan Cheng, using a shlight, immediately spotted the motorcycle discarded in the bushes. Look, its Sister Lins bike! Zhang Jinhai ran over, feeling the seat; it was already cold, and there was blood. One side of the rearview mirror was knocked askew, and the other side was shattered. There were bullet holes on the body. Following these clues, as they moved further into the fishing vige, they got closer to the site of the conflict. nters and chairs were overturned along the road, with bullet holes visible on the ground and walls. Many businesses were shut, and the ss on the doors of many houses was shattered. In the deep silence of the night. Duan Cheng decided to raise his voice, shouting, Sister Lin, where are you? Sister Lin?! Fang Xin pulled him back, Stop yelling! Instead, lets look for clues! Zhang Jinhai pointed at the bloodstains not far ahead in an open area, Theres blood; lets go check. Fang Xin took gloves from the investigation kit, put them on, and dipped her fingertips in the blood, then sniffed, Its human blood. She nudged Duan Cheng, Can you tell which way they went? Duan Cheng looked around, the surroundings pitch ck, and the sea breeze whistling. How would I know If Lin Yan were here, she would definitely figure it out As soon as he finished speaking, everyone stared at him in unison. If Lin Yan were present, she probably would have given him a good p, saying, What use are you? But now, despite no one scolding him, he felt his face burning. Lin Yan had always been the main force in solving cases for the tech and detective unit. She was both skilled and knowledgeable, and they had always looked up to her brilliance. The light she emitted felt dazzling, and they had never thought about catching up to her pace. Duan Cheng naturally thought that when it came to solving cases, there was Lin Yan for the intellectual aspect and Captain Song for the physical aspect. It was never his turn to take the stage. All he needed to do was smoothlyplete his internship, follow the routine to be a civil servant, andfortably work in an office as a clerk with a stable job. Little did he know that there would be a day when he faced the crime scene directly. Now, standing here in Lin Yans position, facing the expectations of his teammates, confronting dangerous criminals, and dealing with colleagues in life-threatening situations, the psychological pressure was much greater than he had imagined. No one rushed him; it seemed that no one had any expectations of him. Zhang Jinhai got up and went to look for other clues, while Fang Xin and Zheng Chengrui were busy with their own tasks. Duan Cheng gritted his teeth, looking at the pool of blood in front of him. It seemed like he wanted to touch it, but he abruptly pulled his hand back. For the first time, he proactively took gloves from the investigation kit and put them on. Duan Fang Xin walked away, intending to call him to join them. When she turned back, she saw him crouched on the ground, examining the bloodstains. Duan Cheng held a shlight in his teeth, magnifying ss in hand, circling the blood pool, racking his brain to recall what he had learned from books. He tapped his head and stood up, The marginal spicules are intact; this is a pooled droplet bloodstain. Fang Xin walked over, You Duan Cheng suddenly eximed, pointing in her direction, Dont move! Frightened, Fang Xin pulled the shlight back, and Duan Cheng had already rushed over, kneeling at her feet. Ive figured it out. Lin Yan went in this direction. Look, the spicules around the droplet bloodstain vary in length under motion, and the longer end indicates the direction of movement! Lets go this way! Zhang Jinhai was the first to run ahead, Chase! * * * 0202, this is 01 Song Yuhang shook themunication device a few times, and a hissing noise came through, electromaic interference forcing themunication to disconnect. She frowned, pulled out a tactical knife from her leg holster, and carved an arrow on the nearby wall. This served both as a marker for her teammates and a precaution against getting lost. All the rooms here were of the same size andyout. She kicked open another room, finding it filled with medical equipment scattered around, with tables ced haphazardly. Song Yuhang marked the door with her knife, tapped themunication device again, but there was still no response. In that brief moment, she remembered the anti-electromaic interference course she had taken in the police academy. When entering the CT room or X-ray room in a hospital, doctors usually asked patients not to bringmunication devices. Firstly, it was to prevent interference with the proper operation of the machines, and secondly, mobile phones could lose signal due to strong electromaic interference. Hermunication device worked simrly. So, was it possible that she had entered the range of electromaic interference, causing the continuous failure to contact her teammates? Song Yuhang took out themunication device, pulled out the antenna, and the hissing noise became more pronounced. She abruptly turned around. In that instant, the electric current sound from themunication device became sharply piercing. She nced back at the room she had just left, then decisively stepped back in. Song Yuhang held the gun in her hand, the shlight wedged underneath. The light cut through the chaotic dust, dividing the dark room into distinct sections. She carefully scanned the room again, but the night vision device showed no thermal imaging. Song Yuhang breathed a slight sigh of relief. The electric current sound in themunication device had not stopped since entering this room. She picked it up and began searching as if looking for a mobile phone signal. This seemed to be an abandoned doctors office, with dust-covered materials strewn across the table, an overturned trash can, and moldy paper balls scattered around. Song Yuhang stepped on several of them, and when she moved themunication device to the iron cab in the corner, it emitted a sharp sound that sent shivers down ones spine in the silent atmosphere. She pressed the switch, tucked themunication device into her jacket pocket, and started pushing the cab with all her strength. The cab moved inch by inch, emitting a grating noise. Song Yuhang panted heavily, covered in sweat, and her clothes were soaked. She decided to take off her helmet, threw her gun and ammunition belt on the ground, turned her back, used her sturdy back muscles to support, and slowly moved forward until she reached the wall. She wiped the sweat off her face. Before she could be too happy, her eyes were suddenly blinded by the unexpected red light. After moving the iron cab, something on the wall, resembling an electric meter box, began to sh. It had an embedded stopwatch, and the time rapidly rewound. Song Yuhang immediately pressed it, cold sweat dripping down her forehead. She dared not take a breath. Pressure-triggered bomb, activated by a change in gravity. If she hadnt acted quickly to press her weight on it just now, it would have been a disaster. Her arm, tense against the wall, began to tremble slightly, and the numbers on the stopwatch stopped at 10. The surroundings were so quiet. Song Yuhang could hear her own heartbeat, bing more and more intense, ready to jump out of her throat at any moment. She swallowed hard, her arm starting to ache as maintaining this position for an extended period wasnt easy. Honestly, as a criminal investigator, she had only touched on explosive demolition in her training, with a limited understanding. Such delicate work was typically left to bomb disposal experts. However, now she stood within the electromaic interference zone,pletely cut off from the outside world. Whether it was Lin Yan or that girl, neither could afford to wait. Song Yuhang pulled a small knife from her leg holster and began dismantling the electric meter box. Unscrewing each screw, she gently lifted the back cover. Her pupils contracted instantly as a myriad of red, white, ck, and yellow wires tightly entwined together met her eyes. Her heartbeat pounded like a drum, and a rush of blood surged to her head. Song Yuhang felt a chill in her hands and feet, breathing heavily. * * * Lin Yans face was getting close to the water surface. She tilted her head back to gasp for air, breathing in the scarce fresh air. Her hands and feet were suspended; this position couldnt be maintained for long, and her neck began to feel sore. Suddenly, she was forcefully pulled downward, her entire head submerged in the water. Caught off guard, she choked on a few mouthfuls of water, struggling to lift her upper body, coughing continuously. She moved slightly, and the iron chains rattled along. Lin Yan pulled left and right, wrists swaying back and forth, and her fair skin was quickly rubbed to a bloody mess. Dont waste your effort; save some strength to think about yourst words. It was still that voice. Lin Yan spat out a mouthful of blood in the air, swaying, Fuck your mother, shut the hell up. Or, beg me. I might be soft-hearted. Considering you dont look too bad, perhaps, I might spare your life. To avoid being submerged in the water again, Lin Yan tilted her neck, and blood mixed with sweat dripped from her jawline. She lightly pulled the corner of her lips. Listening to your tone, with a sneaky approach, you dont sound like a man. Sorry, Miss Golden Needle Mushroom doesnt need it. With her entire body immobilized except for her wrists and neck, Lin Yan moved her wrists, pulled the iron chains, and lifted herself up slightly. When it came to verbal sparring, she had only lost to Song Yuhang. Besides her, she wasnt afraid of anyone else. The more critical the situation, the less she feared. Song Yuhang called her a wolf cub, so, in these moments, her wolf nature seemed to get more excited at the scent of blood. Even the loss of blood has elerated the metabolism of the drugs, and she felt a bit of strength returning. Looking at the sparkling sea below, Lin Yan had confidence in escaping. How about you call the person who attacked me just now? Are you partners? I think hes not bad, strong, powerful, must be fun to mess with. The voice paused for a moment. Although Lin Yan couldnt see where he was in the pitch-ck surroundings, she could hear the sound of his breathing. Seems like he was provoked. Lin Yan licked her lips, deciding to add fuel to the fire: I mean, are you really a eunuch? Is it necessary to go to such lengths to deal with a lone woman like me? Getting a child to injure me, using a water dungeon, seems like youck confidence, right? How about you let me go, and I promise to spare one of your hands. Is that enough? If not Before she could finish her sentence, the iron chain suddenly loosened, and Lin Yans head plunged into the water tank. She hadnt taken a deep breath yet, and arge amount of saltwater rushed into her chest. She struggled violently, coughing, and bubbles emerged from her nose and mouth, floating to the waters surface. Lin Yan pulled the iron chain, but it didnt budge. She tried to hold her breath, attempting to float upward. Looking up from the dim bottom of the water, the faint ray of light gradually darkened. A steel te slowly covered the opening. Too bad, Ive changed my mind. I dont want to let you live until the moment the ransom is paid.
LP: Song Yuhang in trouble, Lin Yan in even more trouble! Come on, team, hurry!!!
Chapter 64-2 Chapter 64-2 Beast Song Yuhang gently mped the bomb disposal pliers around the red wire. She let out a sigh, attempting to alleviate her tension and anxiety through deep breaths, but it proved insufficient. Her palms were covered in sweat, making it almost impossible to maintain a firm grip on the bomb disposal pliers. Gritting her teeth, she withdrew her hand, wiping it on her clothes. She then carefully picked up the white wire, and in the quiet atmosphere, her breathing felt as heavy as if she were pulling a bellows. Which one should I cut? Cut which one? Cut which one! She murmured to herself, her breath erratic. Covered in sweat, her clothes remained unwashed. Whats more, the hand pressing on the bomb was gradually losing sensation, and she was uncertain whether she was exerting enough force or if it was too much. This was dangerous, equivalent to having one foot already in the realm of the unknown. Lin Yan, Lin Yan. She slightly closed her eyes and let out a breath. Give me courage. If I sacrifice my life here, the mes will surely illuminate the heavens and earth. My teammates will follow the marks Ive left and arrive here. You will be fine. And I, will be the most insignificant and tiny star in this world, guarding over you. She remembered a moment not long ago in Wuli Town. She asked Lin Yan, If one day, I also Lin Yan shook her head, using her hand to cover her lips. In truth, in that moment, she should have been braver and kissed her. That way, when this day truly arrived, there would be no regrets left behind. With these thoughts in mind, Song Yuhang had already loosened the grip of the bomb disposal pliers on the instion of the white wire. She was breathing heavily, her eyes slightly reddened. Just as she was about to exert force to cut it, she suddenly saw another dial behind the peeled-back white wire. No light, no timer. Song Yuhang rxed her hold on the bomb disposal pliers and used her teeth to shine the shlight on ita small keypad. She breathed a sigh of relief, joy evident on her face. Lin Yan, you truly are my lucky star. However, what could the password be? Song Yuhang didnt dare to guess randomly, fearing that an incorrect attempt could lead to disastrous consequences. She pondered, quickly organizing the clues of the entire case in her mind. Setting aside the fact that Lin Yan had been kidnapped, it was highly likely that the perpetrator intended to disrupt the police investigation and buy time. But why would Lin Yan seek him out? Because he is rted to the Chu Nan case. He is a suspect in the White Whale Case, and there is a possibility that he may have killed Chu Nan many years ago, fitting the age profile of the killer. If thats the case, his motives be clear; from the beginning to the end, he has been trying to save the child abandoned by Wei Lihong. The mining ident happened twenty years ago, just one month after that child was born. The time of the mining ident was The ck and white text seen in the county annals in Wuli Town vividly reappeared in front of Song Yuhang. 1998, December 5th. Muttering to herself, Song Yuhang pushed forward another month, gritted her teeth, and decisively pressed a sequence of numbers. * * * Some say that life is like a river, constantly flowing forward, continually forgetting. Those departed individuals or memories will eventuallypletely vanish in the torrent of time. And before ones death, they often reminisce about these things. Before the darkness set in, Lin Yans mind vaguely recalled many fragments. There were moments before she turned three, wandering the streets and alleys with her mother, picking up meat buns discarded by others on the ground. There was also the first night after arriving at the Lin family, locked out by Lin Cheng in a pouring rain. Being beaten, scolded, and despised it was all routine. In this way, many years passed in a sh, and finally, someone reached out and pulled her out of the quagmire. Lin Yan, does it hurt? Be strong, dont cry. In the darkness, those eyes suddenly opened. What she saw, however, was another person extending their hands towards her. Lin Yan, look at me, think again, dont die Lin Yan, youre not fighting this battle alone. Lin Yan, Ive figured it out, what about you? Lin Yan, after the case is closed, Ill apany you for a drink. Bubbles emerged between Lin Yans lips and teeth. She struggled desperately, seizing the golden three seconds as the underwater pressure reached its limit. With a wrist-thick iron chain on her hand, she fiercely mmed it against the water tank. Her entire body mmed up, one hit after another, the sound of bang, bang, bang echoing in the warehouse. The man couldntugh anymore; has she gone mad? Lin Yan was indeed mad. She had sought death many times, but the desire for life had never been so intense. She used the iron chain to strike, her shoulder to bash, her head to knock, her foot to kick, employing every possible means. Finally, a small crack appeared on the transparent ss. Lin Yan grabbed the iron chain, wrapped it around her wrist, and fiercely struck it. Crash Under the powerful pressure and her violent impact, the ss shattered with a resounding noise. Lin Yan instinctively protected her head, getting violently thrown out by the rushing water and shards of broken ss. She rolled on the ground, falling and ending up battered and bruised. Lin Yan looked up, taking in deep breaths of fresh air, feeling an unparalleled sense of relief. Her chest heaved up and down. She turned her head towards the darkness, her eyes dark and bright. It was the joy of surviving a disaster, the madness after bloodlust, and brimming with confidence. She gritted her teeth, stepping on ss shards as she slowly climbed up from the ground. Despite still being bound by the iron chain, she moved much more freely than before. She even pulled the knife from her own shoulder, blood sttering as it dripped down the tight ck suit. She seriously doubted the intelligence of the person who left her with a weapon. Lin Yan licked the blood from the de, her eyes alluring and scalding, lifting her chin slightly. Come, you coward hiding in the darkness. As if hearing movement outside the door, the man concealed in the shadows nced at her, showing no desire for a fight. Without knowing what switch he pressed, a door appeared on the wall. He turned and ran, and Lin Yan lifted her foot to charge out. However, she stumbled again on the iron chain, falling hard to the ground. She angrily roared, shing the knife onto the iron chain, sparks flying. F*ck! Damn it! Break for me! Lin Yan raised her hand repeatedly, the knife quickly rolling its de, leaving several white marks on the iron chain. Breathing heavily, she looked at her left hand, a hint of fierceness shing in her eyes. She raised the dagger high. No! A womans sharp, slightly choked voice cried out. Song Yuhang raised her hand and fired two shots. One shot knocked the dagger from her hand, and the other hit the iron chain. Sparks flew, and Lin Yan fell to the ground. Song Yuhang rushed over, tightly embracing her. Lin Yan, Lin Yan, Lin Yan She caressed her face, wanting to push the sweaty hair away. In just a short day, Lin Yan had been through so much; her face was covered in bloodstains, and there were bruises around her eyes and eyebrows. There were small cuts on her face, blood trickling out slowly. The bloodstains at the corner of her lips were impossible topletely wipe away. Song Yuhang held her, crying out in pain, Lin Yan, Im sorry, Im sorry, I arrivedte I arrivedte Im sorry, Im sorry She repeated these three words, hot tears falling into the nape of Lin Yans neck. It was at this very moment. Lin Yan looked at her, who had never lost control and was now crying like a child. Suddenly, she believed the words Song Yuhang had said to her. However, now was not the time for reminiscing. Trembling, Lin Yan climbed up Song Yuhangs wrist, pulling down the hand that was touching her face. She gritted her teeth, gasping for air, only managing to say aplete sentence with great effort. Go go after him save save people Song Yuhang shook her head, wiping away tears and mucus as she lifted her up. No, no, Ill take you to the hospital first. Its not okay, not okay You cant go on like this Due to excessive bleeding, Lin Yans lips had started to turn pale, her face as white as paper without a trace of color. Exerting herst bit of strength, Lin Yan pushed her away and roared, Go away! Song Yuhang didnt let go, holding her tightly in her arms and shouting back, Im not leaving! Even if you hit me or curse at me, I wont leave! Even if you kill me, I still want to be with you! Lin Yan, who hadnt been tortured to death, was almost driven to death by this unexpected confession. Too straightforward. It didnt sound like something she would say. And her actions today were unlike the usual calm and wise Song Yuhang. It was precisely because of this contrast that Lin Yans eyes welled up. Even though she should be angry, tears streamed down her face. No one said anything more. Song Yuhangs face was burning, but she couldnt bring herself to let go of Lin Yan, even for a single moment. She no longer wanted to experience that heart-wrenching and gut-wrenching feeling. In this moment, to hell with solving the case, to hell with the suspect. Only Lin Yan mattered; she was her entire world. In the quiet atmosphere, only the gradually intensifying heartbeat echoed. Lin Yan slightly closed her eyes. She felt tired, to the point where she had the impulse to just fall asleep like this. But she couldnt. Justice has not yet been served. The whole truth has not been revealed to the world, and Chu Nans body hasnt even been found, let alone resting in peace. Lin Yan bit her tongue to stay awake, and Song Yuhang also let her go. In the darkness, the two of them silently locked eyes, staring straight into each others eyes. Song Yuhang cupped her face, this time without any hesitation, and kissed her deeply. Someone who has never experienced love naturallycks any kissing finesse. It was unstructured,cking any order, almost like two wounded beasts licking each others wounds through biting and tearing. When they separated, both tasted the metallic tang of blood on their tongues. Especially Lin Yan, who made a soft sound and touched her slightly swollen lips. Song Yuhang kept her gaze on her, eyes burning and intense. She licked her lips, seemingly unsatisfied. Damn it, she always thought she was ruthless enough, but there was someone even more ruthless than her. Once shes recovered, shell make sure Song Yuhang wont escape death. Song Yuhang seemed to grasp her thoughts and picked up a spare gun from the ground, firing two shots. Save it. I could finish you off right now. As her words echoed, the ceiling suddenly broke open with a loud bang, and someone descended. Song Yuhang instantly aimed the gun at the neer. Who?! Duan Cheng, disoriented from the fall and seeing stars, raised his hands subconsciously in surrender. I I surrender dont kill me Lin Yan looked up, and the members of the Technical Investigation Team were holding shlights, peering into the hole. Captain Song, Sister Lin Fang Xin was on the verge of tears, overwhelmed with emotion. Zhang Jinhai proudly collected the detonator. See, I told you, this quantity is sure to blow it open. Zheng Chengrui adjusted his sses. Jiang Jiang is indeed experienced. Song Yuhang holstered her gun, a slight smile appearing on her lips. You all came just in time. Several individuals descended from the rooftop one after another. Fang Xin untied the rope and retrieved basic first aid supplies from the investigation kit, starting to bandage Lin Yans wounds. Zheng Chengrui helped Duan Cheng up from the ground. He fell quiteically, limping and grumbling. I told you Im afraid of heights and cant jump, yet you asked me to go first. What about revolutionaryradeship? Comrade Duan Cheng. Upon hearing the termrade, he instinctively straightened up, preparing for a salute. Yes. Obeying organizational arrangements. Ignoring hisints, should they overthrow that damned organization that kicked him off the rooftop? Meanwhile, amid the chaos, Song Yuhang had already put on her helmet, fully geared up and ready. She squatted down, took ast look at Lin Yan, and even wanted to reach out and pinch her cheek. With Fang Xin present, Lin Yan felt a bit embarrassed and swiftly brushed her hand away. Despite her lips still being swollen, she was starting to act like she didnt recognize anyone. Song Yuhang chuckled. Dont forget, well have a drink together. Ill be waiting for you Before she could finish her sentence, Lin Yan was already blushing and flustered. A faint blush appeared on her pale face. Hurry up and go! Song Yuhang didnt linger, turning around and making a quick escape. When she arrived, she was in despair, thinking she might never see her again, or perhaps she would never be seen by her again. Now, both having survived a close call with death, the kiss filled her with strength. It smoothed out every inch of her body, making her limbs and organs feel incrediblyfortable, bathed in a warm current. This time, not for ideals, not for loyalty, she fought only for Lin Yan. This was what Lin Yan gave hera power called love. After Song Yuhang left, the others from the Technical Investigation Team helped her up. Fang Xin attended to the wound on her shoulder. Lin Yan looked at the faces of several people. How did you find your way here? Zheng Chengrui was about to boast and praise Duan Cheng, but he beat him to it, scratching his head and smiling embarrassedly. Oh, its all thanks to me. Fortunately, Im clever. I figured out the direction you were heading based on the bloodstains. Now Im doubly confident. I think next year, not to mention the assistant forensic examiner, I could even pass as the chief forensic examiner! Fang Xin: Zheng Chengrui: Zhang Jinhai: Lin Yan couldnt bear it any longer. Bloodstain analysis is a required course in the first year. Are you in your fifth year without any understanding of ABCD? As she spoke, she coughed twice, as if trying to stand up. Fang Xin pressed her down. Dont move, Sister Lin. This wound needs to be treated at the hospital. Well take you there. Lin Yan, leaning on her hand, struggled to stand up. Im fine I cant let Song Yuhang go alone. Duan Cheng scooped up her other arm and supported it on his shoulder. Who said shes alone? Were here too. Yeah, were here too.
Chapter 65-1 Chapter 65-1 Dont Cry Fang Xin and Duan Cheng supported her, one on each side, as they walked forward. Zhang Jinhai was at the front on guard, while Zheng Chengrui trailed behind. This was a lengthy underground passage, with water seeping down from the ceiling and ayer of umted water underfoot, floating with garbage or stic bags. asionally, mice squeaked as they darted past them. The enemy lurked in the dark, and they were in the light. Danger could strike at any moment, and everyones mental state was highly tense. Following the markings left by Song Yuhang, they turned a corner and faced two diverging paths. One path faintly revealed some light, while the other led into darkness. Lin Yan halted her steps, and the group turned to look at her. She lowered her arms from Duan Chengs shoulders and stood alone. Duan Cheng, give me your gun. Duan Cheng, puzzled, was about to draw his gun from its holster to hand it to her when Fang Xin stopped him. Sister Lin, you You two go back, Lin Yan said calmly, supporting herself against the wall as she walked forward. I guess Director Feng sent you on a mission just to rescue me. Once the mission isplete, you can go back. The rest of you, dont follow us any longer. The Chu Nan case had far-reaching implications, and Lin Yan was still unable to make sense of it. It had already implicated Song Yuhang, and she didnt want to involve others any further. Duan Cheng took a few steps, his footsteps sshing in the umted water: But how can the two of you handle it? Youre injured So, wasnt I asking you to give me your gun? It would be a burden for you to follow us, Lin Yan said irritably, reaching out and snatching the gun from him. She loaded a bullet, disengaged the safety, and turned her attention to Zhang Jinhai. This is my business. Dont interfere. The dark muzzle lifted slightly, pointing at him. Lin Yan turned her head towards Zhang Jinhai and said, Captain Zhang, take them back. In Lin Yans impression, Zhang Jinhai was a timid, fearful, and greasy middle-aged man with a family. Therefore, she was confident he would agree. As long as Zhang Jinhai agreed, the Technical Investigation Team would have to leave even if they didnt want to. However, to her astonishment, Zhang Jinhai stepped forward and moved her gun aside. Your gun should be aimed at enemies, not colleagues. Dr. Lin, you might have misunderstood. Our mission is not to rescue you but to protect you and safely bring you back to the Municipal Bureau. Lin Yan was taken aback, but he smiled and unconsciously sucked in his protruding belly while speaking, making the bulletproof vest fit more snugly. Then he walked to the front to lead the way, still with his slick and smooth tone. Oh, youre with our Jiangcheng Municipal Bureau for just one day, and youre already one of us. Assaulting a police officer is unforgivable. Besides, Im getting on in years and still want to earn some merits to move up a bit. Otherwise, Ill have to retire in a few years. Fang Xin also stepped forward to pull her. Lets go, Sister Lin. Three mediocre talents can still top a Zhuge Liang1. Zheng Chengrui caught up, Um, I may not be good at much else, but I can quickly n the most reasonable escape route. Duan Cheng: Brother Zheng, just shut up. Lin Yan was being dragged along, You guys She seemed like she wanted to say something, her eyes welled up, and she bit her lip. In the end, she didnt speak those words. I will protect you too, to the best of my ability. The group ventured further into the darkness, and before they had gone far, they heard a loud gunshot. In that instant, Lin Yan transformed into a revitalized beast in the forest, fatigue vanishing from her eyes. She swiftly moved past the others. Raising her hand, shemanded, Combat formation. Duan Cheng, Old Zheng, protect Fang Xin. Ill take the front, and the rear leave it to Captain Zhang. Despite Lin Yans injuries, she excelled in bothbat skills and experience. Considering Zhang Jinhai had a family to support, she was the most suitable person to lead this charge. The others had no objections, nodding in agreement. In the quiet atmosphere, only the heavy sound of their breathing could be heard. Duan Chengs gun was taken by Lin Yan. He held an electric baton in his hand, and his palm was sweaty, making it almost slippery to hold the baton. Lin Yan chuckled softly, Dont be afraid. After all, with the bulletproof vest, as long as the vital points are not hit, we wont die. Thats easy for you to say. What if we get shot in the head? The group walked silently along the wall, and Duan Cheng lowered his voice to ask. Lin Yan sneered, Its not that easy to get shot in the head when the target is moving. Unless you stand still like a sitting duck, do you think sharpshooters are so easy toe by? As her words fell, another gunshot rang out, and Lin Yan had already rushed out, breaking through the door. Song Yuhang was already entangled in a fight with the person in ck. It was a spacious underground operating room, brightly lit, with a monitoring device and a centrifuge next to the bed. A childy on the bed, with overturned instrument trays and scattered equipment on the floor, luckily due to Song Yuhangs timely arrival. The gunshots from earlier were all fired by her. Unfortunately, the assant reacted extremely quickly, not only dodging the bullets but also engaging her in closebat. Song Yuhang was pressed to the ground, the mans strong and powerful arm choking her, leaving her face pale. Struggling, Song Yuhang reached for a surgical knife that had fallen to the ground beside her and swiftly grabbed it, ruthlessly stabbing it towards the mans neck. In the blink of an eye, the de was dangerously close, and the mans pupils constricted. He quickly withdrew his hand, but it was already toote. Song Yuhang moved in, leaving a bloodstain in the air. The man, holding his neck, took a few steps back, his gaze falling on a gun that had been knocked aside earlier. Song Yuhang noticed it too, and both rushed to grab it, engaging in a fierce struggle with no clear winner. Another punchnded forcefully on the temple, and Song Yuhang saw stars, her ears ringing. Instinctively, herbat skills kicked in, and she subconsciously kneed the opponent, sending him flying. She quickly rolled to her feet, seized his neck to reach for the gun, but the man, unwilling to be outdone, delivered a sweeping kick as he fell to the ground. Song Yuhangs lips were instantly smeared with blood, both of them flying out and shattering the ss at the entrance of the operating room. Lin Yan held the gun, still catching her breath, hesitating to pull the trigger as the two were too close Song Yuhang stole a nce at her, Dont mind me, take the child and go! As she spoke, the man methodically pried open her fingers one by one, bones making a crisp sound. Song Yuhang winced in pain, sweating profusely, her face turning pale. The gun in her palm was finally taken out, and the cold muzzle pressed against her forehead. The man gently squeezed the trigger, and Song Yuhang, enduring the pain, still breathed heavily, continuing to smile. Surprisingly, that crazed, bloodthirsty, and arrogant gaze bore some resemnce to Lin Yans. While the man was momentarily distracted, Song Yuhang managed to grip the gunstock, engaging in a struggle. The man pressed the muzzle downward, and Song Yuhang gritted her teeth, attempting to twist it to the side. Bang! Under the force of gravity, the trigger was finally pulled. Lin Yans heart instantly jumped to her throat, Song Yuhang! The bullet grazed past her face, breaking the bedside cab leg, and the monitor crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces with a sharp, piercing sound. Assured that she was unharmed, Lin Yan wasted no time. She rushed over to check on the child, swiftly lifted her eyelids, felt her pulse at the neck, and examined her chest under the clothes. The mans eyes widened in fury, roaring, Dont touch her! and lunged towards Lin Yan. Song Yuhang leapt forward, firmly holding onto his waist, pulling him backward. The man used his fists to strike her head, his elbow aiming for her temple. Song Yuhang quickly became dizzy, blood spitting from the corner of her lips. Despite this, she didnt let go. Her already swollen eyes were nearly squinted shut. Through her peripheral vision, she saw Lin Yan removing the monitoring device from the girl, cradling her. A faint smile of satisfaction appeared on Lin Yans lips. Shes just anesthetized, quickly get her to the hospital, Lin Yan said, handing the child to Zhang Jinhai and the others who were following closely. Zhang Jinhai lifted the child onto his back, asking, What about you? Captain Song is still inside; I have to go save her. Several people hid in the small gap beside the hospital bed. Im going too Duan Cheng said, attempting to run outside, but Lin Yan forcefully pushed him back. Get out of here! This is a direct order; go! No ones leaving!!! The man roared, his eyes bloodshot. He twisted Song Yuhangs arm backward with a brutal force. With a crisp sound of breaking bones, intense pain surged through Song Yuhang. Her face turned deathly pale,rge beads of sweat rolling down her forehead. Then, her body went limp as the man hoisted her high and mmed her fiercely into the wall. She rolled several times, knocking over the medicine cab, leaving spatters of blood on the wall. Lin Yan huddled in the corner of the bed, seeing a hand picking up the gun from the ground. Her pupils constricted, and she shouted, Go! pushing everyone out. Several people tumbled outside the door, Zhang Jinhai gasping for breath as he carefully shielded the child to prevent her from hitting her head. Duan Cheng, who had climbed up from the floor, was instantly pulled down by Fang Xin. Get down! Bang, bang, bang! Bullets pierced through the steel door, leaving small holes and casting beams of light into the darkness. Several people huddled on the ground, heads down, not daring to breathe, unable to fathom the situation inside. Duan Chengs eyes reddened, Sister Lin, Captain Song Zhang Jinhai was the first to regain hisposure. He lifted the child onto his back and pulled someone up, saying, Lets go, hurry! Get out and call for backup! Even Song Yuhang could only barely hold her own against the man in ck. With their interference, it would only add chaos, especially in the narrow and crowded room, where a gun was nothing but a piece of useless metal. With their shooting skills, it would be best not to identally harm their own people.
LP: Youre not alone anymore, Lin Yan (`)
  1. Zhuge Liang, alsomonly known by his courtesy name Kongming, was a Chinese statesman, strategist, and engineer who lived through the end of the Eastern Han dynasty and the early to mid-Three Kingdoms period of China.
Chapter 65-2 Chapter 65-2 Dont Cry Choosing the lesser of two evils, since he was the one who led them out, it was necessary to bring all of them back alive. Zhang Jinhai gritted his teeth, carrying a child on his back and dragging several young people who were facing live ammunition for the first time in panic as he ran forward. Zheng Chengruis sses were askew, wiping away tears that had unknowingly flowed down his face. He finally freed himself from the state of being weak-legged, weak-bodied, and overwhelmed by fear. He quickly tapped the micrputer on his right arm, wiping away the dust on it. The screen was already broken, but it could still be used, albeit barely. He didnt know where he found the strength, dragging his chubby short legs, and ran to the front. This way, go this way. Ill lead the way. After the dust and gun smoke settled, Lin Yan crawled out from under the toppled hospital bed. The room was in chaos, with bullet holes covering the walls and ceiling. The centrifuge was shattered, and crimson blood pooled on the floor. The room was engulfed in darkness, and the ceilingmp hung right in front of her, having fallen down. Once Lin Yans eyes adjusted to the darkness, she felt her way through the broken ss on the floor. She was searching for Song Yuhang: Song Yuhang, Song Yuhang The usually carefree person umonly revealed a hint of panic, to the point that her voice slightly trembled. A faint cough from a woman came from the doorway. Song Yuhang slipped off the ck-d figure, holding a spittoon in her hand, its mouth stained with blood. In a critical moment, seeing the gun aimed at Lin Yan, Song Yuhang didnt hesitate. Despite the dizziness and pain, instinctively, she got up from the ground. Disregarding her dizziness and physical pain, she instinctively pounced from behind, pressing the ck-d person to the ground. She grabbed his wrist and forcefully twisted the gun barrel in a different direction, making the bullet fire elsewhere. The ck-d person struggled, and Lin Yan, fueled by an unknown source of strength, seemingly gone mad, grabbed the nearby spittoon and swung it towards his temple. Blow after blow, until fresh blood oozed from his mouth and nose, gradually silencing him. Only then did Song Yuhang let go; both of them were not lightly injured. The ck-d persons head knocked against the ground, with a pool of blood forming beside it. As shey on her back, gasping for breath, her strength depleted to the limit, her whole body felt as soft as marshmallows. Even moving her fingers seemed difficult. When she heard Lin Yans call and tried to speak, she coughed up blood. Lin Yan crawled over, cradling her face. She wiped the bloodstains on her face with her hands but couldnt seem to clean thempletely. The voice choked up all of a sudden: Song Yuhang, Song Yuhang She had never seen her in such a wretched state before. Covered in blood, her ck training suit soaked, her face bruised and swollen. One eye was congested and swollen, while her right handcked strength, hanging limply on the ground. The room was dim, and Lin Yan couldnt see where she was injured. Nevertheless, with all her strength, she pulled her up. Song Yuhang was heavy, especially now that Lin Yan was also injured, making it impossible to carry her. Lin Yans tears immediately flowed. Where are you hurt? Where are you hurt? Lets go lets go to the hospital, Lin Yan sniffed, herself swaying unsteadily. Nevertheless, she persisted in trying to lift her. Both stumbled a few steps before copsing to the ground again. This time, Lin Yan didnt let her be a human cushion. Song Yuhang leaned on her shoulder, coughing andughing at the same time. Rare to see you cry for me But She weakly lifted her still functioning left hand, reaching to wipe away the tears at the corner of her eye. Dont cry, though. When you cry, it hurts me. As she spoke, she ufortably furrowed her brow, Wa, and spat out arge amount of clotted blood, her face turning pale. Lin Yan patted her back to help her ease her difort, suddenly feeling an unusual hardness. She reached out and touched, gritting her teeth. Song Yuhang, taking advantage of her injury, nestled in her arms, genuinely weak. However, her eyes sparkled, and she grasped Lin Yans hand, cing it on her chest. How about you give me a kiss, and I wont hurt anymore. Lin Yan raised her hand and delivered a p, saying, Damn, wearing a bulletproof vest and still ying dead, wanting to take advantage of me. Get lost! Song Yuhang closed her eyes, a smile ying on her lips, anticipating the iing p. However, Lin Yans hand hesitated and didnte down. Instead, Song Yuhang found herself being pulled up by the cor, and she straightened up. Lin Yans warm lips touched her forehead, a fleeting touch like a dragonfly skimming the water. Yet, for Song Yuhang, that moment felt eternal. Lin Yan embraced her head, her voice slightly choked, You youre okay Song Yuhang buried herself in Lin Yans embrace, surrounded by warmth and tenderness, feeling almost unable to breathe. She had an instinctual feeling that if she wasnt beaten to death, she might die from a rapid heartbeat, soaring blood pressure, and a brain hemorrhage. Both of them were covered in the scent of gunpowder, nitrate, and the stench of blood, yet she had never felt so satisfied, as if all that pain had drifted away from her. Lin Yan. Yeah? So soft. Veins popped on Lin Yans forehead. She pushed her away and turned to leave. Ehwait for me, ah, hiss Song Yuhang limped to catch up. Although she hadnt been hit by bullets, the steel tes in her bulletproof vest were bent. She suffered internal injuries, and on top of that, she couldnt lift one arm. Blood seeped from a gunshot wound on her leg, just hit by a stray bullet. Now, she felt the pain. Thebination of being hit and hugged moments ago kept her adrenaline high, numbing her to the pain. But as she rxed, the aftermath hit. Before she could stand up, the world spun around her. Lin Yan turned back and steadied her. Meeting Lin Yans worried gaze, Song Yuhang forced a smile, Im fine Is he still alive? Lin Yan helped her stand against the wall, bending down to take the gun from the ck-d persons hand and removing his mask. A face, almost too gruesome to look at, appeared before them. If she hadnt miscalcted, Li Yang was just in his early forties this year. However, his face, marred by scars, made him appear much older and terrifying. Except for his eyes and forehead, there wasnt a single good spot on his face. The skin, wrinkled due to the scars, gathered together. His nose had copsed, and his mouth protruded, not only ugly but also frightening. Lin Yan felt nauseous just looking at him. Instinctively, she swung the butt of the gun onto his face. Song Yuhang, holding her chest, reached out to pull her, Lets go. You go out and call for help. Ill stay here and watch him. However, Lin Yan pressed the gun against his temple, speaking each word through gritted teeth, Hes just unconscious. I want him dead. Lin Yan! Song Yuhang raised her voice slightly, leaning against the wall, panting heavily and trembling slightly. Her body felt cold, and blood continued to seep from the wound on her leg, forming a puddle of blood beneath her feet. Listen, go out first. He has done so many evil things, and he killed two detectives. The death penalty is inevitable. I want him dead now!!! Lin Yans eyes were bloodshot, and she pulled the trigger. Intense coughing came from behind. Song Yuhang couldnt hold on any longer and slid down the wall. He, he must die but dont you want to know his motive? Even if you might hate me now, look down on me think everything I say is nonsense She gasped for breath but kept looking at Lin Yan with gentle and soft eyes. Analyzing his motive and modus operandi is equivalent to leaving a valuable case at the Public Security Bureau. In the future when facing simr cases or suspects we wont be powerless. We might even discover and prevent them earlier Chu Nan is not the first girl to be harmed, and she wont be thest. Our goal isnt to kill for the sake of killing; its crime prevention. As Song Yuhang spoke, she gritted her teeth and slowly crawled over, gradually moving Lin Yans gun away. She pulled her into her arms, and her breathing became heavier, resembling the sound of a bellows. She struggled to swallow and felt her vision blurring. With great effort, she raised her hand to touch Lin Yans face, wiping away the tears at the corner of her eyes. She took the gun into her own hands, then retrieved handcuffs from her pocket and handed them to Lin Yan. Listen, Lin Yan, handcuff me to him, and then and then go get help Lin Yan didnt avoid her, but Song Yuhang pulled her back. She held her head, soothing her emotions. However, she knew her time was running out, feeling hot tears falling into the hollow of her neck. Song Yuhang smiled, cupping her face, wiping away her tears with her thumb, but also smearing her pale face with bloodstains from her hands. Song Yuhang reluctantly let go and said, Dont cry I promise you I still owe you a proper confession and you still owe me cough, cough She trailed off, not finishing her sentence. She forcibly opened Lin Yans hand, ced the handcuffs in it, and closed her hand around it. Go quickly as long as Im here he wont wont escape Lin Yan looked at the intertwined hands of the two, nced at Li Yangs face, and when her gaze returned to Song Yuhangs face, her trembling lips couldnt hold back any longer, and she finally couldnt help but cry out. Song Yuhang, you jerk! * * * Through the dark corridor, they ran for who knows how long. Breathing heavily, Zheng Chengrui stopped, and they found themselves in front of the cells they had passed earlier. Go this way. He led the way, and Fang Xin and Duan Cheng followed suit. However, Zhang Jinhai suddenly stopped in his tracks. The others turned to look at him, Captain Zhang The child on his back seemed to move, and Zhang Jinhais body swayed slightly. He touched his neck, felt blood, and in the moment he let go, a gush of blood sprayed out. Duan Cheng, closest to him, got sttered in the face. Unlike the blood of a dead person, the blood of the living still carried warmth and a metallic scent. His tears burst out without warning, but his body had not yet recovered when he watched the little girl pick up a surgical knife and fiercely stab it into Zhang Jinhais neck. Zhang Jinhai staggered and fell to the ground. Fang Xin immediately pounced on him, unable to stop the arterial bleeding no matter how hard he pressed. The young girl started crying, took off her police uniform, and used it to press on his wound. Zhang Jinhai coughed, and blood foamed continuously from the corners of his lips. He hadnt finished his sentence: My my daughter is about the same age The child threw away the surgical knife, climbed up from the ground in one swift motion, stepped on the umted water, and turned back to run. Duan Chengs eyes widened, roaring from his throat, Stop! Dont move!!! He snatched the sidearm from the hands of Zheng Chengrui, who had already sat down on the ground, and aimed at the running girl. But but He gritted his teeth, struggled, his hand trembling, and unconsciously, tears had filled his face. She was still so young, looking like she was not even twenty, and her height seemed more like a minor. How could she be so ruthless! How could she!!! Duan Cheng let out a roar from his throat and, with closed eyes, pulled the trigger.
LP: Haha, theres no way someones gonna die, right? right?
Chapter 66-1 Chapter 66-1 End Bang The sound of gunfire echoed in the empty corridor. Sirens red. A group of heavily armed special forces rushed in, trudging through umted water. Duan Cheng, in a daze, dropped his gun. The child had already vanished at the end of the corridor. In that moment, he pulled the trigger, but ultimately missed by an inch. Duan Cheng, covering his face, knelt in the knee-deep water, crying out in despair, Captain Zhang, Im sorry, Im sorry, I Captain Zhang, Captain Zhang, hold on! Hold on! Fang Xins clothes were already soaked with the continuously flowing blood. Before they could lift him onto the stretcher, Zhang Jinhais arm slipped down. Zheng Chengrui took off his sses, covered his face, and turned away, choking back tears. The others maintained silence, with only Fang Xin softly sobbing. A special forces member stepped forward, closed Zhang Jinhais still-open eyes, then took off his own uniform and draped it over him. He raised his right hand. Hero, rest in peace! The journey back felt so long. Despite the thrilling experience on the way here, the group had been lively and boisterous. His instructions seemed to linger in their ears: Wear the bulletproof vest like this, fasten it tightly here; its a matter of life and death How did it happen that, in the blink of an eye, he was lying here quietly? Duan Cheng, Fang Xin, Zheng Chengrui, and several special forces members escorted the body out. The police cars and ambnces were already waiting, but it was toote, toote. The group carried Zhang Jinhais remains through the crowd. On both sides of the road, detectives raised their right hands simultaneously, including Feng Jianguo in the training room and the technicians who remained at the Municipal Bureau. Zhang Jinhais wife and daughter pushed through the crowd and rushed over. He was right; his daughter and that child were indeed about the same age. Next year would be the college entrance exam, but he would never see the day his child entered university. The girl cried out heartbreakingly, Dad! Dad! Werent you supposed to send me to Beijing for college next year? Didnt you say youd finish work early this afternoon ande home to cook for me? Dad, Dad, say something Old Zhang doesnt go on field assignments, right? How did this how Zhang Jinhais wife, tears streaming down her face, grabbed their arms one by one, demanding answers. Fang Xin turned away, crying uncontrobly. Tell me! Speak! Zhang Jinhais wife shook Duan Chengs shoulders again. But her question was one that no one could answer now. How could one face a wife and daughter who had lost a husband and father, and at the same time reveal that he was fatally attacked by a child almost the same age as their own daughter, with a throat slit by a single deadly blow? Whats even more cruel is that he couldnt take revenge on his assant. Duan Cheng stood in the rain, crying. This heavy rain also washed away his youthful innocence as a boy, and his features began to show the sharpness and vicissitudes of a man. * * * In the moment the girl ran in, both Song Yuhang and Lin Yan reacted. However, Lin Yan sensed the impending danger and instinctively pushed her out, while Song Yuhang felt someone rushing in behind the door. Acting on instinct, she executed a grappling move, locking onto the intruders neck. When they came to their senses, the pitch-ck barrels of guns were already aimed at her temple. Li Yang picked up the sidearm that had fallen from Song Yuhang, while she held the opponents gun against the little girls forehead. Lin Yan gasped, slightly choked from being strangled, and she looked at Song Yuhang, barely managing to utter a few words, Quick go dont worry about me Her voice had just fallen when she was struck with the butt of a gun, bending at the waist, and blood oozed from her mouth and nose. Cough, cough Song Yuhangs eyes widened in fury, wishing she could bite and devour him alive. Let her go. Li Yang looked at the little girl in her hands, then nced back at the group of special forces behind her. The muzzles of their guns were all pointed at him. He slowly stepped back, dragging Lin Yan with him. Let her go? Will you let me go? No, I never intended to live until today. If Im going to die, Ill drag someone down with me! The little girl in Song Yuhangs arms seemed to be struggling with the grip around her neck, extending her arm to try to reach Li Yang. Dad Li Yang gasped for air, and the fresh blood flowing down his forehead further distorted his already ugly face. Lin Yans entire face turned purple from his grip, not to mention the gun pressed against her head, ready to fire at any moment. Song Yuhang trembled violently; her hands were gradually losing sensation. She had no awareness of the force she was exerting, and the girl struggled to pry Song Yuhangs wrists apart. In that fleeting moment, Song Yuhang considered breaking her neck. The captain of the special forces sensed the danger and discreetly took a step forward, leaning in close to her ear, Lead him towards the window, the sniper is ready at any moment. Song Yuhang took two deep breaths, pressing the gun against the girls temple and twisting it slightly. Do you want to die without letting her live? Li Yangs throat moved, a sh of ruthlessness passing through his eyes. He pressed the gun against Lin Yans shoulder and fired a shot suddenly, catching everyone off guard. When the gunshot rang out, Song Yuhangs eyes instantly reddened, and a burst of blood sprayed into her field of vision. She almost knelt down with Lin Yan, if it werent for the fact that she still held onto the hostage. Even so, her mental state was on the verge of copse. With tears streaming down her face, she slightly squeezed the trigger, joining Li Yang in a howl. Dont touch her! Dont touch her! Damn it!!! I told you not to touch her! Do you believe Ill kill her?!!! Blood streaked down the girls temple from the guns barrel. Several special forces members rushed forward, trying to pry her hands away. Captain Song, Captain Song, dont shoot. Its against the regtions Li Yangs eyes were bloodshot, roaring, Shoot! Shoot! Coward! I dont care if she lives or dies! If you have the guts, shoot! Well both suffer! Lin Yans arm hung limp on the ground, her head pulled by the hair with the gun pressed against her temple, swaying with Li Yangs movements as he spoke. Due to the close-range gunshot, the bullet lodged in the flesh, causing a burst of blood and tearing through the skin. Cough, cough Blood frothed at the corner of her lips, but she still looked up at Song Yuhang. He hes right Song Yuhang if youre still a cop shoot! She suddenly emphasized her words, and another mouthful of coagted blood sprayed out. Lin Yan slowed down, her gaze blending into the darkness. She saw tears streaking down her face, the hand holding the gun trembling slightly. Lin Yan felt satisfied, Kill him help help me and and Chu Nan get revenge In that instant, it seemed as if time and space were flowing and twisting. Song Yuhang found herself in a dilemma. Yuhang kill him! Take care of your sister-inw The scene from seven years ago reyed before her eyes. Lin Yans figure gradually merged with Song Yichen, and Li Yangs face transformed into the face of that drug dealer, recurring in her nightmares every midnight. The same despicable cruelty, the same madness, holding onto the deepest vulnerability of her entire life. The gun, which had just been steadied with great difficulty, began to tremble once again. Song Yuhang desperately shook her head, biting her tongue until it tasted of blood. She looked at the frenzied Li Yang, then at the barely breathing Lin Yan, still holding onto the girls neck. However, the gun wavered and shifted, stumbling back a few steps before being steadied by a teammate. No no Lin Yan Lin Yan I cant cant do it cant do it This was the first time she admitted her own weakness. Lin Yan cried, desperately tilting her head to force back tears. Song Yuhang She called out her name, but the words that came out were somewhat harsh and merciless. You really are not as good as a man, in every aspect! Lin Yan took a breath, endured the pain, and clenched her teeth to keep herself alert. How could I like a coward like you if you dont want me to hate you and curse you for the rest of my life fucking shoot! I can still still Lin Yan slightly closed her eyes. Consider some of your merits. Song Yuhang breathed heavily, her chest rising and falling dramatically. The gun in her palm, slick with sweaty blood, was almost slipping away. She and Li Yang were like two desperate beasts, tearing and biting at each other with their eyes. Li Yang aimed the gun at Lin Yans temple, while Song Yuhang slightly pressed the trigger. If she squeezed it, everything would be ashes. Without the hostage, Li Yang was undoubtedly doomed, and Lin Yan would also drift away, dissipating into the air. Her time with Lin Yan was so short, just two seasons, but in this moment, all the past arguments, fights, and jealousies became incredibly clear and prolonged. Her forehead still retained her warmth. Her lips still bore the marks she had bitten. As long as she pressed the trigger, all of these would cease to exist. Song Yuhangs lips trembled, feeling as though her heart had died even before she fired the shot. It was the kind of despair where every thought turned to ashes, torn into pieces, repeatedly trampled, and thrown into the furnace to be consumed by smoke and ashes. However, Lin Yans gaze remained tender yet resolute. She had never looked at her with such eyes before, and the first time she did was in this moment. Tears streamed down her face, and those eyes, capable of speaking, seemed to convey a message: Song Yuhang, thank you. I dont hate you, and also I like you. How could one refuse Lin Yan with such an expression? Whether she was smiling, crying, happy, angry, vibrant, or cold and sharp Song Yuhang couldnt refuse her. She wouldnt and couldnt. Tremendous sadness welled up in those light brown eyes. She bit her lip, tears flowing, and together with Li Yang, she squeezed the trigger. The girl widened her eyes in terror, tears rolling down from the corners, and she screamed, Dad It was this one word, Dad. Bang Song Yuhangs gun pointed towards the ceiling, and Li Yangs arm fell powerless. Lin Yan gasped, tightly closing her eyes, but she didnt wait for the intense pain to strike. Song Yuhang, shoot! Shoot! She struggled, being pulled up again, her neck held back. Captain Song, Director Fengs call. A detective handed her a walkie-talkie from behind. Song Yuhang took it, and Feng Jianguo had already arrived at the hospital perimeter, striding down from themand vehicle. Li Yang, listen carefully Song Yuhang put it on speakerphone, and his stern yet somewhat solemn voice resonated. I am Feng Jianguo, Director of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau, and the highest on-sitemander. As long as you release the hostage, we wont harm your daughter. Li Yang dragged Lin Yan back step by step, leaving the operating room. Outside, there was a staircase, and he pulled Lin Yan up step by step, with Song Yuhang closely following, holding the little girl. As Li Yang walked, he pointed the gun at Lin Yans head. Back off, everyone back off! Song Yuhang raised her hand, and the others stayed downstairs. Only she, holding the little girl, followed them up. She licked her lips, looking at Lin Yan. You may not believe me, but Director Fengs words, you should trust. As long as you release her, we wont harm this little girl. The two exchanged a knowing nce. Song Yuhang remained expressionless, while Lin Yan subtly curved her lips. Li Yang used his back to push open the door on the rooftop, pointing the gun at her with a slight tremor. How do I know if what youre saying is true or false?! If it were false, I would have shot just now, Song Yuhang said, pushing the little girl into the rain curtain. She turned her head to look at Lin Yan. With no one around now, she could freely express her feelings. I like her, not any less than you like this child. You wont let her die, and likewise, I wont let my beloved woman die. The heavy rain washed over the wounds, bringing both waves of pain and a momentary rity of mind. Song Yuhang felt that she could now slightly use her brain to consider the situation. Li Yang, youre on the brink of death, but she is still young, with a chance to start anew. Havent you been tirelessly searching for a kidney source for her all these years, hoping to give her a new lease on life? Daddont listen to her! Theyre all liars! Police are not good people! Hurry, leave! Due to weakness, the girls face turned pale, her voice hoarse in the wind and rain. Song Yuhang did not intervene; this yed right into her hands. Telescope, Feng Jianguo reached out and asked a subordinate for a telescope, lifting his head to gaze at the rooftop. The sniper also adjusted his aim, aligning the scope with them. However, due to Lin Yan blocking his line of sight, he hesitated to pull the trigger. Inside the telescope, Li Yang roared frantically, Shut up! Dont call me Dad! Im not your dad! Your dad died a long time ago! Youre just an unwanted bastard! In the long period when the two relied on each other to hide and survive, Li Yangs attitude towards her varied. This kind of frantic outburst was not the first time. When he was in a good mood, he would touch her face and call her Little Princess. When he was upset, he would fiercely kick her and curse her as a bastard, telling her to die. The girl had be ustomed to it, bing obedient to his words. However, even though she was used to it, hearing him say such things didnt mean she waspletely unaffected. Inparison to his madness, Song Yuhang remained rtively calm. She had already freed herself from that state, even though her inner turmoil still persisted. The bnce of victory began to tilt in one direction. If thats the case, why did you keep her with you from the beginning? Wouldnt it be toote for regrets now? Or is it that you still have a trace of humanity? Your brother left you behind in the mine, and Yu Xinye saved you. Do you want to repay the kindness, right? Shut up! Shut up! Li Yang gasped for breath, stepping backward and identally tripping over the steel bars and cement piled on the rooftop. Lin Yans wound continued to bleed, and Li Yang dragged her, leaving her on the brink of death. However, her eyes would asionally open, signaling to Song Yuhang that she was still alive. Song Yuhang was the first to lower her gun but still held onto the girl. I dont know what exactly happened down there, but just based on your sense of gratitude, I respect you as a man. Twenty years of dependence, not to mention raising a person, even raising a dog would form an emotional bond. Youvemitted numerous crimes. Shes still young. Do you really want to bury her with you here? Li Yang, if she dies, can you justify Yu Xinyes entrustment to you? Can you justify your good brother? He exchanged his life for yours! Without him, let alone living for another twenty years, would you even be standing here now?! In Song Yuhangs persuasive yet cruel words. Everything that happened in the mine twenty years ago became vivid once again. * * * I heard theres only one slot avable for this group of educated youth to return to their hometown. The next batch will have to wait for another three years. As for me, my family has no connections, and I cant earn enough work points on my own. It seems like theres no hope for me. If you ask me, the ones who came earliest and worked the hardest in our group are the Li brothers. Who knows who will go back. Sigh, anyway, the two brothers are the same. Dont you think so, Li Hai? Apanion nudged Li Hai, who wiped away his sweat, looked at his younger brother working not far away, then nced at the dark and dirty mine around him, as well as the blisters on his palms. His expression darkened. Get to work! When the mining ident urred, Li Hai was the first to notice. The basket containing tin ore on the ground was trembling slightly. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he stopped working. Suddenly, a small stone fell from above and hit his foot. As he looked at it, his pupils suddenly contracted. He threw away his shovel and ran towards the exit, grabbing both Li Yang and Yu Xinye and pushing them outside. Run! It was toote, despite the urgency of the situation.
Chapter 67-1 Chapter 67-1 Like Song Yuhang unlocked the handcuffs, and together with a few teammates, they lifted the person up. Lin Yan rushed into her arms, resting her chin on her shoulder and gently closing her eyes. The feeling of being grounded is truly wonderful. Song Yuhang held her tightly, patting her back gently. Tears still stained her face, but a smile appeared on her lips. Her heart was filled with the joy of recovering what was lost. If there werent others present, she would have kissed her long ago. The two of them embraced for so long that even the onlooking detectives turned their gaze. Lin Yan felt slightly embarrassed and loosened her grip on her. Just as she was about to say something, she coughed twice. Song Yuhangs expression changed. Lin Yan felt blood overflowing from the corner of her lips. She wiped it with the back of her hand and forced a smile, saying, Im fine Before she could finish her words, everything went ck before her eyes. Song Yuhang held her horizontally and ran outside. That day was unforgettable for all the police officers of the Jiangcheng Public Security Bureau. Not only because they cracked the enigmatic White Whale Case that spanned several decades, not only because of Zhang Jinhais sacrifice, not only because of the death of the culprit and the story behind it all. It was as if everyone had understood something from that rain and gained a new life. That day held such significance not only for Duan Cheng but for every member of the Technical Investigation Team. Later, Duan Cheng, who had been in the profession for decades, became an experienced and resourceful Forensic Expert, just like Lin Yan. However, when he recalled that day, including Zhang Jinhais sacrifice and the rain, everything became blurry. The only thing he could remember was this moment. Song Yuhang ran while holding Lin Yan in her arms. Both of them were severely injured, with her leg bleeding. Every step they took in the water created sshes that turned a pale shade of red. Lin Yans arm hung down, her head resting against Song Yuhangs chest. Her face was as pale as paper, and fresh blood dripped from her fingertips. She looked lifeless, like a delicate and lifeless porcin doll. The world fell intoplete silence, even the sound of police sirens faded away. Behind them, the sky was gradually clearing, revealing a pale light in the east. The usually calm person lost herposure and tranquility. Her cries even overwhelmed the surrounding noise of ring ambnce sirens. Save save her Doctor! Doctor! Several doctors in white coats rushed forward, apanied by the technical investigation team. Forensic Doctor Lin, Forensic Doctor Lin, wake up! But no matter how they called out, the person lying on the stretcher showed no response. Tears streamed down Song Yuhangs face like broken beads. Outside the perimeter of the cordon, a luxury car suddenly came to a stop. Lin Ge opened the car door and jumped out. He swiftly shook off a few detectives who tried to hold him back and rushed into the encirclement. When Lin Yan, covered in blood and unconscious, lying on the stretcher came into view, Lin Ge, a seven foot tall and sturdy man, had a slight redness in his eyes. Trembling, he reached out to touch her face, saying, Lin Yan Yan Yan Big brother is here Look at me Dont dont touch her dont touch her Song Yuhang, still not relieved from the crisis, had bloodshot eyes. Whenever she saw someone who wasnt wearing a white coat trying to touch Lin Yan, she instinctively pounced forward, using her body to shield her. Lin Ge was taken aback, pulled away by several detectives, while Song Yuhang, together with Lin Yan, was loaded into the ambnce and taken to the hospital.
The doctor pushed the bed ahead, and Song Yuhang limped behind, chasing after them. Doctor, doctor, please save her, save her, save her Dont worry, we will do our best. The doors to the operating room closed, and the lights turned on, isting Song Yuhang outside. She wanted to rush in, but she was stopped by Fang Xin and Duan Cheng. Captain Song, Captain Song, Lin Yan will be fine Several people tried to drag her onto a hospital bed, but Song Yuhang struggled. The male doctors couldnt hold her down, and Duan Cheng was pushed aside, while Fang Xin firmly stabilized her. Are you okay? Im fine. Duan Cheng patted her hand and went to pull Song Yuhang away. Song Yuhang had already rushed to the door of the operating room, tiptoeing to look inside. I wont go anywhere until Lin Yanes out I wont go anywhere She spoke resolutely, and the door to the operating room was swiftly pulled open. The doctor took off their mask, looking anxious. Who among you is the family? Several people looked at each other, and Song Yuhang grabbed the doctors sleeve. I Im her friend Shes a police officer Police officer Please save her Save her! The doctor pulled her hand away. Even if youre her superior, it doesnt matter. She has Guiin-Barr syndrome,bined with internal and external injuries and infection. Multiple organ failure and septic shock have already urred! Go find her family to sign the surgery consent form so we can proceed! This series of medical terms left Song Yuhang feeling dizzy. Guiin-Barr syndrome1 What is that? Why had she never heard her mention it before? Song Yuhang staggered back two steps, then grabbed the doctor by the cor and pressed them against the wall. I dont care! I dont care! You save her! Save her! Captain Song, Captain Song! Several people hurriedly rushed over, afraid she would attack at any moment. Lin Ge, panting heavily, ran over from the end of the corridor. I Ill sign it! Song Yuhang got up from the ground, but before she could steady herself, the world spun around her, and everything went ck. Shepletely fainted. Another chaotic scene unfolded. Feng Jianguo and Mother Song also arrived at the hospital, and the lights in both operating rooms turned on simultaneously. Mother Song sat anxiously in the corridor, wiping away tears. Upon closer inspection, her whole body was trembling slightly. Upon receiving the news, Ji Jingxing hurriedly arrived after sending the child to school. She squatted down, holding her hand, and whispered tofort her. Mom Itll be okay Yuhang will be fine Lin Ge was also anxiously pacing at the end of the corridor. He wanted to smoke but noticed the No Smoking sign on the wall and put the cigarette back, crumpling it and throwing it into the trash can. Mother Song looked over and immediately stood up. Lin Is it Lin Ge? Why are you here too? Lin Ge snapped back to reality and nodded slightly to the elderly woman, also acknowledging Ji Jingxing with a slight nod. He gestured towards the adjacent operating room, forcing a smile. Its my sister. Realization dawned on the elderly woman, and a pained expression appeared on her face. I hope theyre both safe. They will be, Lin Ge nodded. Seeing the elderly woman still trembling while standing, he approached and helped her sit down. Please sit. I heard from their Bureau Chief that Officer Songs injuries are less severe, so she should be able toe out soon. As soon as he finished speaking, the door of the adjacent operating room opened, and a doctor rushed out. Who is Lin Yans family? Come over and sign. I am, I am, Lin Ge hurriedly ran over. What do I need to sign? Ill sign. Its a critical condition notice. Lin Ges vision instantly darkened, and he felt dizzy. The doctor urged, Hurry up and sign. Her condition is veryplicated. We cant stop the bleeding, and she needs arge amount of blood transfusion. Sign quickly so that we can arrange for blood from the blood bank. Lin Ge took a deep breath, trembling, and picked up a pen. He wrote his name crookedly and unevenly. Mother Song watched the situation over there with some apprehension. How did she get so severely injured? I heard shes three years younger than Yuhang. Its so pitiful Ji Jingxing gently squeezed her arm and leg to relieve the elderly womans tension. Mom, youre already too busy worrying about yourself. Why are you still concerned about others? Mother Song regained herposure and lowered her voice. Didnt I tell you? Oh, right, you probably havent met. That person is Yuhangs blind date. If it works out, his sister will be Ji Jingxing chuckled and leaned against the elderly woman because of her amusing words. Her lighthearted remark instantly diluted the tense atmosphere. Mom, this matter hasnt even begun yet, and youre already worrying about the rtionship between Yuhang and her future sister-inw. Mother Song patted Ji Jingxings hand and sighed. Sigh, cant I worry? On the surface, she seems to get along well with everyone, but in reality, shes quite lonely. Her brother has left, so its just me and you whom she can talk to. I still hope she can have more friends, siblings. As they were talking, the elevator doors opened, and a group of well-dressed elite individuals flooded into the corridor. They surrounded an elderly person sitting in a wheelchair, as well as a young and beautiful woman pushing the wheelchair. They swiftly passed by Ji Jingxing and Mother Song, bringing along a strong scent of perfume, heading straight for Lin Ge. Lin Youyuan leaned on a cane, sitting in the wheelchair, his tone calm. How is it going? Lin Ge shook his head, his face filled with sadness. Theyre still trying to save her. She just entered critical condition Before he could finish speaking, several middle-aged people following behind Lin Youyuan began whispering among themselves. Why did Miss suddenly be critically ill? What about the subsidiarypanies under her name Mr. Lin, its better to make preparations early. Someone advised. (LP: F*ck this guys) A trace of anger shed across Lin Ges face, while the woman smiled gleefully, saying, Oh, shes not dead yet, why are you all so agitated? Even if its the position of the General Manager, its not your turn, you know. She rubbed her own belly and inwardly cursed: Why is there still no movement? Lin Youyuan waved his hand, stopping the conversation, and looked up at the hospitals department head who was apanying him. What illness is it? Guiin-Barr syndrome. Lin Youyuan furrowed his brow, clearly not understanding. The department head nodded and humbly exined to him, Its a neurologic disorder caused by damage to the immune system. In addition, Miss Lin also suffered a gunshot wound, making it difficult to stop the bleeding He cautiously nced at Lin Youyuans increasingly grim expression and carefully chose his words, But we have mobilized all the core medical forces in our hospital to make every effort to save Miss Lin. I believe that she will definitely have a fortunate turn, a fortunate turn He wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling uncertain about what he just said. Lin Youyuan toyed with the jade thumb ring on his thumb, his expression gloomy and unclear. When did she get sick? It was evident that Lin Ge was being asked this question. He paused for a moment and wiped his face. I dont know either Lin Youyuan gradually tightened his lips. Absurd! After saying that, he pushed the wheelchair and turned to leave. Lin Ge took a few steps to catch up, but the group of people surrounded him, as if they had juste to the hospital to make a perfunctory visit, to see if Lin Yan had died or not, without even having the patience to wait for the surgery to finish. Uncle Lin Lin Ge caught up to the elevator, but the doors closed swiftly, descending rapidly. His hand drooped dejectedly. When Lin Ge was four years old,he fell seriously ill. Hey in the hospital day and night, with Mother Lin taking care of him, changing his clothes, feeding him, ying with him, and telling him stories to keep him entertained. Little Lin Yan would hide behind the door and watch. Mother Lin waved for someone toe in and wiped the sweat from her forehead after running around all day. At that time, Lin Yan had only been with the Lin family for a year, and she didnt talk much, but they all liked this slightly introverted little sister. Lin Ge sat on the bed, a fever-reducing cloth wrapped around his head, teasing her, Whats wrong, Lin Yan? Are you unhappy? When your brother gets better, hell y with you. Lin Yan looked at him with innocent and pure eyes. Brother, when youre sick, will your Mom and Dad apany you? The smile on Mother Lins face faded away. She didnt know how to answer that question. Lin Yan pushed her hand away and ran out. By the time the butler found her, it was a bitter winter day, and Lin Yan stood under the tap used for watering nts, drenched like a drowned rat. The next day, as she had wished, she developed a high fever. But Lin Youyuan still didnte to see her. This time was no exception. Actually, if Lin Yan could wake up, what she wanted to see the most was not her brother, but her father. As someone was about to enter the elevator, Lin Ge made way and walked back. When he passed by the two people sitting on the bench, he nodded slightly. Mother Song stood up and saw his haggard face, red eyes, and scruffy beard. They had heard and seen the scene in the corridor just now. Therefore, even though they had never met before, Mother Song felt a bit sorry for this little girl lying inside, with life hanging in the bnce. Lin Ge, dont worry, everything will be fine. At this moment, aforting word from others was enough to bring tears to his eyes. Lin Ge mustered a weak smile. Yes, thank you, Aunt Song. Miss Song will be fine too. Perhaps the heavens heard his words. The doors of the operating room opened with a swoosh. A few doctors pushed a bed out, and Mother Song and Ji Jingxing approached them. How is it? The shrapnel embedded in her leg has been sessfully removed without majorplications. She just needs bed rest and should avoid strenuous exercise for the next three months. Song Yuhangy on the bed, still not fully awake from the anesthesia. There was a breathing tube inserted in her mouth, and her entire body was wrapped in bandages. Her right hand was also in a cast. The doctors walked and talked alongside them. The injury to her right hand is more severe than we initially thought. Its fractured from the shoulder, and its hard to imagine how she managed to hold on for so long before being brought to the hospital Tears welled up in Mother Songs eyes as she reached out to touch her face. Yuhang Mom. Ji Jingxings eyes became red too as she grabbed her hand. As long as shes okay, thats all that matters. Shell get better with proper care. The doctors took her to the ICU for observation and rest. Mother Song carefully asked the doctors about nursing precautions, beneficial foods for wound healing, and dietary restrictions. Only then did Ji Jingxing pull her back home to cook for Song Yuhang. Meanwhile, the light in another operating room remained on. Lin Ge sat ory down, sometimes walking to the balcony to smoke. He waited from dawn until nightfall. During that time, Mother Lin made three or four phone calls, even saying she wanted toe and see for herself, but he strongly dissuaded her. Lin Ge hung up the phone, let out a long sigh, and buried his face deep in his palms.
LP: F*ck Lin Youyuan! F*ck those greedy and soulless people!
  1. Guiin-Barr syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder where the bodys immune system damages nerve. The damage to the nerves causes muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. While its cause is not fully understood, the syndrome often follows infection with a virus or bacteria.
Chapter 67-2 Chapter 67-2 Like Lin Youyuan looked at the darkening sky outside. The shareholders in the conference room had dispersed, and the secretary was tidying up the reports and documents on the table. He lightly tapped his fingertips on the desktop, then suddenly paused. The secretary understood and said, President Lin Please ask Professor Wang to take a look. The secretary was taken aback, still not fullyprehending the situation, when Lin Youyuan had already wheeled himself away. It was only then that she pped her forehead and followed him. Professor Wang Xing, the director and president of a top-tier Grade A hospitals neurology department in the country, had a very close personal rtionship with President Lin. Once outside the conference room door, the secretary arranged for a driver to pick up Lin Youyuan and rushed to make the necessary phone calls.
Professor Wang Xing, who was attending a meeting in Beijing, received the notification and immediately flew to Jiangcheng City overnight. The surgery had just concluded, and the monitor beside the bed beeped continuously. Fresh sma flowed out from her body, passing through a centrifuge for filtration before being transfused back. Lin Yans entire blood supply had been reced, but she was still not out of danger. The doctor used a penlight to examine her pupils and listened to her heartbeat. He carefully studied her brain CT scan and chest X-ray, with a thick stack of examination reports by his side. After a while, Wang Xing shook his head. Its troublesome. Guiin-Barr Syndrome has caused her immune system to be extremely weak throughout her body. Additionally, due to the gunshot wound, she has a widespread infection and multiple organ failures. She also has pleural and abdominal effusion. Its precisely when the immune system needs to work, but unfortunately, her entire immune system is almost paralyzed. Its a vicious cycle, he tried to exin in innguage that an ordinary person could understand. Lin Youyuan sat in his wheelchair, his facial muscles trembling slightly, showing little expression. What are the chances of survival? Less than 20%. Wang Xing replied after a brief pause. At this point, there was no need to hide anything. And even if she survives, the prognosis is extremely poor. Her physical fitness will greatly decline, and she will inevitably have to take medication for the rest of her life. He handed back the examination report to Lin Youyuan and took off his sses. Old Lin, you still need to prepare yourself early.
Three dayster, Song Yuhang woke up from a deep sleep. Her vital signs were stable, and she was transferred back to a regr ward. She struggled to get out of bed but was pushed back by someone. Ji Jingxing and Mother Song were both looking at her, their eyes reddened. Mother Song remained silent, but Ji Jingxing spoke up. After narrowly escaping death, why are you causing trouble again? Her tone was harsher than ever before. Song Yuhang was taken aback, her voice still hoarse. I I want to go and see Lin Yan Has her surgery finished? How is she? Is she out of danger? A barrage of questions came pouring out. Ji Jingxing trembled, her lips quivering as she looked at Song Yuhang, who was covered in wounds and bandages. Despite her own miserable state, she still cared about others. Unable to hold back her anger, Ji Jingxing eximed, Song Yuhang, it was the same when we were in the provincial capital, and its the same now. Cant you take care of yourself first?! I Song Yuhang tried to speak, but it was interrupted by a series of coughs. Mother Song stepped in to help her out. If you want to go, then go. Nurse, please bring a wheelchair, Mother Song said. When they reached the entrance of the ICU, visiting hours had already passed. Song Yuhang grabbed hold of a passing medical staff member. Doctor, please, can you find out how the patient named Lin Yan is doing inside? The doctor flipped through the medical records in their hands. Lin Yan Let me see. She has already been transferred to another hospital. Song Yuhang felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Transferred How is that possible She was injured so severely Its true, the doctor replied patiently, recognizing her as a patient who had been specially informed and taken care of by the police. Her condition is quiteplicated Our hospital has limited medical capabilities, so she was transferred to a higher-level hospital. Song Yuhangs heart sank into her throat. Complicated? What does that mean? Has she not yet escaped danger? Or is it Im sorry, but thats the patients privacy, and we cannot disclose it, the doctor interrupted. Hey, doctor, doctor! Song Yuhang tried to chase after him as he walked away, but her limbs were too weak, and she couldnt maneuver the wheelchair. In a sudden impulse, she lunged forward and fell to the ground. Mother Song eximed in shock, her face pale. Yuhang, Yuhang Song Yuhang struggled to climb up on her own but inadvertently touched her wound, causing intense pain that made her grimace. Whileforting her mother, she forced a smile and said, Its okay, its okay, Im fine As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, falling drop by drop onto the floor. A pair of shoes stopped in front of her. She looked up along the neatly pressed trouser legs and saw Director Feng. Feng Jianguo reached out and helped her up. Do you have some time? Lets talk. Song Yuhang nodded dazedly, and the group escorted her back to the ward. Mother Song and Ji Jingxing settled her in before stepping out.
I know you want to ask about Lin Yan, Feng Jianguo preempted her, not waiting for her to speak. It was the Lin Family who arranged for her transfer. After all, they are her rtives, and we cannot interfere in that. Song Yuhang nodded. She was afraid, afraid that the people from the Lin Family would treat her as they had before, afraid of enduring hardships in the Lin Family . I have told you what I know. Now its your turn to tell me. What was Lin Yan doing that day? Why did she run off? Song Yuhang clenched the bedsheet tightly. Her instinctive response was that she couldnt speak about it. In front of Feng Jianguo, a seasoned old fox, not the slightest change in expression on Song Yuhangs face could escape his eyes. I have only one piece of advice. With Lin Yans family background and connections, she wont be able to uncover the things she wants to investigate. Song Yuhang, dont overestimate yourself. Song Yuhang suddenly raised her head, her pupils contracting. Director Feng, do you know something? And why did the sniper open fire? Feng Jianguo turned away, looking out the window, and sighed deeply. I dont know. I just feel that where theres something unusual, theres likely something sinister behind it. Although Lin Yan is impulsive, she isnt a brainless person, and you are not someone who wears their emotions on their face. A sudden pang struck Song Yuhangs heart. Did Duan Cheng and the others see that scene during the rescue of Lin Yan? There were subtle confessions and undercurrents of emotions during the time when Lin Yan was held hostage. The people at the police station werent fools; they were probably already suspicious of various possibilities. Feng Jianguo came today to question but also to give a subtle warning. Smart people know when to speak and when to remain silent, and Song Yuhang chose to keep quiet. That sniper is already under investigation, but I doubt there will be any significant findings. In that situation, as you know, firing a gun is standard procedure. Who knows if there were bullets in your gun or not? Song Yuhang pressed her lips together. I just feel a bit regretful. Regretful that she couldnt extract more information from their mouths. However, Feng Jianguo chuckled lightly, turning to look at her with a trace of sorrow on his face. Regretful about what? Regretful that the sniper shot and killed a child? Song Yuhang looked up. He continued, You were unconscious before, and I didnt have a chance to tell you. Captain Zhang is dead, killed by that child. Throat slit, major artery severed. He didnt make it to the doctor in time As Feng Jianguo reached the end of his words, he faltered. He pinched his brow with his hand, took a deep breath, and turned back to look outside at the clear autumn sky, where thest leaf had fallen. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth, her only functioning left hand tightly gripping the bedsheet, the veins on the back of her hand bulging. It took her a while to calm herself down. Yourmendation application and Lin Yans have been submitted. With Captain Zhang gone, you are the most senior and experienced investigator in the bureau, with numerous remarkable achievements. At this critical moment, dont do anything that would create sensational news. He spoke implicitly, and Song Yuhang suddenly looked up at him, her gaze firm and unflinching. Is it wrong to have feelings for someone? Feng Jianguo looked at the youthful face before him, realizing that she couldnt be considered young based on age alone. Thirty-five years old, middle-aged, the backbone of the Criminal Investigation Divisions Support Team in Jiangcheng City. When he was her age, he already had a beer belly, his thoughts consumed by climbing thedder, and his gaze was no longer pure and untainted. But Song Yuhangs eyes still had a faint light brown color under the sunlight, her gaze clear and transparent, without a hint of impurity. Beneath her gentle exterior, there was a kind of youthful spirit, an unwavering courage that would not be broken until Lon1 is restored. She could even express her same-sex affection openly: Is it wrong to like someone? Its not wrong, but if you want to protect someone, you need money, power, influence. Which do you possess? You couldnt even prevent her from being transferred to another hospital, Song Yuhang. Dont indulge in wishful thinking. Its simply not allowed within the organization. He had already spoken up to this point, fulfilling his duty with benevolence and righteousness. Feng Jianguo picked up his wide-brimmed hat and ced it on his head, preparing to leave. From within the evening sun, Song Yuhang lifted her head, dressed in a blue and white patients gown, basking in the sunlight. Lin Yan once said, The brave are angered and draw their swords against the stronger, while the cowardly are angered and draw their swords against the weaker. I may not have many abilities, but I possess unwavering courage. Rules are made by people, and if people obstruct me, Ill surpass them. If rules hinder me, Ill break them.'' Someday, I will be the one who sets the rules, and someday, I will walk openly on the streets with the person I love. Feng Jianguos hand, about to open the door, paused momentarily, and he coldly snorted, Ignorant and naive! As he stepped outside, a faint smile gradually appeared on his tightly drawn lips.
  1. Lon refers to an ancient city and civilization that existed in the Tarim Basin, located in what is now Xinjiang, China. The name Lon is derived from the Chinese term (f lu), which was used to describe a region or city-state in ancient times. Lon was an important oasis city along the Silk Road and flourished from around the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. It served as a vital hub for trade and cultural exchange between China and the West. The city was known for its prosperous economy and abundant water resources. However, Lon eventually declined and was abandoned, likely due to environmental changes and shifting trade routes. The remains of the ancient city, including its ruins and artifacts, have been discovered by archaeologists, providing valuable insights into the history and culture of the region. The name Lon hase to symbolize a lost civilization and the passage of time.
Chapter 68-1 Chapter 68-1 Choice Beep Sorry, the number you dialed is temporarily unavable. Sorry, the number you dialed is temporarily unavable. Knowing well that she was still unconscious, Song Yuhang stubbornly and foolishly dialed her number. After a moment, a beep sound came through, leaving her feeling a bit disappointed as she put down the phone. But unexpectedly, someone suddenly answered. When Song Yuhang saw the icon lighting up on the screen, her eyes brightened, and her voice trembled with a hint of excitement and even choked up slightly: Hello? Lin Its me, Miss Song, the aged voice of Butler Lin came through the receiver. Miss hasnt awakened yet, and her phone is temporarily with me. Butler Lin exined the sequence of events, and Song Yuhang closed her eyes slightly, feeling a bit disappointed. But immediately, she became nervous. Its already been five days, and she hasnt woken up? How can that be how can that be? Which hospital is she in now? I want to go see her Butler Lin turned away, avoiding the security guards patrolling back and forth in the corridor. Miss, this time he sighed deeply and continued, Miss Song, please dont make it difficult for me. Its a direct order from the master. Except for doctors, no one is allowed to visit. Even he was only granted an exception to provide personal care due to his long association with Lin Yan. I cough, Song Yuhangs injuries hadnt fully healed, and she easily coughed when she got agitated. Hearing her cough on the other end, Butler Lin couldnt bear it and advised, Miss Song, please listen to my advice. Take care of yourself first, as long as theres a green mountain, there will be firewood. Only then can you Song Yuhang covered her lips and coughed a few more times, her face pale. I understand, but I miss her a lot. Butler Lin, you can see her, right? Can you do me a favor and help me? I have a few things I want to tell her. Butler Lin turned his head and nced through the ss screen door. The doctor had just finished the examination and came out. He stepped aside to let him pass. Alright then, but I cant stay for long. Please make it quick. Okay, thank you. The butler ced the phone by Lin Yans pillow. A rustling sound of fabric. When everything on the other side hadpletely quieted down, Song Yuhang spoke, Lin Yan The first words cautiously called out her name. Song Yuhang didnt know if Lin Yan could hear these words, but she just inexplicably wanted to tell her something, to release those feelings of love from her lips. If she kept it bottled up any longer, she would go crazy. That day, on the rooftop, you said that you were never the one who was resolutely chosen. Well, I want to say, now you are. Lin Yany quietly in bed, wearing a venttor. Her hair, scattered on the pillow, had lost its luster. She was incredibly thin, and under the nket, there was hardly any noticeable movement. With me, from now on, it will always be like this. Originally, Song Yuhang had intended to tell her these words after she regained consciousness. But now, for some reason, she couldnt stop herself from opening up and speaking. She still hoped that if, if there was a glimmer of hope, Lin Yan could hear these words. It would give her immense encouragement and support, helping her wake up and carry on. Lin Yan, get better. Dont forget that you promised me you wont die. Dont forget that you promised me that once the case is closed, well go for a drink together I finally found someone I truly like. I dont want to lose her so soon. Dont Song Yuhang choked back a sob, Leave me alone. The electrocardiogram monitor beside the bed fluctuated slightly as her heart rate and blood pressure slowly rose. Lin Yan still kept her eyes closed, but tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes. Butler Lin picked up the phone. Miss Song Song Yuhang wiped away the tears from her face. Alright, thank you, Butler Lin. Oh, its no trouble. Its what I should do, and I also hope that Miss recovers soon. Song Yuhang nodded. Then I wont disturb you anymore. If theres any update on Lin Yans condition, please inform me promptly. Alright, goodbye. As footsteps approached from outside the ss screen door, Butler Lin quickly put away the phone and tucked the nket for Lin Yan. Lin Ge, having finished the fingerprint verification, entered the room. Butler Lins hand, which was tucking the nket for Lin Yan, froze for a moment. He bowed respectfully, Hello, Young Master Lin. Lin Ge nodded, looking at the empty hospital room. Why is it just you here? Where are the doctor and nurse? The doctor just left, and Im used to taking care of Miss. I came over to check on her. How is Yanyan today? Shes still the same. Butler Lin withdrew his hand from the nket. Lin Ge pulled a chair from under the bed and sat down. Alright, you can go out. Ill stay with Yanyan for a while. Alright. The butler took two steps back, bowed to him, and then left the room.
Auntie! Just as Song Yuhang hung up the phone, a child rushed in like a gust of wind, with Ji Jingxing chasing after her by grabbing onto the back of her cor. Hey, hey, dont pounce on your auntie. Shes injured. Mother Song followed behind, carrying a lunchbox. Here, its the corn and pork rib soup1 you like. Lately, your sister has been cooking it herself, and even Ive been fortunate enough to enjoy it. Song Yuhang smiled and held Xiao Wei in her arms, one hand embracing her, and kissed the soft and tender cheek of the child. Thank you, Mom. Thank you, sis. Youve worked hard. Xiao Wei, have you missed your auntie recently? I did the child answered with a long, drawn-out voice. Auntie is not here, no one to y ser with me, no one to jump rope with me, no one to go to the yground with me the child counted on her fingers, making everyone in the roomugh. Ji Jingxing pulled the child closer and tapped her nose with her fingertip. You little rascal, you sure hold grudges. Xiao Wei smiled sheepishly, her hair tied into two lively and adorable pigtails. She wriggled out of her mothers embrace and rolled over to Song Yuhangs side, grabbing her hand and blowing air onto the cast on her arm. Auntie, does it hurt? Xiao Wei will blow on it, whoosh-whoosh Watching the child puffing her cheeks and blowing with all her might, Song Yuhangs heart softened, and she gently stroked the childs head. Im sorry, Xiao Wei. These past few days have been too busy. When Auntie has some free time, I promise you that during Christmas, Auntie will take you to the yground to y. Mom, please have a seat. Ji Jingxing said as she took the lunchbox from Mother Songs hand and ced it on the table. She opened the lid, took out the chopsticks that had been scalded with hot water, and carefully scooped spoonfuls into a bowl before handing it to her. Oh,e on. Its around the time of final exams before and after Christmas. Dont let her get distracted again. Besides, we understand that youre busy. Xiao Wei speaks her mind without reservation, so dont take it to heart. After hearing the first half, Xiao Wei let out a miserable cry and fell into her grandmothers arms. Grandma, Grandma, you have to talk to Mom. I dont want to attend so many cram schools Mother Songs heart melted, unable to attend to so much. Alright, alright. During winter break,e to Grandmas ce to y. I promise Mom wont assign you any homework. Now it was Ji Jingxings turn to be unhappy. Mom While the grandmother and granddaughter makes a fuss, the soup had already cooled down. Song Yuhang intended to reach out and take it, but Ji Jingxing squatted down and brought the spoon to her lips. Drink it while its still hot. Song Yuhang was taken aback and instinctively turned her head to avoid it. Its okay Ill do it myself, myself. Ji Jingxing frowned slightly, showing a hint of dissatisfaction. She had made a special effort to dress up beforeing today, with finely drawn eyebrows and even lip gloss applied, making her appear much younger than her actual age. She was dressed stylishly as well, wearing a trendy autumn dress paired with low heels. It added a touch of charm to her maturity. Not celebrating any festivals or visiting rtives, she had juste to the hospital to visit a patient, but it seemed Moreover, from Song Yuhangs perspective, she looked radiant and beautiful. She averted her gaze, inexplicably reminded of the scene in the file room when Lin Yan fed her dinner that night. Lin Yan never showed such a submissive and pitiful expression, except on certain special asions. Ji Jingxing looked at her turning away, not responding, feeling somewhat despondent. Yuhang, do you She paused for a moment. Do you despise me? Mother Songs gaze shifted towards them. Your sister specially stewed it for you all morning Song Yuhang shook her head. No, I dont. Thank you, sister-inw. She called her sister-inw instead of sister. A difference of a single word created a vast distance between them. Ji Jingxing felt as if struck by lightning, but Song Yuhang swiftly supported her with her left hand, simultaneously taking the bowl from her hand and drinking it all in one go. She wiped the corners of her lips with the back of her hand. Its delicious, but I think its better not to do this in the future. Its too troublesome, and the hospital cafeteria food is already tasty enough. Ji Jingxings lips trembled, but in the end, she didnt say anything. She turned around and began tidying up the dishes and utensils. Song Yuhangs gaze fell upon her, seemingly pondering something. Xiao Wei tugged at her hand, calling out to her, Auntie, Auntie, can we y Chinese checkers2? Song Yuhang snapped back to reality and ruffled her head. Okay, but you promise me that Auntie will y with you for one hour, and then youll obediently go home with Mom to do your homework, alright? Xiao Wei nodded vigorously. Cross my heart and hope to die, I wont change my mind for a hundred years. Song Yuhangs smile softened as she held onto her fingertips. Whoever changes their mind is a little dog.
LP: What?! Ji Jingxing dont even Song Yuhang already has someone else in mind! On another note, Im currently trying a new Adsense feature which fine-tunes how many auto ads are being disyed. I set it at the lowest settings which 5, but if the ads are a bother, please let me know and Ill disable the feature~
  1. Corn and Pork Rib Soup
  2. Chinese checkers is a strategic board game that can be yed by two to six yers. The objective is to move your pieces from one side of the star-shaped board to the opposite side, while blocking and strategizing to hinder your opponents progress. The gamebines elements of strategy, nning, and spatial reasoning.
Chapter 68-2 Chapter 68-2 Choice Outside the window, the blue sky and white clouds flowed slowly. In this month, Song Yuhang almost called Lin Yan every day, but except for that one time, the phone never connected again. In this anxious and restless wait, she received her official appointment letter and Zhang Jinhais funeral. On that day, she got up early, put on her long-unused uniform, buttoned up her shirt, tied her tie with the help of Mother Song, put on a wide-brimmed hat, and limped out of the door with a cane. Jiangcheng Funeral Home. Police cars escorted the heros final journey. On both sides of the road, crowds came to bid farewell with white chrysanthemums and banners. Dressed neatly, with a white flower pinned to his chest, the detective walked briskly in front, his eyes filled with tears. In his hands, he held an urn covered with the party g. Following behind were Zhang Jinhais family members, his wife and daughter crying bitterly. Comrade Zhang Jinhais memorial service begins now. y the mourning music, fire the cannons. Boom boom pop! The ceremonial cannons ascended into the sky, sounding like resounding gunshots. Everyone, stand in silence and salute Comrade Zhang Jinhais portrait! At themand of the host, everyone raised their hands to their temples. Duan Cheng, dressed in ck, stood among the crowd with tears silently streaming down his face. Beside him, Fang Xin and Zheng Chengrui also wore police uniforms, with white flowers pinned to their chests and tears in their eyes. After the funeral, Feng Jianguo carried a bottle of Maotai and walked to the side of the tombstone, pouring it out. Song Yuhang climbed the steps alone, limping, and reached the final step, standing still. He touched the words on the tombstone, Shouldering the duty with an iron shoulder, building the spirit of the police with a steadfast heart. These were the words Zhao Ting gave me back then. It had been hanging in his office all along. Zhang Jinhai had once asked him for this piece, but now it could only be given to him in this way. Song Yuhang bent down and ced a bouquet of white chrysanthemums by the tombstone. If one day I sacrifice myself, this will also be the best epitaph. She looked up at the vast sea of tombstones, and as the wind blew, it carried the fragrance of chrysanthemums throughout the area. Herey not only Zhang Jinhai, but also her father and brother, as well as many others she knew or didnt know, friends, seniors, or colleagues, and many more brothers with code names whose real names she couldnt recall. They safeguarded peace and prosperity with their blood and flesh, illuminating countless households with warmth. They were born here, grew up here, and their souls will eventually return to this ce. And one day, she will also return here, but Song Yuhang thought that would be the best destination for a police officer. She released her cane and lifted her injured right hand, slowly bringing it to her temple. On the way down the mountain, Feng Jianguo walked and talked with her, saying, I heard that it was you who wrote Zhao Tings report. Why did you suddenly have a change of heart this time and learn to take the initiative? Originally, she was also the favored candidate within the organization, but the decision was dyed because there were several strong contenders from subordinate bureauspeting for the position. Song Yuhang directly wrote a report to the Provincial Department, listing her achievements over the years and expressing her determination. This person, who had always been indifferent to fame and fortune, finally had a breakthrough, which delighted Zhao Junfeng. After several partymittee meetings, the final decision was madeit was still her. At the same time, her request tomend Zhang Jinhai and apply for a collective third-ss merit for the Technical Investigation Division of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau was also approved: agreed! Zhao Junfeng mmed his pen down and signed the document. Song Yuhang smiled and said, I have to thank you for your guidance. Was that guidance? It was clearly a reminder for you not to get too close to Lin Yan! Feng Jianguo sighed with regret, I wondered why you were so stubborn. If I had known, I wouldnt have approved it for you
What does a collective third-ss merit in peacetime signify? Duan Cheng, touching therge red flower on his chest, felt perplexed. Come on, lets go for a drink tonight! Your Technical Investigation Division cracked such a big case this time, and its a face-saving achievement in Zhao Tings eyes. I reckon your promotion this time is pretty much guaranteed. Itll be a stable iron rice bowl for you in the future. Take care, alright? Some familiar friends came over, patting Duan Chengs back. He felt disoriented and pushed them away. Im not going. You can go by yourself. Hey, look at this, just aplished something and already turning your back on people. What a person! The friend stomped their foot in hidden resentment but was pulled away by someone next to them. Forget it, forget it, lets not force him. Theyre the popr one now. Lets go, lets go, lets go drink and sing at the KTV. It signifies someone being praised and admired. Duan Cheng thought vaguely as he unconsciously walked to the shooting range in the training base. It was already past working hours, yet the venue was still brightly lit. Through the open door, she looked inside and saw a graceful figure aiming and shooting at the target. Duan Cheng stepped inside. After firing a burst of bullets, the screen monitor next to her disyed five shots hitting the outer ring and five shots missing the target. Fang Xin gritted her teeth, a thinyer of sweat forming on her forehead, and raised her sore arm again. A gunshot sounded from the adjacent shooting position, startling Fang Xin. She looked over and saw Duan Cheng. You Why are you here? Arent you all here? Duan Cheng aimed through the sight. Zheng Chengruiy on the nearby exercise equipment, doing sit-ups, panting heavily. Oh, I cant do it anymore, I cant, someone please help me up, I cant get up, I cant Fang Xin: Duan Cheng: While Zheng Chengrui was struggling, someone pulled him up. Fang Xin widened her eyes, a great surprise welling up within her. Team Leader Song Song Yuhang nodded and walked to the shooting position beside her. She quickly reloaded, aimed, and fired in one smooth motion. The electronic disy screen lit up. Bullseye. Song Yuhang took a deep breath, feeling a lingering ache in her shoulder. She looked at them and said, Long time no see. Long time no see. Long time no see. She fist-bumped each of them individually. Song Yuhang pulled them closer, standing shoulder to shoulder and head to head. Do me a favor. What is it? Find Lin Yan. Upon hearing this, Duan Cheng turned around and left without saying a word. Song Yuhang stood up straight. Obey orders from your superiors. Duan Cheng turned back with a pained expression. Director Feng will ce the me Song Yuhang coughed. I havent told you all yet. From now on, Ill be the Captain of the Criminal Investigation Division in the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau Duan Cheng immediately returned with a shameless expression. What do you need me to do? Just tell me. Song Yuhang looked around and said, Lets talk outside. My car is outside. The group closed the door of the venue and walked outside. Zheng Chengrui went to buy grilled skewers from a roadside stall, and Fang Xin followed suit,pletely forgetting that they had just made a pact inside the venue to exercise and lose weight. Duan Chenggged behind. He still couldnt figure out that question. Song Yuhang paused and turned to look at him. Duan Cheng The young man looked up, his face somewhat perplexed. Huh? You did great. Under the moonlight, the boys eyes instantly turned red. Song Yuhang continued, If it were me, I dont know if I could have done any better. Captain Zhangs death wasnt your fault. Whether the shot hit or missed, it filled his heart with immense guilt and self-me. Duan Cheng had been immersed in such sadness for a while now, feeling both lost and helpless. But but I actually shot at a a child Crime knows no age, and evil exists in children too. None of us has the right to harm an innocent person because of our own past sorrows, pain, struggles, helplessness, or resentment. Whether youre disillusioned with the world or suffering from loneliness, you have the right to choose to end your own life, but you cannot deprive another innocent person of their right to live. Thats what crime is, and its the basic line of being human. Song Yuhang turned around, waved her hand, and gestured for him to follow. And also, instead of regretting and feeling sad now, its better to do something meaningful, to make yourself stronger. So that in simr situations, you wont be at a loss and you can better protect the people you want to protect. Duan Cheng thought, and he understood the significance of the third-ss merit now. It was an honor earned with blood by Zhang Jinhai, and praise andmendation were merely superficial. What mattered more was to make them always remember the spirit of not fearing sacrifice and to strive and surpass their past selves. Duan Cheng wiped away his tears and hurriedly caught up.
Chapter 69-1 Chapter 69-1 Button Because her body had not fully recovered, Song Yuhang arranged for a designated driver when she came. Naturally, on the way back, it was Duan Cheng who drove. A few people gathered in the back seat, and Zheng Chengrui opened hisptop, swallowing nervously as he faced the login interface of the internalwork. Song Yuhang handed over her ount card and said, Use mine. As they saw that they had already arrived at Jiangcheng Central Hospital, Fang Xin straightened her clothes and let her hair down, making it slightly messy. She pushed open the car door and got out. Duan Cheng apanying her. Captain Song, were here. Song Yuhang made an OK gesture through the car window. To be honest with you, my wife shes a bit Duan Cheng squeezed into the crowd at the registration counter, holding onto Fang Xin. He pointed to his own head with a finger, forcing a smile on his face. He was dressed inly, looking like a young, down-and-out man. Could you rmend a good neurology hospital in this city? We cant go too far. I would be extremely grateful, truly grateful Duan Cheng nodded and bowed while reaching into his sleeve and handed over a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes. Fang Xin leaned against his shoulder, ufortably holding her head and secretly rolling her eyes. Damn it, wasnt it supposed to be a brother-sister rtionship? And he went and secretly changed the script.
How did it go? Song Yuhang opened the car door from a distance and weed them in. Duan Cheng twisted open the cap of a mineral water bottle and took a few sips before turning to look at them. I asked around. There are two options. One is Huasheng Psychiatric Hospital, and the other is a private hospital with teaching affiliations with the big hospitals in Beijing. Their neurology departments are well-regarded in the province and have some reputation nationwide. Zheng Chengrui made some progress on his end. These few vehicles are quite suspicious. Let me check the surveince along the route. He tapped his fingertips on the keyboard, and the lenses of his sses reflected a faint blue light. Hepared the routes to the two hospitals and the routes taken by the vehicles, quickly eliminating the suspicion of the other vehicles, leaving only one ambnce. Duan Cheng gripped the steering wheel and stepped on the elerator. Lets go. A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Song Yuhangs lips. Thank you, both of you. Why did Captain Song know that Sister Lin wouldnt leave the province? Duan Cheng was still curious. Song Yuhang lowered her gaze, her voice slightly muffled. She was seriously injured. It wouldnt be possible for her to endure a long journey, unless Lin Youyuan really wanted her dead. Moreover, when she called her that day, she heard a bird-like sound outside the window. It sounded simr but also different. Out of professional habit, she happened to record the call, andter she searched online and found that this type of bird was only found in Jiangcheng City. So, it was impossible for her to leave the province. After listening, everyone was dumbfounded. Indeed, youre Captain Song, always Captain Song. Zheng Chengrui handed the card back to her. Let me write a program to clear the browsing history. It would be troublesome if thework monitoring discovered it. There had to be a legitimate reason for essing the public security intr. Although Song Yuhang coulde up with an excuse if it was discovered, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble. She nodded. Thank you for your help. Soon, they arrived at the front of the renowned private hospital. When they were about 500 meters away, they got out of the car and walked. Duan Cheng pushed aside the bushes. Wow, why is the security so strict at this hospital? The entrance was filled with ck-d bodyguards. They hadmunication devices in the pockets of their suit jackets, tactical pens hidden in their belt loops, and civilian electric batons in their hands. Just grab one of them randomly, and except for not being equipped with a gun, their equipment would surpass that of regr police officers. Song Yuhang crouched in the shadow behind a tree, carefully observing. She gestured to the others. n A. Duan Cheng put on a duckbill cap and walked out. After a while, amotion could be heard at the entrance. Why wont you let me in? Im her colleague! I just want to see how shes doing. Or is it that youre hiding her here and doing something shameful that cant be seen by others? Duan Cheng tiptoed to get a glimpse and shouted through a loudspeaker, Sister Lin, Sister Lin The bodyguards nced at each other and approached to pull the person away, shoving and pushing. In the midst of themotion, one of the bodyguards raised an electric baton. Duan Cheng remembered Song Yuhangs instructions earlier: civilian high-intensity electric baton. One shock would numb the limbs and render the person helpless, regardless of whether they were human or animal. Implied meaning: Dont be confrontational. Duan Cheng quickly raised his hands in surrender and took a step back. Hey, hey, hey, dont get physical. If you dont want to let me in, then dont. Why be so aggressive?! As he spoke, he straightened his clothes, let out a cold snort, and turned to leave. The bodyguards watched him walk out of thepound and didnt pursue any further, finally giving up. Duan Cheng circled around and returned to the side of the bushes, lowering his voice. This wont do. They wouldnt even let me have a glimpse, let alone enter. Song Yuhang surveyed her surroundings. The surrounding wall was approximately two meters high and topped with barbed wire. She knew that her current skills wouldnt allow her to pass through. She caressed therge tree beside her and looked up, suddenly getting an idea. Old Zheng, did the intrusion seed? Song Yuhang decided to follow the same n as Lin Yan during their previous visit to the funeral home in the provincial capital. She would cut off their power first. The progress bar on theputer screen moved forward slowly. Zheng Chengrui clenched his fist, feeling a slight nervousness. Alright! Song Yuhang nodded. She had a rope tied around her waist and slowly began to climb up. Her injuries hindered her movements, and she wasnt very agile. Every time she pulled herself up and grasped the tree trunk, it was a struggle. Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead. Several times, Duan Cheng saw her slip down a bit, but she gritted her teeth and managed to climb up little by little. The dense canopy of the banyan tree aligned perfectly with the second-floor window sill, providing natural cover. In that moment when the power was cut off, Song Yuhang had to jump onto the exposed tform where the air conditioner unit was installed to avoid being detected by the searchlights. Song Yuhang released the rope around her waist and threw it down. She made an OK gesture towards the ground, indicating that she was ready. Zheng Chengrui nodded, and with a click of the Enter key, the entire brightly lit building plunged into darkness instantaneously. Song Yuhang jumped off the ground, soaring through the air like an agile leopard. However, when shended, her knee twinged with pain. Her face turned pale, and cold sweat broke out. She knelt on the edge of the tform with a thud, holding onto the air conditioner unit. If it werent for that, she would have fallen already. Whos there?! The bodyguards heard themotion and ran over. Duan Cheng whistled, diverting their attention and leading them away. Song Yuhang let out a sigh of relief. Half crouching, she shifted towards the window and ced her fingers on the window sill, peering inside. After a brief moment of darkness, the room regained its brightness. Through the gap in the curtains, Song Yuhang saw Lin Yan lying quietly in bed while medical staff conducted examinations around her. A nurse changed her IV drip, and a few young doctors reced her dressing. When they removed the bandage from her shoulder, the sight of the infected and inmed flesh became gruesome. The doctor used surgical scissors to remove the necrotic tissue. Lin Yan, in her sleep, frowned in pain. Song Yuhang clenched her fists, at that moment wanting to rush in and tightly embrace her, wishing she wouldnt have to suffer so much anymore. It wasnt until her nails dug deep into her flesh, tasting the metallic tang of blood, that Song Yuhang finally released her grip. The arduous process of changing the dressing hade to an end. The doctor sprinkled medicine powder on her wound, wrapped it with fresh bandages, and then took the tray and exited the room. Once everyone had moved away, Song Yuhang took a wire from her pocket and poked the windowtch twice. She heard a crisp sound, and the window opened with a gentle push. She swiftly climbed in. She almost stumbled and ran to Lin Yans bedside, wanting to cup her face and take a look. However, she noticed her own dirty hands and hesitated for a moment before refraining. Lin Yan was already thin, and her illness had further distorted her figure. Her small face was deathly pale, and even her usually vibrant red lips had lost their color. Song Yuhang felt a pang of heartache as she turned away, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. She wanted to touch her, hold her, and kiss her, yet she feared that she might transfer bacteria from her own body, worsening Lin Yans condition. A hurried whistle echoed from downstairs. She had to go. Song Yuhang knelt by the bedside, lightly embracing her through the nket and resting her head on her chest. Lin Yan, I miss you so much. Wake up quickly, dont leave me alone. But there was no response, only the steady beeping of the bedside heart monitor, filling the silence. Song Yuhang stood up and gazed at Lin Yans pale, lifeless lips. She leaned forward slightly, stopping when she was about three inches away, and then instead pressed her lips against Lin Yans forehead. Just like she had done to her that day. Song Yuhang closed her eyes, allowing herself a moment of indulgence, lingering a little longer than she should. In her heart, she silently whispered, Please dont die. Another whistle sounded from downstairs. Song Yuhang knew that there was no time to waste. She stood up, wiped away her tears, and pulled a metal button from her own cor. She tucked it into the palm of her hand, curled up, and ced it inside the covers. Song Yuhang looked back every three steps as she climbed out of the window ledge. Several people were already waiting downstairs, and the return path was even more perilous. It was easier to jump over to the other side, but difficult to jump back. Song Yuhang had no choice but to cling to the water pipe and climb down. When she was halfway down, a beam of bright shlight shone upon her. Instinctively, she covered her face, slipped, and slid down. The bodyguards chasing after her pursued her like a pack of hounds. A voice came through the earpiece, it was Zheng Chengruis voice: Captain Song, in the southeast direction, go around a flower bed and theres a dog hole under the wall. Were waiting for you here. Damn it, even the mighty captain of the Criminal Investigation Team had a day of crawling through dog holes. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth and plunged in. Duan Cheng reached out and pulled her out, their faces showing a hint of suppressed amusement. Song Yuhangs face flushed with embarrassment. Great, not only did she crawl through a dog hole, but she also yed the part of a gentleman on a beam. Her reputation waspletely ruined. She dusted off her in clothes and plucked a few weeds from her head, taking the lead as she turned to walk away. Dont tell anyone about todays events, understood? Duan Cheng dragged out his words, EhCaptain Song, are you asking us for something? If you invite us to a hot pot meal, maybe Before he could finish his sentence, a few words popped out from the person walking ahead through her teeth. This is an order. They simultaneously made funny faces at her from behind. No wonder they say birds of a feather flock together, and people of the same kind gather. Captain Song and Sister Lin have been together for a long time, and their speaking and acting styles are bing more and more alike. This wont do, this wont do. While Duan Cheng scorned inwardly, he also sighed at this darned sweet socialist sisterhood. He lifted his foot and caught up with them.
LP: The MVP of this chapter is Duan Cheng~
Chapter 69-2 Chapter 69-2 Button After sending each of these people back home, Song Yuhang called for a designated driver to take her back to the hospital. As soon as she got out of the car, Lin Ges car also arrived. There was no way not to notice him. This man, whether in appearance or temperament, stood out in the crowd. Lin Ge was holding some nutritional supplements, apparently also visiting a patient at the hospital. Lin Yan had already been transferred to another hospital, so who could he be familiar with at this hospital? Song Yuhang touched her nose and lowered her head as she walked. Lin Ge caught up with her from behind. Are you feeling better? You look much better now. Ive been busy with family matters recently, so I havent been able toe and see you during Lin Yans incident. Originally, she could have asked Lin Ge about Lin Yans whereabouts. However, upon second thought, since she had already decided to cut ties with Lin Ge from now on, there was no need to proactively contact him anymore. It wouldnt be good to give him any lingering thoughts or to dy him by going back and forth. After all, he was still Lin Yans rtive, and if possible, Song Yuhang didnt want to hurt him. With these thoughts in mind, she spoke up, Have you eaten? Shall we go over there and sit? Lin Ges gaze fell on a roadside stall nearby. Sure, sure. I had a little something when I came, but we can consider it a snack. Song Yuhang ordered a bowl of rice noodles, while Lin Ge ordered half a portion of wontons. They sat on opposite sides of the greasy table. Her hand had just recovered from the injury, so she still couldnt perform delicate tasks like buttoning buttons or tying ties. Lin Ge had initially wanted to help her separate the disposable chopsticks. However, Song Yuhang managed to do it herself by biting on them. She stirred the rice noodles and seasonings in her bowl, and Lin Ge looked at the fresh scars on the back of her hand. This is Song Yuhang nced at it, keeping a calm expression and steady heart. I identally got it. It was probably from when she jumped off the windowsill and brushed against something. Lin Ge wanted to say something, but Song Yuhang cut him off, gently and firmly rejecting him. The reason I havent actively contacted you during this period is not only because Ive been busy. Ive also been thinking about whether we are trulypatible. But after much consideration, you may be the most suitable marriage partner ording to our parents standards. However, Im not just seeking marriage Lin Ge smiled and picked up the yellowed transparent water jug on the table. He poured a ss of warm water for her but didnt touch his wontons. I know. My pursuit of Miss Song is not merely for finding apanion to get married Song Yuhang looked up at him, her eyes devoid of any unnecessary emotions. It was as if she was looking at a friend, a colleague, an ordinary person. Her gaze was open and sincere, her expression calm and serene. Even the deliberate avoidance of eye contact to avoid suspicion was gone. She genuinely had no interest in him. The smile on Lin Ges face faded. If thats the case, I believe Mr. Lin will understand me. Even the form of address had be the most unfamiliar. Have you fallen for someone? Lin Ge held a disposable stic cup, watching as ripples formed in the water. Song Yuhang answered firmly, without a moments hesitation, Yes. Lin Ge smiled bitterly. Can I ask who it is? Dont read too much into it; I dont have any ulterior motives. I just want to know who could make you Song Yuhang also smiled, but it was a very gentle smile. She only showed this kind of expression when she thought of that person. Her lips curved slightly, and the aura of keeping strangers at a distance dissipated. She concealed the sharpness and revealed her simplest side. Theyre a very, very good person. Stubborn, proud, and kind-hearted, all hidden beneath a seemingly obsessive exterior. Theyre like a flower that blooms from the mud, deserving of my protection and love. So, Im sorry. Song Yuhang took out money from her pocket to call the boss for the bill, but she never told him who that person was. Although she and Lin Yan had already confessed their feelings to each other, Lin Yan was still unconscious. She couldnt grasp what Lin Yan truly thought about this rtionshipwhether it should be public or kept secret, whether she should tell her family or keep it hidden. Especially when they were in the bamboo forest, Lin Yan had mentioned that Lin Ge was one of the few people who treated her well. Therefore, Song Yuhang chose to tell a well-intentioned lie and keep him in the dark about who she truly liked. She allowed him to have a vague idea of someone, and then she wouldpletely put an end to that thought. As for the matters between her and Lin Yan, there was still plenty of time. When Lin Yan woke up, they could discuss it thoroughly. There was still a gift from Lin Ge at her feet, but Song Yuhang had already walked away. He stood up and chased after her, managing to slip the nutritional supplement into her hand before they entered the hospital. Take it. Today, I only came to visit as a friend. Even if we cant be in a romantic rtionship, Miss Song wont cut off ties with me as a regr friend, right? Due to the intense running, there was a thinyer of sweat on the mans forehead. His gaze was dim, but he still forced out a smile. Song Yuhang declined, and he took two steps back, waving goodbye to her from the bottom of the stairs. After all, you are my sisters friend. Let me thank you on her behalf for saving her life. Dont worry, I, Lin Ge, am a sensible person. Ill talk to my mom and aunt. I wont bring Miss Song out as a blind date anymore. As he spoke, Lin Ges car pulled up. Then Ill wish Miss Song in advance that true love wille her way. After finishing his words, Lin Ge got into the car without giving her another chance to speak. Song Yuhang looked at the nutritional supplement in her hand and smiled bitterly. Lin Yan, oh Lin Yan, your dad may not be great, but you really do have a good older brother.
Before Song Yuhang stepped into the hospital room, she heard Mother Songs anxious voice spinning around. Where is she? Where did such a big person go? The medical staff surrounded her. Call the police Yes, call the police. The elderly woman took out her phone from her pocket and began dialing the number, but someone quickly grabbed her hand to stop her. Song Yuhangughed, Mom, Im right here. I took a leave from the hospital and went out to have dinner with my colleagues, thats all. Mother Song scrutinized her from head to toe. Oh my, why is your clothes so dirty again? Did you get into another fight? How can you go out like this without fully recovering from your injuries Its okay, Its okay, Mom, dont worry. Song Yuhang pulled her mother to sit by the bed, apologized to the medical staff, and asked them to leave. Then she closed the door and returned. Mother Song looked at the nutritional supplement she brought back. Whats this Song Yuhang poured a cup of hot water from a thermos to warm her hands. It was sent by Lin Ge. Why did youe sote at night? I came to see you. I couldnt rest at home alone without worrying. On my way here, I saw someone selling candied chestnuts, so I bought some for you. The elderly woman took out a paper bag from her bag and ced it on the table. She alsoid a piece of tissue paper for herto peel the chestnuts. Song Yuhang tried to take over, but she was pushed back. Go, go, go. Go lie down on the bed. By the way, whats the progress between you and Lin Ge? After all the talking, they finally got to the point. Song Yuhang rolled a chestnut between her fingers and popped it into her mouth. It was still warm and indeed soft and delicious, fragrant and sweet. She blissfully narrowed her eyes. Seeing Lin Yan and resolving the matters between her and Lin Ge had put her in a good mood. Forget it. Mother Song stopped peeling chestnuts. Song Yuhang reached out to grab a chestnut to eat, but her hand was met with a chestnut shell being thrown at her head. Mother Song was visibly angry. You Why did you reject him this time? Its not easy to find a man who doesnt mind your profession Even detectives didnt want to date detectives. They were too busy and neglectful of their families. Other people were even more reluctant once they heard about her profession. Lin Ge had already been the one she had spent the longest time with in her dating history. Song Yuhang pulled the chestnut shell off her clothes and held her mothers hand. She carefully considered her words. Mom, dont be angry for now. Look, my sister has been single for so many years, and shes doing fine living on her own Thats different. Your sister has Xiao Wei, she has someone by her side. I wouldnt oppose her getting married again. In fact, I hope someone can take care of the two of them. The key point is that you dont have that. If you get married and have children now, while I can still move around and take care of you for a few years, that would be great. But wait a couple of years, when I cant move anymore, and you be an older woman, if you encounter any minor illness or mishap, there wont even be someone by your bedside to pour you tea or water. That would be truly sad. Mother Song also held her hand, her eyes slightly reddened, speaking earnestly. In the end, she was concerned that Song Yuhang would have no one to take care of her in her old age, and her future would be bleak. Song Yuhangs heart softened. She hugged her mother into her arms, gently patting her back tofort her. And then, out of the blue, she uttered a sentence. Mom, our family doesnt favor boys over girls, do we have a throne to inherit? Mother Song was so angry that she wanted to hit her. What are you saying?! Who said we favor boys over girls?! Song Yuhangughed. Well, then that settles it. Our family doesnt need to carry on the family line. Besides, even if we did, dont we have Xiao Wei? She looked at her mother with a slightly cautious expression, as if she was giving a preemptive exnation for her rtionship with Lin Yan. Youve watched me grow up and know me best. You should know that I cant handle ordinary men, and ordinary men cant handle me either. I really have no intention of getting married. Ill save money when Im young, and when Im old, Ill go live in a nursing home. We can be together, and well spend our days sunbathing and dancing in the square. In the first half of the conversation, Mother Song was still quite angry with her, but in the second half, she couldnt help but be amused by her words. Oh, you, by then you wont be able to dance Its okay. If we cant dance, well stay inside and watch TV, drink tea, y chess. If you like children, Ill go outside and adopt around seventeen or eighteen of them for you. You can choose their looks and personalities. Theyll line up every day and call you grandma to make you happy Song Yuhangs teasing left her mother unable to close her mouth. You, you talk nonsense all day. How can I let you adopt seventeen or eighteen children? Besides, can you handle that many? I wont help you take care of them Song Yuhang looked at the white hair at her mothers temples, the lines on her face. She was no longer young. The consecutive losses of her husband and child had aged her significantly. She graduated from high school and worked for two years before marrying her father. Perhaps she didnt have much education, but she always kept their family of four tidy and in order. During those times, they were poor, and her fathers sry was only a few hundred yuan. But Song Yuhang could still wear clean school uniforms every day and have fish, shrimp, and meat on the table asionally when she came home from school. It wasnt until she became independent and started working that she realized how difficult and challenging it was to bnce busy work and studies while also taking care of household chores, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking delicious and satisfying meals. It was a demanding task that was not easy to sustain. Mother Song had been doing it day after day for decades, including loving them unconditionally. Song Yuhang held the warm chestnut in her hands and embraced her mother, resting her head on her shoulder. She felt a profound sense of rxation and gratitude. Mom, thank you. She paused for a moment and continued, And Im sorry for making you worry. Mother Song also ced her hand on her back and gently patted her. Silly child, Mom just wants you to live a good life. Your father passed away early, and your brother is also gone. There arent many people left in our family. Mom will eventually leave you too. When that timees, Mom is afraid youll be lonely. Whoever it is, having someone to apany you is a good thing. Song Yuhang hugged her mother tightly. No, Mom, you will live a long life. Mother Song helped her up, leaning on her shoulder as she looked at her grown-up daughter. No one lives to be a hundred years old. Everyone ages. But my greatest wish is for you to be safe and sound. Thats more important than anything else. Tears welled up in Song Yuhangs eyes as she took the initiative to peel the chestnuts for her mother. Mom, dont just take care of me. You should eat too.
Miss, miss, shes awake! The nurse who was responsible for monitoring her was half asleep when she suddenly saw her hand move slightly. She quickly ran out to call for help. The doctors rushed in, bustling about, checking her eyelids and listening to her heartbeat, forcefully pulling Lin Yan out of her stupor. In a dazed state, she heard someone say, The lung infection is under control. She has regained autonomous breathing and heartbeat. Remove the venttor, and insert a nasal feeding tube. The equipment was pushed away from the bedside, and the pain and difort caused by the removal of the endotracheal tube made her open her eyes in confusion. The world transformed from ck and white to color, from blurry to clear. Lin Yan blinked her eyes twice and instinctively felt exhausted. Her body had never been so fatigued before. Every limb and bone ached, and her head throbbed with pain. The doctor rolled up her sleeve and injected transparent painkillers into her. Lin Yan frowned, a painful moan escaping between her lips. She subconsciously clenched her fist but suddenly felt something pricking her palm. It felt cool and smooth, very rounded. She tilted her head slightly and opened her palm, trying hard to see. It was a button. A button from a standard police uniform shirt. It shimmered with a faint silver light under themp. Lin Yan understood. She had been here. For some unknown reason, when this thought emerged, she felt a sense of relief and warmth like never before. Lin Yan clenched the button tightly in her palm, gently closed her eyes, and let the darkness and weariness engulf her.
LP: I cant imagine a life without my mother in it so Ill make sure to follow her shortly after when that time arrives!
PREVIOUSTOC
Chapter 70-1 Chapter 70-1 Paper Crane Recently, the police in Binhai Province cracked a major case involving the use of psychological maniption to interfere with and influence the suicidal behavior of teenagers. The individuals involved are Mr. Li, male, 44 years old, and Ms. Yu, female, 20 years old, ate-stage uremia patient. Over the course of ten years, they lured minors with suicidal thoughts through online posts, seriously harming the mental and physical health of young people through a series of methods including psychological suggestion. They also controlled the victims offline, manipting them to take psychiatric drugs at their disposal to search for suitable kidney sources. Their actions seriously vited Article 232 of the Criminal Law of the Peoples Republic of China Song Yuhang reached out and turned off the in-car radio, opened the car door, and got out of the car. The media swarmed around her. A few young police officers escorted her inside. Camera shes were going off everywhere. Conference room. On the deep blue background wall, the national emblem was embraced by the words Serve the People, Enforce the Law. Below that was the insignia of the Binhai Public Security Bureau, Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau, written in small characters. The leaders took their seats in order, and Song Yuhang sat next to the deputy director. The que in front of her read Captain of the Criminal Investigation Detachment of Jiangcheng City. One of her hands was still bandaged. Today, she had a neat appearance, wearing her uniform meticulously. Her hair was neatly tucked under her wide-brimmed hat, and the four-cornered star on her shoulder badge shimmered in the sunlight. She was a female leader, and a female leader with exceptional appearance and temperament. Naturally, the camera lenses were mostly focused on her. Song Yuhang remainedposed, but asionally, when answering questions from the media, her gaze would unintentionally nce at the table below. That was the seat for the forensic investigators. There was an empty space on the right side, and on the table, there was only one namete: Dr. Lin Yan, Chief Forensic Physician of the Criminal Technical Investigation Department of Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau. She still hadnt arrived. Song Yuhangs eyes flickered slightly, and she took her seat. The spokesperson continued, Regarding the issue of teenage suicide, we appeal to families, schools, and the general public to work together to protect the mental and physical health of young people, especially parents. Spend more time with your children, listen to them, understand their daily lives at school. Dont just focus on their academic performance, but also pay attention to their mental and physical well-being. Dont give criminals an opportunity. Currently, suicide intervention hotlines have been gradually established in various provinces and cities nationwide The press conference regarding the White Whale Case ended sessfully, with thunderous apuse erupting in the venue. As Song Yuhang was about to leave after the event, she was called into Director Fengs office. He pointed to the brocade box on the table. Its for Lin Yan. Song Yuhang was taken aback. This is Feng Jianguo sat down and took a sip of tea. Its a medal of honor. After all, she was the one who first sensed that something was wrong, otherwise we wouldnt have continued the investigation and suffered such serious injuries. The appropriate recognition should still be given. Take it and give it to her. Song Yuhang caressed the brocade box, lost in thought. After a while, she raised her right hand and touched her temple, giving a salute before turning around and leaving. Captain Song, Captain Song The passing detectives greeted her, but Song Yuhang nodded in acknowledgement and continued on. She pushed open the door to the forensic investigation office directly. It was lunchtime, so there werent many people around. Song Yuhang walked to her familiar desk, ced the brocade box down, and sat down. It was here that they had their first conflict. Song Yuhang picked up the photo frame on the desk, dusted off the dust, and in the photo, Lin Yan seemed to rarely smile. She slightly raised her chin, with a somewhat rebellious expression. As she looked at it, it was as if she could still hear her whispering in her ear, Captain Song, is it appropriate for you to gaze at me with affection in the office? Song Yuhang, are you even a human? No, are you even a woman? Brother, I dont agree with you being together!!! Dr. Lin, do you really dislike me that much? Isnt it that Im not interested in solving cases? But Im interested in Captain Song. Wherever you go, Ill go~ You care about me? Isnt it the supervisors duty to care about subordinates? He cant afford a diamond ring, but I can give you one~ Scenes from the past shed through her mind. Song Yuhangs eyes were slightly moist, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. She put the photo frame back in ce, and in a casual nce, she noticed that there was a key inserted in Lin Yans drawer. With a thought, she twisted the key, and with a soft click sound, the drawer popped open. There were numerous forensic textbooks, her own notes, several bags of coffee for staying alert, and a bottle of chewing gum. Song Yuhang took out the notebook and quickly flipped through a few pages, unable to help but sigh, Impressive. She meticulously recorded all the cases she had handled, categorizing them by time, duration, and cause of death. Her handwriting was clean and neat. The red pen marked the difficult points discovered during the autopsies, and asionally, there were sticky notes as footnotes orter exnations. When she was in Wuli Town, she stood on the rooftop and wept, saying that it shouldnt be her standing here as someone aspiring to be a forensic expert, but someone else. However, in this moment, as Song Yuhang flipped through these manuscripts, she could sense the genuine passion for forensic medicine emanating from these delicate and neat writings. Perhaps she wasnt even aware herself. She chose to be a forensic expert, maybe initially driven by the desire for revenge for Chu Nan. But over the years, she had unknowingly embodied the motto cherished by all forensic professionals. To protect the rights of the living and speak for the dead. Lin Yan was undoubtedly one of the best among them. Song Yuhang closed the notebook, wiping away any trace of moisture from her eyes. Her gaze then fell upon the bottle of chewing gum. The first time she saw Lin Yan eating candy was on the night after dissecting Ding Xues body. Lin Yan was wearing a tank top and shorts, with wet hair draped over her shoulders. She stretched out her arm towards Song Yuhang and said, Chewing gum, want a couple? Later, when they asionally went on field assignments, she saw Lin Yan carrying that bottle, until their time in Wuli Town. Lin Yan offered it to her, and she initially thought she wouldnt ept it. However, she reached out and took it. In that instant, Song Yuhang caught the fleeting panic in Lin Yans eyes. Recalling that expression, Song Yuhangs heart skipped a beat. She twisted open the cap of the chewing gum bottle, only to find two pieces left inside. Two mint candies that seemed indistinguishable. Song Yuhang picked up one of them, popped it into her mouth, and immediately frowned. She grabbed a tissue from the table and spat it out. It was so bitter. This wasnt candy at all; it was medicine. How did she manage to eat them without flinching every time? Song Yuhang grabbed the bottle of chewing gum and hurried to theboratory. Fang Xin started up the machine, put on gloves, and ced the two pills into separate petri dishes. Captain Song, Ill prioritize this for you in the afternoon, but the results wont be avable until tonight at the earliest. Song Yuhang nodded, the bitter taste lingering in her mouth. Okay, thank you for your help. Im sorry to make you work overtime again. Its no problem, just a small effort on my part. She was practically unfocused on work for the whole afternoon, but fortunately, there werent any major cases recently. Song Yuhang felt a mix of relief and unease as she waited until evening. Fang Xin sent her a message, asking her toe to theboratory. She stood up and rushed, almost tripping over a chair. Fang Xin held two pages of paper reports and returned the samples, which had been ground into powder, to her. The two pills have differentpositions. One of them is She paused for a moment before saying, Its an experimental drug for treating Guiin-Barr syndrome. It hasnt been released domestically yet. I specifically consulted my former university advisor for confirmation. Fang Xin handed her a thin sheet of paper, and Song Yuhangs hands trembled as she looked at the listed side effects. Insomnia, hair loss, vomiting, loss of appetite She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling a lump in her throat, and tried to calm herself down. What about the other pill? Fang Xin looked at her expression and hesitated before speaking, This medication is also not avable domestically. I asked my pharmaceutical ssmates about it. It contains arge amount of gamma-hydroxybutyrate,monly used to treat a range ofplications caused by bipr disorder, including insomnia, depression, alcohol dependence, and increased libido. Song Yuhang turned away, her shoulders trembling slightly. Fang Xin pulled a tissue from the table and handed it to her. Captain Song Song Yuhang took it and waved her hand a couple of times. Its okay, its okay. Thank you. I hope you can keep todays events Dont worry, I wont tell anyone. Song Yuhang shook her head, tightly clutching the two sheets of paper in her hand. No, dont tell Lin Yan that we know about this either . Fang Xin was momentarily stunned but quickly understood Song Yuhangs good intentions. Lin Yan was such a stubborn person that she might not even be able to ept the fact that she had bipr disorder. Otherwise, she wouldnt resort to using a chewing gum bottle as a cover-up. Not only did Song Yuhang treat her exceptionally well, but she also protected her dignity firmly. Fang Xin suddenly felt a sense of emotion. Alright, I understand. Song Yuhang forced a smile, holding the test report as she walked out. Thank you. Lets have a meal together with Duan Cheng and Old Zheng another day. She entered an empty office and turned on the paper shredder, feeding both sheets of paper into it. As she listened to the humming sound of the machine, she closed her eyes slightly, her shoulders trembling violently. Only at this moment did she allow herself a brief moment of emotional indulgence. LP: The past 2 days should have been rest days, but I ended up doing house work I feel more tired then I was 2 days prior (-_-) PREVIOUSTOC Chapter 70-2 Chapter 70-2 Paper Crane She didnt drive or call for a designated driver. Instead, she took a bus home. During her school days, whenever she didnt perform well on a test or felt down, Song Yuhang would always sit alone on a swaying bus, looking at the neon-lit city outside the window, as if it could take her to a distant ce. But this time, she sat in the back row but didnt look out the window. Instead, she stared at her phone. What are the causes of bipr disorder? Can bipr disorder be cured? Do bipr disorder patients have to take medication for life? Her fingertips glided across the screen, browsing through various search pages and reading some shares and confessions from bipr patients. Song Yuhang pressed her fingers against her forehead, pinching it hard, when the driver reminded her that they had reached the final stop. She was taken aback. Had they arrived at the final stop so quickly? Song Yuhang grabbed her bag and got off the bus. As she looked around at the familiar surroundings, a rush of memories flooded her mind. She never expected that the final stop of the bus that took her home would actually be her own house, the Qingshan Vi. Walking along the long mountain road, the vi cluster nestled among the green hills and clear waters. She and her had once had a fight here. That rainy night was the beginning of everything. Song Yuhang witnessed her skills, her courage, her charm, her sensuality. It was also the first time she witnessed the softness beneath her tough exterior. When shey quietly in the umted water, shedding tears, and when she sat up trembling, clutching the clothes that had been torn apart by her. Song Yuhangs heart felt scratched like a cats w. She thought, maybe it was from that moment onwards that she started to develop a favorable impression of her. She would unconsciously pay attention to her, care for her, take care of her. At that time, she had always thought it was guilt after hurting someone, but she never expected Song Yuhang shook her head, once again regretting her own dullness. The nursery in front of the vi, which had been destroyed during their fight, had been reced with new nts, and thriving sunflowers were now growing there. Song Yuhang walked over and plucked a sunflower seed from the full te of sunflower seeds. She peeled it and stuffed it into her mouth. It was sweet, and the bitter taste brought by the medicine finally faded a bit. She peeled some more, wrapped them in tissue paper, intending to bring them to Lin Yan when she saw herter, even though she couldnt eat them. What she didnt know was that on the morning after their fight, Lin Yan got up and the butler came to ask her, Miss, what are we nting in the garden? Lin Yan looked at the sky outside as the sun leaped out of the horizon, casting mottled light on the floor. After the storm, there is always sunshine. She said casually, Sunflowers. When she said this, she had a momentary thought of the police officers face, of her not-so-bright but gentle smile, and of the faint scent of sunshine on her clothes. Lin Yan was taken aback and wanted to change her answer, but the butler had already gone far. She smiled and continued buttoning her shirt. Well, sunflowers it is, thats fine. Song Yuhang knew that there was no one at her house in the evening, and she should go back. However, she inexplicably found herself standing in front of the vis door and, as if driven by something, pressed the doorbell. After the long dripping sound, a mechanical voice came from the ess control system, Hello, the owner is not at home. Please leave a message after the beep. It repeated the message several times in both Chinese and English. Just how much did Lin Yan dislike being bothered by people? Song Yuhang chuckled, turned around intending to leave, but then she saw the fingerprint sensor below the ess control system. For some unknown reason, she ced her index finger on it. Beep A soft sound, and the gate opened in response. Song Yuhang paled. She clearly remembered that after spending the night at Lin Yans house, she had gotten up early to get ready for work. She was curious about this door and ced her index finger on it. Lin Yan was shocked and rmed, Dont press randomly, it has automatic memory! As she said this, she brushed her hand away, but the electronic disy screen already had the imprint of her fingerprint. Delete or save? Lin Yan was furious, Who allowed you to touch my door? Who allowed you to touch my door? Do you want to leave your fingerprints and break into someones private residence?! Song Yuhang looked innocent, Sorry Its just that its so high-tech That fingerprint, she thought she had deleted it, but she didnt expect it to still remain? It turned out that a long time ago, Lin Yan had already given her the greatest trust she could offer. Back then, they were nothing at all. Song Yuhangs eyes welled up with tears as she lowered her head and continued walking. She didnt even know what she hoped to achieve by tracing her footsteps today. She had taken photos sitting by the pool and even sent her some of them. She had initially wanted to set one of those photos as her screensaver, but she ultimately gave up on the idea, as her possessiveness was getting the better of her. She was so enchanting, sexy, and alluring, but she didnt want others to see it, so she set it as their private chat background. Song Yuhang walked inside, pushing open the ss door and stepping into the lobby. On the left side was the cloakroom where she had stood, searching for her uniform. On the right side was the open kitchen where she had once made her a bowl of tomato braised noodles. She enjoyed it very much. Song Yuhang felt a bit guilty. She thought that she should learn how to cook from her mother during this period and make sure she eats better in the future. Song Yuhang walked up the stairs, recalling how Lin Yan had carried her up the stairs from the sofa. Lin Yan had one arm around her neck and was teasing her with sarcastic remarks in her ear. Youre such a weakling. You cant even lift me, and yet and Im not even a hundred kilograms. Last time, a man who carried me up and down the stairs while beingpletely naked Song Yuhang chuckled, shook her head, and pushed open Lin Yans bedroom. She wondered if Lin Yan would still say such things now. However, if she did say them Song Yuhangs eyes darkened slightly, and based on her personality, she would probably carry her up and down the stairs ten times or so. She couldnt help it; she was used to beingpetitive. The bedroom was quite tidy. She had noticed it thest time she visited. There were no extra slippers in the room, and nothing was repeated or held emotional significance. The media always portrayed her as promiscuous, indecisive, and fickle in love But if someone were truly promiscuous, the bedside table would be filled with condoms rather than medical books and magazines. Song Yuhangs heart was filled with mixed emotions, and she closed the door and stepped back. Next to it was her study. Song Yuhang pressed the switch on the wall, and the room was brightly lit, instantly bing spacious and clear. The study was evenrger than her bedroom. There was a treadmill and other simple fitness equipment near the floor-to-ceiling windows, giving the impression that she woulde here to rx after a tiring day of work. A gentle curve formed at the corner of Song Yuhangs lips as she picked up the pen that had fallen to the ground and ced it on the desk. A thick stack of sticky notes on the desk caught her attention, and there was a transparent ss jar next to it. Song Yuhang picked it up and gave it a shake. It was a thousand origami cranes. Did she still have this kind of interest and hobby that only little girls have? Song Yuhang chuckled and unscrewed the ss jar lid, but identally dropped one out. She picked it up intending to put it back, but suddenly froze as she faintly saw some writing on it through the light. Her heart tightened, and she quickly ced it on the table and unfolded it. The crumpled paper had a strangers name written on it. It was Lin Yans handwriting. She couldnt fathom its meaning, so she poured out more from the ss jar and opened each one. This time, she understood. Ding Xue. Li Shiping. He Miao. Wu Wei. Wei Lin. She trembled as she held these crumpled and colorful sticky notes, her lips quivering, and tears started to fall. These these were all cases she had handled, bodies she had dissected. She appeared cold and indifferent, but in the most primitive and simple way, she cherished their memories and remembered their names. There were many ss jars like this, big and small, in Lin Yans disy window. Song Yuhang could no longer bear it and ran out without hesitation. She had never felt such a strong urge to see her before, an immediate and unprecedented desire. Song Yuhang ran all the way to the foot of the mountain and hailed a taxi, heading straight to the hospital. Why didnt you tell me earlier when you got sick? Lin Yan leaned against the bed, originally lying down. When Lin Youyuan entered, the caregiver thought it was disrespectful to the chairman and pushed the bed closer. She still had a nasal feeding tube inserted and an IV catheter attached to the back of her hand, quietly folding origami cranes. Lin Youyuan watched her move, noticing how her body was still recovering, unable to even fold a piece of paper properly. Go back to Jingtai, get treatment. Dont go to work anymore in the future. I will talk to the leaders at the Jiangcheng Municipal Bureau. In an imperative tone. Lin Yan seemed indifferent, but her folding movements became slightly more impatient. However, no matter how she struggled, her fingers were too weak to leave even a crease. Seeing her like this, Lin Youyuans eyes filled with disgust. Look at you, barely clinging to life. Just like your mother. I should have let you die outside. Even if youre alive, youre a disgrace to our Lin family. Lin Yans fingers began to tremble, and she broke out in cold sweat. She had only regained consciousness a few days ago and was far from being able to speak freely. Lin Youyuan seized on this weakness and used both soft and hard tactics. I consulted Professor Wang. GuiinBarr syndrome is not hereditary. When you recover a bit more, Ill arrange for the CEO of Xingye Corporation to meet you. If things go well, get married quickly. After marriage, dont struggle anymore. Be a dutiful CEO at home, taking care of the family and raising children. As soon as Lin Youyuans words fell, the paper in Lin Yans hands tore apart with a sharp sound. She suddenly looked up, her throat choked, unable to speak. Her eyes turned red as she stared at him intensely, bloodshot veins visible. Her gaze was fierce, cold, as if wanting to tear him apart. Lin Youyuanughed, You cantpare with me. Didnt you know that fourteen years ago? If you insist on resisting, I dont mind making you experience again what you went through fourteen years ago. Lin Yan gritted her teeth, tasting a hint of blood on her tongue. She gasped heavily, breathing as if struggling against a heavy wind. A few words escaped from between her teeth, Dont touch her. A smile of confidence appeared on Lin Youyuans face, seemingly benevolent and enthusiastic about charity work to others. But in her eyes, he was a devil, a devil crawling out of hell. Lin Yan gritted her teeth and watched as he manipted the wheelchair and turned away. Then it depends on what you do. As soon as he left, the data on the monitoring device began to fluctuate dramatically. Lin Yan copsed on the bed, convulsing all over, and the piece of paper between her fingers gently floated to the ground. Miss, Miss, we need help! The caregiver, seeing the situation deteriorate, rushed out to call the doctor. LP: Dear author, please give Lin Youyan the worst fate there is! I want to punch that guys face! Busy month this year, please expect inconsistent uploads~ PREVIOUSTOC Chapter 71-1 Chapter 71-1 Trust When Song Yuhang entered the room, the doctor had just left. She hurriedly ran to the bedside, trembling, to touch her pale face. Lin Yany silently, herplexion as pale as paper. She had be even thinner, her neck excessively slender and fair, with faintly visible blue veins. A gauze bandage was wrapped around her shoulder, and there was an intravenous needle inserted on the back of her hand. The electrodes on her chest were covered with stickers that monitored her basic vital signs. If it werent for the mist rising from the oxygen mask and the numbers still flickering on the life monitor, she would almost have believed that this person was about to leave her. Song Yuhang pressed her forehead against Lin Yans, kneeling on the ground, feeling her faint breath. The nasal acidity she could no longer restrain surged up once again. She had always been someone who bled but didnt shed tears, yet in front of Lin Yan, she exposed her weakness time and time again. Song Yuhang wiped her face, wanting to leave, but she noticed a gentle tremor in Lin Yans eyshes. Song Yuhang was both nervous and joyful, not daring to take a breath. Lin Yan, Lin Yan She called softly, tightly gripping her hand. She didnt expect her to wake up, but if her body reacted, would it also mean that she could sense everything she was doing and saying now? Lin Yan felt like she had been trapped in a long dream, her body sinking in quicksand. She couldnt break free no matter how hard she struggled. It wasnt until a familiar voice broke through the chaos, guiding her towards the light. Lin Yan desperately held onto that thread of warmth and swam upstream. Song Yuhang watched as she tightly grasped her fingers, on the verge of tears of joy. Lin Yan Once again, she pressed her forehead against hers, sighing as she called out her name. Lin Yan slowly opened her eyes, realizing it wasnt a dream after all. She blinked her eyes a few times, looking at the familiar face, and without warning, tears began to flow. Song Yuhang couldnt bear to see her cry. She felt that when she cried, even the toughest steel turned into something tender, and every fiber of her being ached. Dont dont cry Whats wrong Lin Yan Dont cry Dont cry She fumbled to wipe away her tears, a bit impatient like a rascal. Lin Yan wanted to smile, but could only manage a weak pout as she buried her head in Song Yuhangs shoulder. Song Yuhang turned to the side and embraced her tightly. Its okay Its okay Youre awake, thats all that matters Youre awake, itll get better Itll get better. She gently patted her, sometimes with a pause in between. Her voice was soft as she kissed her forehead, and when she felt the warm tears fall into the hollow of her neck, her own eyes welled up. She almost wanted to take her away immediately, never to be separated again. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth, barely restraining the impulse surging up from the depths of her blood. What you went through fourteen years ago, I dont mind letting you experience it again. But after the fleeting joy of their reunion, Lin Yan thought of Lin Youyuans words, and a chilling sensation ran through her entire body. Trembling lips, she moved away from her embrace, struggling to raise her hand and push her shoulders, shaking her head, urging her to leave. Song Yuhang shook her head as well, once again rushing forward to hold her tightly. I wont leave, I wont leave. Ive said it, you can hit me, scold me, I wont leave. Only death can take me away from your side. Lin Yan became agitated, breathing heavily, and mist rose from the oxygen mask. Her eyes were red, filled with a fierce and cruel gaze. She couldnt speak, but she kept pushing her away, struggling. The fabric rubbed against the gauze on her shoulder, causing it to bleed again. The catheter on the back of her hand was pulled loose, slowly allowing blood to flow back. In an instant, Song Yuhangs eyes turned red, and she roared in a low voice, forcefully holding her down. Dont move! The gaze was both fierce and ruthless, as if it wanted to devour her. Lin Yan was taken aback, not yet fullyprehending the situation. Before she could react, the tension on her face eased, and Song Yuhang lifted her oxygen mask. Her pupils contracted, and her face slowly erged. Uh If thest time in the abandoned hospital was consensual, then this time it was Song Yuhang unterally dominating and punishing her. It was too aggressive and invasive. Lin Yan waspletely powerless to resist. She was at a disadvantage. She exerted all her strength and finally managed to find an opening, biting down fiercely. Song Yuhang felt the pain but still didnt let go of her, until she was almost unable to breathe. Only then did Song Yuhang release her head and step back. Both of them were breathing heavily, especially Lin Yan. The corners of her eyes turned red, and her eyes were filled with watery shimmer. She wanted to kill her. The pale face was now flushed, especially the lips, which were made alluring and dripping with beauty by her. Song Yuhang was satisfied and used the back of her hand to wipe away the water stains from the corners of her lips, also taking the opportunity to clean up whatever was lingering there. Lin Yan was filled with both shame and anger, but she held her breath and broke through her gritted teeth, uttering, I will kill you. Song Yuhang chuckled. She raised her hand, and Lin Yan instinctively closed her eyes and turned her head, her body tensed up. Why hide? Its just covering yourself with a nket. She tucked the nket for her and lowered her hand that was receiving the transfusion. If she wasnt currently powerless, with medical devices attached to her body, Lin Yan would have jumped up and punched this dog in the face. Are you angry? Song Yuhang knew well the true essence of taking advantage and acting cute. She gently lifted her face, making her look at her. Lin Yan held her breath and stubbornly refused to look at her. Song Yuhang chuckled, her gaze once again falling on her lips, savoring the lingering sensation that the connection of their lips had brought her. In that instant, it felt as if their souls were resonating. The police officers eyes darkened slightly, knowing that she shouldnt tease her like this. But unable to resist, she pressed her fingertips against her lips, caressing them gently. I heard it all. Lin Yan trembled all over. She wanted to p away her hand, but she couldnt forget her words. By the time she regained her senses, Song Yuhang had already pressed her hand down as well, firmly restraining her. Lin Yan gnashed her teeth. If you heard it, then why dont you leave? What will you do if I leave? Song Yuhang sighed, watching her lips regain their color under her touch, very satisfied. When you were unconscious, I came every day. Someone, on the other hand, would cry even while sleeping. Lin Yan remembered the button she found in the palm of her hand, as well as the little things she discovered by her pillowter on. Each time, she would have the butler secretly hide them. Lin Yans heart warmed, but her words were still unforgiving. Its none of your damn business. Crying over cats, dogs, or whatever has nothing to do with you. Oh, then why didnt you delete my fingerprints? Did you intentionally leave them behind for me to trespass in your home, for secret rendezvous? She emphasized the second half of her sentence. Lin Yans face instantly turned red. She opened her mouth and bit down, her teeth grinding against her bones, creating a strangely delightful sensation. She wanted revenge, but Song Yuhangs intentions were not as simple as that. She constantly challenged her limits, not even sparing her when she was seriously ill. The recent incident was almost causing her to lose control. Her once proud self-control waspletely meaningless in front of Lin Yan. Does she really understand what this means? Lin Yan understands, of course she does. Its intentional. Song Yuhangs lungs were about to explode with anger. Her Adams apple rolled up and down, and he muttered under his breath, Fuck. She almost rudely took back the initiative. Lin Yans eyes finally regained some brilliance, and a satisfied curve formed at the corner of her lips. She slightly raised her chin and looked at her. Song Yuhang ground her teeth. Just you wait. Once youre better, youre done for. Who says someone will die for sure? Lin Yan refused to show weakness, and Song Yuhang couldnt be bothered to argue with her. She poured a ss of warm water from the thermos on the bedside table to soothe her throat. She gently shook the bed, making her morefortable. Song Yuhang held the cup for her, watching as she took small sips. Then she spoke, Lin Yan, do you trust me? Lin Yans body tensed up, and she turned her face away, indicating that she didnt want to drink anymore. Song Yuhang ced the cup on the table and then returned to cradle her face in her hands. Their eyes met, and in each others pupils, they saw reflections of themselves. My name is Song Yuhang, not Chen Chunan If it werent for the circumstances, she wouldnt want to mention that name again, reopening the wound that had already scabbed over, causing it to bleed once more. Lin Yan trembled her lips, avoiding eye contact, her eyes shimmering with tears. Song Yuhang didnt let go. She continued to cradle her face, urging her to look at her. I have the ability to protect myself. I dont need you to be good to me. You just need to take care of yourself and recover as soon as possible. Leave the rest to me. I will take you out, I promise. They said it was for her recovery, but no one else was allowed near her. They confiscated her phone, cutting off all contact with the outside world. In reality, it was just a form of soft confinement. Whenever she thought about it, Song Yuhang couldnt muster any positive feelings towards him, despite being her supposed father. Even though he was Lin Yans father. Seeing Lin Yans silence, she forced a light smile and gently rubbed her face. You listen to me, dont overthink it. Just focus on recovering. The day you can walk again will be the day I take you out. I Lin Yan wasnt worried about that. She was about to speak, but Song Yuhang cut her off. I know youre worried about me. Youve crossed paths with me before. Do you think a few small-time thugs can get close to me? I have the ability to protect myself, and I can protect you too. Besides, even though your father holds a high position and has connections in both politics and business, I am, after all, a cadre at the municipal public security bureaus official level. He cant find any faults with me openly, and in secret, he wont even have the opportunity toy a hand on me. On the contrary, what do businesspeople fear the most? Do you know? Police, urban management, public security, patrols, fire inspections They woulde for inspections every other day, causing endless annoyance. Lin Yan gritted her teeth. Have you be smarter? Werent you the most disdainful of dealing with these bureaucratic hassles before? Lin Yan, being herself, not only caught onto that point, but also keenly grasped another important point in her words. Why did you suddenly mention a half-level position? Song Yuhang was taken aback, and the smile on her face faded, but she concealed it well, not letting Lin Yan notice anything amiss. It wasnt the right time to tell her about Zhang Jinhais sacrifice. After all, it was Lin Yan who insisted they go first, and Song Yuhang was afraid she would feel guilty. Isnt this a case solved, a meritorious achievement? The Technical Investigation Team received a third-ss merit, and youre included. Youre even recognized as an outstanding individual. Ill bring you the medalter. Forget it. I dont want it. Behind each and every medal of merit were countless blood and tears, along with lives that could never be saved again. Song Yuhang looked at her despondently and lowered the bed again, kissing her forehead. It was time for her to leave and get some rest. Lin Yans fingers clung to her clothes. Song Yuhang chuckled, rarely witnessing her disy a bit of a feminine temperament. She leaned down slightly and tenderly stayed with her for a while. Alright, its time for you to sleep. Lin Yan bit her lip tightly. You I wille again, and I will be careful about my safety. Song Yuhang knew what she wanted to say and took the initiative to calm her emotions, tucking her in. Give me your hand. Song Yuhang didnt understand her intentions but obediently extended her hand. Lin Yan nced around. She didnt know if this room was equipped with surveince cameras or listening devices. Therefore, she chose the most secure method. With each stroke, she wrote a series of numbers in the palm of her hand. Lin Yan closed her hand, enclosing it. Have you remembered it? Song Yuhang nodded and held her hand with her other hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze. Dont worry. If you encounter danger or need help, go find him. He will assist you. Song Yuhang knew that this person was not the Butler Lin, not Lin Ge, not anyone from the Lin family. Instead, he was her trusted confidant. What Lin Yan handed over was unconditional trust. A warm current surged in Song Yuhangs chest, and she embraced the person in her arms once again. She really couldnt bear to leave her even for a single second. She kissed her cheek and nuzzled against her. The fluffy hair draped over her face and neck, resembling a certainrge canid animalwolf. Lin Yan chuckled and pushed her away voluntarily. Go quickly. Reluctantly, Song Yuhang stood up. See you tomorrow. Lin Yan nodded. Yes, see you tomorrow. PREVIOUSTOC Chapter 71-2 Chapter 71-2 Trust On therge screen inside the monitoring room, it showed someone skillfully bypassing the security and climbing over the wall. She clearly drilled a dog hole just a few days ago. Lin Youyuan sneered, took a sip of tea, and the enamel lid lightly touched the rim of the cup, making a faint sound. The secretary nodded and bowed, Mr. Lin, should we find someone to teach her a lesson? What lesson? That person is the Deputy Chief of the Municipal Bureau, a prominent figure in front of the Provincial Public Security Department. Failing to catch a fox will only brought trouble upon ourselves. Then then leting her continue to enter and leave Misss room like that Lin Youyuan lifted the teacup and drained it in one gulp, throwing the tea bowl onto the table. The remaining water spilled out, wetting the tablecloth. She does have some skills, but shes still a bit green. Lets see how things unfold. The next day, Lin Yan started eating voluntarily. The attending doctors were somewhat incredulous, saying, Its nothing short of a miracle that Miss woke up, and her recovery is quite fast. Ill go inform Professor Wang and Master, theyll be delighted to hear this. Lin Yan smiled indifferently. She could only consume liquid food for now, so she sipped the milk in the bowl, taking in the nourishment. Whether it was her active eating or cooperating with the treatment, it was never for Lin Youyuan. It was all for another person who genuinely cared for her well-being. During her recovery period, the other members of the Technical Investigation Team were not idle either. They devoted themselves to physical training, spending their free time at the training base. Duan Cheng, who was originally an average young man with mediocre talent and average physical fitness, transformed into a skilled worker who could asionally exchange a few moves with Song Yuhang, even though he always ended up getting beaten badly. Fang Xin, who initially had five shots off-target and five shots hitting the bullseye, progressed to all ten shots hitting the target. Although she couldnt achieve aplete bullseye, everyone believed it was only a matter of time. Even Zheng Chengrui had achieved remarkable results in his dieting and weight loss efforts, going from being overweight to being slightly less overweight. Alright, thats it for today. As the referee blew the whistle, Song Yuhang released her grip, took off the boxing gloves, and walked past the railing towards the exit. Duan Cheng grimaced as he got up from the ground, rubbing his sore chin and wiping off the sweat as he walked away. Fang Xin handed over a bottle of mineral water, and Duan Cheng sat down beside her, twisting off the bottle cap and taking big gulps. He had a pure white towel hanging around his neck, and water droplets trickled down his jaw, revealing the contours of his muscles beneath the taekwondo uniform. There was a hint of masculinity about him. Thanks. Duan Cheng chugged down half the bottle in one breath. When he noticed Fang Xin still looking at him, he casually passed the mineral water bottle back to her. Here, have a drink. Fang Xin got angry, grabbed the towel, and threw it back at him. Who wants to drink water that youve already drunk! Oh, no, why are you looking at me like that? I feel embarrassed to drink when youre staring at me. Of course, Ill give it to you. Ladies first, you know. Amidst themotion on the other side, Song Yuhang took out her belongings from the storage cab, slung her backpack over one shoulder, and confidently walked over. Im heading out first. Looks like Captain Song is going to see Sister Lin again Duan Cheng stood up, but someone immediately pulled him back down. Cant you keep quiet? Are you asking for trouble?! Song Yuhang shook her head, a faint smile ying at the corners of her lips. She left the training base and drove straight home. At the convenience store downstairs, she bought vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, and more. Carrying the groceries upstairs, she was about to free up one hand to open the door when it swung open from the inside. Mother Song weed her inside, saying, Why did you buy so many groceries again? Song Yuhang smiled, exchanged her shoes for slippers at the entrance, ced the keys down, and carried the bags into the kitchen, cing them on the countertop. Werent we supposed to cook together? You promised to teach me how to cook, remember? Mother Song couldnt stop smiling; although she was hardworking, she was usually busy with work and had little time for cooking. So, when she finally had the desire to cook, she wanted to teach her daughter properly. Alright, then go wash your hands. Since you bought crucian carp today, well make a crucian carp tofu soup. Song Yuhang came out after washing her hands, rolled up her sleeves to her elbows, tied on an apron, and looked somewhatpetent. Cut it from here, yes, thats right. This way, the fish wont have a fishy smell, and using a flower knife will make it more vorful. Marinate it with cooking wine and ginger. Mother Song instructed from the side, and Song Yuhang followed the instructions step by step. Just as the fish skin was slightly crisped, the doorbell rang. Mother Song hurried over to open the door, and Song Yuhang leaned out halfway from the kitchen. Ji Jingxing entered, holding Xiao Wei. Quickly say hello to Grandma. Xiao Weis voice was sweet and childish, Hello, Grandma~ Mother Song was overjoyed and quickly stuffed a few pieces of candy into her pocket. Alright, alright. Why did youe over today? Usually, you donte even when I invite you for a meal. Ji Jingxing smiled and made eye contact with Song Yuhang. Song Yuhang nodded slightly, saying, Sister. She felt a sense of relief, and her smile softened. Its all because of Xiao Wei. She cried and made a fuss, saying she missed Grandma and wanted Auntie to y with her. But actually, I think she just didnt want to do her homework. Mother Song warmly embraced the child in her arms. Oh, well, its the weekend tomorrow anyway. If she doesnt want to do it today, she can do it tomorrow. Please have a seat, please. Its better toe early than toe at the right time. Can you guess who cooked today? Ji Jingxings gaze shifted, and she saw Song Yuhang wearing an apron, her shirt rolled up to her elbows, exuding a touch of grace and efficiency. She was spooning the soup, tasting its saltiness. Its Yuhang. Well, well, its a rare sight in a hundred years. Xiao Wei, youre in for a treat today~ Song Yuhang shook her head. She never expected them toe, especially since she had nned to save this fish soup for Lin Yans meal. It seemed that she would be stayingte again tonight. Ji Jingxing sat in the living room, seeing her shake her head, thinking that the soup might not be good. She put down her phone, rolled up her sleeves, and walked over to her. Whats wrong? Is it too salty or too nd? Let me taste Before Song Yuhang could stop her, Ji Jingxing lightly sipped from the spot on her own spoon that she had just tasted. In the past, she would never have thought twice about it, but ever since her affectionate moments with Lin Yan, it was as if a door to a new world had opened, making Song Yuhang more sensitive to these things. However, that wasnt the most fatal part. The most fatal part was It was scalding hot. Ji Jingxings face turned red, and she coughed, sticking out her tongue gently. Song Yuhang quickly put down the spoon and poured a ss of cold water for her from the kitchen counter. Ah, sis, what are you doing? She maintained a subtle distance with her, not too far but not too close. She handed her a ss of water, but she didnt ce her hand on her back like before, gently patting it. Not long ago, when she choked while eating, Song Yuhang had attentively patted her back tofort her. Since when did they be so distant from each other? She avoided her as if she were a venomous snake, unwilling to even touch her for a moment. Ji Jingxing forced a smile, took the cup from her hand, took a sip, and put it down. Its okay, Ill help you. No need, sis. You go and y with Xiao Wei. Song Yuhang caught a glimpse of the fleeting disappointment in her eyes and immersed herself in washing the vegetables. Mother Song entered upon hearing themotion. Whats wrong? Did someone get scalded? Ji Jingxing pushed her out. Its nothing, Mom. You go watch TV with Xiao Wei. Yuhang and I can handle the kitchen. Its too crowded with too many people. Alright, then be careful, dont hurt yourselves. The sound of an animated movie could be heard from the living room, bringing enthusiasm to both the young and the old. Song Yuhang and Ji Jingxing were busy with their respective tasks, unsure of what to say. The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment. It was Ji Jingxing who broke the silence first. Why did you suddenly decide to learn cooking? Song Yuhang added water to the soup pot. I cant just sit at home waiting for meals all the time. I wanted to give Mom a break too. Ji Jingxing chuckled. When your brother pursued me, he also learned to cook. He imed it was to make me eat better, but to be honest, his cooking wasnt that great. Song Yichen pursued her, and Song Yuhang was aware of it. It was actually her idea. She couldnt remember if she got it from some cheesy TV drama or a book, but she came up with the notion that if you want to capture a womans heart, you should first capture her stomach. Song Yichen was clumsy, almost setting the kitchen on fire. But luckily, he stood out among many pursuers with his sincere intentions. On the day they sessfully got together, Song Yuhang had only one thought: Oh my, finally I dont have to be his guinea pig anymore. Thinking back to those days, a smile naturally appeared at the corner of Song Yuhangs lips. Is that so? Then why didnt you reject him? Your brother, well, hes quite foolish. Ji Jingxing continued cutting vegetables while turning to talk to her. Others would asionally give gifts, send flowers, invite me out for meals, or watch movies together. But only he would wait for me outside my office regardless of wind or rain, bring me medicine when Im sick, apany me homete at night, and even scare off several hooligans who tried to harass me. He genuinely cares for me, this much She paused for a moment. Just like you. Song Yuhang tightly pursed her lips, unsure how to respond. Thankfully, the soup was ready. She turned off the heat, put on oven gloves, and lifted the pot. The soup is ready. Ill serve it first. Throughout the meal, she ate absentmindedly. On one hand, she was worried about Lin Yan, and on the other hand, she began to feel suspicious about Ji Jingxings ambiguous attitude. She couldnt quite understand her usually gentle and approachable sister-inw. Including now. Yuhang, Ill clean up. You can take your sister home. Its gettingte, and its not safe to take a taxi. Ji Jingxing smiled and helped Xiao Wei put on her scarf. Its okay, Mom. I had a few drinks and had a good time with you today. Otherwise, I can drive home by myself, or take the bus. Its not cold. Song Yuhang furrowed her brows slightly. Wasnt she someone who never touched alcohol? Oh no, that wont do. I cant bear to see my precious granddaughter suffer and squeeze onto a crowded bus. Besides, its not far. Let Yuhang give you a ride. Song Yuhang declined, Mom, I still have You said you wouldnt work overtime tonight, right? Hurry up, go ande back quickly. Mother Song had already wrapped the scarf around her neck and handed her the car keys, pushing the group out the door. Your brother is not here anymore, so youre the protector now. Hurry up, dont dawdle. Ji Jingxing stood outside the door and watched her with a smile. Song Yuhang had no choice but to take the lead, holding Xiao Weis hand as they descended the stairs, with Ji Jingxing following behind. Xiao Wei, fasten your seatbelt. Song Yuhang looked back and saw that Ji Jingxing had already opened the passenger door and sat inside. Okay, Auntie. As she heard the seatbelt click into ce with a crisp sound, Song Yuhang finally started the car. The city lights flowed into view, reflecting on her face, making her features appear even more refined and sharply defined. She and Song Yichen were truly siblings, as even the curve of their lips seemed carved from the same mold. Ji Jingxing looked at her with aplicated expression. Yuhang, I feel like you havent been as close to me and Xiao Weitely. Song Yuhang was certainly aware of her gaze, firmly gripping the steering wheel without turning her head. Busy. You were busy before too, but you didnt deliberately avoid me like this, Yuhang Ji Jingxing wanted to say something more, but Song Yuhang had already stepped on the brakes, unbuckled her seatbelt, and opened the door to get out of the car. Weve arrived, sister-inw. She reverted back to using that term of address. Ji Jingxings heart tightened. When no ones around, you can call me sister. Xiao Wei had already fallen asleep in the back seat. Song Yuhang reached out and carried her out, whispering softly, You are my sister-inw, Xiao Wei is my niece. You both are the closest people to me, and that will never change. Ji Jingxings heart felt both sour and bitter as she followed her upstairs. And what about her? Who is she? Song Yuhang didnt directly answer the question. When they reached the front door, she simply said, Open the door. Ji Jingxing opened the door, and Song Yuhang carried Xiao Wei inside, cing her gently on the bed. She took off her shoes and covered her with a nket before stepping out again. Just as they were about to leave, Ji Jingxing forcefully grabbed her and asked the question again. And what about her? Who is she? Song Yuhang fell silent. Ji Jingxing couldnt sit still any longer. You know I work at aw firm and asionally have contact with your public security department. They what do they say about you? Song Yuhang looked up at her. What does it matter what others say about me? Song Yuhang! Her voice suddenly escted, Youre involved with a woman, and not just any woman someone with such an immoral private life Song Yuhang clenched her fists, her throat tightened. Dont speak of her like that. Shes not like that. Fine, even if shes not, have you thought about Moms feelings? Ji Jingxing pressed on relentlessly, How devastated would she be if she knew about your actions? Song Yuhang shook off her hand and walked towards the door without looking back. As long as you dont tell her, Mom wont know. Song Yuhang! Ji Jingxings voice suddenly became sharp, and in the next moment, she felt someone embrace her from behind. Her softness pressed against her back. Ji Jingxing trembled slightly, her voice choked up. Your brother is gone, and youre the only one left by my side, Yuhang. Dont leave us. Dont forget the vows you once made. You said you would protect me and Xiao Wei for a lifetime, treat us well for a lifetime. Are those words still valid? Ji Jingxing sped her hand tightly, tightening her grip. It had been a long time since she had hugged someone or been embraced by anyone. As a result, her cheeks flushed slightly as she felt the warmth emanating from Song Yuhang, the softness of her touch, and the scent of sunlight on her clothes. And so, the words slipped out naturally. Yuhang, since you like women, then why cant it be me? LP: Im speechless PREVIOUSTOC Chapter 72-1 Chapter 72-1 Sweetness at the head When Song Yuhang climbed in through the window, she was almost falling asleep. Upon hearing the noise, Lin Yan instantly became alert and reached for the fruit knife on the bedside. It wasnt until she recognized the familiar sound that Song Yuhang took the fruit knife from her hand and tucked her wrist back into the nket, saying, Its me. Only then did Lin Yan rx again, turning to look at her and slightly narrowing her eyes as she let out a small yawn. Why are you sote? I got a little dyed by something, Song Yuhang smiled, leaning in to embrace her. Lin Yan furrowed her brows and leaned over, sniffing in her embrace. Observing Lin Yans expression, Song Yuhang slightly moved back and asked, Whats wrong? Before she could finish speaking, her cor was grabbed and forcefully pulled closer. Lin Yan grabbed her clothes and sniffed again. Song Yuhang said, No way, I took a shower beforeing here. Lin Yan let go of her and pushed her away. Its not my perfume. Where have you been fooling around? Tell me the truth, or I wont spare you. The smile on Song Yuhangs face faded, and she scratched her head in a somewhat helpless manner. You can even detect this Lin Yan snorted coldly. I can smell a corpse from a mile away, let alone you. Seeing her expression bing increasingly unpleasant, teetering on the edge of erupting, Song Yuhang took the initiative to surrender. Its not what you think! My sister-inw came over for dinner today, and my niece was with her. I spent some time ying with them. My sister-inw had a bit too much to drink and couldnt drive, so I drove them home. After that, I hurried over here. Song Yuhang tugged at her clothes and sniffed them. Howe she couldnt smell anything at all? The perfume It might have been from that time. Lin Yan stared at her face, not missing any slightest change in expression. Although she couldntpare to Song Yuhang in terms of investigative experience and expertise in microexpressions, she could still tell if someone was telling the truth or not. Song Yuhang quietly sighed in her heart. Having a genius forensic scientist as a girlfriend was truly challenging. Nothing could escape her eyes. Song Yuhang moved closer, half-kneeling by the bedside, and embraced her, cupping her face and bringing their noses together. Dont you trust me? Lin Yan averted her gaze and lowered her eyes, clearly still angry. Song Yuhang chuckled and gently lifted her chin, making her look at her. Do youck confidence in yourself or in me? I Lin Yan gritted her teeth. Anyway, I wont allow you to get too close to other women, no, not even men. Song Yuhangughed and brushed away a few stray strands of hair falling on her cheek, tucking them behind her ear. She then rubbed her face. What are you thinking? I only want to be close to you. Or perhaps Her eyes flickered slightly, her gazending on Lin Yans lips. You find my level of closeness insufficient. Lin Yan instinctively covered her lips. Here she goes again. Does she want to take advantage of the fact that she is currently powerless? Song Yuhang burst intoughter and pinched her nose, her expression turning serious. Its actually you. I didnt mind before, but from now on, you can only be mine. Miss Lin even raised her tail arrogantly. She snorted, Dream on. I wont tie myself to one tree and die. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth and tickled her. Give it a try, give it a try. I wont kill you. Lin Yan was tickled to the point ofughter, panting heavily, with a thinyer of sweat on her body and a rosyplexion. Song Yuhang covered her mouth with her hand. Shh, keep it down. Lin Yan nodded, a smile lingering in her eyes. Song Yuhang was still partially resting on her, her gaze growing deep. For the convenience of changing bandages, she had been only wearing a tank top these past few days. The strap on the injured shoulder had slipped down, causing the whole outfit to appear somewhat loose. Song Yuhang discreetly swallowed her saliva. She wondered why, when Ji Jingxing embraced her, her subconscious reaction was aversion and avoidance, but when it came to Lin Yan, she didnt feel that way at all. Even if she didnt initiate it, she had a strong desire to get close to her. Lin Yan watched as she slowly leaned down and lightly touched her wound through the gauze, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. Song Song Yuhang tightly covered her lips, and a wave of heat surged between them. Lin Yan was forced to tilt her head back, gripping the bedsheet tightly. It seemed like she had always enjoyed staring at the back of her neck a long time ago, and it eventually developed into liking to pinch her cervical vertebrae(nape). So now Lin Yan, do you know how wolves express their fondness for their own kind? Lin Yan slightly turned her head, intending to catch her breath, but she inadvertently gave her an advantage. You fucking give me Hertter words werepletely overshadowed by her actions. Wolves, when hunting, like to bite and sever the necks of their prey. Expressing fondness is no exception, just much gentler, like intertwining necks like this. Lin Yan closed her eyes, swallowing her saliva. The hand that resisted on her shoulder gradually lost strength and was firmly grasped by the other person. Lin Yan waspletely enveloped by the scent of sunshine emanating from her. Song Yuhang was slightly impatient. Lin Yan, I want She knew it wasnt the right time, shouldnt be teasing her like this, but her young body was being dominated by such intense impulses for the first time. Only her remaining rationality told her she should seek her opinion. Lin Yans face turned red to the roots of her ears. She gritted her teeth. What do you think? I think you should let me taste a little sweetness. The sound of fabric rubbing against fabric followed, and the nket was lifted. Lin Yans small resistance could be easily disregarded. Song Yuhang pressed her hand onto the pillow, just about to make a move, when a voice came from outside the door. Is Miss asleep? The butler who was keeping watch at night responded respectfully, She just fell asleep not long ago. Lin Ge walked inside. Its alright, Ill go check on her. Song Yuhang rolled over and got up, picking up her clothes and inspecting the surroundings for potential hiding ces, but the spacious ward didnt even have a wardrobe. Lin Yan also quickly sat up, tidied her clothes, ran her fingers through her hair, and gestured for her to leave through the window. No matter how you looked at it, this scene was peculiar. Song Yuhang wanted tough in her heart, but still followed her instructions. She leaped out, holding onto her clothes and hanging them on the air conditioner unit, then casually closed the window. Lin Ge pushed open the door and entered. Lin Yan held a fashion magazine in her hands,pletely engrossed in it, flipping through the pages without lifting her head. Oh, howe the busy person has time toe and see me today? Lin Ge put down the things in his hands, brought over a chair, and sat by the bedside. Well, I finished my work and came over. He was still dressed in a suit, with a white coat draped over it, clearly havinge straight from the hospital after finishing his shift. A slight smile appeared on Lin Yans lips. What did you bring? Lin Ge rummaged through the paper bag he had brought andid out the items one by one. My mom made some small cakes and insisted that I bring them to you. I told her you wouldnt be able to finish them. Honestly He shook his head, somewhat helpless. And theres a neck and shoulder massager. I was worried that your neck might feel ufortable from lying down for too long. This is a cream developed by our hospital. Its quite moisturizing for dry skin in autumn and winter. Many patients at our hospital are using it. Lin Yan set aside the magazine and picked up the cream. Oh, it feels nice. Ill try it another day. As soon as she put down the magazine, Lin Ges gaze fixated on her neck. Lin Yan noticed and touched it. Whats wrong? Lin Ge nced left and right, extending his hand to gently move aside the nket for a closer look. Whats wrong with your neck? Lin Yan suddenly realized, her face slightly reddening. She quickly pulled the nket back up, inwardly cursing: Damn it, Song Yuhang, you left marks after biting me. Its its nothing I scratched it myself hehe Even Lin Yan herself felt that her smile was extremely awkward. Song Yuhang, who was eavesdropping outside the window, couldnt help but curl her lips. But in her mind, she wondered, Why isnt he leaving yet? Scratching the wall. Seeing her face turning particrly red, Lin Ge thought she might be feeling unwell and ced his hand on her forehead. Whats wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Lin Yan slightly recoiled. No just feeling a bit warm. Yeah, its a bit warm. The air conditioning in the room was set to the maximum, and Lin Ge felt a bit stuffy as soon as he entered. He looked around but couldnt find the remote control. He stood up, intending to open the window for venttion. Lin Yan immediately sat up straight on the bed and eximed, Dont Lin Ges hand had already reached the window frame, but her sudden cry startled him. Whats wrong? Lin Yan let out a sigh of relief and slowly sat back down. Dont, dont open it. Its a bit chilly now. Is it really okay for you to keep changing your mind between feeling cold and warm? Lin Ge walked back and picked up the stethoscope that was left on the bedside table when the morning doctor came for rounds. He put it around his neck and held her, saying, Dont move, let me listen. Eh No need. Lin Yan was only wearing a tank top and originally intended to dodge, but she saw his serious expression, open demeanor, and the concern in his eyes. Lin Yans heart warmed, so she relented. What about you, a dentist, examining internal medicine? Whats wrong with being a dentist? Arent forensic doctors also required to study basic medicine? Besides, your brother here has a dual degree Lin Yan clicked her tongue. Here we go again. Youre calling me fat and now youre out of breath. Lin Ge chuckled and put away the stethoscope. Alright, theres nothing serious. Get some rest, and in a few days, Ill bring some scar-healing ointment. Lin Yan nodded, eager for him to leave. Please, just go already. Im really fine. Stoping over to me all the time. Your bunch of admirers, those little sisters, must hate me to death. Lin Ge adjusted her bed, fluffed a pillow, and tucked in the sheets for her. His expression remained gentle under the dim yellow light. From childhood to now, Lin Ges kindness towards her hadnt really changed. What admirers? Sisters, older sisters, theyre not as important as you. Lin Yan felt a shiver down her spine. Go away, go away, go away. Lin Ge chuckled, dimmed the bedsidemp for her, and gently closed the door as he walked out. His footsteps echoed in the corridor. The butler bowed. Young Master, allow me to escort you out. Only then did Song Yuhang push open the window and climb in. Looking at the table filled with items Lin Ge brought and their recent interaction, she pursed her lips, feeling a bit jealous. If he werent your brother, I would genuinely be jealous. Lin Yan adjusted herself on the bed and gestured for her to sit at the bedside. She rolled her eyes. You say Im jealous, but you must have been soaking in a vinegar jar all this time. Hes my brother, we have a sibling rtionship since childhood. What are you thinking? Song Yuhang shrugged, not delving deeper into the thought. The way she and her brother interacted wasnt like that. She and Song Yichen had been fighting since they were young. Song Yichen felt she had taken away their parents love, while she felt Song Yichen had taken away what should have been hersanything delicious or fun, he always got it first. As a result, they often had intense fights at home, creating chaos. Fortunately, because of this, their childhood wasnt dull and boring. Unlike Lin Yan, who had been fostered in other peoples homes since she was young, it was understandable that her bond with Lin Ge was stronger. As Song Yuhang thought about this, she felt a bit more pity for Lin Yan and leaned down slightly. Lin Yan covered her mouth with her hand. Im still a patient. Song Yuhang pulled her hand away. I know Lin Yan covered it again. You know shit. Song Yuhang chuckled and moved her hand away. Am I that kind of person? Lin Yan nodded. Yes, you are. Alright then, if thats how it is to you, then it is. I dont mind, really. As she spoke, she pressed down on Lin Yans hand and leaned down again. Lin Yan turned her face away, tightly closing her eyes. But instead of an expected kiss, itnded unexpectedly on her forehead. Reluctantly, Song Yuhang got up. Alright, you should go to sleep. Lin Yan hesitated and watched as Song Yuhang put on her coat, about to leave. She then caught hold of the hem of her clothes. Um Stay a little longer. Song Yuhang was taken aback, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She looked at Lin Yan thoughtfully. Lin Yan turned her face away and mumbled, Forget it, you better go. Lest As soon as she finished speaking, she swiftly lifted the covers, and Song Yuhang slipped in. Sleep, sleep. By the way, no one wille over tonight, right? Lin Yan shifted to make room for her to lie beside her, still avoiding eye contact. Her ears turned slightly red. No, the butler is watching outside the door. Thats good. A voice with a hint ofughter sounded in her ear. Before Lin Yan could fullyprehend what was happening, her head was covered by the nket, and the world plunged into darkness. What What are you doing? Taking advantage. After all, you were the one who invited me to stay. LP: Wrong timin, Lin Ge! PREVIOUSTOC Chapter 72-2 Chapter 72-2 Sweetness at the head The next morning, before dawn, Song Yuhang, feelingpletely satisfied, got up. She had stayed upte the previous night, and although they hadnt gone all the way, they had still taken advantage of each other in various ways. Song Yuhang touched her nose and carefully slid out of bed. Leaning over the bedside, she gazed at the peaceful expression on her sleeping face. There were many marks on her neck, which made her feel a bit bashful. Her face grew slightly warm as she tucked her under the nket. Why did she still feel insatiable, like an immature child? She was already in her middle age, after all. Song Yuhang smiled helplessly and nted a kiss on her forehead before picking up her own clothes and leaving. Perhaps it was because this person was her, and could only be her. Days passed by, and Song Yuhang continued toe over every day, asionally staying overnight and falling asleep together with her. At times like these, Lin Yan would always feel that falling asleep wasnt particrly difficult for her anymore. With her by her side, she always felt a little more at ease. Lin Youyuan hadnt bothered her again, and everything remained calm on the surface. However, behind the scenes, it seemed like unseen storms were gathering. Once she recovered a bit more and the weather cleared up, Butler Lin would push her out for a walk. It was one of the few times she could have contact with the outside world. There were several new faces among the bodyguards in the hospital, and Lin Yan memorized each of them. Using her exceptional ability to remember, she counted the closed-circuit cameras in the corridor and calcted the number of turns and corners she had to navigate to reach the hospital entrance. She had progressed from initially being able to consume only liquid food to gradually being able to eat soft and mushy food. The wounds on her shoulders were gradually scabbing and healing. Winter arrivedte in the southern region. When thest dry leaf fell outside the window, the first frost finally arrived. Lin Yan removed the gauze and carefully examined the mechanical baton in her hand, which was jet ck and had a cold metallic sheen. She gripped it tightly, feeling the long-lost strength, and closed her eyes slightly. The butler watched her, hesitated, and finally spoke, Miss, do you really have to have a falling out with the master? Lin Yan smiled without warmth and took a satin cloth from the brocade box to wipe the mechanical baton until it gleamed like new. Instead of breaking bones and tearing tendons, its better to go all out and break the fis. Compromise was never her style. The butler had never seen her so focused on something before. After cleaning the mechanical baton meticulously, she carefully put it away and ced it by her pillow. But Lin Yan raised her gaze and looked at him. Which side are you really on? She spoke frankly, but the butler was scared half to death and quickly nodded repeatedly. Naturally, Im on your side, Miss. Well then, thats settled. Have you taken care of everything I instructed you to do? The butler repeatedly assured her, Dont worry, Miss, everything is taken care of. A faint smile appeared on Lin Yans lips as she leaned back on the bed. You can rest assured. The money I give you wont be any less than what that old bastard Lin Youyuan gave you. The storm arrived faster than anticipated. Lin Youyuan was busy with year-end matters for the Group. The secretary hurriedly walked in and leaned close to his ear. Mr. Lin, somethings not right. The batch of goods we exported has been intercepted by the customs. Lin Youyuans pupils contracted. That batch of goods was the one negotiated with the foreign delegationst time. Whether they could weather the economic winter relied on the benefits brought by that batch of goods. Werent preparations made in advance? The customs inspection imed that there was a batch that failed the quality inspection and refused to stamp it for customs clearance. Lin Youyuans temple throbbed with anger. Damn it, who knows their inspection standards? They change every day. Well go negotiate again. Yes, Ill go right away. The secretary hurriedly ran out to arrange a dinner gathering. He pondered for a moment, lifted the lid of his teacup, took a sip, and felt a subtle and strange sensation about this matter that was hard to put into words. He called the person back. Never mind, make the arrangements. Tonight, Ill personally treat all our old friends to a meal. Laughter filled the banquet. Even sitting in a wheelchair, Lin Youyuan stretched his arm to clink sses with everyone, and they all drank until their faces were flushed. After three rounds of drinking, they finally got to the point. Director Liu, about that batch of goods at the customs The other party waved their hand. Ah, dont mention it, dont mention it. I wanted to let you go, but the public security bureau is holding on tight. Theyve changed personnel, and theyre being stubborn. A few consumers got sick from consuming that health product, and theyre investigating it. This matter is no longer under the jurisdiction of the customs Lin Youyuan maintained a smiling face while secretly gripping the wine ss tightly in his palm, leaving red marks. What a remarkable Song Yuhang! Impressive, resolute, and daring! He released his grip on the wine ss and ced it on the table. Today, everyone can indulge in eating and drinking. Its all on my ount. If there are anypany matters, Ill have to take my leave. Hey, Old Lin, thats not fair of you. As someone protested, Lin Youyuan turned his head and said to the secretary, You stay here and keep the senior executivespany. Make sure they have a great time. Okay, Mr. Lin, dont worry. The secretary ordered several bottles of expensive liquor and poured them for each of them. Only then did Lin Youyuan break away with thepany of his bodyguard. Several police cars with shing lights swiftly stopped at the entrance of the hospital. The car doors opened, and several detectives jumped out. The leading detective took off his sunsses, walked straight to the entrance, and showed his credentials to the security guards. Police! Step aside! We are here on orders to investigate a medical dispute case. A few bodyguards approached, reaching towards their backs, causing the detectives to immediately be vignt. Several young and strong junior detectives stepped forward and pushed them away. What are you doing? What are you doing? You still want to attack the police? This is our deputy captain! The bodyguards exchanged a nce, stepped back, and moved to the side, allowing the police to enter. At the same time, they picked up theirmunicators from their chests. Go and check the youngdys hospital room. Is she still there? Song Yuhang covered his face and brought themunicator to the mouth of one of the bodyguards. Lin Yan sat beside them, holding her mechanical baton pointed at his throat, securing the bodyguard tightly. Stammering, the bodyguard replied, Shes still there. After hanging up the call, Song Yuhang threw themunicator to the ground and forcefully pulled her up. Lets go. Lin Yan followed her, twisting and turning. Do you know the way? Song Yuhang poked her head out and nced down the corridor. I know. Ive marked the spots. With that, she half-embraced Lin Yan and continued walking forward. A smile crept upon Lin Yans lips. How long have you been nning this? Not long, about a month. I have to thank your father for giving me the opportunity. As she finished speaking and was about to pull her around the corner, they collided with two ck-d bodyguards head-on. Song Yuhang pushed Lin Yan behind her and was about to take action when one of the ck-d men suddenly tilted his neck and copsed limply to the ground. Duan Cheng poked his head out from behind the ck-d man, smiled at them, and revealed the electric baton in his hand. I have to say, this thing works pretty well. Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief, and Song Yuhang held her hand, embracing her shoulder as they continued walking forward, giving her a reassuring look. Duan Cheng led the way ahead. Old Zheng and Fang Xin are outside Before he could finish his sentence, the rest of his words got stuck in his throat, and he swallowed hard, feeling as if facing a formidable enemy. Lin Youyuan appeared in the corridor, surrounded by three or five bodyguards. Song Yuhang turned around and looked back, realizing that their path was also blocked. The group found themselves trapped in an isted encirclement. Lin Yan tightly gripped the mechanical baton, and with a snap, it came out of its sheath. Just as she was about to take a step forward, Song Yuhang pulled her behind her. Ill handle this. Lin Yan became agitated and lowered her voice. You alone, plus Duan Cheng, might not be enough to Song Yuhang turned to look at her, not releasing her grip on her hand. She even gave her a gentle pat to reassure her. Isnt it inevitable that well have to face this challenge sooner orter? PREVIOUSTOC Chapter 73-1 Chapter 73-1 Confession Lin Youyuans gaze fell on their intertwined hands. He remained expressionless, idly ying with his green thumb ring. Are youing here on your own, or should I send someone to fetch you? Hepletely ignored Song Yuhang, clearly directing his words at Lin Yan. Lin Yan lifted her chin slightly, locking eyes with him. Are you leaving on your own, or should I knock your teeth out and leave you rolling on the ground? Her words were both arrogant and provocative, causing even Duan Cheng to give her a second nce. Impressive, badass! If he spoke to his dad like that, he would probably have received two loud ps a long time ago. Lin Youyuan had a rtively kind-looking face, appearing gentle and benevolent. However, all the cunning and treachery were hidden within the lines and wrinkles of his skin. He lightly furrowed his eyebrows, pausing his thumb rings movement. In the next moment, the two bodyguards behind them sprang into action. Lin Yan was pushed back a step by Song Yuhang but bravely faced the situation empty-handed. The sh of experts happened in an instant, and Lin Yan watched intently without turning her gaze away. She saw the two bodyguards being forcefully pushed back several steps, one clutching his stomach unable to get up, while the other had his weapon confiscated by Song Yuhang, who pointed an electric baton at him. Cold sweat dripped down the opponents forehead, and with raised hands, he indicated that he didnt want to fight anymore. Lin Youyuanzily lifted his gaze and nced at her. Not bad, youve got some skills. Song Yuhang released her grip, letting the baton fall to the ground. She walked back to Lin Yans side, still holding her hand, their fingers intertwined. You did well. It would have been a bit challenging if we fought together. Feeling the warmth of their fingertips, she stood firmly by his side. Lin Yans lips curved slightly, revealing a fleeting sweetness on her face that did not escape Lin Youyuans eyes. As they listened to the police sirensing from downstairs, memories of the confiscated goods by customs during the day resurfaced. Lin Youyuan maintained a fake smile, absentmindedly ying with his thumb ring intermittently. What is your identity foring here today? This question was directed at Song Yuhang. Song Yuhang took a step forward, removed her mask, and spoke loudly, I have always been clear about separating public and private matters. Investigating the case is public, taking Lin Yan away is private. Lin Youyuan slightly curled his lips. Very well, does that mean youre not here in the capacity of a Criminal Investigation Team Captain? All this talk about public and private matters triggered rm bells in Lin Yans mind. She had been engaged in a hidden struggle with her biological father for decades, and she knew his temperament all too well. This matter was not as simple as it seemed. Lin Youyuan was clearly setting a trap for her! Lin Yan became agitated and grabbed her sleeve. Song Yuhang Song Yuhang returned a reassuring look to her. Lin Yans injuries were not fully healed yet. She signaled to Duan Cheng, who silently stepped forward to protect Lin Yan, remaining vignt behind her. Yes, I came here today solely in the capacity of She nced at Lin Yan. As Lin Yans family member, to take her away. Family member? Lin Youyuan pondered over these two words and sneered. In that moment, he stopped ying with his thumb ring, and his expression turned cold. My Lin family doesnt have people like you, nor will we allow such corrupting actions to happen. Since youre wearing a mask, not wearing a police uniform or badge, its easy to deal with you. Who knows which petty thief you are, stealing things is one thing, but attempting to kidnap a hostage? My Lin family had no choice but to defend ourselves with weapons. Regardless of injuries or disabilities, bring it on! In the previous second, he was speaking calmly, but in the next second, his expression drastically changed, and a violent fight broke out. The speed of this sudden change was truly astonishing. The bodyguard behind Lin Youyuan rushed forward with a fierce momentum. With a swift motion, he revealed a fruit knife from his sleeve and aimed straight for Song Yuhangs face, not giving her a chance to catch her breath. Lin Yan was also under significant pressure. Duan Cheng was somewhat of an amateur in this field, capable of dealing with a few local thugs, but facing the experienced martial arts-trained Lin family bodyguards, going all out with real weapons, he found himselfcking. Another bodyguard wielding a knife charged from behind. Lin Yan blocked him with a baton, and as the metal shed, sparks of gold flew. The assant exerted force, and Lin Yan, physically exhausted, gradually bent under the pressure. Her shoulders throbbed with intense pain, and she fell to her knees with a thud. Song Yuhang kicked the attacker away and helped Lin Yan up. Are you okay? Lin Yan gasped for breath, clutching her shoulder, her face pale. She shook her head weakly. Im fine Duan Cheng also sustained injuries, as a sharp de grazed his side, leaving a gash. He retreated back to their side. Captain Song The two exchanged a nce and nodded. Duan Cheng pressed the miniature microphone by his ear. Old Zheng, get ready. As soon as he finished speaking, the entire building plunged into darkness, leaving the assants momentarily bewildered. In that brief moment of confusion, Song Yuhang pushed Lin Yan and handed her over to Duan Cheng. Take her and go. Ill hold them off. Lin Yan gritted her teeth, wanting to say something, but the butler, following the original n, arrived with several people in the darkness. He grabbed Lin Yan and forcefully separated the sped hands between her and Song Yuhang. Quick, Miss! Hurry! In the darkness, thest glimpse was of Song Yuhangpletely surrounded, isted and helpless, being pinned down and mercilessly beaten by the approaching bodyguards. She kept getting up, time and time again, stubbornly grabbing onto the legs of the bodyguards who were trying to pursue them. Miss, the elevator is out of service. Go this way, and youll meet up with your friends when you reach the bottom. The butler spoke, leading the way ahead. However, when they were about to run down the stairs, Lin Yan furrowed her brow and abruptly halted her steps. Wait, who told you there would be someone to help us? Her mind was ringing with rm bells, and she grabbed Duan Cheng and started running upstairs. Lets go! Duan Cheng, still bewildered, hadnt fully regained his senses. Huh? Before he couldprehend, the bodyguard walking behind Duan Cheng swung a baton, hitting him squarely on the head, causing him to copse limply to the ground. Duan Cheng, Duan Cheng, wake up Lin Yan nudged him a few times, but he remained motionless. She leaned against the wall, tightly gripping the baton, gasping for breath. The butler stepped forward, bowing slightly. I apologize, Miss. Lin Yan spat on his face with a ptui. Fuck, a sellout. The butler remained unfazed, calmly wiping his face with a handkerchief. What are you waiting for? Take action. The master is still waiting. Several men in ck approached in silence, trapping them in the stairwell. Old Zheng, why havent theye out yet? Fang Xiny in the grass, using binocrs to observe the pitch-ck building and the exit. Zheng Chengrui was about to reply when he felt a chill on his neck. A knife was already at his throat. He swallowed hard and raised his hands. A person in ck kicked him onto the keyboard. Restore power. When the lights came on, they were a bit dazzling. Song Yuhang squinted slightly, only to be hit on the back of the head with a stick. She tried to get up. Lin Youyuan stepped on her hand, his cane pressing against her head. Do you think highly of yourself? Just a small Captain in the Criminal Investigation Team, daring to jump around in front of me. Even if your Directores, he has to be respectful in front of me. Who do you think you are? The cane poked at her temple, applying a bit of force, scraping ayer of blood from her scalp. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth as she tried to get up. Another person kicked her in the waist, causing her whole body to copse instantly, violently coughing. Lin Youyuan released the foot that was pinning down her hand, lifted her head with the cane, looked left and right, clicking his tongue in amazement. So, isnt it strange? Why hasnt anyonee to pick you up all this time? The old man chuckled knowingly. Song Yuhangs face instantly turned unpleasant, and her pupils showed the same resilience, cold determination, and indomitability as Lin Yan. The difference was that Lin Yan hated him, wanted to kill him, while Song Yuhang just wanted to restrain him, giving Lin Yan a chance to escape. The police officer lowered her gaze and smiled. Lin Youyuans pupils contracted. It was toote to retract the cane. Taking advantage of the moment, Song Yuhang pulled him. The bodyguard nearby tried to stop her, but she threw him aside with an elbow, dragged Lin Youyuan to the ground, and pinned him down. Her hand mped around his neck, lifting him up. I see youve been doing business for too long, and youve forgotten how to fight, havent you? You should know, on the battlefield, its all about capturing the leader first. Release President Lin! Several bodyguards became agitated and tried to rush forward to snatch him back. Song Yuhang dragged him backward, her elbow still firmly pressing against his neck. Sure, as long as mypanion confirms Lin Yans safety, I will naturally release him. After all, I should address you as my father-inw, shouldnt I? Without his cane, Lin Youyuan stumbled as he was dragged along. He followed Song Yuhang step by step, retreating without showing any signs of panic, as if he had everything under control. Song Yuhang hesitated for a moment, a sense of unease creeping into her heart. Is that so? Bring her up. If one were to say that he refrained from dealing harshly with Song Yuhang because he was concerned about the reputation of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, then there was no need to show any mercy when dealing with his own biological daughter. Lin Yan was brought up, her mouth taped shut. Two bodyguards escorted her, one on each side. Her injuries had not fully healed, and her face was as pale as paper, with beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Lin Yan and the baton was thrown in front of her. Song Yuhang clenched her teeth. A tiger does not eat its cubs. Lin Youyuan allowed her to grip his neck, showing no signs of panic on his face. Although tigers are known as the kings of beasts, their numbers are scarce. If they want to catch prey, they still have to learn from hyenas, who disown their own kin and possess cunning and slyness. Several bodyguards grabbed Lin Yan by the hair, forcing her to raise her head and kneel on the ground. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth. Dont touch her! Look, shes already exposed her weak spot. A biting dog that doesnt bark is usually worthless and only knows how to whimper. No wonder you and Lin Yan ended up together, both of you are just lowly scum. Song Yuhang swallowed her saliva, ncing at Lin Yan and then at Lin Youyuan. She tightened her grip. Release her, and Ill let you go. So, this is your way of fighting for Lin Yans freedom? Lin Youyuan coughed twice. The bodyguard wanted to step forward but was stopped by a gesture. Yourpanions are also in my hands now. Whether you release me or not doesnt matter to me. As long as I give a signal with a nce, they will all die. Jiangcheng is so vast, with the sea right next to it. A few small police officers drowned quietly. Who would care, right, Captain Song? Lin Youyuan gently removed her arm from around his neck and was assisted by the butler as he sat back in his wheelchair. Song Yuhang didnt resist; she couldnt resist. Her lover and friends were all in his hands. Facing this kind-looking elderly man, a chilling sensation rose from the soles of her feet, just like it did with Lin Yan. Several bodyguards pinned her down on the ground, and Lin Youyuan threw a gun onto the floor. Dont say I dont give young people a chance. Theres only one bullet in this gun. Lets see who can grab it first. If Lin Yan wants freedom and you want to give it to her, lets see who has the heart to be ruthless. The implication of these words was that only one person would leave alive today. Either shoot and kill the other person or take your own life to give the other person a chance. The two locked eyes, breathing heavily. They both reached out to grab the gun. Lin Yan, being closer, snatched it first. Song Yuhang pounced on her, gripping her wrist in a struggle, gradually pointing the barrel towards herself. Lin Youyuan couldnt help but want to burst intoughter. It was magnificent, truly magnificent. Lin Yan, give it to me! The two fought like wild beasts, but they were desperately aiming the gun at themselves. Lin Yan shook her head, and a hint of moisture appeared in her eyes. LP: Sorry, too much murderous and not so safe words are appearing on my mind right now, I dont think Ill be able to say them coherently but F*** YOU LIN YOUYUAN PREVIOUSTOC Chapter 73-2 Chapter 73-2 Confession Song Yuhang raised her hand and struck her on the back of her neck. She was careful enough to make her lose consciousness without causing any harm. Lin Yan copsed into her arms, and the gun was snatched away by the other party. As their eyes met, Lin Yans trembling lips parted slightly. Song Yuhang subtly nodded her head. Lin Yan gently squeezed her hand and lightly hooked her palm with hers. These discreet gestures went unnoticed by others. Lin Yan was quickly pulled away, and Song Yuhang pressed the muzzle against her own temple. Lin Yan kneeled forward, the bodyguards couldnt hold her back, and she threw herself at Lin Youyuans feet, her mouth taped with a strip of tape as she desperately shook her head. Lin Youyuan tapped his fingertips on the wheelchair armrest, indicating the butler to remove the tape for her when he saw she had something to say. The butler tore off the tape, and Lin Yan, panting heavily, spoke urgently and rapidly, Let her go, Ill stay! Lin Youyuan was very satisfied and lifted his chin slightly, looking at Song Yuhang, What about you? The sweat oozed from Song Yuhangs palm, making the gun almost slippery, and she nced at Lin Yan, seeming reluctant, quickly shifting her gaze back. Will you keep your promise to set her free? Lin Youyuan toyed with the green jade ring, Of course, it depends on whether you have the courage. You swear. Song Yuhang fiddled with the trigger. Lin Youyuan became a bit impatient, After all, I am the chairman of a multinational conglomerate, and I do have some reputation. Can you guarantee not to harm her, not to restrict her personal freedom in any form? Lin Youyuan sneered, Do we need to draft another agreement for you? Lin Yan doesnt cherish this status, but there are plenty of people eager to take her ce. Song Yuhang smiled faintly, a seemingly relieved expression that, in reality, Lin Youyuan detected a hint of cunning in her eyes. He thought to himself that this wasnt good. Lin Yan had already gotten up from the ground, and no one knew how she had managed to untie the ropes, or if she had been securely bound in the first ce. In just a breaths time, the lights in the corridor went out again. Zheng Chengrui, panting heavily, sat down on the ground, and the brick in his hand fell to the floor. Fang Xin, with a trembling heart, said, This he wont die, right? Old Zheng shook his head, clearing his throat, No, Captain Song taught us. A hit to the back of the neck wont be fatal; itll cause fainting. Give me a hand, lets move him aside. Alright, alright, alright. After a series of rustling sounds, the garden returned to silence. The mechanical baton intermittently struck the wheelchair, finally reaching his throat. The bodyguards next to Lin Youyuan turned a blind eye, and one even subdued Butler Lin. Lin Yan paced back and forth like a proud and beautiful Persian cat, clicking her tongue twice, What were you talking to her about? Dont you know her specialty is interrogation. Song Yuhang got up from the ground. The bodyguards who were just attacking her had been overturned, and the one who had wielded a knife against her turned against Lin Youyuans side. In just an instant, the situation underwent aplete and dramatic change. Song Yuhang took out her phone and shook it. Mr. Lin, its all recorded. You cant deny it anymore. Lin Youyuans facial muscles twitched, finally tearing off the facade of false virtue. In the dark night, his expression appeared somewhat sinister. When did you nt people around me? Lin Yan leaned slightly on the wheelchair, the mechanical baton pressed against his throat, forcing him to lift his head. She lowered her voice, sounding somewhat chilling. A long time ago, Ive been doing this for fourteen years. Lin Yans eyes filled with a trace of sorrow. Lin Youyuan, admit it. Youve grown old. Even if youre a hyena, when you get old, youre just a useless and powerless creature. Lin Youyuan lowered his gaze, his eyelids drooping. He was indeed old, wrinkles covered his face, and even the ck hair dyed with hair dye couldnt conceal the paleness at the roots. Perhaps due to aging, the hand that toyed with the jade ring trembled slightly, and his movements were not as agile. Hehehahaha His shoulders shook violently, sounding likeughter but also like crying. His voice was coarse, like rubbing against sandpaper, unpleasant to the ear. Lin Yan turned her face away, not wanting to hear any more. Song Yuhang approached and pushed aside the tip of her baton. For the first time, she slightly nodded to Lin Youyuan, then pulled Lin Yan up. Uncle Lin, apologies, but I have to take her away. Have you thought it through? Lin Youyuan began to y with his green jade ring. Once you step out of this door today, your actions will have no connection to the Lin family, and from now on, Jingtai Group will not provide you with any protection, even The old man lifted his head, and his eyes shed with a momentary brilliance. Blocking Jingtais path in the business world is akin to making an enemy. Even though a hyena may be old, it will never show mercy to its enemies. Lin Yan gently curved her lips into a smile. Couldnt ask for more. With that, she turned away, pulling Song Yuhang with her, and casually tossed the gun in her hand into Lin Youyuansp. Let the old man keep it for himself to contemte suicide. The bodyguards, seeing her turn away, gradually retreated, escorting them downstairs. Lin Yan left decisively, not looking back. What she didnt know was that her fierce words, uttered as a challenge, would soon be a self-fulfilling prophecy. After everyone left, Lin Youyuan caressed the somewhat aged gun, looking somewhat sentimental. The butler pushed the wheelchair to take him back to the ward. Master, Miss has grown up. Lin Youyuan, lost in thought, repeatedly wiped the gun. Gradually, he tightened his lips. Understands how to endure, understands how to scheme, but theres still a long way to go. Captain Song, Miss Lin Several people were a bit excited to see theme out, especially Duan Cheng, who had just taken a hit and tried to stand up but ended up sitting down again, holding the back of his head in pain. Song Yuhang individually embraced each of them in gratitude, saying, Thank you for your hard work. Lin Yan, on the other hand, was a bit hesitant. She was notfortable hugging others, so she reluctantly gave a fist bump. Um, thanks. Including that time you saved me, when you guys have vacation ns, Ill cover everything. Fang Xins eyes lit up instantly. Australia, Bali, Saipan, Hawaii? Lin Yan nodded with enthusiasm, No problem! Round trip first ss, five-star amodation, plus sunshine beach spa, outdoor BBQ, massage, scraping, diving, fishing, and you can even feed dolphins! Ahhh Sister Lin, I love you so much!!! At this moment, Lin Yan was a walking dream machine in Fang Xins eyes. Fang Xin enthusiastically rushed over, and Duan Cheng also wanted to join in the fun but was dragged away by Song Yuhang. Youre better off not doing that. Seeing that they were safe, the bodyguards who had been following behind were also ready to leave. Song Yuhang handed a cigarette over. Let me introduce myself, Im He was the person Lin Yan wanted her to find. The person in ck had a mask covering his face, a hoodie pulled up, and another cap on, making it impossible to see his true face. Before she could finish, he turned and walked away. Song Yuhangs outstretched hand hung in the air, and her smile gradually faded. Lin Yan patted her shoulder, Dont overthink it; thats just his personality. During the Ding Xue case, she saved you too? Song Yuhang turned around, putting her arm around Song Yuhang as they walked towards the car. Thinking back to the first encounter between the two, where she was cornered by Song Yuhangs men in the janitors room, Lin Yan smiled faintly, Yes, otherwise I wouldnt have escaped. Song Yuhang sounded a bit sour, Whats the rtionship between you two? Lin Yan looked up at her, a hint of a yful smile on her lips, Do you treat everyone as imaginary enemies? Song Yuhang opened the car door, shoved her into the car, gritting her teeth in annoyance, Yeah, me it on someone being too outstanding, making the whole world my rival. While the others hadnt caught up yet, Lin Yan reached out and grabbed the cor of her shirt, pulling her closer. Song Yuhang leaned on the car door, looking at her. To be honest, did you really not consider leaving me alone and going by yourself just now? Perhaps due to bipr emotional disorder, or maybe because she had been ustomed to being independent since childhood, or it could be the result of experiencing too much betrayal. Lin Yans inner sense of security was severelycking. She always found herself repeatedly questioning Song Yuhang with various inquiries, like now. Song Yuhang smiled, ruffling her hair. Despite being only three years younger and a mature woman in her own right, in her eyesexcluding work hoursshe was still the three-year-old child hiding in the backyard eating candy as Lin Ge described her. As a result, these affectionate gestures came more naturally, regardless of whether she liked them or not. After all, this person had always been ustomed to saying one thing and meaning another. Do you trust me? I must live up to that trust. What would it be if I left you behind in a crisis? Lin Yan, Im 35 years old, not young anymore. Im not in a rtionship for childs y. I genuinely want to walk through life with you, facing the ups and downs of the future. She spoke softly, and around them, there was silence, with no sounds of insects. The winter night was clear, and the moon shone brightly. A gentle breeze lifted the strands of hair in front of her forehead. Each word she uttered seemed to find its way into her heart. Her eyes, light in color, appeared even brighter, with a hint of a smile at the bottom, full of her presence. For someone usually reserved, these words were rare. Thankfully, others hadnt caught up yet, but Song Yuhangs face was flushing. Lin Yans gaze was fixed on her, making her a bit embarrassed. She awkwardly scratched her head. How howe theres no response? Lin Yan lowered her head and chuckled. Song Yuhang, puzzled, said, Uh Song Yuhang. She suddenly called out her name. Yeah? Song Yuhang was still immersed in the disappointment of not getting a response to the confession, responding with a muffled sound. Lin Yan grabbed her cor and pulled her down, one sitting, the other standing. Lin Yans coat slipped off her shoulder. She closed her eyes and initiated a kiss. This was the first time she had kissed her willingly. Song Yuhang widened her eyes in surprise,pletely forgetting to close them. When she finally snapped out of it and was about to respond, she was pushed away by Lin Yan. Lin Yan tilted her chin slightly, blushing, and looked at her triumphantly. Thats the response. PREVIOUSTOC Chapter 74-1 Chapter 74-1 Go Home The curvature of Song Yuhangs lips grewrger andrger, almost overflowing with the overflowing love in his chest. Her heart was pounding irregrly, and she unexpectedly felt an unreal sensation as if she were walking on clouds. She touched her lips, savoring the words she had just said, then turned around and pressed her hand against her forehead, barely restraining her desire to jump for joy. This feeling was too wonderful, even more delightful and exciting than receiving a reward for meritorious deeds. Lin Yan watched her series of actions,pletely losing the maturity and steadiness of a middle-aged person, and chuckled, Whats wrong with you? Song Yuhang abruptly turned around and pressed her shoulder, saying, Lin Yan, I want to Lin Yan covered her mouth with one hand and pointed to an empty space nearby with the other hand. A group of people was approaching this way. Song Yuhangs face changed, almost pounding her chest and stomping her feet. She mmed the car door and walked vigorously towards the drivers seat. Fang Xin got into the car and asked, Whats wrong with Captain Song? Lin Yan leaned against the car window, ncing at her askew with a smile, exuding a charming and flirtatious aura. Maybe were hungry. Song Yuhang: Zheng Chengrui rubbed his stomach. Actually Im a little hungry too. Duan Chengs stomach happened to growl at that moment. The group of people burst intoughter. Song Yuhang rolled down the car window, allowing the cool night breeze to enter and dissipate the heat. Shaking her head with a hint of helplessness, she gestured to Lin Yan with her eyes: You wait when we get home. Fearlessly, Lin Yan raised an eyebrow: Ill wait. Since it was alreadyte and most restaurants were closed, the group casually ate at a roadside stall. Lin Yan didnt eat much and seemed disinterested. Seeing her looking drowsy, Song Yuhang knew she was probably tired. After all, she still had injuries and had been in a fight today. They finished eating in just a few bites and then drove them home. Captain Song, you can drop me off at the intersection ahead, Fang Xin picked up her bag and stood up, pushing open the car door once the vehicle came to a stop. Song Yuhang rolled down the car window to bid them farewell. Take care on the way. Fang Xin waved her hand. Sure, you all should also go back early. As the car drove away, she looked at Duan Cheng standing beside her and asked, Why did you get off too? I also live around here. Fang Xin took a couple of steps forward, and Duan Cheng followed suit. Why cant you walk on the other side of this wide road? Duan Cheng shook his head, pointing straight ahead. My home is on this side of the road. Fang Xin: Finally, they saw a stall selling spicy hot pot ahead, and Duan Chengs eyes lit up. He grabbed her hand and ran towards it. Hey, what are you doing? We shouldnt be too close as a man and a woman! Have you eaten enough? Duan Cheng turned back with a smile, exuding the carefree cheerfulness of a young boy. Fang Xin nodded and shook her head at the same time. Duan Cheng ran all the way to the side of the spicy hot pot stall and said in one breath, Thats it, lets have more. Boss, two bowls of spicy hot pot, medium spiciness and medium numbing sensation, and one bowl He nced at Fang Xin and blurted out, Notro, extra vinegar, and two bottles of Arctic Ocean1. Here you go! In no time, two steaming bowls of spicy hot pot were served on the table. Duan Cheng put a straw into the beverage bottle and handed it to her, while he blew directly into his own bottle. Fang Xin stirred the seasoning in her bowl and asked, How did you know I dont eattro? Duan Cheng buried his head in slurping the noodles, concealing the momentary unease that flickered in his eyes. Um I noticed during meals at the cafeteria that you always pick out thetro from your bowl. Fang Xins heart warmed, and a smile appeared on her lips. Boss, bring another bottle of Arctic Ocean. This meal is on me. After dropping Zheng Chengrui off home, Lin Yan felt drowsy and leaned back against the seat. Song Yuhang squeezed her hand and turned up the air conditioning a bit. Hang on a little longer, were almost there. Lin Yan stirred and looked out the window, realizing that they were not heading towards the vi. Where are we going? To my ce. Song Yuhang parked the car in the garage and pulled her out, but Lin Yan hesitated and tried to pull back. Im not going. Dont drag me Half embracing and half carrying her, Song Yuhang dragged her upstairs. You havent been home for months. The vi is not suitable for living, and it needs to be cleaned up. Lin Yan struggled, and suddenly the motion sensor lights in the corridor turned on. She lowered her voice, her face slightly flushed. Then cant we just get a hotel room? Itste, what does it mean for me to go home with you like this? Your mom might kill me! Song Yuhang chuckled and lifted her up onto a step. Lin Yan reached out and grabbed the stair railing. The two of them remained at a standstill. My mom isnt like your dad, always shouting and threatening to kill people. Youll see when you meet her. But still, can I just go meet her like this?! Lin Yans ideal scenario for meeting the parents involved dressing elegantly, immacte makeup, meeting at a high-end restaurant, exchanging pleasantries with uncles and aunties, and presenting luxurious gifts. But now, she was in-faced, wearing a patients gown underneath, and draped in Song Yuhangs coat. It waspletely unconventional. Lin Yan looked for an opening to escape and considered running downstairs, but she was forcefully pulled back by Song Yuhang. Song Yuhang dragged her upstairs, both of them slightly out of breath. Whats the matter now? I think its fine like this. If you really dressed up in a dazzling way, arranged a meeting with my mom at a high-end restaurant, and presented her with luxury clothing and handbags right off the bat, then she would truly be shocked, you know? Lin Yan struggled, but Song Yuhang held her tightly in her arms and continued dragging her upstairs from behind. What do you mean by dressed up in a dazzling way? Cant you speak properly?! Alright, alright. Song Yuhang sighed helplessly and pressed her against the wall, reaching out to press the doorbell. Youre the most beautiful, the most adorable, the smartest, the most witty The more Song Yuhang said, the more embarrassed she became. Lin Yan quickly covered her mouth. The door opened. Their eyes met. Lin Yan immediately withdrew her hand, tidied her hair and clothes with a couple of strokes, and obediently stood by Song Yuhangs side, trying to make her smile appear more approachable. Hello, Auntie. Mom, this is Lin Yan. Mother Song scrutinized Lin Yan from head to toe, then nced at the hand resting on her daughters shoulder. Suddenly, a mysterious smile appeared on her face, and she warmly weed Lin Yan inside. Come,e,e in quickly. So youre Lin Ges sister, huh? You look so much alike! Why are you dressed so lightly? Oh, your hands are cold. Yuhang, bring the hot water bottle and get a thick garment to put on her! Lin Yan felt that her face wasnt frozen tonight, but rather frozen with a smile. Why was it so different from what she had imagined? In her impression, Song Yuhang had lost her father at a young age, and her brother had passed away shortly after. The elder who could support such a family should have been resilient and strong, perhaps even as stern and unsmiling as Lin Youyuan. However, although Mother Song had white hair and was wearing winter loungewear, and even her slippers looked a bit worn and old, her face was filled with wrinkles and lines, yet her expression was so friendly and gentle. There was no hint of pretense in her smile. Lin Yan felt a sense of relief in her heart. Thank you, theres no need to trouble yourself. Song Yuhang brought out a nket and had her take off her coat to wrap herself in it. She ced a hot water bottle in herp. Mother Song poured a cup of hot water for her to warm her hands. Seeing that she hadnt taken a seat, Mother Song pulled her to sit by the firece. The Song family didnt use air conditioning and instead relied on the most primitive coal stove for heating. The long chimney extended outside. The fire was burning brightly, and Mother Song added a few more pieces of coal. I saw your brotherst time at the hospital. He said you were seriously injured. Are you feeling better now? Lin Yan still felt somewhat reserved. She was ustomed to speaking casually and using vulgarnguage, so suddenly being required to act demure and virtuous made her feel ufortable in every way. She couldnt sit or stand at ease. When she saw Mother Song handing her the water, she quickly stood up, intending to receive it with one hand. But realizing it wasnt appropriate, she changed her mind and received it with both hands. Im much better now Oh, this child, why are you being so polite? Sit down, sit down quickly. Here, have some oranges and melon seeds. Theres a fruit tter and some candy. Help yourself, help yourself. Yuhang, bring out the osmanthus rice cakes that your sister brought back from her business tripst time In no time, the coffee table in front of them magically filled up with various fruits and snacks. Song Yuhangs lips twitched: You werent this enthusiastic when I came home. She dragged out her words. Mom, shes still a patient. Her stomach cant handle all that Mother Song turned around fiercely. She can take it home and eat itter, cant she? Lin Yan held an orange in one hand and stuffed her other hand full of candy. She didnt dare refuse and felt her scalp go numb. She was on the verge of tears. Thats enough, Auntie, its too much With her current submissive appearance, lowering her head and eyes, she resembled a house cat that had retracted its ws. Song Yuhang couldnt help but suppress augh as she leaned back on the sofa. When Lin Yans fierce gaze fell upon her, she quickly put on a serious expression. Mom, Im hungry. Dont give her any more. She really cant eat. Are there any vegetables in the fridge? Having had enough ofughter, Song Yuhang began toe to her girlfriends rescue. She pulled her to sit beside her, ced the orange she was holding on the firece to warm it up, and took out the candies from her pocket, cing them in the fruit tter. She only left a few in her hand to satisfy her cravings. Oh my, why didnt you say so earlier? Its sote, and you havent had dinner yet, right? Yan Yan hasnt eaten either? The hallway was dimly lit, and Song Yuhang hadnt noticed carefully. It was only now that she saw the not-so-goodplexion of Lin Yans face and realized she was wearing a patients gown! Mother Songs overflowing maternal love surged, and she instantly looked pained. Ill go cook, Ill go cook. Youre too much. You know her stomach isnt well, and yet you didnt let her eat dinner sote. Youve just been discharged from the hospital, right? Lets make do for tonight, and tomorrow Auntie will cook something delicious for you. LP: Happy holidays! PREVIOUSTOC
Chapter 74-2 Chapter 74-2 Go Home Mother Song looked at her sitting there, her height not as tall as Song Yuhangs, thin and small. Her chin was sharp enough to kill, and her face was a little smaller, about the size of a palm. Compared to her own child who was always lively and active no matter what, tall with long legs, broad shoulders, and muscr arms, her daughter formed a stark contrast. For a moment, silence fell between the couple. When will Song Yuhang learn from others? She doesnt need to be refined, but at least she should look like a woman! Its true that the more she looked at other peoples children, the more she liked them, and the more she looked at her own child, the more distressed she felt. Plus, the scene in the hospital corridor that day added a few more sympathies for this child in Mother Songs heart. Mother Song thought that Song Yuhangs ability to bring this girl homete at night might have something to do with this. Not only did Mother Song not mind her sudden intrusion, she was even enthusiastic. This made Lin Yan even more embarrassed, but at the same time, as she listened to her words, a warmth flowed through her chest from the moment she entered the door. So, this is what a normal family looks like? The way they interacted and spoke with each other, the constant care and love for her child, and even her affection for her daughters friends, it was all so different from Lin Youyuans family. Thest time she felt this warmth was with Mother Chen. With these thoughts, Lin Yans eyes welled up with tears. You dont have to trouble yourself, Auntie Before she could finish, Song Yuhang quickly put her arm around her own mothers shoulder and led her into the kitchen, giving Lin Yan a reassuring look, gesturing for her to sit for a while. Mom, let me help you. Something light would be good. Song Yuhang said as she opened the refrigerator. Move, move, dont block the way. Mother Song brushed Lin Yan aside and took a bunch of scallions from the fridge to wash. Theres still leftover chicken soup from this afternoon in the refrigerator. Yes, thats the one. Take it out and heat it up. It can be used as the base for the noodlester. Mother Song started boiling water on the stove while washing the vegetables and scolded at the same time, Why didnt you tell me earlier that we would have guestsing over today? I could have prepared in advance. But now, everything is just leftovers. Song Yuhang put the soup pot on the stove as well and smiled, Mom, she wont mind. While washing the vegetables, Mother Song suddenly let out a sigh, Sigh, in my opinion, its better for you to break up with Lin Ge. He may have good conditions, but hes ultimately from a wealthy family Mother Song lowered her voice and told Song Yuhang about what she had witnessed in the hospital corridor that day. The smile on Song Yuhangs face gradually faded, and she furrowed her brows, feeling a pang of heartache for Lin Yan. Just look at her. Shes a young girl, and her life is still hanging by a thread. But her stepmother and biological father are already calcting her funeral. And that stepmother is even younger than her. Its really Mother Song shook her head and added noodles into the pot. Although were not a wealthy family, its better not to marry into such a wealthy household. Mother Song intended tofort Song Yuhang, fearing that she would be saddened. However, unexpectedly, Song Yuhang smiled and tilted her head, scooping some soup from the pot and looking at her mother. Mom, what do you think about Lin Yan? Mother Song recalled the scene when they first met, Lin Yans appearance, and her temperament. Shes quite good. She doesnt have the air of a spoiled princess, and shes polite, although a bit reserved. Song Yuhang thought to herself: Luckily, you havent seen her when shes cursing at people. Its natural to feel nervous when visiting someones home for the first time. Mother Song smiled and added fresh vegetables to the hot chicken soup. Thats true. Shes your colleague, right? Young, good-looking, and willing to endure hardships to be a police officer. Its not easy. As Song Yuhang heard this, a hint of pride appeared in the corners of her eyebrows and eyes. Thats right, shes not just any police officer, shes a forensic scientist. Oh my, thats remarkable! Such a young girl with such courage! Mother Song was even more excited than Song Yuhang, showing no trace of disgust or confusion regarding Lin Yans profession. Song Yuhang felt relieved to some extent. Mom, do you have any reservations about this? Mother Song looked at her strangely. Whats there to be reserved about? Your father and your brothers portraits are disyed in the living room every day, and I dont see you having any reservations about that. This is doing good deeds and umting virtue. Song Yuhang felt a sense of relief again. She swallowed her saliva and moved closer to her mother, helping her scoop up the cooked noodles. Mom, would you mind having one more daughter like Lin Yan? The question was asked subtly, and although Mother Song felt a hint of indescribable strangeness, she didnt dwell on it andughed while scolding. Oh my, of course that would be great! As long as shes not like you, anyone would be fine. Im just afraid that she wont find me appealing. Song Yuhangined with a drawn-out voice, Mom Listening to the faintughtering from the kitchen, Lin Yans heart remained warm. She grabbed a handful of melon seeds and cracked them open while surveying the furnishings of the house. Compared to her own vi, this ce couldnt be considered luxurious. It was even a bit shabby and simple, but it had much more lively energy than her mansion. The two-bedroom, one-living room house was filled with carefully arranged details. A cartoon key hook hung by the entrance, and fresh flowers adorned the dining table. The sofa was small but soft, and there were a few books on the background wall. The hanging spider nt added a touch of greenery, and next to it was a family portrait. A coal stove was ced in the middle of the house, facing the television. On either side of the television were two ck-and-white portraits, featuring individuals wearing police uniforms who bore some resemnce to Song Yuhang. Lin Yan set aside the melon seeds and walked over to the altar. She picked up the incense stick ced on the offering table and lit it. With her palms pressed together, she bowed a few times before inserting the incense stick into the censer. Her concentration was interrupted when she noticed that the kitchen door had opened at some point. Mother Song looked at the child with growing fondness. When Lin Yan snapped back to reality and saw everyone looking at her, her face instantly turned red. Normally quick-witted and eloquent, she stammered, Ah I Mother Song ced the bowl she was holding on the table, a smile evident in the corners of her eyebrows and eyes. Hurry, why are you just standing there? Go wash your hands and lets eat. Song Yuhang pulled her and swiftly ran into the restroom, closing the door. She turned on the faucet from behind and washed their hands together. Why did you suddenly decide to pay respects to my father and brother? Lin Yans face was still flushed as she allowed Mother Songs hand to pass through her fingers, squeezing a handful of foamy hand soap. They rinsed their hands together. Ah I saw them, so I went. She simply felt that Song Yuhangs father and brother had passed away at a young age and must have been good police officers who served the people wholeheartedly and with unwavering dedication. Such people deserved her respect. Song Yuhang used a towel to dry Lin Yans hands, then cupped her face and gently rubbed it. My mom really likes you. Lin Yan looked confused. Ah? Her brain seemed to be experiencing constant crashes tonight. She she came dressed like this, in and without any gifts, and yet her sudden visit was still appreciated. Taking advantage of the privacy with no one around, Mother Song was setting the table outside. Song Yuhangs heart warmed, and she lifted Lin Yans face and lightly pecked her lips. Mhm, not only my mom, but me too. I like you no matter what. Looking at her reflection in Lin Yans clear and bottomless eyes, she had never been affirmed like this before. Lin Yans eyes welled up with tears, and she lowered her head, biting her lip and pounding her shoulder. Yuhang, are you done yet? Mother Song called from outside. Dont dawdle, lets eat while its hot. Song Yuhang had intended to be affectionate with her again, but Lin Yan covered her lips. Im hungry. Song Yuhang felt helpless, especially with Mother Song urging them. She had to pull Lin Yan along and head out together. The two of them took their seats. Song Yuhang looked at the noodles in her own bowl andined, Mom, why does she have a fried egg in her bowl and I dont?! In Lin Yans bowl, there was a base of chicken soup with clear oil droplets floating on top, apanied by leafy green vegetables and a few pieces of chicken breast. Two fried eggs rested on the top. In contrast, her bowl had no chicken soup and not even a piece of meat. Song Yuhang felt a mixture of destion, a touch of sadness, a hint of amusement, and a faint warmth. The warmth came from the fact that her mother didnt treat Lin Yan as a stranger. Mother Song took off her apron and hung it behind the kitchen door. Oh, with your figure, do you have the nerve? Give it to Yanyan! Song Yuhang muttered, Whats wrong with my figure? My figure is fine, all muscles. Its just that you dont appreciate it. It was only at home and in front of Lin Yan that Song Yuhang could rx a little more and show her childish side. Taking advantage of Mother Songs distraction, Lin Yan picked up a piece of meat and put it in Song Yuhangs bowl, mouthing the words: Eat quickly. Song Yuhang felt warmth flooding her heart: My girlfriend takes care of me. Their yful interaction didnt escape Mother Songs eyes. She shook her head and smiled, thinking to herself, These two have such a good rtionship. You two eat. Im going to sleep now. Yuhang, after you finish eating, wash the bowls. Clean towels and toiletries are in the bathroom cab. Get them for Yanyanter. If its cold, turn on the air conditioning in your room. Ive already turned on the electric nket for you Mother Song kept chattering, but Song Yuhang stood up to see her off. I got it, Mom. You should go to sleep soon. Dont you have to wake up early tomorrow to go dancing with Aunt Wang? Seeing Song Yuhang stand up, Lin Yan also stood up, wiping her lips before swallowing the mouthful of noodles. Ah Auntie, get some rest. Oh my, whats this? Sit down and eat. Alright, alright, I can see that you two feel awkward with me here. Yuhang, take care of her. Its the weekend tomorrow, Yanyan, dont leave. Auntie will cook something delicious for lunch. Lin Yan was about to refuse, but Mother Song didnt even give her a chance. She waved her hand, gesturing for her to sit back down and eat, then smiled and closed her own door. Song Yuhang handed her a tissue and looked at the noodles in her bowl. Lin Yan sat down and guarded her food, looking at her with a vignt expression. Are you going to finish eating? I will finish eating. Lin Yan shifted her bowl slightly towards herself. Song Yuhang chuckled. Good girl, dont eat too much. It wont digest well in the evening. Oh. Reluctantly, Lin Yan watched as Song Yuhang picked out most of the noodles from her bowl, leaving behind the meat and vegetables. The fried eggs remained untouched. Only then did she eat contentedly. Song Yuhang finished her meal in a few bites. You keep eating. Ill go fill the bathtub with water. When youre done, just drain it directly into the sink. Ill take care of washing it. While Lin Yan finished eating, Song Yuhang prepared the water in the bathtub. She rummaged through cabs and drawers looking for her pajamas. At home, she rarely wore thick winter loungewear like her mother did. She was used to wearing short-sleeved T-shirts all year round. It took her a while to find a long-sleeved shirt. You can wear this for now. Tomorrow, well go to the mall and buy new ones. This is your change of clothes. Ill bring it over to you. Song Yuhang walked into the bathroom wearing slippers. She took out a new pair of slippers from the shelf and fetched the toiletries one by one. These are toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash cup The facial cleanser is here. She pointed out the locations one by one. Try to see if the water temperature is suitable. I didnt put too much, considering you have a shoulder injury. It wouldnt be good if it identally touched it. Lin Yan reached out and felt the water. It was neither cold nor hot, just right. Song Yuhang then carefully ced a disposable bathtub liner at the bottom of the bathtub. I rarely use it. I mostly take showers because Im afraid you might find it unhygienic. She scratched her head and smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed. Seeing Lin Yan starting to unbutton her clothes, she quickly slipped out like a cat whose tail was stepped on. Then you go ahead and wash. Let me know if you need anything. With just a few words, Lin Yan rendered her motionless. Officer Song, I cant take off my clothes here. Can you help me, please? Song Yuhang slowly turned around as Lin Yans lips curled into a faint smile, while her eyes exuded both charm and audacity. The trailing tone was light and slow, leaving a lingering sense of curiosity. Lin Yans brown curly hair cascaded down her shoulders, devoid of makeup, yet appearing even more exquisite and ethereal. However, listening to her words, observing her gaze, the curve of her lips, and her bare feet lightly touching the ground, her toes slightly curling due to the cold, Song Yuhang instantly thought of a term: a seductive vixen. Innate. In the midst of the prolonged tension and locked gaze, a heated atmosphere filled the air, as if something was gradually heating up and fermenting in the narrow bathroom. Song Yuhang swallowed her saliva and slowly walked over. LP: Happy holidays and new year!!! Long time, no see too PREVIOUSTOC Chapter 75-1 Chapter 75-1 Faith The buttons on the patient gown could only be unfastened down to below the corbone. Song Yuhang trembled as she helped her unbutton thest one. She swallowed and said, Can you take it off by yourself? Lin Yan shook her head slightly and tilted her neck back. I cant lift my hands. , Song Yuhang pursed her lips, circled behind her, and grabbed the hem of her clothes to lift them over her head and pull them off. Lin Yans brown hair hung smoothly on her snow-white shoulders. The bathroom heater was on, providing warmth, but she still felt a bit cold and shivered. Song Yuhang supported her firmly, and ayer of warmth spread across her face due to the mist in the bathroom. Lin Yan slightly turned her back and rested her hands on the edge of the bathtub. Its a bit cold. Song Yuhang understood that she was urging her. She reluctantly focused her mind and tried to remove the final restraint, but somehow her usually nimble fingers became tangled. With her head buried, Lin Yan chuckled softly. Officer Song, can you do it? When she acted coquettish, she would elongate her voice and call her, Captain Song~ When she was angry, she would shout her name with both her first andst names: Song Yuhang! Only in moments like these, when she deliberately wanted to tease her, would she call her Officer Song. These two words floated lightly from her mouth and, because of the added surname and title, carried an intriguing meaning. Song Yuhang felt a surge of hot blood rush to her head, but she managed to restrain herself. Just outside the bathroom door was her mothers bedroom, and secondly, there was the scar on her back the size of a bowl, a prating wound that still appeared somewhat shocking. Song Yuhang took a deep breath, forcing herself to look away. She unfastened the sps for her, lowering her voice with a hint of gritted teeth. Dont underestimate me. Do you really think I cant do it? Lin Yan let her move freely and turned around to sit in the bathtub. Song Yuhangs pupils contracted, and her breathing quickened. After all, you havent really tried it, have you? Song Yuhang wanted to look away, but couldnt bear to. Restlessness and the deeply buried impulse tore at her sanity. She slightly narrowed her eyes, her Adams apple bobbing up and down, as she ced her hand on Lin Yans shoulder. Before Lin Yan could fully enjoy her mischievous smile, she was suddenly scooped up and carried into the bathtub. The tone was urgent, fast-paced, and even a bit rough, but the actions were gentle. Shut up. Say one more word, and Ill let you try. The hot water dispelled the chill and swept away the fatigue of the day. Lin Yan leaned on the edge of the bathtub, looking at her with a gaze that carried a hint of innocent curiosity, as if knowingly asking. Try what? Song Yuhang felt like her lungs were going to explode. She threw a towel at Lin Yan and angrily mmed the door as she left. Wash yourself. Call me if you need anything! As she listened to the sound of her departing footsteps and the bustling water in the kitchen, Lin Yan burst intoughter, even leaning slightly against the bathtub and humming a song. Tsk, such a tease. Quite innocent, indeed. After Song Yuhang finished washing the dishes, tidying up the kitchen, and cleaning the living room, she went to the bedroom and made the bed, but still didnt see Lin Yane out. Song Yuhang furrowed her brows and walked over to lightly knock on the door. Lin Yan, are you alright? Lin Yan, wrapped in the cozy water temperature and mist, was dozing offzily in the bathtub, not wanting to move at all. When she heard her speak, she reluctantly stood up and grabbed a nearby robe from the shelf, putting it on hastily. Im okay. She stood up too quickly, and before the words even left her mouth, she felt a dizzy spell, her head feeling light and her surroundings spinning. Just as Song Yuhang entered the room, she saw Lin Yan about to fall and quickly caught her, lifting her up in her arms. Lin Yan, still in shock, had a pale face with a rosy blush from the steam of the hot water. Water droplets clung to her eyshes, and instinctively, she hooked her arms around Song Yuhangs neck, hanging onto her. Song Yuhang chuckled and took two steps back, carrying her as they walked out. She slightly quickened her pace, fearing that her mother might suddenly appear. It wasnt until they returned to the room, ced her on the bed, and locked the bedroom door that Song Yuhang finally breathed a sigh of relief. She went to find a hairdryer to dry Lin Yans hair. You Song Yuhang turned around and suddenly froze. She had been too preupied with worrying about Lin Yans well-being that she now noticed what was underneath her shirt Her clothes were too big, and Lin Yan was thin. They hung loosely on her shoulders, with the buttons unfastened. The pure white shirt became paper-thin after being soaked in water. Lower down In an instant, Song Yuhangs face turned red. Damn, only a sage could endure this. After a whole day of turmoil, Lin Yan was truly exhausted. She wanted to sleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. Before she could even pull the covers over herself, her vision suddenly went dark. Song Yuhang turned off the lights. Before she could regain her senses, she was sealed by a scorching breath. Song Yuhangs slippers were kicked to the side. The sound of fabric friction rustled in the air. Song Yuhang tucked a pillow beneath her waist. Lin Yan was forced to raise her head. Her delicate and fair wrists were reddened by her grip. The bloodshot veins in Song Yuhangs eyes never faded. The ticking of the clock on the wall was apanied by a certain secretive sound. Song Yuhang, gasping for breath, lifted her head and carefully observed Lin Yans face in the darkness. Lin Yans red lips slightly parted, and her pale face took on ayer of rouge. Her frail neck waspletely exposed in Song Yuhangs gaze. When they locked eyes, it was as if a fire hadpletely burned away their rationality. Just as everything was reaching a climax, there was a knock on the door. Song Yuhangs movements faltered, and she bent down again. Lin Yan tilted her head slightly and rested her hand on Song Yuhangs shoulder. Yuhang, open the door. Are you asleep? Ill bring another nket for you two- Mother Songs voice. Song Yuhang furrowed her brows and ignored it. She held onto Lin Yans hand and bent down again. Before she could touch her cheek, the knocking on the door resumed. Yuhang, Yuhang Veins throbbed on Song Yuhangs forehead, and Lin Yan chuckled. She cupped Song Yuhangs face, nced at the door, and gestured for her to go and open it. Unable to do otherwise, Song Yuhang reluctantly climbed out of the realm of tenderness and quickly put on her pajamas. She covered Lin Yan tightly with a nket before rushing to open the door. Mom, Iming. What are you doing at thiste hour? Mother Song peeked inside and lowered her voice. Is Yanyan asleep? Why is your face so red? Song Yuhang felt like crying but had no tears. If it werent for her mothers interruption, she would have already put Lin Yan to sleep. She was afraid that her mother might notice something, so she hurriedly shooed her away. Shes asleep, shes asleep. You should go back to sleep as well. Song Yuhang held the nket in her hands and shook her head with a hint of helplessness as she closed the door. Lin Yan quietly revealed one eye from under the covers. Shes gone? Song Yuhang nodded. Yes, shes gone. Are you feeling cold? Lin Yan shook her head. A little hot. Her face was still flushed. Song Yuhang piled the nket onto theputer chair and pounced on the bed, pinning Lin Yan down. Continue. Before she could lean down again, the knocking on the door resounded once more, and Mother Song returned. Yuhang, open the door. Look at my forgetfulness. I only brought you the nket and forgot the pillow. Song Yuhang was going crazy. Frustrated, she went to open the door, elongating her voice. Mom!!! Oh dear, look at you throwing such a tantrum. Okay, okay, I wont disturb your rest anymore. Mother Song peeked inside again, but Song Yuhang blocked her line of sight by leaning against the door frame with her hand. Yanyan is really asleep? But I just heard her talking. Did I mishear? Mom Song Yuhang felt like crying but had no tears. She was almost on her knees. If she were a guy, she probably would have Please, please, go to sleep earlier. Donte anymore, we dont need anything, really. As she spoke, she kept pushing her mother out of the door. She watched her enter her room before finally feeling relieved. She locked the door and leaned against it, speechless and choked up. Unable to hold back, Lin Yan burst intoughter. Song Yuhang pounced on her and tickled her, and the two of themughed and tumbled together. If I had known, I would have listened to you and booked a room. Lin Yan held her restless hand and let out a small yawn, nestling into her embrace, her long eyshes fluttering. Dont tease me, Im a little tired. Song Yuhang pouted, feeling a bit aggrieved. But Tonight, Lin Yan teased her and even kissed her, but she, on the other hand, didnt get any advantages at all. Its so heart-wrenching. Maybe she was brought back by Mother Song. Hmm? Lin Yan raised her gaze and looked at her, like azy and enchanting cat extending her paw to rest on Song Yuhangs shoulder. Her breath tickled Song Yuhangs neck. Im really sleepy. With that, she let out another small yawn. Seeing how exhausted she looked, Song Yuhang reluctantly restrained her desires, although she still longed for more. Alright, lets go to sleep. Lin Yan, satisfied, turned over and prepared to sleep. However, she was pulled back into Song Yuhangs embrace. Immediately, she felt a chill as her only piece of clothing was thrown out. Song Yuhang held her tightly. Just sleep. Through gritted teeth, Lin Yan said, You The posture of holding her from behind was intimate and yful. Song Yuhang whispered into Lin Yans ear, Sleep like this. Ill give you five minutes. If you cant fall asleep, youll have to bear the consequences. I Lin Yan choked on her words, nearly choking herself. She grabbed Song Yuhangs arm and bit down on it. She bit fiercely. Song Yuhang treated it as if she were letting a little wolf cub sharpen its teeth. She even cheerfully whistled in Lin Yans ear. Its okay, bite away. Once youre healed, for every bite, Ill repay it twice. Its all debts, Forensic Doctor Lin. She mimicked her tone and called her Forensic Doctor Lin teasingly. Lin Yans face flushed, and she was about to blurt out a curse word. Sensing the hand circling her waist bing more and more mischievous, she endured and endured. Her eyes were red, but in the end, she obediently closed them. Perhaps she was indeed a bit tired from all the teasing. Before the five minutes were up, a steady rhythm of breathing could be heard. Song Yuhang lifted herself slightly and nted a kiss on Lin Yans cheek. Lin Yan seemed to sense something and turned around, nestling into Song Yuhangs embrace like a weary bird returning to its nest. Song Yuhang chuckled. Well, with a beauty in her arms, it seemed that she would have a hard time falling asleep tonight. PREVIOUSTOC Chapter 75-2 Chapter 75-2 Faith The next morning, Song Yuhang got up to wash her face with tworge dark circles under her eyes. Mother Song had already prepared breakfast and set the table. Oh, what happened? Did you not sleep wellst night? Song Yuhang greeted her weakly, Good morning, Mom. I slept well, really well. Lin Yan, sitting at the dining table, slightly pursed her lips and smiled, which was noticed by Mother Song. She found herself liking Lin Yan more and more. She was good-looking, energetic, sitting there with a straight back. Herplexion looked much better thanst night, fair with a hint of rosy color. There was a touch of unrestrained springtime in the corners of her eyebrows and eyes. On the other hand, Song Yuhang lookedpletely drained, as if all her vitality had been sucked away. Unable to hold back, Mother Song started scolding her own child. Just look at you! We slept at the same time, but howe she looks so energetic while you look like youve worked a night shift? I wonder what you were up to all night. The sound of angrily flushing the toilet came from behind the bathroom door. Up to up to what? Lin Yan was taken aback by Mother Songs explosive words. She couldnt help but spit out the water she was drinking. Cough, cough Lin Yan hastily grabbed a tissue and wiped the water stains off the table. Mother Song came out of the kitchen with a te of cooked wine lees eggs1. Oh, why are you choking? Dont just drink water. Try the wine lees eggs Auntie made. Its alright, its alright. Thank you, Auntie, Lin Yan stood up to take the te, but was avoided again. Its hot, its alright. You sit and eat, no need to wait for Yuhang. Theres more in the pot. While speaking, Mother Song brought out freshly steamed mantou2 from the kitchen, along with a few cold dishes. Auntie, arent you going to eat? Lin Yan asked. Mother Song untied her apron and was about to hang it up. She turned back and smiled, saying, I woke up early and have already eaten. Im going out to dance and buy groceries. Lin Yan pondered. It was only a little past eight in the morning now. Mother Song had slept around the same time as themst night, yet she woke up even earlier and had already prepared breakfast. Auntie, do you have trouble sleeping? Mother Song was taken aback, and Lin Yan continued, I know several professional doctors who have some experience in this area. Leave me your phone number, and Ill make an appointment for you. We can arrange for a convenient time for either a home visit or getting medication directly. Even Song Yuhang was unaware of Mother Songs insomnia problem. Initially, they thought it was due to age and a decrease in sleep, but in recent years, it had be more severe. She often couldnt fall asleep until around eleven or twelve at night, only to wake up in the middle of the night. Now that Lin Yan had noticed, the elderly woman was touched. No need, no need. Youre all busy Lin Yan took a bite of the mantou and smiled, saying, Alright, its settled then. If you dont tell me, Ill talk to Yuhang about it. Ah, you child, alright, alright. Mother Song reluctantly took a piece of paper and a pen from the telephone directory on the table and tremulously wrote down a series of digits for her. When the timees, Auntie, you can give me whatever amount you think is appropriate, Lin Yan said as she pocketed the note, skirting around the topic of money. Seeing that it was almost 8:30, Mother Song changed her shoes and prepared to leave, while Song Yuhang came out of the bathroom. Mother Song turned to look at both of them. Come back for lunch, okay? Your sister will alsoe over. Im going to buy groceries now. Song Yuhang furrowed her brows imperceptibly. No, Mom. Lin Yan and I will eat out for lunch. Hey, you said you wouldnte home for the big weekend meal and its a waste of money. Forget it, forget it. Look at you. Its rare to see you bringing a friend home. Have fun, got it? scolded Mother Song as she grabbed her keys and headed out the door. Song Yuhang replied with a drawn-out Got it. Lin Yan, biting her spoon, observed her. Somethings not right. You frowned when your sister was mentioned. Women, or rather, female forensic experts, have such keen intuition. Song Yuhang chuckled and flicked her on the forehead. Youre not right either. I can tell by your expression. You must have something you want to do today. Lin Yan lightly pursed her lips and smiled, not wanting to give her too much satisfaction. She deliberately put on a serious face. Then lets eat quickly. They continued eating and talking. Lin Yan told Song Yuhang about Mother Songs insomnia. Song Yuhang furrowed her brows. Ive noticed that sometimes when Ie back from the night shift, shes still awake. I always thought she was waiting for me, but it turns out its because of this. Lin Yan, thank you. Let me know when youve made the appointment, and Ill apany Mom. Lin Yan stirred the rice wine lees3 in her bowl, feeling a warm sensation in her heart upon hearing the word thank you. She curved her lips slightly. Youre busy with work, and theres no one else at home. We still need to pay more attention to Aunties physical and mental health. The consecutive losses of loved ones like this can bring a blow that ordinary people cannot bear. Mother Song is an extraordinary woman, but it doesnt mean that her heart is not left with any scars. Song Yuhang nodded. I understand. Ill make time to spend more with Mom. In the end, she looked at Lin Yan cautiously and reached out to hold her hand that was empty on the table. And what about you, Lin Yan? Do you need to see a doctor again? Lin Yan tugged at the corner of her lips, not directly answering her question. Its getting cold. Lets eat. After saying that, she pulled her hand back. Song Yuhang hesitated, wanting to say something but ultimately remained silent. She finished her meal and took the initiative to go wash the dishes. Meanwhile, Lin Yan opened her wardrobe, carefully examining the various clothes. She picked one, frowned, and discarded another. Before long, the bed was piled with arge heap of garments. Feeling frustrated, Lin Yan sighed. Well, it looked like the first thing she had to do today was go shopping for clothes. Song Yuhang finished washing the dishes and dried her hands, finding it amusing. Lets go, Miss Lin. Just put on any random piece for now. Well go out and buy some. This one, this one, and this one, I want them all. Wrap them up together. Lin Yan tried on the clothes whenever she found something suitable, she would buy it. Standing at the cashiers counter, she pointed out her choices. Just as she was about to pay, Song Yuhang handed over her card. Lin Yan pushed it back. No need, Ill pay for it myself. Swipe mine, Song Yuhang directly handed her card to the saleswoman, who nced at her and then at Lin Yan. She smoothly epted the card, going along with it. Alright, the total is 36,480 yuan. Please confirm it and sign here. Song Yuhang signed the document with a pen, and Lin Yan bit her lip in exasperation. I never expected you, a little police officer, to be quite wealthy. Tell me, did you get involved in corruption and bribery? Song Yuhang nced at her. What are you saying? I dont spend much money in my daily life. This is all savings from working for so many years. But dont you feel heartbroken? Song Yuhang capped the pen and handed it back to the saleswoman. She held the packaged paper bag and wrapped her arm around Lin Yans waist, heading towards the exit. Of course, I feel heartbroken. Thats why someone has to pay with their body. Lin Yan threw her handbag at her. Just go die, will you? After leaving the shopping mall, Song Yuhang stuffed all the purchased items into the backseat. Lin Yan also bought some health supplements for Songs mother, filling up the trunk. Song Yuhang opened the car door for her, watching her get inside before opening the drivers seat door herself. She fastened her seatbelt, shifted gears, and set off. Lin Yan looked at her driving. Do you know where were going? Song Yuhang didnt turn her head and a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. I guessed. Lin Yan ced the freshly bought bouquet of white chrysanthemums in front of the tombstone. Song Yuhang ced several cans of c and some snacks that children love on the ground. The two stood side by side, their clothes fluttering in the wind, their hair strands lifted. Lin Yan looked at the familiar face on the tombstone, a girl of merely fourteen or fifteen years old, smiling so sweetly. She should have had a brighter future, but it was forever frozen at the age of fifteen. Even though theyter caught the culprit and the viin received the punishment they deserved, it couldnt change the fact that some young lives were forever robbed. The wind in the cemetery was strong, and Lin Yans hand turned pale from the cold. She trembled as she took out a business card from her wallet and watched as the tongue of the lighter gradually consumed it. Im Lin Yan, born in 1976, currently 32 years old. I work as a forensic doctor, and my hobbies include dissection. My phone number is She paused, her voice slightly choked. Its nice to meet you, Bai Ling. We may meet again someday. Finally, shepleted the self-introduction to Bai Ling, filling in the unfinished regrets. However, it could never be considered truly fulfilling. The wind in the cemetery suddenly turned chilly, blowing the remaining shreds of paper from her hand up into the sky, swirling and flying away. Song Yuhang patted her shoulder. Lets go. When they paid tribute to Zhang Jinhai, she appeared particrly calm. This news couldnt be hidden from her for too long. Lin Yan wasnt some naive and innocent young girl with little worldly experience. She was a mature and experienced forensic doctor with her own connections and channels. Instead of waiting for her to find out on her own, it was better to tell her proactively. Besides, Song Yuhang believed that she could handle it. Even if she couldnt bear it and fell into a swamp of guilt, Song Yuhang had the courage and confidence to gradually pull her out. The firelight reflected in the corners of her eyes and brows. Silently, Lin Yan threw paper money into the bronze basin4. Song Yuhang handed her thest stack of paper money, watching as she tossed it in. Dust and ashes soared into the sky, spreading far and wide. Lin Yan, Ie to this ce almost every year, and the police from Jiangcheng City Bureau alsoe here almost every year. Its not only because we have fallen colleagues tomemorate, but also because every year, newly recruited police officers hold their oath-taking and induction ceremonies here, in front of the monument honoring the heroes and our senior predecessors. This ce is not only where the realms of the living and the dead intersect, but also where the old and the new converge. Generation after generation of detectives rest here, while generation after generation of young detectives step out from here. Song Yuhang pulled her up to her feet, looking at the photo on Zhang Jinhais tombsthe dignified face and the national emblem on the cap. Even in his final moments, he didnt forget the oath of a Peoples Police Officer. In fact, when the knife first shed his throat, he realized it. He had the chance to throw the child to someone else, but he didnt. When you entrusted Yujing to him, he could have passed her on to someone else, but he didnt. Lin Yans eyes became solemn, a silence that was chilling. Song Yuhang knew what she wanted to say. No need to me yourself. Your intentions were good. Staying there would only result in more sacrifices. Life is unpredictable, and if it were you or me, we would make the same choice. Lin Yan smiled, returning to her usual cold expression, with a hint of mocking smile at the corner of her lips. So, you police officers are quite annoying. You know you might die, yet you still go. Song Yuhang turned her head to look at her. Thats the power of belief, isnt it? Being born here, growing up here, we cant help but love thisnd, the people on thisnd, and the five-star red g waving above our heads, the national emblem on our caps. Just as Lin Yan would fight for the truth throughout her life, Song Yuhang would also sacrifice everything for her belief. This is the belief engraved in their bones, an eternal me that cannot be extinguished. Do you know? I used to really dislike the police. Ive seen too many detectives who were mediocre and ineffective, and I had be thoroughly disappointed in this world, thinking it would never get better. But, you know, at a certain moment Lin Yan basked in the sunlight, her hand resting on the railing as she gazed into the empty space. It was a beautiful day today, with clear blue skies and white clouds stretching as far as the eye could see. A flock of geese heading north happened to pass by her line of sight. She squinted slightly, I still feel that this world is pretty good, just like it is now. There are also those individuals who persistently pursue truth and justice throughout their lives. I believe that a spark can ignite a prairie fire. Song Yuhang smiled and raised her hand to her temple. Salute to the heroes! Lin Yan followed hermand, tensing her body and slowly raising her hand. For the first time, she willingly performed this gesture, and in that moment, she felt an indescribable sensation. However, somehow, she recalled the few lines of the oath she hastily memorized before an exam. For the prosperity of the country, for the tranquility of the people, for the sacred mission, for the fallenrades; Chinese police officers engage in an endless struggle against various illegal and criminal activities until they shed thest drop of blood. Lin Yan gently closed her eyes and silently recited it in her heart. As they descended from the mountain, dusk settled upon the tips of Song Yuhangs hair, transforming her originally ck hair into a chestnut color. Lin Yan stared at the back of her head. Song Yuhang turned around and reached out her hand to pull Lin Yan down the steps. Theres something I didnt have the courage to say just now She touched her nose and smiled shyly, still holding onto her hand without letting go. What is it? Lin Yan followed her, keeping pace with her. The atmosphere just now was too solemn. I felt it wasnt appropriate to say those things in front of the seniors. Lin Yan grew even more curious. What is it exactly? Just say it. Song Yuhang stopped in her tracks, standing on the next step, looking at her while holding her hand. d in a ck motorcycle jacket, utility pants, andbat boots, she was a handsome and charismatic woman. But her face turned slightly red, and there was a hint of bashfulness in her expression. Um I wanted to say youre also my belief. Lin Yan was stunned for three seconds, then burst into uncontrobleughter, tears streaming down her face. Hahaha What a cheesy confession! Its so cheesy, incredibly cheesy! Help! Song Yuhangs face turned from pale to red and then to green. She gritted her teeth and turned to walk away. Lin Yan caught up with her and pounced on her from behind, their shadows stretching long in the sunset. Oh dear, are you mad? No. Then why are you ignoring me? No. Lin Yan poked her face. Officer Song~ Captain Song~ Song Yuhang~ Yuhang~ She dragged out her voice as she called, causing Song Yuhang to get goosebumps. Tell me, what are you up to?! Lin Yan carelessly hung onto her neck, looking serious and confident. Im tired, I cant walk anymore. Song Yuhang was about to burst intoughter. She shook her off and took a couple of steps forward. Seeing that Lin Yan didnt catch up, she turned back in frustration and squatted in front of her, as if resigning herself. Come on, Miss. Lin Yan smiled and climbed onto her back, allowing Song Yuhang to carry her for the rest of the way. She wasnt capable of saying any romantic words, be they cheesy, delicate, elegant, or charming. But she knew that from the moment she decided to be with Song Yuhang, she ced her deep in the recesses of her heart, in that neglected corner. Song Yuhang said she was her belief, so Song Yuhang became her ideal. She wanted to get closer to this warmth, to be a small sun like her, to be gentle yet sharp, to be kind like her and love everyone around her as much as she could. Those were things that the eighteen-year-old Lin Yan hadnt learned, but she regained them in her thirty-second year. Lin Yan whispered something in her ear, but Song Yuhang couldnt quite hear it. What did you say? I said Lin Yan pulled her ear. Im hungry, I want to go down the mountain and eat! Song Yuhang smiled faintly. Hold on tight. Before Lin Yan could react, Song Yuhang started running with her on the mountain path. A thinyer of sweat appeared on their foreheads, but their expressions were carefree and warm. The wind carried theirughter far away. During that time, they ran freely, enjoying the profound joy that love brought them, unaware that the White Whale Case was just the beginning, not the end. The truth was still far from being revealed. PREVIOUSTOC
  4. The act of throwing paper money into a bronze basin is amon ritual in Chinese culture during ancestor worship and funeral ceremonies. It is believed to provide materialfort to the deceased in the afterlife.
Chapter 76-1 Chapter 76-1 Rupture Hello, help me send it here. Lin Yan pulled out a courier slip from the counter and filled it out in imitation of Wei Lihongs handwriting. Afterpleting it, she handed it back to the counter staff. Song Yuhang handed over the packaged items for weighing. Miss, the total is 48 yuan. Is it going to the postal express point in Wuli Town? Lin Yan nodded to confirm and watched as the other person tore off the receipt and handed it to her. Only then did she walk out together with Song Yuhang. The sky had already darkened, with the city lights starting to illuminate the streets. The road was bustling with traffic. Lin Yan held Song Yuhangs hand and tucked it into her pocket to keep it warm. The words spoken between the two of them turned into a white mist that quickly dissipated into the air. I asked Wei Lihong, and it turns out that all those winter quilts and clothing sent to Aunt Yu every year were not sent by her. Yeah, Li Yang died, Yu Jing also died, and Wei Lihong is in prison. Only Aunt Yu doesnt know anything. She always thought Wei Lihong was a good woman, living well in the city with her child. Wei Lihong often helped her and sent her things. But little did she know that the only person who had her in mind from beginning to end was a murderer. Lin Yan sighed slightly, not knowing how to evaluate Li Yang. She reached into her bag with one hand and took out a cigarette. With a flick, she lit the lighter. Before taking a few puffs, someone snatched it from her without hesitation and didnt mind taking a drag. Lin Yan clicked her tongue, rolled her eyes, and nned to find another cigarette. But someone confiscated the whole pack. The two of them stood by the zebra crossing, waiting for the traffic light. Song Yuhang hugged her from behind. With long arms and long legs, the oversized motorcycle jacket enveloped her. With a cigarette in her mouth, she had a somewhat carefree and unrestrained appearance, blowing smoke rings to the side. The doctor said that your illness is most vulnerable to lung infections. Smoke less. Lin Yan struggled, but the traffic light ahead was still red, and Song Yuhang pulled her back a few steps. If you want to smoke, just say it. I wonder who it was that used to insist on not smokingdies cigarettes. Song Yuhangughed, extinguished the cigarette on the nearby trash can, and threw it in. The slightly refreshing mint scent lingered in the air and reached her ears. Now I like it. It has your scent. These cheesy love words are just so predictable. Thinking about the ambiguous and sticky moments in bedst night, Lin Yans face turned red, and she swung her shoulder bag at her. Shut up. Song Yuhang dodged, seeing that the traffic light was about to turn red again. She quickly pulled her and they rushed across the road in a sh. Finally, its over. This client had quite a lot of demands. A few men and women in suits walked out of the oppositew firm. Ji Jingxing stopped in her tracks, watching the two people ying around on the side of the road. A colleague nudged her arm. Sister Ji, Sister Ji, arent you leaving? What are you looking at? Ji Jingxing snapped back to reality and forced a smile. Its nothing, didnt see anything. You guys go ahead. I suddenly remembered that I have something else to pick up. Alright, see youter, Sister Ji. A few colleagues waved goodbye to her. Ji Jingxing smiled, Goodbye, take care on the way. After everyone left, Ji Jingxing walked to a quiet ce and made a phone call. Hello? Yuhang? When Song Yuhang saw the name lighting up on the phone screen, she instinctively frowned, considering hanging up. However, Lin Yan stopped in her tracks and looked at her with a pensive expression. Song Yuhang had no choice but to reluctantly answer the call. Her voice was cold and businesslike. Whats the matter? Im still in a meeting at the office now. Ji Jingxing nced at the time, lowered her voice, and pleaded, Its probably going tost until around 11 or 12. Could you please do me a favor and pick up Xiao Wei first? Im worried shell get anxious waiting at her cram school. Ill see if I can wrap things up here earlier. If I finish, Ille find you guys immediately. Song Yuhang opened her mouth, observing Lin Yans expression. Lin Yan casually raised an eyebrow and walked to the side, gesturing for her to do as she pleased. Alright, give me the address. After hanging up the phone, Song Yuhang put her mobile phone in her pocket and approached her. Um, Lin Yan Lin Yan took two steps forward without turning back. You go, Ill take a taxi home myself. Song Yuhang caught up with her and sped her hand in her own palm. Lets go together. After ending the call, Ji Jingxings lips curled into a slight smile. She walked into the nearby caf, ordered atte, and sat down. Checking the time, she realized it was about time. She then headed towards the direction of the cram school. Hello, Im here to pick up Ji Weiyi. Song Yuhang knocked on the ss door of the cram school. In the lobby, only Ji Weiyi was left ying with toys. Upon hearing the familiar voice, she immediately dropped the building blocks in her hands and ran over, hugging Song Yuhangs leg. Auntie! Song Yuhang lifted the child up in her arms. Weiyi, say goodbye to your teacher. Goodbye, Teacher. The three of them walked out together, and Ji Weiyi looked at Lin Yan curiously. Auntie, why isnt my moming with you? Song Yuhang smiled and put on Weiyis down jacket hood, then pushed open the door of the shopping mall. Your mom is still working, Weiyi. Call her Auntie. Once they were out of the mall, Song Yuhang put Weiyi down. The delicate little girl held her hand and blinked her big eyes, looking at the beautifuldy beside her aunt. Lin Yan felt slightly ufortable under her gaze and turned her face away. Unexpectedly, her palm was grabbed by the soft meat dumpling. Xiao Wei swung her hand and spoke in a childish voice, Hello, Auntie. Thank you foring with Auntie to pick me up sote. An adorable strike. Lin Yan felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She had initially wanted to be angry since their rare leisure time together had been unexpectedly disrupted. However, upon seeing this soft and cute little girl, she couldnt bring herself to be angry. Awkwardly, she withdrew her fingers from the childs palm. Its Its nothing. Seeing her difort, Song Yuhang couldnt help but suppress augh. She held the child with one hand and pulled Lin Yan with the other as they walked away. Xiao Wei, did you bring your house keys? Ji Weiyi shook her head. No, Auntie. Mom said she woulde to pick me up on time today. As she spoke, she hung her head with a hint of disappointment. Song Yuhang crouched down and tidied her scarf and clothes. Mom is busy with work, Xiao Wei, be a good girl. She nced behind Xiao Wei and noticed a McDonalds across the street. She stood up. Youve been in ss all afternoon and havent eaten, right? Auntie will take you to get something to eat, and then we can eat while waiting for Mom, okay? Xiao Weis face lit up again, and she nodded vigorously. Okay! With that, they held hands, one on each side, and skipped across the street. Auntie, Auntie, I want to eat McDonalds! I want an ice cream cone, fries, and a hamburger! Alright, alright, Song Yuhang nodded in agreement. She went to join the queue to ce the order while leaving Xiao Wei in the care of Lin Yan. She gently squeezed Lin Yans hand. You two go ahead and sit. Well leave when her mom arrives. Lin Yans lips curled up in a smirk as she looked at Song Yuhang. Arent you afraid Ill sell her? Song Yuhang turned around and pinched her nose while Xiao Wei was happily bouncing near the counter. You wouldnt. Lin Yan dodged backward, rolled her eyes, and pulled Xiao Wei along. Stop fooling around. Behave in front of the child! Xiao Wei followed along, hopping and skipping. Auntie, what were you and Auntie talking about just now? Its, its nothing. Lets sit here. Song Yuhang watched their backs, shaking her head with a helpless smile. While waiting for their food, she thought about Xiao Weis words, Mom said she woulde to pick me up on time. She understood Ji Jingxing just as Ji Jingxing understood her. In ordinary circumstances, she was a very punctual person. First, her profession demanded it. If she said the court hearing would start at ten oclock, being even a minutete would still be consideredte. Second, when it came to her child, she would never lie. Song Yuhang frowned and took out her phone to call the receptionist at herw firm. Looking for Lawyer Ji? The receptionist looked puzzled, ncing at the empty office space. Its almost time to get off work. When will she be off work? The receptionist checked her watch. Its been over an hour. Okay, thank you. Song Yuhang ended the call, bing increasingly unable to understand what Ji Jingxing was up to. Miss, here are your ice cream cones. The server handed over two cones. Song Yuhang snapped back to reality, nodded in gratitude, and walked back to their seats, giving one cone to Xiao Wei. Xiao Wei, if you cant finish it, remember to throw it away. Dont eat too much when its cold. Song Yuhang patted her head and then turned to Lin Yan. You too. Lin Yan made a clicking sound with her tongue. What a waste of money. I never said I wanted to eat. Song Yuhang smiled, propping her hand on the table and leaning closer to Lin Yans ear. Im afraid if I dont buy it, someone will get jealous. Lin Yan gritted her teeth. Why would I be jealous? Why would I be jealous of a child? Amidst theirughter, Lin Yans order number was called. Song Yuhang stood up to get the burger but was pulled back by Lin Yan. Extending her arm, Lin Yan said, Here, have the first bite. Song Yuhang didnt refuse and leaned over to take a lick before pushing it back to her. You eat. Xiao Wei licked her ice cream and observed their interactions thoughtfully. Auntie, my mom also saves the first bite for me. She says its a way to show love for someone. Cough cough Lin Yan was choked by her own saliva. She knew quite a lot at such a young age. Quick, eat. Stop talking. Lets finish eating and go home early, Lin Yan pretended to be grumpy and handed her the drink. Xiao Weiughed, revealing her big white teeth. Her eyes were almost squinted into slits. Children didnt really distinguish between good and evil. She simply thought that Lin Yan looked pretty and despite her tough exterior, she was actually very kind to her. Once again, it was her aunts friend, naturally creating a sense of closeness. So, with longing eyes, she looked at the ice cream in Lin Yans hand and said, Auntie, I also want to eat yours. When Song Yuhang had just brought it over, she let Xiao Wei choose, but she didnt expect the child to still be eating from her bowl while eyeing the one in the pot. Lin Yan chuckled and handed it over. Fine, you can have this one too. Ji Jingxing entered through the door and happened to see Lin Yan handing over the ice cream with a missing corner to Xiao Wei. Suddenly, an inexplicable anger surged through her, and she rushed over in a single stride, snatched it from Lin Yans hand, and threw it on the ground. What are you eating?! Can you eat something thats not clean?! Lin Yans expression changed, and she quickly stood up. Xiao Wei also paled in fear and clung to her mothers hand, saying, Mommy, mommy, I didnt eat it. Please dont be angry A faint smirk appeared at the corner of Lin Yans lips as she looked at Ji Jingxing from head to toe with a disdainful and arrogant gaze. With the child present, she didnt want to engage in a heated argument or even resort to physical violence. However, Ji Jingxing was infuriated by that look. The thought of Song Yuhang repeatedly promising toe and pick her up but leaving this woman to apany the child made her even more frustrated and angry, feeling both wronged and indignant. Eating something cold in such cold weather is one thing, but giving the child something youve already eaten? Are you disgusting or what? And where is Yuhang? Why are you the one apanying Xiao Wei Ji Jingxing held the trembling child in her arms more tightly as she spoke. What do you want to do to Xiao Wei? If I hadnt arrived in time She nced at the snacks and drinks on the table. Who knows whats in them? Lin Yan, its bad enough that youre unclean yourself, but dont target the child! With every word, she emphasized disgusting and unclean, her voice neither loud nor soft, attracting the attention of those around them. LP: This is beyond expectations! PREVIOUSTOC Chapter 76-2 Chapter 76-2 Rupture Love rivals? Mistress and legal wife? Or is it the ex-wife and stepmother fighting over the children? There was a whispering of gossip. She rattled off this long string of words, but Lin Yan just lowered her head and smirked slightly,ughing with a touch of coldness. Her principle of handling things is that if it can be solved with action, she wont resort to words. Why why are youughing? Im justughing Lin Yan reached for her drink cup. They keep talking about how disgusting and unclean others are, but in reality, they arent exactly squeaky clean either. No sooner said than done, as soon as the words fell, Lin Yan raised her hand forcefully. Ji Jingxing let out a cry while holding the child and tightly closed her eyes. Lin Yan, stop! A ck figure rushed over, causing the hamburgers on the tray to spill all over the floor. Song Yuhang stood in front of them, getting drenched in c that sshed over her head, with water dripping from her wet hair. Lin Yan trembled her lips as she looked at her face, then nced at the mother and daughter behind her. She picked up her bag from the seat and turned around, walking away in her high heels. Song Yuhang threw the tray aside and chased after her, saying, Lin Yan, Lin Yan, listen to me Lin Yan turned back, looking at her pitiful state, feeling a mixture of anger and helplessness. However, she couldnte up with a reason, nowhere to vent that feeling. She pushed her back forcefully, saying, What are you saying? What are you saying? Shut the hell up! Go apany that mother and daughter! Song Yuhang still wanted to chase after her, but Lin Yan grabbed the cup of coffee that had just been sitting on the table behind her and poured it over Song Yuhang. A wave of gasps erupted. Lin Yan smashed the coffee cup on her, saying, Get lost! With that, her high heels made a loud noise as she stormed out the door. By the time Song Yuhang chased after her, she had already gotten into a taxi and disappeared from her sight in an instant. F***! Song Yuhang wiped the mixture of coffee and c off her face, not knowing who she was cursing at. Ji Jingxing held onto the child, trembling with fear as she looked at her. Yuhang Song Yuhang suddenly turned her gaze, bloodshot eyes staring fiercely. Ji Jingxing took a step back, and Song Yuhang quickly walked over, grabbing Xiao Wei with Ji Jingxing behind her. Her car was parked nearby. Song Yuhang directly lifted Xiao Wei into the car. The child was scared, with tears welling up in her eyes. Song Yuhang gently touched her head. Dont be afraid. Auntie needs to talk to mommy about something. You stay in the car for a while, okay? Xiao Wei nodded softly, tears streaming down her face. Okay. Song Yuhang closed the car door, and Ji Jingxing anxiously followed. Seeing her lock Xiao Wei inside the car, Ji Jingxing raised her voice in frustration. What What are you going to do to Xiao Wei? Is that woman so important?! Song Yuhang pulled her sleeve in silence and walked until they reached a secluded ce where she was sure Xiao Wei couldnt hear them before speaking. What can I possibly do to her? I am her aunt! And what can Lin Yan do to her? Do you really have to nitpick without a second thought? Isnt it disgusting enough that she fed Xiao Wei with the food she had eaten herself? Who knows what that kind of promiscuous woman would have? Shut up! Song Yuhangs eyes turned red as she interrupted her, forcefully lifting her and pressing her against the wall. That ice cream was the one I ate, Lin Yan didnt touch it at all! Why dont you ask Xiao Wei if it was her or Lin Yan who wanted it?! If Lin Yan refused, would you use her of bullying the child again?! In Ji Jingxings impression, Song Yuhang had never been angry with her. That night, when she voluntarily hugged her, it could be considered the first time, but even when she refused, Song Yuhang was gentle yet firm as she gently pried open her hand and pushed her away, telling her: Except for Lin Yan, no one else is eptable. How different it was now, with Song Yuhang gripping her cor and roaring like a madman. Tears welled up in Ji Jingxings eyes instantly, her voice choked with emotion. I just wanted to protect my child. Is that wrong? Song Yuhang closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm her breathing. She let go of Ji Jingxing and took a step back. Is Lin Yan the only one at fault then? Are you allowed to repeatedly insult her with disgusting and impure words? If you really have even a shred of the consciousness of being a mother, which mother would engage in endless verbal abuse and personal insults towards another woman in front of her own child? Which mother would abandon her own child and make her wait in the cold wind for over an hour, just so she could meet someone she wanted to see? Song Yuhangs words were like precious pearls, feeling a burning sensation in her chest that she needed to express. Yes, after my brother passed away, you didnt remarry and raised Xiao Wei on your own. You devoted yourself wholeheartedly, and thats remarkable! But she simply chose a different way of life,pletely different from yours. When she was single, who she wanted to date or sleep with was her own freedom! Its truly disgusting to stand on a moral high ground and arbitrarily judge and criticize other peoples lifestyles! Song Yuhang finished speaking in one breath, observing Ji Jingxings face changing from pale to flushed, watching tears stream down her face, and seeing her crouch down and cry. She herself didnt feel good inside either. She still felt sorry for Lin Yan. Due to the side effects of the medication she had to take for bipr disorder, she had to choose a unique lifestyle. But no one bothered to understand the story behind her, and all of these became reasons for the world to criticize her. She felt even more disheartened by Ji Jingxings actions. How How did ite to this? Many years ago, she was also a gentle and kind young girl. Song Yuhang called her sister-inw and after her brothers death, she called her sister. She treated her like family, took care of her during her postpartum period, worked tirelessly, helped take care of Xiao Wei, and was always there for her even in the difficult times. The Ji family was her refuge when she was sad and upset. Standing on the street on ate December night, Song Yuhang longed to return to that night in spring. When it had all not yet begun. Ji Jingxing wouldnt have turned into the resentful woman she was now. Song Yuhang didnt want to see anymore and turned away. Ji Jingxing took a few steps forward, her voice filled with gritted teeth and a chilling tone. Yes, I am envious. I am jealous of her. All those words I said were intentional. I wanted to humiliate her. Why is it that youve been there for me, for Xiao Wei, all these years, and she suddenly appears out of nowhere and takes away all of your care and affection? Song Yuhang paused her steps, not turning back. Seeing her stop, Ji Jingxing sniffled and caught up to her, gripping onto the hem of her clothes. Yuhang, turn around and look at me, look at me carefully. I may not be as young as her, but I can take care of people, including Xiao Wei Xiao Wei can also be your child Your brother is no longer here We can be a family of three, just like before Song Yuhang clenched her fist, the sound of bones cracking, and each word burst out from between her lips and teeth. Dont mention my brother. Ji Jingxing was suddenly startled, pushed away by Song Yuhang. The two of them stood coldly facing each other in the dark night. Song Yuhang had calmed down now, which was even more terrifying than when she was angry. Ji Jingxing felt a bone-deep despair emanating from her. She hadpletely given up on herself. Ji Jingxing retreated two steps in disbelief. Song Yuhang spoke, Do you know why I took that blow for you just now? Its only because of Xiao Wei. No matter what her parents have done, the child is innocent. The past incidents were the same. I helped take care of you not because of who you are, but because you were my brothers widow and Xiao Weis mother. Without that identity, you are nothing. But you use the child, you use her as a shield. Its unbearable. If there is another time, I wont intervene to help you again. Dont mention my brother anymore, you dont deserve to. There was a hint of pity in her eyes as she looked at Ji Jingxing. Also, I advise you not to provoke Lin Yan anymore. Otherwise, you wont even know how youll end up. Dont me me for not warning you. Ji Jingxings nails dug deep into her flesh, gritting her teeth, tears streaming down her face as she looked at Song Yuhang. I admit, I didnt consider it well today. I didnt expect her to be with you. But, Yuhang, I am still your sister-inw. Are you are you going to be so heartless andpletely sever ties with me? Its you who wants to sever ties. Since you brought up the topic of rtionships, let me reiterate. Lin Yan is my girlfriend, my future wife, the person I will spend my life with. The rtionship between you, me, and Xiao Wei, no matter how close it may seem, it doesnt surpass that. Song Yuhang said calmly, without turning back, allowing Ji Jingxing to cry and shout behind her. She walked straight to the car. Seeing her take the child out of the car, Ji Jingxing wiped away her tears and ran over, immediately embracing Xiao Wei in her arms. Xiao Wei wiped her tears for her and asked, Mommy, why are you crying? Ji Jingxing smiled through her tears, holding her hand and giving it a kiss. Mommy is fine. Song Yuhang stood up. Ill call a car for you. Go back on your own. Xiao Wei timidly lifted her head from her mothers embrace and looked at her. Auntie, arent you going to see us off? Song Yuhang then showed a faint smile. No, Auntie has something to do. Ill leave first. See you another day. Xiao Wei waved to her through the car window. Goodbye, Auntie.
While driving towards Lin Yans house, Song Yuhang dialed her number. The first call went unanswered, and the second call went straight to voicemail. Song Yuhang threw her phone onto the passenger seat and muttered, What a night! She pressed down on the elerator, increasing the speed of the car. Just as the car stopped at the front gate of the vi, before Song Yuhang could get out, her phone rang. She fumbled to pick it up from under the floor mat on the passenger side. Lin Captain Song, its me. The burry suspect we were looking for a few days ago has been arrested. They are being interrogated now. Song Yuhang rubbed her temples. Has he confessed? Not yet. No matter how we ask, he remains silent. She nced at the lightsing on in the vi, gritted her teeth, reversed the car, and turned the steering wheel. Got it. Ill be there shortly. Through the curtains, Lin Yan watched here and go, instantly bing furious. She quickly pulled the curtains together, threw herself onto the bed, and shouted at the ceiling. Song Yuhang, I f*** your mother!!!
The music from the KTV private room was deafening, but inside the room, it was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. A man picked up a cigarette from the table. With a snap, he ignited the lighter, and a flicker of me passed by, surrounded by smoke. He took a deep breath, slightly intoxicated. The man kneeling in front of him looked at him, his face filled with pleading. He bowed deeply, pressing his palms together. As soon as he opened his mouth, his voice trembled with tears. I beg you, please save me. The police are closing in on me. If I hadnt been away from home these past few days, I would have been caught long ago. I just wanted to have some fun with a young girl, indulge myself a bit. Who would have known, who would have known His voice suddenly turned sharp, She actuallymitted suicide! And now its connected to the White Whale case. The police wont spare me! And also, also He crawled on his knees, embracing the mans legs. My family my family has gone bankrupt Is it because of? He nced at the mans expression and swallowed hard. Because of what Lin Yan did I Im truly desperate now. The whole city is hunting me. I have nowhere else to go, bro! As he spoke, he continued to knock his head on the ground as if he had no regard for his own life, resulting in bruises quickly forming on his forehead. The man paid no attention to it. After finishing a cigarette, he ignited a piece of tin foil and inhaled the fumes until a pool of blood formed on the floor. The person kneeling on the ground was on the verge of copsing. The man pressed his foot against the persons head before speaking, You can go now. The man, who had a small braid behind his head, was overjoyed, Brother, brother, does this mean youre willing to help me?! The man released him and leaned back on the sofa. Go on, someone will take you out. Ah, okay, thank you, thank you, bro, he said as he climbed up from the ground, his clothes tattered. He nced at the exquisite fruit tter in front of him and reached out to take an apple, chuckling. Havent eaten anything for three days. The man wrinkled his brow in disgust. Get lost. The man with the braided hair nodded and bowed as he retreated. Hisst glimpse was of the man leaning back on the sofa, surrounded by blue smoke, a look of intoxication on his face. The man swallowed his saliva and cursed, damn it, its obviously something good. Follow me. Someone approached in the darkness. Only then did the man snap back to reality. Alright, alright, bro, where are we going? The ck-d person walking ahead revealed a sinister smile at the corner of their lips. Youll find out when we get there.
LP: Im finally back! Thank you all for your patience. As always, Im striving for daily updates, maybe not updating on sunday sometimes. Update time is 5AM (UTC+8).
Support Little Panda! Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Chapter 77-1 Chapter 77-1 Morals Lin Yan carefully ced the neatly folded origami crane into a ss jar, closed the lid, and took out a bottle of red wine from the liquor cab. She poured the wine into a tall ss and slowly returned to the bedroom. The night light in the corridor cast a slightly somber glow on her face. She closed the bedroom door, sat at the bedside, took a sip of wine, furrowed her brows slightly, and then took out a box of pills from the drawer. She opened it and dropped two pills into the wine ss. She swirled it gently, and small bubbles emerged at the edge of the ss, quickly dissipating into nothingness. Only then did she lift the ss and drink it all in one gulp. As she waited for the effects of the medication to take hold, she leaned against the headboard and picked up her phone. The message inbox was empty. Damn it, Song Yuhang, if youre going to leave, at least send a text message. Maybe she went back to apany that mother and daughter. After all, they are the real family, what does she matter? No matter how close they are, she is ultimately just an outsider. Moreover, a womans intuition tells her that every time Song Yuhang mentions her sister-inw and avoids the topic, there must be something more to it. Its not just a simple sister-inw rtionship. Just because she doesnt bring it up or ask doesnt mean shes oblivious. Theyre treating her like a fool. The more Lin Yan thought about it, the more ufortable she felt. She ced her hand on her forehead and let out a sigh. Thebined effects of alcohol and medication made her feel a bit light-headed. Her body was tired, but her mind was still clear. The restlessness caused by her bad mood even catalyzed the emergence of another desire. She desperately wanted to find an outlet, grasping her phone as if it were a life-saving straw. She scrolled through her contacts and dialed the first number, Song Yuhangs. Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavable. Lin Yan tugged at the corner of her lips, shook her head, andughed. She randomly selected another phone number and dialed it.
The next morning, Song Yuhang emerged from the interrogation room with dark circles under her eyes. She quickly washed her face, put on her uniform, andy down on the bunk bed in the duty room. She began calling Lin Yan, but before the call went through, she had already fallen asleep. It wasnt until close to the start of her shift when people starteding in and out of the duty room that Song Yuhang woke up, looking haggard. She grabbed a mouthwash cup and headed to the washroom to freshen up. While brushing her teeth, she ced her phone on the sink and made a call. After a while, still, no one answered. Song Yuhang furrowed her brows. What was the point of not answering calls all night? She nced at her watch. Oh well, its Monday today. Lin Yan should being to work. If she doesnt show up, maybe shell find some time to visit her home. A colleague passed by her side and said, Captain Song, Old Zheng is going out to buy food. What would you like to eat? Song Yuhang picked up a towel to wipe her face and replied, Ill go. Ive been up all night, so its a good opportunity to get some fresh air. Everyone in the municipal bureau knew that she was easygoing and didnt put on airs, even after being promoted. They immediately smiled and said, Sure, well let Captain Song know how many portions to order via the phone. Song Yuhang smiled and said, No problem. By the way, theres a work summary meeting at 9AM this morning. Director Feng will also be there. Make sure to inform everyone, including the Technical Investigation and Criminal Investigation units. No one can be absent. Yes! The colleague saluted and walked away. Song Yuhang picked up her wallet and phone and went out. At the corner of the street, she bought breakfast from a street vendor. As Song Yuhang turned around, holding arge bag of youtiao(fried dough stick), soy milk, buns, and pancakes, she saw Lin Yan stepping out of a luxury sports car. The man who opened the car door for her was in his early thirties, dressed in a well-fitted suit, looking quite sharp. Lin Yan was wearing a modified qipao dress. Despite the cold winter, the hemline was slit open up to her thighs, entuating her curvaceous figure. She had a small piece of fur draped over her shoulders to shield her from the wind. Her brown curls cascaded softly over her shoulders, and at first nce, she exuded a charming allure. Song Yuhangs gaze was captivated by her. She watched as the man ced his hand on Lin Yans shoulder, then slid it down to her arm while talking to her. Surprisingly, Lin Yan didnt refuse his advances. In fact, she was even smiling and exchanging pleasantries with him. She often did this kind of thing. Song Yuhang felt an inexplicable anger surge to her head, grinding her teeth in frustration. She strode forward with determination, and by the time she reached them, the man had already driven away. Lin Yan, humming a song, swung her shoulder bag and walked towards the bureau alone. Song Yuhang followed her. Where were youst night? Why didnt you answer my calls? Lin Yan looked at her strangely. Oh, isnt this Captain Song? Howe youve stooped to doing the work of an intern? Calls? What calls? I didnt hear any. Song Yuhang took a couple of steps forward and blocked her path. Keep pretending. Keep on pretending. I leftst night because Lin Yan was annoyed at the mention ofst night and pped her away. Get lost, you annoying dog. A few passing colleagues burst intoughter. Song Yuhang had her hands full and couldnt stop her. Her face turned red as she shoved the stic bag into Duan Chengs hands and chased after Lin Yan into the changing room. Duan Cheng looked puzzled. Uh Whose bag is this? Before he could finish his sentence, the two of them had disappeared, one after the other, into the changing room. Song Yuhangs actions showed a hint of impatience, and she closed the door a bit louder, attracting the attention of the other female officers in the changing room. Lin Yan walked in as if nothing had happened, found her own locker, and Song Yuhang followed her, maneuvering past their colleagues. She lowered her voice and said, Dont be angry anymore. I really didnt go to see herst night Lin Yan opened her locker, took off her earrings, and began unbuttoning her qipao. Can you please leave the changing room if youre not changing clothes? Her voice was neither loud nor soft, just enough for others to hear. As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly, unfastening the buttons below her corbone, revealing her graceful neck and jawline. The curious gazes of the others turned towards them. Song Yuhang had no choice but to step back and find her own locker to change into formal attire for the uing meeting. As she changed, she secretly stole nces at Lin Yan. She saw Lin Yan take off her qipao, and the long skirt cascaded down, revealing her straight and slender legs. Lin Yan had her back turned towards her, and every movement she made seemed to carry an inexplicable allure. Especially her butterfly-like scap, with a slight hollow in her waist that could be held within a grasp. Lin Yan hooked her fingers in her hair, pulled it up with a hair tie, and revealed her delicate nape. Her skin was fair, and in the morning sunlight, it looked like it was coated with ayer of ze. Song Yuhang couldnt take her eyes off her. Of course, Lin Yan was aware that she was being watched. She slowed down her movements, even adjusting her shoulder strap. She tilted her head slightly, revealing a beautiful profile. Song Yuhang turned her head and leaned on her own locker door, taking a deep breath. She quickly finished getting dressed. As she tidied up, Lin Yan had just put on a light blue uniform shirt, buttoning it up one by one. Then she tied her necktie, straightened the knot, and was about to tuck the shirt into her uniform skirt when someone grabbed her hands from behind. Most of the people in the changing room had already left. Song Yuhang whispered in Lin Yans ear, Dont be angry anymore. I was wrong. When I stopped you earlier, it was because of the child, not because of her. Lin Yan smiled without warmth. So, youre always the one whos right, huh? You kept me in the dark for so long, treating me like a fool. I would never dare. Song Yuhang took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of perfume on Lin Yans neck. She felt a sense of relief throughout her body. Unlike her usual pantsuit, Lin Yan mostly chose summer outfits with skirts, which not only looked good but also gave Song Yuhang an opportunity. I just didnt know how to tell you. After all, this situation is beyond my understanding. As Song Yuhang spoke, she held Lin Yan tightly. I originally wanted to handle it quietly on my own, without bothering you, but who knew Lin Yan struggled for a moment and pressed down on Song Yuhangs increasingly audacious hand, breathing slightly heavily. Handle it? How do you n to handle it? Your way of handling it is to protect someone else and leave me behind, is that it? Of course not. Ive already talked to her. She wont bother us anymore, and I asked her to apologize to you. Song Yuhang pressed against the skin of Lin Yans neck, feeling its soft and delicate texture, as well as its fragrance. Lin Yan had exquisite makeup and a fashionable appearance today, and she had changed her perfume. The thought of the man who had brought her here in the morning became even more suspicious. You still havent told me where you wentst night? Lin Yan let out a coldugh, struggling to maintain her bnce. She was almost pressed against the locker by Song Yuhangs weight. Apologies are useless. Whats the point of having police if she can just insult me in front of so many people? This matter is far from over. As Lin Yan spoke, she reluctantly turned around and faced Song Yuhang, whose face was just inches away. She reached out and pulled down Song Yuhangs necktie, bringing her closer to her lips as she spoke. As forst night, what could I do, huh~ Lin Yan stretched out her words, exhaling like an orchid. I dont need you specifically, Police, Officer, Song. You Song Yuhangs anger red up as she was provoked. She held Lin Yans waist tightly and pressed her against the locker, wanting to give her a taste of her own medicine. Lin Yan curved her lips slightly, but it was unclear what she was smiling about. Song Yuhang was taken aback, and in the next moment, she felt a sharp pain in her foot. Lin Yans high heel had stomped on her toes. Song Yuhangs face turned pale, alternating between shades of blue and white. She gritted her teeth in pain, unable to speak. Lin Yan pushed her away, straightened her clothes, let out a cold snort, and walked briskly towards the meeting room.
The person who was usuallyte arrived unusually early today and took a seat. On the other hand, Song Yuhang was thest one to enter and sat across from her. Feng Jianguo saw that everyone was present and opened the materials. Lets begin. It was a phase summary meeting, and department heads took turns to speak. When it was Lin Yans turn, she leisurely filed her nails. No, next speaker. The room fell into silence. Feng Jianguos beard trembled with anger on his face. After finishing filing her nails, Lin Yan took out her phone and started ying a mobile game. Just as Feng Jianguo was about to lose his temper and m the table, Song Yuhang picked up the microphone from the table and began to speak confidently. Once again, everyones attention was drawn to her. The twitching muscles on Feng Jianguos face gradually rxed, and he took a sip of tea to calm himself down. Her voice was steady, her words eloquent, and she exuded a natural aura of authority without anger. Song Yuhang was sitting across from her, so Lin Yan could urately capture every expression on her face, including the slight awkwardness whenever her gaze brushed over Lin Yans face. Unlike Lin Yan, who never wore a jacket with her uniform, Song Yuhang was dressed neatly from head to toe. Her tie was perfectly knotted, and the legendary disciplinary button was fastened tightly. The four-star badge on her shoulder shone brilliantly in the sunlight. She was so well-suited to be a leader, a leader among the veteran cadres. However, someone as rigid and serious as her in public had an exceptionally passionate side in private, especially in bed. As Lin Yan thought about this, she couldnt help but curl her lips. Song Yuhangs gaze nced over, but quickly slid away. Unexpectedly, in the next moment, she mispronounced a word and paused for a moment. She opened her mouth, feeling as if her breath had momentarily stopped. Lin Yans foot was slowly crawling up along the cuff of Song Yuhangs pants, swaying back and forth in a deliberate and unhurried manner. As for Lin Yan herself, she leaned back in her chair, her face disying its usualck of expression as she casually yed with her phone. Little did anyone know that beneath the table, the most absurd and ridiculous thing was happening. They were still in therge conference room, with dozens of pairs of eyes watching, and Feng Jianguo sitting at the head, right next to them. This ndestine and thrilling sensation, taking ce in broad daylight, almost instantly caused goosebumps to rise all over Song Yuhangs body. She swallowed, feeling her Adams apple bob up and down. Perhaps because the pause hadsted a bit too long, someone coughed softly. Song Yuhang nonchntly turned a page and smoothly continued, but only she knew the thinyer of sweat that had formed in the palm of her hand. Meanwhile, Lin Yan was still going, with no intention of letting her off the hook. Her toe continued to venture deeper into forbidden territory. Song Yuhang straightened her back and, taking advantage of the moment when she lowered her head to drink water, adjusted her increasingly unstable breathing. Their gazes collided, and Lin Yan pursed her lips and smiled. That smile was also meaningful, with a shimmer of affection in her eyes. She wanted to seduce her, tempt her, and make her lose control. She was only a step away from having the words vixen engraved on her forehead. Song Yuhang reluctantly averted her gaze and began drinking water frequently. Meanwhile, that restless foot became even more audacious. Her foot felt cool because it had generated ayer of warmth from rubbing against the fabric, and as a result, she didnt know if it was sweat or something else. Song Yuhangs whole body felt damp and sticky, with a thinyer of sweat forming on her forehead in the freezing winter temperature. Anxiously, she licked her lips and loosened her tie, unfastening the disciplinary button as well. As the final word fell, thunderous apuse erupted. Song Yuhang let out a sigh of relief, never realizing that the speech had been so long. Lin Yan apuded for her intermittently, but there was a hint of teasing in her smile. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth in hatred, finally able to free her hands to deal with her. She saw Lin Yans hande off the table. Lin Yan swiftly retracted her foot, the slippery skin in her palm like a fish that slipped away with a touch. Song Yuhang felt slightly regretful that she couldnt catch her. When their gazes met, Lin Yan raised her eyebrows triumphantly, while Song Yuhang forced a smile. Fine, she had the guts to tease and then run away. She truly lived up to her reputation as Forensic Doctor Lin. In the second half of the meeting, due to being distracted, Song Yuhang didnt really pay attention and just went through it in a daze. After the meeting, Lin Yan swaggered back to the forensic department, not even sparing her a nce. Song Yuhang paced back and forth in her separate office, and coincidentally, someone came in with documents for her to sign. She stopped the person and said, Summon Forensic Investigator Lin toe over. I need to speak with her. Upon hearing the news, Lin Yan stood up from her office chair, leaned herb coat against the back of the chair, and walked over to Duan Chengs workstation, forcefully pressing his head against the desk. Seeing his beloved magazine getting wet with saliva, Duan Cheng felt like crying but had no tears. Wha whats whats going on, Sister Lin? Knock on Song Yuhangs office door in five minutes, got it? Duan Cheng waspletely confused. Huh? Why? Just do as I say. Lin Yan lightly tapped her finger twice on his magazine. After Ie out, Ill give you thetest edition. Really?! Duan Chengs face lit up with joy. Lin Yan threw a flirtatious nce and confidently walked away. When has Sister Lin ever deceived anyone?
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Support Little Panda! Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Chapter 77-2 Chapter 77-2 Morals Lin Yan lightly knocked on the door twice. Come in. Song Yuhang reached out and pulled Lin Yan inside, leaning against the door, locking it with her other hand. The curtains in the room were not drawn, and the room was dimly lit. Lin Yan understood from her actions that she was here to settle a score with her. With a mischievous smile, she lifted her head and happened to touch her jawline. Do you need something, Captain Song? Song Yuhang looked down at her from a higher position and said, Dont pretend. You know why Ivee to find you. Lin Yan hooked her neck and gradually pushed her backward step by step, saying, Sexual harassment in the workce, I can sue you for that. Song Yuhang embraced her waist, stumbled onto the coffee table, and both of them fell onto the couch together. You can go ahead and sue, I plead guilty, she smiled lightly, pushing her skirt up and folding it around her waist. No matter what happens, we can continue after were done. Tsk, look at that. Is that something a police officer should say? Lin Yan pped her face, tracing along her strong jawline and removing her tie. Song Yuhangughed, allowing her to act. As long as youre not angry, anything goes. Is that so? The soft tie crossed over her eyes, bringing a moment of darkness, brushed against her lips, and finally wrapped around her neck. Lin Yan chuckled coquettishly, So, Officer Song, should we go with tying hands, covering the mouth, or blindfolding? Song Yuhang pulled the tightening tie from around her neck, clenched it in her hand, flipped her over, and raised her hand to restrain it above her head. Any of them will do, but She smiled with a suggestive meaning, Its for you. Lin Yan alsoughed, a smile at the corner of her lips that carried a hint of charm and triumph, as if everything was within her control. Song Yuhang was slightly stunned when the knocking on the door resounded. She gritted her teeth, You Lin Yan untied the tie wrapped around her own wrist and lightly draped it around Song Yuhangs neck. She remained lying down without getting up, kissed her chin, and gazed seductively. Officer Song, will you open the door or not? Everyone just saw mee in. I dont mind, as my reputation is already ruined. Its up to you whether youre willing to forsake your promising future and descend into debauchery with me. First, she got off a strangers car early in the morning, then she repeatedly teased and enticed her, only to ruthlessly reject her when she took the bait. It was Lin Yan who was ying her like a puppet. Song Yuhang ground her teeth, almost wanting to tear her apart and crush her to the core right then and there. Lin Yan saw through her thoughts, sat up, pushed her down onto the couch, and began unbuttoning her shirt. Oh well, it doesnt matter. If you want to do it, then lets do it. Who cares where it happens? The knocking on the door outside became more intense. Song Yuhang brushed her aside, straightened her clothes, and took big strides to the door. Lin Yan also sat up, her skirt already adjusted. As soon as Duan Cheng entered the room, he saw Song Yuhang with a dark expression on her face, feeling a sense of unease. He nodded awkwardly. Looking for Lin Jie. Lin Yan stood up and walked out with him. Were going, huh, Captain Song. Lin Yan greeted her as usual, but Song Yuhang didnt respond and closed the door with a cold expression. After they left, she grabbed a pack of cigarettes from the desk, lit one, and took a deep drag. Damn it, she got yed again. As Duan Cheng walked out of the door, a chill ran down his spine. Song Captain Song Theres really nothing serious, right? Lin Yan wrapped her arm around his shoulder and pulled him off bnce. What could be the matter? Its just Some minor dissatisfaction, thats all. Dont worry, the magazine will definitely be ced on your desk tomorrow. Duan Cheng chuckled, Thats good to hear. Our rtionship is solid. After the little incident at noon, Song Yuhang didnt get a chance to see her for the rest of the day. Firstly, she was busy herself, and secondly, she needed some time to cool down and process things. When she finished work in the evening, she went to the Technical Investigation Department to find Lin Yan. Fang Xin nced at the watch. She left early. Do you know where she went? I heard she was going to a bar to have a drink, oh, let me think, what was it Green Ind, I think! Fang Xin pped her forehead, finally remembering and casually mentioning it. After thanking her, Song Yuhang headed straight to her destination by car.
The atmosphere in the nightclub was different from a quiet bar. As soon as Song Yuhang entered, the music sted in her ears, and the colorful lights dazzled her, making it hard to keep her eyes open. She struggled to navigate through the dance floor, often having to dodge the girls who wanted to dance up close with her. Take it off! Take it off! At a nearby table, a group of people were ying Ludo Chapter 78-1 Chapter 78-1 Discipline A wolf pack brawl is bound to draw blood. Lin Yans hands were immobilized, and so were her feet, pressed down by someone. Even her teeth were not spared. In the heat of the moment, when they were entangled, it was like two fierce beasts fiercely biting each others weaknesses. Song Yuhang felt the pain from the bite, grabbed her neck, and pressed her into the pillow. Gasping for breath, her eyes were filled with bloodshot veins ignited by jealousy and anger. Originally, in todays matter, she was not an unreasonable person. If Lin Yan had just lowered her head, admitted her mistake, and exined the cause and effect clearly, it would have passed. But she deliberately chose the most intense and irrational way to provoke her. Song Yuhang felt a mix of anger, heartache, and grievance. Why? Why could she, in a fit of anger, turn around and engage in ambiguous and unclear games with other men? She could let go of her past, but that didnt mean she could tolerate her current actions. Song Yuhang was also proud and unrestrained. For the first time, she felt moved, and for the first time, she entered into a romantic rtionship, only to encounter someone like Lin Yan, a bewitching creature. Seeing her being intimate with other men, she was jealous to the point of madness. Especially when she touched her, and she avoided her? She actually avoided her. How could she hide like that? Shes willingly epting with those men, while she treats her like a snake or scorpion, unwilling and reluctant? Lin Yans current behavior became thest straw that broke her rationality. Just like there is darkness where there is sunlight, Song Yuhang is not a saint. Lin Yans appearance has stirred up the dark and paranoid side of her inner self. No, or rather, Lin Yan is her dark side. Song Yuhang chuckled, buried in the nape of her neck. In the next moment, Lin Yans eyes widened suddenly. Song Yuhang grabbed the silk scarf hanging by her bedside, lifted her head, wrapped it around her lips, and tied a knot behind her head. Immediately following was the sound of fabric tearing. Before she could struggle, she was lifted up, and the foreign sensation made her tightly furrow her brows. The area that was notpletely moist couldnt withstand such disturbance. Lin Yan tilted her head back, and the pain swallowed into her throat. Her hands, shackled at the bedside, helplessly struggled in mid-air, pulling the chains with a ttering sound. The fair and delicate wrists quickly bore red marks. Turning her head away, Lin Yan didnt want to see herself in such a miserable state. However, Song Yuhang twisted her jaw again, forcing her to stare fixedly. The curses between Lin Yans lips turned into choked sobs because she couldnt shout them out. Ironically, her body, in the midst of this rough treatment, started to experience strange sensations. It must be because she had been single for too long, too long without with anyone, thats why. Lin Yan thought vaguely, feeling a mix of shame, anger, grievance, and unwillingness, a myriad of emotions surging in her heart. When Song Yuhang hit a certain point once again, unable to bear it, Lin Yan turned her head away, choking and incoherent. Song Yuhang forcefully turned Lin Yans head back, and her fingertips identally touched something warm, causing her to pause. She touched it again, and tears were flowing continuously from the corners of Lin Yans eyes. Even if she cried, it was like losing teeth and swallowing blood. Sensing Lin Yans reaction, she turned away, burying her face in the pillow. Song Yuhangs expression was unreadable, but she was calmer. At this point, whether she stopped or not, the oue wouldnt change significantly. Lin Yan, being rebellious, needed a lesson of blood and tears. Otherwise, with her flirting with others during leisure times, she might be angered to an early death. Yet, Song Yuhang couldnt help but be reminded of the time when she trained wolf dogs at the police dog base. The descendants of wolves retained their wildness and would counterattack their owners. To make thempletely submissive, you had to be stronger than them. Lin Yan now seemed like a tamed wolf, whimpering with her tail notpletely lowered, hiding on the side, silently shedding tears. Song Yuhang flipped her over, knowing that sometimes she needed somefort. Abination of firmness and softness was the most effective way to break down someones inner defenses. She was highly skilled in using this technique during interrogations. However, looking at Lin Yan like this, after all, she was her beloved woman. Despite the anger, there was a twinge of heartache, and she couldnt help but regret her own ruthlessness. Song Yuhang lowered her voice and kissed away Lin Yans tears, Dont cry, Im sorry, its my fault The proud Wolf King also bowed her head before her. The kisses descended from the forehead to the temples, leaving no hiding ce for her tears. Song Yuhang tried her best to shower her with all the tenderness she could muster. She kept repeating, Im sorry, its my fault, my fault The raging fingers also withdrew, and Song Yuhang focused on doing this one thing attentively. She kissed her patiently, licked her wounds little by little, and smoothed out her unease. Last night, I went back because of an urgent interrogation Song Yuhang spoke patiently, acting even more patiently. The two no longer confronted each other, and now she had the time toy out the whole truth. Lin Yan tilted her head back, forced to endure her gentleness. Under the patient and meticulousfort, a hint of red appeared in the corners of her eyes. Different from the tears shed just now, this was the blush of emotional arousal. She wanted to speak, but her mouth was sealed by the scarf, and every attempt resulted in a sob. Song Yuhang was provoked, and her patience was running out. She lifted Lin Yan slightly and stuffed a pillow under her waist. Lin Yan was suddenly elevated, reaching out to the void with a sense of loss, unable to grasp anything. She understood Song Yuhang forgave her, but there had to be some punishment. Tonights beating was inevitable. Lin Yan shrank back slightly in panic, pulled back by the neck. The remaining words from Song Yuhang became somewhat unclear, and Lin Yan couldnt quite hear what she was saying. In her mind, a firework exploded. All screams were stuck in her throat. Song Yuhang was too decisive, not leaving her any room to maneuver. She even deprived her of the only right she had to vent, the right to scream. After reaching adulthood, Lin Yan had shared beds with various people, men and women, young and old. She considered herself broad-minded, having seen a lot. However, she had never been treated like this, and every time, she was the one in control. But now, all senses were deprived. Song Yuhang somehow found a tie, and finally, even Lin Yans eyes were covered. It was like affirming the words she said in the office that morning bound hands, blindfolded, and gagged, one could not becking. She felt like a leaf drifting in the vast ocean. Wavesyered over her, tossing her high into the sky, then pulling her into the abyss, cycling endlessly until death. She didnt know how much time had passed. Lin Yan was truly exhausted. Her throat was hoarse. When Song Yuhang removed the blindfold, it waspletely soaked. Suppressing a smile, Song Yuhang got off the bed, intending to get her some water to drink and replenish her fluids. Unexpectedly, she stepped on something with her bare foot. Picking it up and turning on the bedsidemp, she saw a foil pack of medication. She couldnt understand the long string of chemical names, but she understood the indications: insomnia, depression, hypersexuality She looked back at the bed. Lin Yan had her back turned, curled up, with only a small nket covering her waist. She had just covered her with it. Song Yuhang felt a pang in her heart, reached for the phone on her bedside table, and checked the call records. Lin Yan had only made two callsst night. One was to her, but she was in the interrogation room at that time and couldnt bring her phone, so she didnt answer. The next day, when she returned the call after leaving the interrogation room, she fell asleep before it was answered because she was too tired. It was her fault. Song Yuhang wanted to p herself. The second call was to an unknown number, probably one of her many pursuers, but Song Yuhang looked at the call duration. It was just one second; it seemed the call was immediately hung up upon being answered. What was Lin Yan thinking at that time? Listening to the voice of the unfamiliar man on the other end of the line, he said, Hello? Lin Yan seemed to awaken from a dream, instantly throwing the phone away, her whole body feeling icy. What was she doing? What did she want to do? No, it couldnt be. Because having experienced sunlight, she didnt want to return to the darkness. Lin Yan crawled out of bed, opened the bedside table, and clumsily dug out some rarely used medication. She usually didnt take this because she didnt need to restrain her desires. The exhaustion of physical exertion and the emptiness after climax could help her sleep better. But now, she, like a madwoman, peeled off the aluminum foil, taking the entire sheet and stuffing it into her mouth, washing it down with red wine. Lin Yan slumped by the edge of the bed, due to the side effects of the medication, constantly feeling nauseous and vomiting. Finally, unable to resist the drowsiness, she fell asleep like that. The third call was made this morning. Shortly after making the call, she appeared at the entrance of the city bureau, engaged in intimate behavior with someone. Song Yuhang had reasons to believe that she did it on purpose for her to see, including her casual mention of it. She ced the phone on the table. Lin Yan still had her back turned, shoulders slightly trembling. Song Yuhang leaned over and lifted her up. Lin Yan didnt resist anymore. She was soft, like a puddle of water, unable to muster any strength. Noses almost touching, Song Yuhang, afraid that she might feel cold, wrapped her in a nket. Why didnt you tell me you didnt go out at allst night, hmm? Lin Yan lowered her gaze, pouting her lips, and remained silent. Song Yuhang gently touched her forehead, Alright, lets not talk about it. If you dont want to say, then dont. Ill carry you to take a shower, okay? Covered in stickiness from head to toe. Lin Yan nodded slightly, and in the next moment, she soared into the air. Subconsciously, she held onto her neck. The corners of Song Yuhangs lips curled into a slight smile as she carried her downstairs. Lin Yan whispered, Theres a bathroom upstairs. I want to go downstairs. She still remembered. Gritting her teeth, Lin Yan allowed Song Yuhang to ce her in the bathtub. She turned on the showerhead, and the warm water flowed down, relieving some of her difort. When Song Yuhang saw that she was almost done, she turned on the bathroom heater to the maximum and rushed to the kitchen to heat up a ss of milk for her. Lin Yan took it, took small sips, but avoided looking at her. Song Yuhang squatted down, meeting Lin Yans gaze, and rubbed her head gently. Does it still hurt? Not asking would have been fine, but asking reminded Lin Yan of that humiliating scene, causing her face to instantly flush red with anger and grit her teeth. Youre finished, Song Yuhang. Watch how I deal with you. The honor is all mine. Although she could see that Lin Yan was tired, and she herself But now wasnt a good time. Song Yuhang was afraid that she would strain herself. Seeing that the ss in her hand was almost empty, she took it and ced it on the partition beside her. Then, she undressed and got into the water. Lin Yan nced at her figure. It was just dimly lit a moment ago, and she couldnt move. Now she had a chance to take a closer look. If Lin Yan could be described as the epitome of a slim and delicate beauty, then Song Yuhang was a representation of another kind of wild beauty. Most people can achieve a six-pack through intense training, but Lin Yan counted and found that Song Yuhang had eight! F***, so sore. If her physical fitness could keep up, she could have as well. And those who exercise regrly usually dont sag; they are petite, plump, and firm. Lin Yan averted her gaze, her ears turning red. The water in the bathtub overflowed. Lin Yan thought she was up to some mischief again and bit her lip, shrinking to the edge of the bathtub. But she pulled her back forcefully. Song Yuhang hugged her, and amidst the steam, she held Lin Yans face in her hands. Im sorry, Lin Yan. Ultimately, this is my fault, but I wasnt protecting her. I was protecting Xiao Wei. After you left, I made it clear to her. Lin Yan opened her mouth to speak, but Song Yuhang ced her index finger on her lips. Firstly, thats one thing. Secondly, this incident taught us a lesson. The consequence of not being honest with each other is endless misunderstandings. You misunderstood that I was spending time with them, and I misunderstood that you were going on a date with someone else. It was my mistake for notmunicating with you in a timely manner, for not easing your emotions. Your mistake was ying flirtatious games with another man in public. Lets not mention the little tricks you yed to provoke me earlier. I Lin Yan still felt defiant, but Song Yuhang lifted her up and leaned her against the edge of the bathtub. Her fingers lightly stirred the ripples in the water below.
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Read ALL thetest chapter(s) in advance by joining membership! Support Little Panda! Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Chapter 78-2 Chapter 78-2 Discipline So, todays meal, consider it as my treat, youre not wronged. Lin Yans eyes reddened as she swallowed her grievances and withdrew her trembling fingers. Song Yuhang kissed her forehead. If it happens again, Ill make it up to you double, with interest. Lin Yan supported her head with her hand as it drooped lower. And what about you? What if you cheat or flirt with someone else? Will you follow the same principle? Song Yuhang grabbed her hand and kissed it gently. Dont worry, I wont give you that chance. Lin Yan pushed her away in anger and leaned against the edge of the bathtub. Song Yuhang leaned over, wrapping her arms around her waist from behind and whispered softly. Miss Lin, are you satisfied with today? Song Yuhangs voice was still hoarse, reminding her of the heavy breathing in her ear just moments ago. Lin Yan blushed and nudged her with her elbow. Go away. Song Yuhang chuckled and climbed back up, holding her hand down. If you want to do it again in the future, just find me. Ill be at your service, anytime, anywhere. Lin Yan struggled a couple of times but couldnt break free, panting for breath. So, Officer Song, you really have no experience in love? I dont believe it. Song Yuhang flipped her over and pinched her nose. Absolutely true. Well, how about I prove it to you right now? Lin Yan nced downward, avoiding eye contact, and replied stubbornly, No way, I dont have the energy now. Youll have to wait for me. Song Yuhangughed, sealing their lips which were inches apart, and spoke in a muffled voice. But, not having experience in love doesnt mean I dont watch movies or dont take matters into my own hands After all Im also a normal thirty-five-year-old woman right? Lin Yan was almost out of breath, with misty water in her eyes. Mmm Ill let you pass this time But how are we going to handle your sister-inw? Song Yuhang paused, hooking her pinky finger and said each word deliberately. Marry me. Lin Yan looked at her in surprise. Huh? She never expected this to be the answer. Song Yuhangughed and interlocked their fingers, pulling her into her embrace and gently patting her back. You said youre not my family, right? Then lets be family. We can get registered and married overseas, then go through the legal process to be each others designated guardians. That way, we can maximize our status aswful spouses and inherit each others assets within the bounds of thew. Lin Yany in her arms, listening to her whispered words in her ear, her heart pounding wildly. She couldnt find words for a moment, her vision blurred by the mist in the bathroom, and she bit her lip slightly. Song Yuhang lifted her up again. But it might be too rushed this year. Its too soon. We need to carefully discuss passports, visas, the destination, and theres also my mother to consider. Im confident I can persuade her, its just a matter of time. She continued talking, Well need to buy a big house too. After we get married, we cant keep living at your ce. As she spoke, Song Yuhang silently calcted her savings and added her housing fund. It should be enough to buy a nice house within the city, although it might not be as grand as their current one. In truth, Lin Yan didnt think so far ahead. She just wanted her to admit that she was more important than that other woman, for her to coax andfort her. After all, she had let her anger get the best of her in front of everyone, causing Song Yuhang to lose face. Little did she know that her words led to such a long list of ns, including marriage and buying a house. Lin Yans lips curved, wanting to smile, but tears rolled down instead. She turned away and wiped them off herself, but Song Yuhang pulled her back and wiped them away for her. You have more assets under your name than I do. So, to avoid people thinking Im taking advantage of you, when we go through the legal process, Ill create a unteral will. You can do whatever you want with your assets, and I wont insist on anything. Even the division of assets was nned. Lin Yan sniffed and curved her lips. So, Officer Song, are you proposing right now? Song Yuhang held her tightly, patting her head. You can consider it a rushed and abrupt proposal. I know you havent made up your mind yet, but I wont give up. For the first time tonight, Lin Yan reached out to hug her, resting her head on Song Yuhangs shoulder. Lets wait a little longer, until everything is settled. Okay. Song Yuhang wasnt in a rush either. She lifted Lin Yan up again and gently rubbed her face. However, theres one thing I hope you remember now. What is it? Lin Yan looked into those brown pupils. The closest people to me in this world are only my mother and you. Im willing to give my all for both of you, even my life. Dont underestimate yourself. Trust me She took her hand and ced it over her heart. I will always love you. Lin Yan froze for three seconds, feeling the faint heartbeat in her palm. She curved her lips and threw herself into Song Yuhangs embrace, hanging onto her neck. Song Yuhang was satisfied and lifted her up in her arms. However, theres one thing I cant wait for anymore. Curious, Lin Yan wrapped her arms around Song Yuhangs waist as she was carried upstairs. What is it? Song Yuhang bumped the bedroom door open with her back and ced Lin Yan on the bed, leaning in close to her ear. What do you think? Lin Yans small voice of resistance vanished between their lips.
The next day, when the rm clock woke Lin Yan up with the bright daylight, she instinctively turned over and tried to sit up. However, halfway through, her back and waist ached, and she flopped back onto the pillow, feeling dizzy. Song Yuhang reached out from under the covers and turned off the rm clock on the desk. Lin Yan groaned, her eyes unfocused. She rolled over and hugged the nket, but Song Yuhang followed suit, pulling her into her embrace, unable to resist the urge to get handsy. Lin Yan was a little annoyed. Damn it, cant she be satisfied? They were up all night, and she didnt even have any energy left? She grabbed a nearby throw pillow and hurled it at Song Yuhang. Song Yuhang caught it with a smile, flipping her over and massaging her waist. Can you still get up and go to work today? Lin Yan grumbled and pushed her head away. Fine, fine, Ill apply for leave for you. As Song Yuhang spoke, her hands massaging Lin Yans waist became restless. Lin Yan frowned, weakly opening her eyes. No need Song Yuhangughed, picked up her phone from the desk, and checked the time. It was indeedte, so she reluctantly stopped her actions. Alright, Ille to see you after work tonight, or I can pick you up and we can have dinner at my ce. My mom really likes you, so I think you two should spend more time together Lin Yan just wanted her to leave so she could get some proper sleep. She was so tired that she couldnt even open her eyes properly and didnt catch what Song Yuhang said clearly. She mumbled a vague response. Okay, okay, just go. With that, she rolled over and went back to sleep. Song Yuhang chuckled, got out of bed barefoot, and started picking up the clothes scattered on the floor one by one, while tidying herself up to freshen up. She didnt realize how intense the battle was until now. When she opened the door, she saw items scattered even in the hallway and corridor. Song Yuhang blushed, picked them all up and threw them into the washing machine. She separated the clothes that needed handwashing and soaked them in detergent. After a while, she finished cooking breakfast. As Lin Yan listened to the sound of running watering from the adjacent bathroom, she fell back into a drowsy sleep. After an unknown amount of time, Lin Yan had a faint impression when she was awakened by the aroma of food drifting up from downstairs. She still felt dizzy, her head heavy, and her body ached. She had no intention of getting up at all. The door creaked lightly, and Song Yuhang quietly walked to the side of her bed. Lin Yan, are you hungry? Lin Yan blinked her eyes, her longshes fluttering, and shook her head slightly. Song Yuhang tucked her in. Then Ill put in the pot for you to heat up. Remember to eat when you get up. Lin Yan nodded, her expression still listless. There were dark circles under her eyes, and herplexion, affected by staying upte, didnt look good either. Song Yuhangs heart softened, and she gently stroked Lin Yans head. Go back to sleep. Im leaving, see you tonight. Lin Yan reached out from under the covers and hooked her finger around Song Yuhangs clothing. Song Yuhang chuckled, leaned back and kissed her forehead. Only then did Lin Yan let go, obediently burrowing back into the nket. Song Yuhang quietly left, closing the door behind her, and drove away.
Morning, Captain Song. Morning. Song Yuhang rushed into the local police station almost out of breath. After being promoted to captain, she had her own separate office, not far from the technical investigation department, down the same corridor. Fang Xin greeted her with a folder in hand. She intended to leave but suddenly halted in her tracks, looking at the cor of Song Yuhangs shirt with confusion. The top button of her uniform was still undone, revealing a row of bite marks and suggestive marks. ncing at Song Yuhangs expression, despite arrivingte, there was clearly an uncontroble joy and excitement, with a satisfied smile at the corners of her eyes and lips. Song Yuhang snapped back to reality, quickly buttoning up the top button as if nothing had happened, pretending to be serious. Whats wrong? Nothing. Fang Xin shook the folder in her hand. Just looking for Sister Lins signature. Song Yuhang nced at the folder and saw that it was rted to forensic analysis. Since she couldnt sign on behalf of Lin Yan, she handed it back to Fang Xin. She took a day off today, so lets take it easy. We can sign it tomorrow. Alright, then I wont trouble you, Captain Song. As Fang Xin turned to leave, she took a couple of steps but then turned back and whispered. Wow, Captain Song, youve captured Sister Lins heart. When are you announcing your rtionship? Song Yuhang casually put her hands in her pockets, chuckled, and since she had been found out, there was no need to hide. Soon, probably next year. Fang Xin clicked her tongue and covered her mouth with the folder. Next year is right around the corner. Song Yuhangughed. Yes, the emperor is not in a hurry, but the eunuch is. By the way, how are things going between you and Duan Cheng? I think As soon as Fang Xin heard that, she immediately made a quick exit. Him? I see him as my little brother. Sibling rtionships are off-limits. My mom would kill me. Goodbye, Captain Song. Song Yuhang shook her head,ughed helplessly, and pushed open the door to her office before preparing some instant noodles with hot water. As long as two people love each other, being in a same-sex rtionship is nothing to be concerned about, let alone an age-gap rtionship. While Song Yuhang pondered this, she had only taken a few bites of her instant noodles when she received a call from her field operative. They informed her that they had located the whereabouts of thest remaining thug involved in the assault on Bai Ling. She quickly stood up, wiped her mouth with a tissue, and rushed out. Prepare for the arrest!
This is a residence in an urban vige. Next to it is a recycling station, emitting a foul odor. The police have already surrounded the yard. A group of people huddled against the wall, and the field operative team leader whispered to Song Yuhang, They returned two hours ago and havent left since. Song Yuhang made a hand gesture, and two team members stepped forward, cupping their hands. Two other detectives stepped on their knees and supported their shoulders, silently leaping over the fence, removing the iron doortch from the inside. Song Yuhang led her team inside one by one, bullets loaded, assuming a tactical formation as they reached the window. She pushed aside a corner of the tattered window screen and peered inside. The room was dark, with no lights on. The doors and windows were tightly shut, and there was a faint figure lying on the bed. She raised her index finger, gesturing 1, and then pointed to two team members, signaling them to separate. The two detectives understood and circled around to the back of the house, guarding the exit. Then she waved her hand, and several people spread out and surrounded both sides of the door. Song Yuhang nodded, kicked open the wooden door, and forcefully entered, breaking it down. The group rushed in, their gun muzzles pointed at the person on the bed in the pitch-ck room. Get up, police! The room was filled with smoke, emitting a pungent coal smell. The detective shouted a few more words, but there was still no response. Song Yuhang halted her words, holstered her gun, waved away the smoke, and reached out to turn the person over. The moment her fingertips touched his body, she was startled. Rigor mortis had already set in. Song Yuhang quickly pulled her hand back, and under the force of gravity, the man lying on the bed stiffly turned over, his mouth wide open, drool trickling from the corners of his lips, and his eyeballs protruding. The group took a few steps back, coughing and struggling to breathe. Song Yuhang ced her hand on her nostrils. No breath. She frowned and gestured for everyone to exit first. It seemed like Lin Yans vacation was going to be disrupted. Make a call and ask Forensic Doctor Lin toe over.
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Read ALL thetest chapter(s) in advance by joining membership! Support Little Panda! Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Chapter 79-1 Chapter 79-1 Doubt When Lin Yan received a phone call from Song Yuhang, she was still not fully awake. Slowly and sluggishly, she reached under her pillow to retrieve her mobile phone. With a hoarse voice, she said, Hmm? Just hearing that voice reminded Song Yuhang of the exceptionally romantic moments fromst night, making her ears slightly warm. She covered her lips with a clenched fist, coughed softly, and walked to the side to speak. Hello, I originally wanted you to sleep a little longer, but theres a case now Sorry, Ill make it up to you after your vacation. Lin Yan, who was originally drowsy, widened her eyes instantly upon hearing this. She bounced off the bed, let out a soft hiss, and then fell back down, not knowing where it hurt. Rubbing her waist, she said, Ill be there in a moment. Half an hourter, a police car with the words Crime Scene Investigation stopped abruptly at the entrance of the urban vige. The car door opened, and a group of people came out in an orderly manner. Lin Yan was thest to get off, supporting herself with the car door in a slightly unnatural posture. Song Yuhang walked up and helped her down, at the same time taking the investigation kit from her hand. Lin Yan wanted to take it herself, but Song Yuhang slung it over her back and wrapped her arm around Lin Yans shoulder, lowering her voice and saying, Youve worked hard. Are you still in pain? Lin Yan was dressed very neatly today, wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants, with the words Crime Scene Investigation written on the back of her ck training uniform. She worebat boots and had her curly hair tied up, exuding a touch of heroic elegance. Whats more, she even fastened the cor button,pletely concealing any ambiguous marks on her neck. Song Yuhang nced at her and couldnt help but suppress a smile. Lin Yan twisted her waist and gritted her teeth, saying, What do you think, Officer Song? Song Yuhangughed, and as they were speaking, the two of them had already arrived at the entrance of the courtyard. With so many people around, she had to be careful not to attract attention. She patted Lin Yans shoulder and motioned for her toe closer. It looked like they were discussing something, but in reality, they were. If you ask me, its simply too little. Practice makes perfect, you know. Howe she hadnt noticed before that Song Yuhang had such thick skin? If it werent for the crowd, Lin Yan would have pped her. Even so, she pushed her away and took the investigation kit from her shoulder, walking towards the house. The mask covered arge part of her charming face and also concealed the blush that had appeared on her cheeks. Song Yuhang slightly curved her lips and followed her inside. As soon as they entered, their eyes were stung by the pungent smell of coal. Lin Yan coughed and waved the air a few times. Song Yuhang walked to her side. When we came in, the room was filled with smoke too. This has already been ventted. Itll be better soon. There was only one rear window open in the room. Lin Yan nced at it, put on gloves from the investigation kit, and walked to the bedside. Fingerprints and DNA extraction are already in progress. Song Yuhang lifted the source of the coal smoke. The fire in the stove had already gone out. She poked it with a pair of tongs, and it was tightly blocked. There were still unburned coals underneath. She also tapped the chimney, confirming that it was blocked as well. No wonder the smoke couldnt escape. Duan Cheng took photos of the body, zooming in and pressing the shutter. Sister Lin, the victims cheeks and lividity appear cherry red. Combined with the strong smell of coal in the room, its likely death from carbon monoxide poisoning. Lin Yan opened the deceaseds eyelids and took a photo with a penlight. She then used her bare hands to pry open his mouth, using a tongue depressor to hold it open while inspecting. Another forensic investigator held a forensic light for her. Weve made progress, but usually, victims of acute CO poisoning experience severe headaches, dizziness, and palpitations in the early stages. Despite the pain, their consciousness remains, and the instinct to survive wouldpel the victim to crawl towards doors or windows. Therefore, in our crime scene investigation, we might find many traces of dragging or the person dying on the ground, near windows, or behind doors. She didnt even lift her head or pause her actions. Take a look at this scene. Isnt it excessively clean? Upon her reminder, Duan Cheng noticed that not only were the victims clothes intact, but even the area where he was lying had no wrinkles on the bedsheet. This indicated that there was no intense struggle at the time of death, and he hadnt even shifted in his spot. When you were surveilling, did anyone follow him? Song Yuhang asked. A few members of the surveince team stood in a row, shaking their heads. No one followed him. He came back alone and never left again. We were watching the whole time, theres no way we could have missed it. Did anyone enter the courtyard during that time? The leader of the surveince team shook his head. No, its a single-family house. We were all stationed nearby, and there shouldnt have been any blind spots in our line of sight. If someone entered, we would have definitely seen them. Just as they were talking, Fang Xin walked over with an evidence bag. Captain Song, there are no fingerprints at the scene belonging to a second person. Song Yuhang furrowed her brow and gestured for everyone to disperse and interview the surrounding crowd. She surveyed the furnishings in the room and picked up a discarded cigarette from under the coal stove. She shone her shlight on it, and it was all too familiarZhonghua, a Chinese brand, that she often smoked. Song Yuhang called someone over to bring an evidence bag and ced the cigarette inside before walking over to Lin Yan. Duan Cheng stood on the other side of the bed near the window, taking photos. Sister Lin, is it possible that he was suffocated in his sleep? Lin Yan removed the victims clothes and observed the characteristics of the body. That possibility cannot be ruled out. However, with such a strong odor, he wouldnt be able to sleep anyway. Unless She pressed on the victims chest, rigor mortis had already set in, and a prominent cherry red color appeared on the skin. Lin Yan removed her mask, leaned in close to the victims mouth, and took a strong sniff. Song Yuhang stared intently at the back of Lin Yans neck, fearing that if she didnt stand steady, she would personally step forward. Fortunately, Lin Yan stood up and said, Theres a smell of alcohol. Fang Xin, collect a blood sample for alcohol concentration testing. Fang Xin acknowledged and walked over, carrying the forensic kit. When Lin Yan turned around, her gaze coincided with Song Yuhangs. She smoothly averted her eyes and pulled her mask back up. Song Yuhang walked over to her and took the forensic light from someones hand to shine it for her. When we entered, he was already lifeless, lying on his side facing inward, Song Yuhang pointed with her hand. ording to the surveince teams report, he came back alone and never went out again. No one entered, the doors and windows were closed, no signs of a struggle, and there were leftover burning coals in the stove. Lin Yan, can you estimate the time of death and rule out homicide? Lin Yan looked at the repulsive face of the deceased, not only because of the unpleasant sight of death but also because of the despicable things he had done to Bai Ling. He didnt deserve to be called a human being, and its better that hes dead. But Lin Yan closed her eyes for a moment and let out a sigh, Based on the body temperature and the degree of rigor mortis, the estimated time of death is within 1 to 4 hours. However, we cant determine if it was an idental death because there was a smell of alcohol in his mouth. During the polices thorough search just now, no alcohol bottles were found in the house, and Song Yuhang frowned. So, it means he came back here after drinking. Its around 10AM now. If we go back four hours, where and with whom did he drink? Its all closely rted to his death. Lin Yan nodded and removed her gloves. Thats right. Lets take the body back to the bureau for further examination. Several detectives wearing gloves came in and put the body into a body bag. Lin Yan removed her mask and walked out. The carbon monoxide in the room made her chest feel heavy, or perhaps it was because she hadnt rested wellst night. Song Yuhang nced at everyone who was busy and brought a bottle of mineral water from the car for her. The cap was already unscrewed. Lin Yan took it and took a few sips. When she tilted her head back, a faint trace of red was revealed where the windbreaker was unbuttoned. Song Yuhang still had some concerns. Have you eaten? Lin Yan shook her head and wiped the corner of her lips with the back of her hand. No, I came as soon as I received the call. I knew it, Song Yuhang muttered inint. Lin Yan rolled her eyes, toozy to pay attention to her. She didnt bother to consider who called her toe over and who kept her up sotest night, making it difficult for her to get up. The next moment, that person sneakily took out a box of milk and bread from the pocket of her police uniform coat, inserted a straw, and handed it to her. Have some. Otherwise, youll feel nauseous on the way back. Lin Yan refused verbally but kept her gaze on the packaging of the carton. Song Yuhang chuckled, took a few steps closer, and stuffed it into her hands. There are many people around. Dont make me feed you. Lin Yan pretended to strike, and Song Yuhang jumped back a couple of steps. As everything was almost packed up, she had to go and sit in the front police car, separate from the forensic team. So Song Yuhang patted her shoulder, brushed past her, and left with a meaningful remark. See you tonight. Lin Yan stomped her foot. Who wants to see you tonight? Get lost! On the way back, Lin Yan still appeared groggy and lethargic as if she hadnt fully woken up. Duan Cheng looked at her swaying form and asked, Sister Lin, did you go clubbing against night? Lin Yan yawned and leaned back in her seat,zily lifting her eyelids as a response. She thought to herself, she really went all out. She only slept around four or five in the morning. Damn it, how can Song Yuhang still be so lively today? Is she made of iron? Sister Lin, where do you usually go for drinks and clubbing? I also want to go and experience it. These days have been too stressful, and I havent rxed in a long time Fang Xin patted him and said, Whats it to you? Duan Cheng turned around, seeming to have found some amusement. Hey, lets go together. You havent been there either, right? I heard the recently released movie Painted Skin is pretty good, but I never had time to watch it Why would I go watch a movie with you? Well, were both free, right? With their back-and-forth banter, the car had already arrived at the entrance of the municipal bureau. The interrogation room. Song Yuhang sat at the head, and Lin Yan sat next to her. The whiteboard in front of them was adorned with the photo of the deceased and thepiled clues. The forensic personnel flipped through the pages and projected the contents onto therge screen for presentation. The deceased, male, Gao Qiang, 26 years old, the second son of Hongwei Property Limited, his father was implicated in a major financial scandal, viting integrity discipline, and is suspected ofmitting crimes rted to his position. The public security authorities have initiated an investigation. Later, thepany went bankrupt, and Gao himself was wanted by the police for a serious embezzlement case involving a female aplice. He was found dead this morning in a vige within Dongcheng District, suspected of gas poisoning, but homicide cannot be ruled out. The investigator spoke at a steady pace, without rushing. Song Yuhang frowned slightly as she looked at the photo on the screen. The man appeared to be in his early twenties, dressed in a suit, wearing gold-rimmed sses, and sporting a small braid. He exuded an air of sophistication and contrasted sharply with the shabby and unkempt person at the crime scene. She exchanged a nce with Lin Yan, and Song Yuhang remembered. That night at the Mn Bar, when he and Lin Yan danced and then tried to harass Bai Ling, it was she who stopped this person. Song Yuhang lightly tapped her finger on the table. Investigate this persons social connections, especially his friends. Hongwei Property went bankrupt some time ago. Focus on those who had financial disputes with him. Speaking of Hongweis bankruptcy, Song Yuhang nced at Lin Yan, and Lin Yan casually raised an eyebrow. Why are you looking at me? Flies dont bite seamless eggs.1 Song Yuhang understood and tugged at the corner of her lips before refocusing. Contact the cybersecurity team and start checking the surveince footage. Trace his movements around his residence and the main roads in the vicinity for the past few days, see where he went and who he interacted with. Its the end of the year, and to avoid causing panic among the public, this case must be solved quickly. Whether its suicide, homicide, or idental death, we still have to do what needs to be done, understood? Understood! came the uniform and synchronized response. Song Yuhang nodded, preparing to adjourn the meeting. Oh, one more thing. Notify all the local police stations to strengthen patrols. With the approaching Spring Festival, the more festive and family-oriented the days be, the less we can afford to rx. Thieves and burrs take advantage of this time to boost their performance. We must ensure that the people have a good year. Someone below chuckled softly, Captain Song, were also boosting our performance at this time. We catch one after another, and well earn our merits for next years medals. The young detectives burst into stifledughter, and even Song Yuhang couldnt help but curl her lips for a moment before quickly returning to her indifferent expression. After Zhang Jinhai left, this young team did not sink into despondency. Instead, under the leadership of Song Yuhang, they flourished like sprouts after the rain. If he were watching from above, he would be pleased. Song Yuhang nced atst years group photo of the forensic team on the wall and stood up. Alright, lets adjourn the meeting. Everyone go about your tasks, and inform me immediately if there are any updates. Song Yuhang naturally had her own tasks to attend to, and Lin Yan turned around to change clothes, preparing for the autopsy. They washed their hands, put on protective suits, neatly tucked their hair under caps, and donned safety goggles in one smooth motion. Entering the cold autopsy room, the venttion fan was already running. Duan Cheng switched on the camera.
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  1. The phrase Flies dont bite seamless eggs is a Chinese idiom that is often used to convey the idea that troublemakers or malicious individuals tend to target those who have vulnerabilities or weaknesses.
Chapter 79-2 Chapter 79-2 Doubt Deceased, highly skilled. On January 15, 2008, at 13:40, the first autopsy began. Lin Yan picked up a dissecting knife from the tray and made a straight cut from head to tail, splitting the chest and abdomen in a single stroke. She proceeded systematically, removing the ribs and weighing the internal organs. Since the deceased had not been dead for long, there was still some fresh blood, and the strong smell of blood made people nauseous. On the other hand, Duan Cheng had been holding the camera all along and hadnt gone out to vomit. In contrast, Lin Yan, despite her deep-rooted disgust for this person, worked diligently. Her movements were neither fast nor slow, and the data she reported was both quick and urate, which was impressive. While the forensic team was busy, Song Yuhang was not idle either. He re-examined several other suspects involved in the assault on Bai Ling. Officer, we just hurt her on a whim. She didnt die at the time; at most, it could be considered a case of assault, the small-time thug across from himughed, revealing a set of yellow, crooked teeth as he shook his handcuffs. Hey, when are you going to let me go? Until the official verdict from the court came down, they couldnt be called criminals but rather criminal suspects. They were kept under unified custody in the detention center, and only after the courts ruling could they be transferred to prison. During this period, they still had the right to meet with theirwyers. This guy was hoping to get acquitted. Song Yuhang tugged at the corner of her lips and ced the pen on the table. Dont worry, youll be out soon, but not going home. Youre going to prison. She reached into the cigarette box on the table, pulled one out, and lit it, looking satisfied as she watched the other persons face change. Surrounded by smoke, she leaned back in her chair, exuding a carefree aura, but her eyes were cold and sharp. Just an assault, you say? Your impulsive act destroyed the bright life and future of a young girl, pushing her into the depths of despair. It indirectly led to her suicide. Do you still think its a non-lethal offense? She blew out a smoke ring gently, leaning forward, and the smoke enveloped his face. There was no air conditioning or heating in the interrogation room, and it was unclear whether it was cold or something else, but ayer of goosebumps appeared on his back. Song Yuhangs gaze seemed to pierce through him and into the void behind him. She suffered a gruesome death. Every midnight, do you not feel any guilt or remorse? Chinese people have an ancient saying: Every debt will be repaid, and every injustice will be redressed. Its not that there wont be retribution; the time just hasnte yet. The person sitting across from her started swallowing saliva frequently, trembling his legs, unable to sit still. Yellow crooked teeth saw her reaching for another cigarette from the table, nced at it, and his voice trembled, Give me one, Ill talk, Ill talk, Ill tell you everything. Song Yuhang sat back, threw him a cigarette, gesturing for someone to light it for him, and the nearby investigator opened the transcript. She nodded. Lets begin.
Today is Tuesday, and it happens to be thest day of the second half of the semester. Ji Jingxing specifically asked for leave from her boss and left work early to pick up Xiao Wei from school. Usually, when she was overwhelmed, Song Yuhang would help out. Ji Jingxing didnt want to constantly trouble Mother Song, especially considering her age. However, things were different now. Since theirst argument, Song Yuhang had never taken the initiative to reach out to her, and Ji Jingxing didnt have the face to bother her either. Lost in her thoughts, Ji Jingxing was momentarily absent-minded. The traffic light ahead turned green, and the cars behind started honking frantically. It was only then that she snapped back to reality and gently stepped on the gas pedal. The engine didnt respond at the first attempt, and even with a bit more force on the second try, it still didnt start. Ji Jingxing was stunned. She unbuckled her seatbelt, preparing to get out and check. It was probably an engine problem again, not long since thest maintenance. During the rush hour, the time for picking up and dropping off children, the road was packed with cars. Ji Jingxing stood alone in the middle of the road, each person and car passing by as she was stranded. asionally, surges of traffic rushed past her, and the honking sounds were incessant. Ji Jingxing shouted at the top of her lungs as she dialed the number for the car dealership. Hey, whats going on? How did you fix itst time, and now its stalled again Before she could finish her sentence, the other side hung up the phone with a resounding click. Hello? Hello? Hello? No matter how much she shouted, all she heard from the receiver was a busy tone. Ji Jingxing was both angry and anxious. She could see that it was almost time for school to end, and she was afraid that Xiao Wei would be waiting anxiously alone at the school. But the car couldnt be moved for the time being. She took out her phone, preparing to call 122 for emergency assistance, when a car slowly slid up beside her and came to a stop. The car window rolled down, and Lin Ge, leaning on the steering wheel, looked at her. Miss Ji? Ji Jingxing turned her head, feeling a bit familiar. You who are you? Im Lin Ge, we met at the hospital. Lin Ge smiled gently, his eyes filled with a hint of curiosity as he looked at her and her car. Whats whats going on? After listening to her exnation, Lin Ge pondered for a moment, made a phone call, got out of the car, and proactively opened his own car door for her. If Miss Ji doesnt mind, please ride with me. Ill take you to the school to pick up your child, and the towingpany will arrive shortly. Ji Jingxing declined, saying, Ah, its fine. Ill just wait for the police to arrive. With all the traffic passing by, its not safe for you to stand in the middle of the road, Lin Ge replied as he also got out of the car. He retrieved a triangr warning sign from the trunk, ran a distance away to set it up, and then returned. Besides, even if you call the police, theyll just have someonee and tow the car away. Its not like they can fix the car in the middle of this busy road. Ji Jingxing smiled a little, and her troubled mood slightly improved. Thats true, but I think Ill still wait for the towingpany. After all, Im the car owner. If there are any procedures to be done or money to be paid, Id prefer to settle everything at once. From this exchange, Lin Ge sensed her meticulousness. Looking at her attirea small suit jacket, a fitted skirt, and thewyers badge shining on her chest in the sunsethe could tell that she had just hurriedly rushed over after work. Seeing him scrutinizing her, Ji Jingxing suddenly realized something. Her face flushed, and she hastily removed the badge from her clothes. Sorry, I was in a hurry Hey, be careful! A three-wheeled vehicle zoomed past, and Lin Ge quickly pulled her towards him. Ji Jingxing stumbled and fell into his arms, where she was enveloped by a strong masculine scent, quite different from the gentle and soft feeling she associated with Song Yuhang. Ji Jingxing was startled and quickly stepped back, saying, Tha thank you. Lin Ge nodded and released her arm. I think we should wait on the roadside. Okay. Ji Jingxing remembered her recent fright and followed him to the other side of the road. Only now did she have the chance to inspect her clothes. Her chest was empty, oh no, where was herwyers badge?! The badge might not be big, but losing it would be troublesome. It needed to be reported as lost, and the localwyers association would have to submit an application for reissuance to the national bar association. It was uncertain when it would be reced, but she had to wear it when meeting clients in her daily work. Ji Jingxing nced at the continuous flow of traffic, breathed a sigh of relief, and rubbed her forehead. Perhaps she hadnt checked the almanac before leaving the house today. Observing her series of movements and expressions, from panic to unease and then to a calm eptance of reality, Lin Ge chuckled lightly and held a small badge between his fingertips, handing it to her. Miss Ji, were you looking for this? Ji Jingxing was pleasantly surprised as she took it. Ah? How did it end up with you?! I noticed it was about to fall, so I quickly caught it. I thought this thing must be important, just like the identification badge our doctor wears. Ji Jingxing carefully ced the badge in her shoulder bag, showing a genuinely grateful smile. Thank you. Its indeed important, and it would be troublesome if it were lost. As they spoke, the towingpany had arrived. Ji Jingxingpleted the necessary procedures and paid the fees, instructing them to tow the car directly to the authorized service center. Lin Ge also rmended another reliable service center to her, winking and sporting a cheerful smile that exuded a boyish charm. My friend owns that ce. Mention my name, and youll get a 50% discount. Ji Jingxingughed, Really? Are you sure its not a break-your-bones discount? Both of them burst intoughter. Lin Ge nced at his watch. Well, its gettingte. Let me drop you off at school. Its not easy for you to find a taxi at this hour. Ji Jingxing had grown a bit familiar with him and could tell that he was fundamentally a very kind and gentle person. She no longer declined and nodded in agreement. Alright, thank you. Fasten your seatbelt. Okay. She turned to the side, fastened her seatbelt, and inadvertently caught a glimpse of the badge he had tossed into the storagepartment. She nced at the photos, then looked at his face, and thought of their brief encounter in the hospital corridor. She remembered how he anxiously paced outside Lin Yans operating room. Her emotions became somewhatplicated. You and Lin Yan are? Lin Ge turned the steering wheel to the left. Yanyan is my cousin. Why? Ji Jingxing thought to herself: Why is he such a good person while his sister is like that? Moreover, Lin Yan had some unclear rtionship with Song Yuhang, which made her feel even more ufortable. Lin Ge noticed her expression. Ive heard from Miss Song before. She said her sister-inw is a very kind person with strong work abilities and beauty. Even as a single mother, she takes good care of her child on her own. Today, seeing you confirms it. He paused for a moment and slightly turned his head towards her in the light and shadow of the setting sun. Yanyan also has a good rtionship with Miss Song. Is there something that upset you about her? She can be a bit domineering in her personality In the first half of his sentence, he praised her through Song Yuhangs words, which made Ji Jingxing feel touched. But in the second half, she remembered Lin Yans aggressive behavior at McDonalds. How could that be described as domineering? It was more like disregarding all boundaries. Ji Jingxing felt a sense of kinship and noticed the seemingly good rtionship between Lin Ge and Lin Yan. Perhaps he could help persuade her. So she decided to indirectly address the matter. No Lin Yan is just really really She swallowed her criticism, even after repeating really twice, and opted for a more tactful approach. Did you have any results from your blind date with Yuhang? Lin Ge smiled bitterly, smoothly navigating through the traffic. No, I was rejected. Ji Jingxing let out a sigh of relief, feeling unexpectedly regretful. To be honest,pared to Lin Yan, excluding gender as a factor, she found Lin Ge much more appealing. No wonder. Lin Ge parked the car at the entrance of the school and looked at her with confusion. What do you mean? Ji Jingxing hesitated, implying something with her words. Dont you think your sister and Yuhang are getting a bit too close? She emphasized her words. Lin Ge suddenly looked over at her.
Mom, why didnt Auntiee to pick me up? Ji Jingxing walked out of the school, carrying Xiao Wei on her shoulders. Xiao Wei had a cartoon backpack, and Ji Jingxing crouched down to tie her red scarf and zip up her down jacket. Auntie is busy and couldnte to pick you up. Xiao Wei started counting on her fingers, feeling a bit disappointed. Mom and Auntie are both liars. Last time, they said they would take me out to y, but they didnt. The time before that and the time before that its always like this. Ji Jingxings heart ached, and she gently stroked Xiao Weis head. Xiao Wei, listen to Mommy. Auntie from now on, she cant be with us like she used to be. Auntie has work and her own life. Mommy promises you that she will make time to spend with you as much as possible. Xiao Wei held onto her mothers finger and sighed. Mommy, is it because you and Auntie had a fight that day? Ji Jingxing didnt want to bring up that topic, and hearing Xiao Wei say that made her eyes well up with tears. She hugged her tightly. No, Xiao Wei, Mommy loves you. Xiao Wei used her chubby little hand to wipe away her mothers tears, her own voice choked with sobs. Mommy, dont cry. Xiao Wei loves you too. Ji Jingxings heart warmed, and she smiled through her tears, pulling Xiao Wei to her feet. Mommy is fine. Lets go, were going to have steak! Okay, lets go, lets go, have some steak! After they left, Lin Ges car didnt drive away. He leaned on the steering wheel, reying Ji Jingxings words in his mind. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, gradually clenching his teeth.
LP: Ohe on, Ji Jingxing! I thought this was your redemption!
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Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 80-1 Chapter 80-1 Having face When Song Yuhang returned from the detention center, it was already past 6 p.m. At first nce, she saw Mother Song wandering outside the police station entrance, holding a thermos sk. She hurriedly approached her, pulling her into a sheltered spot and rubbing her frozen hands. Mom, why are you here? Seeing that it was her, Mother Song smiled and handed her the thermos sk. Its Laba Festival
Laba Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the eighth day of the month of La, the twelfth month of the Chinese calendar. It is the beginning of the Chinese New Year period. It is customary on this day to eat Laba congee.
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 81-1 Chapter 81-1 Snowy Night Interrogation Room. Since it was just a routine questioning, the person sitting across from her was not handcuffed. They even poured him a ss of water. Song Yuhang pulled out a chair and sat down, while Lin Yan and Zheng Chengrui kept an eye on the surveince screen outside. The apanying investigator opened the transcript and began, Where were you between four and five oclock yesterday morning? The person opposite her was dressed in a ck leather jacket, with arge gold chain hanging around his neck and gold rings on his fingers. It was as if he wanted everyone to know he was a nouveau riche. He fidgeted his leg and replied. I was at Rain Bar drinking. Whats the matter? Song Yuhang handed over a photo of Gao Qiang and asked, Do you know this person? The nouveau riche with the gold chain nced at it and smirked. Yeah, isnt that the guy who owes money and never pays it back? Song Yuhang remainedposed and looked at him. So, you knew he had debts and still drank with him? The nouveau riche chuckled twice, stubbing his cigar in the ashtray. Theres now that says I cant drink with someone who owes debts, right? Besides, officer, you dont understand that guy. Despite his current downfall, hes the second son of a bigpany. He still has some assets hidden away. If you dig a little, youll find something. Dont you think so? The investigator continued, How much money does he owe you? The nouveau riche furrowed his brow and calcted, Including interest, its around a hundred thousand or so. When did he start borrowing money from you? Right around the time his family got into trouble. He took a drag from his cigarette, leaned back in his chair, and finished the water in the disposable cup. He then asked for a refill. One more cup, one more cup, make it into tea. The apanying detective nced at Song Yuhang, who nodded. He took the paper cup and left the room. In a short while, a steaming cup of tea arrived at the table. Song Yuhang yed with the pen in her hand and calmly said, You might not be able to get your money back. Hes dead. The person across from her hadnt even swallowed a sip of tea when he sprayed it all out with a pfft sound. Cough, cough, cough What the fuck Are you serious? Tissues, tissues, my leather jacket The nouveau riche said while grabbing tissues to wipe the water off himself. Both individuals across the table were watching him intently, and he raised his head with a hint of suspicion. You didnt call me here today suspecting me of killing him, did you? The nouveau riche raised both fingers and swore to the heavens. On my honor, Officer, after he leftst night, I was still at Rain Bar drinking with a group of friends. We drank until the sky was almost bright, and I never went out! If you dont believe me, check the surveince footage, check it! They had already obtained the surveince video from the bar, and it indeed showed Gao Qiang entering and leaving alone. If someone had followed him, the nouveau riche wouldnt be sitting here smoking and drinking tea; he would have been taken care of a long time ago. Song Yuhang forced a smile and tugged at the corner of her lips. Who else was drinking with you? Write down their names and phone numbers. Do you remember how much you all drank? Was there any attempt to persuade you to drink more? The investigator stood up and handed him a pen and paper. The nouveau riche shook his head. I dont remember how much we drank. Persuasion? Nah, that kid was like he had never drunk in his entire life. He got a few of uspletely wasted. In another interrogation room, the person sitting there was the same individual involved in the events of that night, giving a simr statement. Lin Yan held a cup of coffee and leaned against the table, staring at therge screen, lost in thought. The iron door opened with a ng, and the nouveau riche straightened his clothes as he walked out. As he passed by Lin Yan, he nced at her for a moment. Song Yuhang also followed closely behind, subtly blocking the mans line of sight. Dont leave the country recently. If there are any developments, well find you at any time. Alright, alright, alright. The nouveau riche shrugged nonchntly as he stepped out. As soon as he was out, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigar, lighting it up. Hey, there are quite a lot of beauties in your department. No one paid him any attention, and a young detective came over to escort him out. In the end, thest glimpse he caught was the female officer who had just interrogated him wrapping her arms around Lin Yans waist, protecting her as they walked in the opposite direction. It wasnt a casual shoulder-to-shoulder embrace between siblings, but a direct waist-holding gesture, silently proiming ownership. The nouveau riche touched his nose, swaggered out, and headed towards the exit.
Song Yuhang drove her home after the interrogation. Lin Yan had just finished a cup of coffee and felt a bit drowsy, as if the caffeine hadnt done much to wake her up. She stifled a yawn and asked, Do you think his suspicion can be cleared? Based on what we have now, there arent any doubts. The timeline, testimonies, and surveince footage all match up. During a pause at a traffic light, Song Yuhang squeezed her hand. Dont fall asleep in the car. You might catch a cold. Lin Yan looked out the window at the flowing neon lights, feeling a touch of solitude. Its good that Gao Qiang is dead. Even if he were alive, he might not have been sentenced to death. Everyone who has caused harm to others should pay the price. Song Yuhang didnt engage in a discussion on this matter. Emotionally, she leaned more towards Lin Yans viewpoint. However, her profession and position meant that she couldnt let emotions cloud her judgment. In the eyes of thew, everyone is equal. It doesnt open a path for you just because you were once a good person, nor does it push you into a pit just because you were a bad person. Moreover, the boundary between good and bad is inherently subjective and blurry. The world has never been a simple ck-and-white dichotomy. It exists in delicate shades of gray. When the traffic light turned green, Song Yuhang stepped on the gas pedal. Perhaps it was truly just an ident. I still want to believe that in the end, good and evil will receive their respective consequences. The nouveau riche, who had walked out of the entrance of the police station, quickly blended into the crowd. He nced back through the rearview mirror of a parked car and noticed several inclothes officers following him. He elerated, crossed the intersection, and just as he stepped onto the opposite side of the road, the green light turned red, trapping the inclothes officers behind the stream of cars. The nouveau riche turned into a few small alleys,pletely disappearing from the inclothes officers view. Inside a telephone booth on the street, he dialed a number, and someone picked up quickly. Hello? His voice was slightly breathless. Im being followed. On the other end, the voice remained calm andposed, without a hint of panic. Dont worry, let them follow. Nowadays, the police focus more on solid evidence than mere confessions. If they cant find any evidence in a few days, theyll naturally give up. However, what surprised him was that they continued to investigate even without any fingerprint evidence. They seemed to believe that Lin Yan held a deep hatred for Gao Qiang. There was a soft chuckle from the other end. The nouveau riche swallowed nervously. So, what should I do then? You go out now. Eat and drink as you normally would these days. Deliberately hiding will only arouse suspicion. The nouveau riche nodded, gripping the receiver tightly. And it seems like theyre really together. There was silence for three seconds. The man tilted his head back and finished his ss of red wine in one gulp. I understand. Outside Lin Yans house. Song Yuhang unbuckled her seatbelt. When are you going to call Lin Ge and ask him out for a meal? Lin Yan nced at her wristwatch. How about now? Its just a little past nine, so hes probably still awake. It was the perfect time since she hadnt had a chance to rify some things with Song Yuhang earlier. Alright, put it on speakerphone. I wont say anything. Lin Yan clicked her tongue. Are you going to interrogate me too? Good point. Lets interrogate each other in bed. Lin Yan swung her bag over and threw a yful remark, Youre panting just from being called fat. Coincidentally, the call connected, and Song Yuhang watched as Lin Yan cleared her throat and activated the speakerphone. Hello, Lin Ge, its me. Are you free tomorrow? I want to visit Auntie and have a meal together. Lin Ges voice sounded a bit hoarse, No rush. Dont make the trip now. Shes currently in an istion ward and wont be able toe home until Friday. Lets meet at home then. Lin Yan pondered for a moment, nced at Song Yuhang, and said, Alright, lets have a meal together tomorrow. Its been so long Lin Ge chuckled softly, Impressive that you still remember me. Alright, where do you want to eat? Do you think Im that heartless? Lin Yan protested yfully, Anything is fine. Its been a while since I had hot pot, so lets go for that. Lin Ge nodded, Sure, you can decide on the venue. Then lets meet tomorrow evening at 8 oclock. Ill message you the details. Dont bete. Deal. I wont bete. After hanging up the phone, Song Yuhang stared at Lin Yan. Lin Yan put her phone back in her bag. Whats wrong? Song Yuhang observed her lips intently. Indeed, youre heartless. What kind of twisted talk is that? Lin Yan chuckled, pushed open the car door, but it wouldnt budge despite her efforts. She turned to look at Song Yuhang. Her gaze was intense. A slight smirk formed at the corner of Lin Yans lips. Arent you going home? Song Yuhang shook her head. Wouldnt Forensic Doctor Lin wee me up for a visit? Breaking through thatyer of pretense, Lin Yan became even more uninhibited. Leaning back in her seat, she raised her eyes to meet Song Yuhangs gaze, a hint of a yful smile ying on her lips. What kind of visit are we talking about here? Her rosy lips slightly parted, exuding a seductive smile that stirred irresistible desires. Song Yuhang leaned in and kissed her, saying, Well, theyre both verbs, no difference. Though Song Yuhang was a novice, she quickly caught on, and the two of them engaged in a passionate exchange, with no distinction between who was leading and who was following. The position was somewhat inconvenient, so Song Yuhang reached out and pulled her over from the passenger seat. Lin Yans breath grew ragged as she gripped Song Yuhangs shoulders, instinctively feeling that if they continued like this, she wouldnt be able to get up tomorrow. You can sleep at my ce, but no touching. Song Yuhang was caught up in the moment, unbuttoning her shirt with a bite. Then I wont sleep. Ill stay in the car. You Lin Yan was about to explode with anger. She shook her shoulders and shouted, Are you f***ing trying to exhaust me? Song Yuhang chuckled, pressing her forehead against hers. Alright, alright, I wont do it. Lets go upstairs. Lin Yan rummaged through her belongings to find toiletries for her. If youre going to stay over frequently, well need to get some more things, especially since you keep wearing my clothes to work every day. Feng Jianguo had been acting all grumpy and scowling at her these past few days, but Lin Yan didnt really care. If they transferred her away, the Jiangcheng City Bureaus Technical Investigation Department could finally shut down for good. Song Yuhang chuckled. You always think things through. Lin Yan handed her the new pajamas. Im going to take a shower first. Do as you please. Dont you want to join me? Song Yuhang asked in return. Lin Yan directly tossed a towel in her face and angrily mmed the bathroom door shut. Get lost!!! Song Yuhang shrugged helplessly, ced the towel and pajamas neatly on the sofa, and decided to wear them after her shower. She then surveyed the entire vi. Every day during the daytime, housekeepers came to clean, so it was spotless without a speck of dust. The floor was so clean that it could reflect ones likeness, not a single strand of hair in sight. The marble tiles reflected a cold light under the stark white glow of the chandelier. Song Yuhang shook her head, reached for the wallmp, turned off the overhead lights, and switched to a warm yellow light. The atmosphere instantly became cozy. She also turned on the central air conditioning, setting the heating to afortable 28 degrees Celsius. Lin Yan really didnt know how to live. Such a good house was wasted on her. Her gaze passed through the French windows and looked outside, where a few roses and wintersweets swayed in the cold wind in the courtyard. Song Yuhang hurriedly put on slippers and ran outside, picking a few flowers and plucking a few wild daisies from the corner to use as decoration. When she returned, she rummaged through Lin Yans well-stocked liquor cab and found a suitable bottle to use as a vase. She cleaned it, trimmed the flower stems, and ced them in the vase on the counter. With a snow-white tablecloth spread out, the ambiance immediately became different. Song Yuhang took a step back to admire her masterpiece, feeling very satisfied. She took out her phone from her pocket and pressed the shutter. Seeing that Lin Yan hadnte out yet, she went to wash her hands and prepared a hot cup of milk for her to drink before going to bed. She also checked the refrigerator to see what vegetables were avable for tomorrows breakfast. Although she didnt cook, chefs often came by, and the dishes in the double-door refrigerator were still quite abundant. Song Yuhang took out a piece of chicken breast to thaw and washed some cherry tomatoes. They could also be eaten as fruitter. She noticed fresh mangoes in a basket nearby. After some thought, she decided to make a milk custard for her. It was nutritious and delicious. Lin Yan was picky with her food, and she was afraid in milk wouldnt suit her taste. When Lin Yan finished showering and came out with her hair towel-dried, Song Yuhang was beating eggs in a bowl. After a period of intensive culinary training, her movements had be quite skilled. At first nce, with the warm yellow light, the neatly spread tablecloth, and the fresh flowers emitting a subtle fragrance on the counter, Lin Yan thought she had walked into the wrong house. Song Yuhang heard the movement and turned to look at her. Im making ate-night snack. Go blow-dry your hair, and well be able to eat soon. What are you making? I cant eat too much, Lin Yan muttered, walking closer to her and raising her chin to rest it on Song Yuhangs shoulder. Song Yuhang tilted her head slightly and smiled. You have to eat. You need to gain some weight. Lin Yan wrinkled her nose. No, I have the demeanor of a semi-public figure. Song Yuhang clicked her tongue and fed her a piece of diced mango. When you were publicly insulting people and engaging in public disys of affection, why didnt you think about your demeanor as a public figure? For some reason, the food she made always suited Lin Yans taste. Lin Yan took a bite and opened her mouth for more. Song Yuhang helplessly covered the bowl. She hadnt cut much to begin with and fed Lin Yan thest piece. Alright, no more. We still need it for the steamed custardter. Lin Yan seemingly obediently nodded, but in reality, she licked the juice from Song Yuhangs fingertips clean. Song Yuhang remembered the softness within Lin Yans body, her gaze slightly darkening. She turned her face slightly stiffly and turned on the stove. After ten minutes, turn off the heat. Oh well, Ill go take a shower first. You can turn it off when its ready. With that, Song Yuhang took off her apron and ced it on the counter, hastily running into the bathroom. Watching her hurriedly escaping figure, a slight curve formed at the corner of Lin Yans lips. Usually, when she came home alone, she either immersed herself in theboratory or went straight to bed after drinking, or she wouldnte home at all. There were rarely such serene nights. Lin Yan leaned against the sofa, towel-drying her hair. The floor-to-ceiling curtains were drawn, and the gas stove simmered with a bubbling sound. When Song Yuhang was cooking, she had also turned on the projector with the volume set low, ying an art film. On the table, there were freshly washed cherry tomatoes. Lin Yan sat cross-legged on the sofa, watching the movie and popping one into her mouth, feeling extremely content. After a while, the sound of steam escaping from the pot in the kitchen reached her ears. Lin Yan muttered, Oops, and without even having time to put on her shoes, she ran barefoot towards the kitchen. Song Yuhang was justing out of the bathroom. Dont Lin Yan instantly retracted her hand like a lightning bolt, her eye sockets turning red from the burn. Song Yuhang hurriedly ran over and turned off the stove, then twisted the faucet open and ced Lin Yans fingers under the cool water stream. Didnt I tell you to wait for me toe out and turn it off? Mm, I was too hasty Lin Yan whispered, pressing her scalded fingertips against her cold earlobe. She was still wearing a loose robe, making her look petite. Its okay, no blisters. It will be better tomorrow. Song Yuhangs gaze fell on her bare feet, and she lifted her up in her arms. Lin Yan
LP: Not very subtle there, author I have the feeling that Lin Ge is gonna be the final boss
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Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 81-2 Chapter 81-2 Snowy Night Sheined as she walked, When will I be able to have some peace of mind? Remember to turn off the stove before lifting the lid in the future, got it? Lin Yan nodded and grabbed her ear, shouting, Got it! Song Yuhang threw the person onto the sofa with a thud, her ears turning red. She coldly went to clean up the mess she had left in the kitchen. In Lin Yans short previous life, she had never experienced such a serene and gentle night. Her life was mostly filled with danger and twists. When she was young, she was unruly and attracted many troublemakers from outside of school. She didnt like to join gangs, so going to and from school was the most dangerous time for her. She often ran through the streets and alleys with her backpack, or she would be blocked at the entrance of an alley and beaten up. The reasons she fought were simply because she didnt like the look of someone, while the reasons others fought her were usually because she had offended some good-looking guy. If there were too many people, she couldnt win, so she would wait for someone to be alone, pick up a brick, and smash their head until it bled. After fighting, she would run away and never linger in battle. As a result, the gangsters from various universities in Jiangcheng City hated her to the core. She skipped sses, arrivedte, left early, and her grades plummeted. She smoked, yed cards, and surfed the inte, engaging in all sorts of mischief. She had prematurely immersed herself in society, leading a turbulent and chaotic life. Thest time she watched a movie like this, head-to-head with someone, was shortly after she met Chunan. But at that time, they werent as close as they are now. She forgot the reason, but Lin Youyuan cut off her allowance, leaving her with no money. So she and Chunan sneaked into the cinema without paying. She had already forgotten what movie they watched that day. She only remembered the curiosity and anticipation on Chunans face when she yed with the projector, as well as the joy and excitement when she saw the images appearing on the big screen. Their small hands held each other. They sat in front of the glowing screen. Chunans face was filled with excitement. Lin Yan, this is my first time watching a movie. Really? Then welle here often in the future. A young Lin Yan rubbed her nose and didnt tell Chunan that it was also her first time. She wasnt favored in the Lin family, and no one would take her to the movies. Unfortunately, the good times didntst long. They were soon discovered by the cinema manager who chased them out. They were driven out of the street, with the threat of calling the police and throwing them into prison. The manager maliciously cursed their entire family. Chen Chunan was on the verge of tears. Lin Yan grabbed a handful of sand from the ground and threw it at the manager. She knocked the old man down into a pile of garbage, covered his head with a bucket, and unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks, especially targeting his lower body. Before the police arrived, she grabbed Chen Chunan and ran away quickly. Song Yuhang held her in her arms as they sat on the sofa, watching the scene in the movie where two girls in dresses held hands and ran. She kissed her hair and asked her. I havent asked you before, but was Chunan your first love? If she was, Lin Yan would never forget and would continue seeking justice for fourteen years. This kind of love would be deeply engraved in her heart, so how could she easily ept someone else? This had always been a question in Song Yuhangs mind, but she hadnt had the opportunity to ask. Now the atmosphere was just right, and Lin Yan was rtively calm. Finally, she asked. Lin Yan looked up at her and shook her head firmly, saying softly, Its precisely because she wasnt my first love that I hold onto it so tightly, seeking justice for her. At that time, my life was a mess. If it werent for her, I might be in prison right now. Let alone sitting here and bing a forensic scientist, having the identity and status I have now. She was the person who dispelled all my clouds, my hope, my redemption. After many years, when Lin Yan mentioned her, her eyes still slightly reddened, and her voice became hoarse. But we didnt have that kind of rtionship. I was very ignorant at that time, I didnt know any better. By the time I understood, it was already toote. Perhaps everyone should have someone like that in their life. Not a lover, not a partner, never embraced or kissed, never engaged in anything ambiguous, and maybe they havent even met in person. They are only connected by an inte connection, but it doesnt hinder them from bing a significant presence in each others lives, providing wisdom,panionship, warmth, or hope. No matter when you think about it, as long as you have someone like that by your side, the world gains an extrayer of vibrant colors, and even those wild and passionate days of youth be endearing. Chen Chunan was such a presence. Lin Yans affection for her epassed all of the above, but it didnt involve sex or love. In that case, how could it be called first love? This is just a small part of everyones life story concerning youth. For Lin Yan, Chen Chunans untimely death added to her regrets. Just as she had once said, why cant the beauty stay in the world while darkness inevitably devours humanity? This was inherently unfair, and every time she had a midnight reverie and recalled her friends tragic death, Lin Yan would toss and turn in restless sleep. This lingering resentment became a stubborn thorn in her heart, causing her unbearable pain. Song Yuhang understood. She held Lin Yans head and pressed her into her embrace, caressing her hair. I came toote. Late in not bing her childhood sweetheart,te in not apanying her through the tumultuous teenage years, and not having the chance to travel overseas with her. Song Yuhang even regretted bringing up this topic. Im sorry, I The person buried in her embrace moved slightly, raised her gaze to look at her. Tears still lingered in the corners of her eyes, but there was a smile on her face. She gently pulled her down. Its not toote. This is just right. Whenever she fell into the abyss, there were always a pair of hands firmly pulling her out. In her youth, it was Chen Chunan, and in her young adulthood, it was Song Yuhang. How many people in the world were fortunate enough to constantly encounter those who treated them kindly? Being ignorant of love and filled with thorns earlier, and Song Yuhangsck of understanding of love in her youth, it didnt necessarily lead to the best oue. And now, at this stage of their lives, they both understood each others desires and could fulfill them. What Lin Yan offered was not just her lips but also her battered and broken yet untainted heart. What Song Yuhang gave her was her loyal faith, fearless love, and an innocent heart untarnished by worldly affairs. The sound of fabric rubbing against each other filled the air, and Song Yuhang gently responded to her. The words from the TV gradually became inaudible. Outside, snow had started falling, the first snow of the winter. It was said that encountering the first snow brought luck for the entire year. Inside the warm room separated by curtains, Lin Yan looked out from the corner of her clothes and saw snowkes drifting under the streetlights through the gaps. She mumbled indistinctly, Its snowing. Song Yuhang nced back and buried herself again, saying, Hmm Its too cold. Lets not go out. Although thats what she said, Lin Yan couldnt resist her coaxing and insistence. The two of them dressed up and went out to y for a while. That night, when Lin Yan returned from outside, she soaked her feet and fell into a deep sleep. For the first time, she didnt drink, take medication, or engage in any pre-sleep activities. Song Yuhang carried her onto the bed, dimmed the bedsidemp to its lowest setting, and nestled into the nkets, holding her close. Someone who was never enthusiastic about sharing their life had their first update. I will always be loyal to the ideal and you. The phone on the bedside table made a ding-dong sound, indicating a special notification. Ji Jingxing reached for the phone, unlocked the screen, and saw a photo, instantly feeling an indescribable sensation. The photo showed a vase quietly ced under the dim yellow light, a thoughtfulness she had never experienced before. Two pairs of fluffy couple slippers ced together. And Lin Yan standing under a streetmp, wearing a knitted hat, blowing snowkes towards the camera. Ji Jingxing closed her eyes for a moment, and her fingertip moved to the trash can icon. Remove from special notifications? She steeled her heart, clicked confirm, tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. She turned around and hugged her daughter tightly, gently patting her back to lull her to sleep. In the days that followed, Song Yuhang never expected that she and Lin Yan would rely on this sentence to withstand the insults and attacks from others, the protests and misunderstandings from family members, the instigations from adversaries, the breakdown of rtionships, and the storms of bullets and years of hardships. They escaped death multiple times and finally achieved a happy ending. She had only posted three updates in her entire life, and each one was rted to her.
Early morning, as Lin Yan got what she wanted, she ended up oversleeping again, and Song Yuhang had already prepared breakfast. Hurry and eat. Youre going to bete again. She didnt bother herst night, and Lin Yan slept quite well. She still had some appetite and ate a sandwich and a small bowl of sd. Song Yuhang didnt let her eat anymore and handed her a half-filled ss of milk. The sd is a bit cold. I wont eat it. Lets go after I finish the milk. Lin Yan protested loudly, but she was scolded early in the morning by Song Yuhang who pressed her firmly against the table to educate her. This time they were trulyte. However, beingte and leaving early was amon urrence for Lin Yan. But, Song Yuhang was already a senior official, so no one dared to say anything. When they entered the police station together, they naturally went their separate ways without acknowledging each other. During the meeting, Lin Yan continued to mock and ridicule Song Yuhang with raised eyebrows and sarcastic remarks, and Song Yuhang didnt back down either. They exchanged heated words, sttering saliva on the faces of those below them. On the surface, it seemed like they couldnt get along, but when it came to lunchtime, they mysteriously disappeared together. Either Song Yuhang woulde out of her office with her cor neatly adjusted, or Lin Yan woulde out supporting her waist alone. When it was time to leave in the afternoon, Lin Yan left as usual, punctual to the minute. Song Yuhang, with her hands in her pockets and a nk expression on her face, walked past her without a nce. Neither of them looked at each other, toozy to even exchange a nce. In reality, Song Yuhang whispered with a voice only she could hear, Ille to your ce tonight. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow, revealing a cold smile, and walked away in high heels. After a while, Lin Yan grew a bit impatient waiting in the car. Song Yuhang had changed her clothes and finally opened the car door to sit inside. Lin Yan nced back at her, No one following you, right? Song Yuhang smiled and fastened her seatbelt, Anyone who can follow me without me noticing probably hasnt been born yet. Lin Yan snorted and stepped on the elerator, The ce is already set. Its still early. Theres a mall downstairs. Lets go shopping and buy some things. Song Yuhang always listened to her, except when it was necessary for her to maintain the necessary dignity and face as the captain of the criminal investigation team. Sure, lets go. Buy some hand sanitizers so that we dont have to run to wash our hands every time we feel like it Lin Yan tilted the steering wheel and almost veered onto another road, frustratedly saying, Song Yuhang, cant you think of something other than that all day long?! After finishing shopping at the mall, Song Yuhang happily carried the hand sanitizer she wanted, along with arge bag of shopping bags, and put them all in the trunk of the car before locking it. The two of them walked upstairs to the hot pot restaurant together. To their surprise, Lin Ge was already waiting there. The pot was already boiling, and Lin Ge knew that she couldnt handle spicy food well, so he ordered a half spicy and half non-spicy hot pot. When he heard some movement at the entrance of the private room, Lin Ge stood up, but he didnt expect that it would be the two of them entering together. Song Yuhang had her arm around Lin Yans shoulder, not in the casual manner of friends, but slightly lower, as if protecting her. She let Lin Yan enter first and even thoughtfully pulled out her chair for her. Lin Ge pulled out a chair, but Lin Yan didnt take a seat. Instead, she sat a bit farther away. The two of them sat opposite him. Lin Yan spoke first, Brother, I ran into Officer Song on the way. Do you mind having one more person? Lin Ge smiled and instructed the waiter to bring an extra set of bowls and chopsticks, Why would I mind? After all, Miss Song and I are also friends. The more, the merrier at a hot pot meal. He handed the menu over, saying, I just ordered a few dishes. Take a look and let me know what else you want. Lin Yan took the menu and ordered some vegetables and meats that another person would enjoy. Lin Ge handed the menu to the waiter and said, Start serving now. Okay, Mr. Lin. During the meal, they had some casual conversations, including updates on Lin Ges mothers condition. Lin Ge reached out to pour them some wine, but Song Yuhang quickly covered Lin Yans ss with her hand. We wont drink alcohol. How about some fruit juice? We have work tomorrow. Lin Yan stared at her with a fierce look: I want to drink, sister. Song Yuhang squeezed her hand under the table and whispered, Shut up. You can drink at home. Lin Ge was slightly startled and poured himself a ss, saying, Alright, then Ill drink. Song Yuhang raised her ss, Fruit juice instead of wine. Cheers. Lin Yan twitched the corner of her mouth and picked at her food with a disdainful look. After a few rounds of drinks and tasting various dishes, she finally didnt forget the main topic. Brother, do you know that Gao Qiang? Lin Yan tentatively asked. Lin Ge furrowed his brow and asked instinctively, Who? She asked subconsciously. She nced at Song Yuhang . Lin Yan slowly helped him recall as she bit her chopsticks, Hes the one who danced with me at your birthday banquet, the one who tried to take advantage of me. Lin Ge suddenly realized, Oh, him. I almost forgot. I dont remember which friend brought him. We only met once. What about him? I heard the news recently that his family went bankrupt. Did he harass you again? Lin Ge tightened his grip on his wine ss, Anyone who dares to harass you, Ill break their legs. Lin Yanughed, Oh please, its not that easy to harass me. One move from that bastard and he would be knocked down. No, I was just curious and casually asking. Song Yuhang observed their interactions and expressions, wless and impable. Lin Yan then tactfully asked where he was on the evening of January 15th, and he replied that he was at the hospital apanying his mother for a check-up. With that, there was no time for him tomit the crime. Lin Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and raised her fruit juice ss to clink it with Lin Ges. Cheers. Song Yuhang also took a sip. Just as she sat down, her phone rang, and seeing the name on the screen, she didnt feel like answering. Lin Yan nced at her, her smile turning somewhat cold. Song Yuhang ended the call. Ji Jingxing called her three times. Lin Yan nonchntly turned her face away. Answer it. What if its something urgent? Lin Ge paused with his chopsticks, watching them. Song Yuhang thought for a moment, preparing to answer, but the call got disconnected. Then, immediately after, a call came in from the municipal bureau. As soon as the other party spoke a sentence, she stood up abruptly. What?! Xiao Wei is missing?! In her anxiety, she couldnt help but nce at Lin Yan. Lin Yan pursed her lips, her expression serious, and nodded, gesturing for her to go ahead. Song Yuhang then rushed out while firing a series of questions: When was the case reported? Who reported it? Have they found the person now?! The voice of the operator also sounded a bit anxious. She went missing four hours ago. The case was reported by the mother of the person involved. When we entered it into the system and checked, we found a connection with you so we quickly called you. Song Yuhang closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and forced herself to calm down. She pushed open the doors of the shopping mall. Start reviewing the surveince footage. Ill be back immediately.
LP: Sus (_ )
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Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 82-1 Chapter 82-1 Hotpot After Song Yuhang left, Lin Yan couldnt sit still. She picked up her bag and intended to leave, saying, Brother, Im sorry for todays meal. Ill make it up to you another day. Lin Ge also stood up. The situation had happened too suddenly, and he still held the chopsticks in his hand. Um Yanyan, actually, Ive been wanting to ask, are you two together now? Lin Yan slowly turned around and looked at him, with a slightly unnatural expression on her face. Why why are you asking like this? Lin Ge smiled bitterly and put down his chopsticks. When you like someone, even if you cover your mouth, it can still be seen in your eyes. Lin Yan was someone he had watched grow up since childhood. Although they often joked around, he had never seen that kind of affectionate look in her eyes, let alone someone putting their hand on her shoulder. Thest time someone did that, she dislocated his arm, and it was him who stepped in to smooth things over. Lin Ge was not a fool, and he had a keen understanding of worldly matters. He had known for a long time that there was someone in Song Yuhangs heart, but he didnt expect that person to be his beloved sister. Since he had said so, Lin Yan felt that there was no need to hide anything. However, she felt somewhat guilty towards Lin Ge. After all, Song Yuhang has almost be her sister-inw, wasnt she? I was the one who acted shamelessly in this matter. Dont me Song Yuhang. And as for how we got together, it was me who pursued her first. Brother, are you not mad at me anymore? Lin Ge sat back down and put the cooked meat into his bowl. Mad? My sister stole my blind date partner. Its like a ridiculous melodrama, but He changed the topic. As long as youre happy. Is Song Yuhang treating you well? Perhaps driven by guilt, Lin Ge, who was usually sensitive, didnt notice that he had just mentioned Song Yuhangs name directly. Lin Yan nodded, and an unconscious sweet smile appeared on her face when he mentioned her. It was the look of someone deeply immersed in love. Lin Ge pressed his lips with a tissue and picked up a piece of beef tripe. Treating you well, and yet she left with just a phone call? Talking about this, Lin Yan also became somewhat worried. Xiao Weis mother may not be great, but the child is innocent. Its different this time. There was a real urgent matter. After all, her sister is her only family. Lin Ge looked up at her. And youre my only sister. He often said these words, whether it was when they were young and she was being mistreated by Lin Cheng, or when they grew up and she broke ties with the family. Lin Ge was the only person who stood by her side. She would always remember that year when she turned eighteen. She didnt follow Lin Youyuans arranged choices for her college major, and Lin Youyuan flew into a rage, threatening to kick her out of the house. Just like now, Lin Ge knelt down in front of Lin Youyuan with a thud and pleaded, Uncle, please dont. I only have Lin Yan as my sister. That scene would forever be etched in her heart. Lin Yan smiled and said, Tsk, acting all affectionate like a girl. Im getting goosebumps. No matter who Im with, I only have you as my brother. If Lin Cheng were still alive, he wouldnt deserve that title. After saying that, Lin Yan nced at her watch. She really had to leave. I treated you to this meal today, dont fight over it with me. See you on Friday. Lin Ge nodded silently, not saying anything further, as gentle as always. Take care on the way. Lin Yan pushed open the door of the private room and walked away. Behind her, Lin Ge put down his chopsticks, wiped his hands, and pondered over that word: Brother
The two of them returned to the municipal police station, one in front and the other behind. Ji Jingxing was sitting on a chair in the reception room. Someone poured her a cup of hot water, but she didnt drink it. She kept fidgeting with a handkerchief, her eyes reddened, looking lost and distraught. Where is she?! Song Yuhang rushed in, covered in snow. Shes in the reception room. As soon as Ji Jingxing saw her, it was as if she had found her lifeline. She rushed over and tightly held Song Yuhangs hand. Yuhang, Yuhang, Xiao Wei Time was pressing, and Song Yuhang didnt have time for small talk. She got straight to the point. When did she go missing? How did she disappear? Where was shest seen? Tell me quickly! Ji Jingxing forced her eyes shut for a moment, and a tear rolled down her cheek. I I She finishes her calligraphy ss at 3:30 in the afternoon. I told her to wait for me at the cram school, around 4 oclock. I left thepany to pick her up. Despite the urgency, Ji Jingxing managed to maintain herposure. She knew she couldnt panic now. She had to disclose all the facts so that Song Yuhang could piece together the clues and find Xiao Wei. When I arrived at the cram school, it was around 4:15, Ji Jingxing said, remembering clearly because she always wore a watch. The teacher at the cram school said Xiao Wei left by herself. I was furious because we agreed that I would pick her up. Shes only in first grade. How could I let her go out alone? Song Yuhang pinched her brow. Get to the point. After she went out alone, you couldnt contact her anymore? Ji Jingxing nodded, releasing Song Yuhangs hand. She clumsily fumbled through her bag and handed her the phone, looking anxious with tear-stained cheeks. Its all my fault my fault Ji Jingxing sobbed, feeling lost and desperate. I should have gone to pick her up earlier. I just thought thought about taking on more cases so I could take her on a trip abroad when the year-end performance evaluations came Shes always wanted to go to Disnend Song Yuhang knew that Ji Jingxing had given Xiao Wei a small mobile phone early on for easymunication. She stood up, pressed the dial button, and called Xiao Wei. The receiver emitted a cold system prompt tone. Sorry, the phone you dialed is turned off. Song Yuhang felt a throbbing sensation in her temples. She was consumed with worry and pointed at Ji Jingxing, shouting, Its been four hours! What were you doing all this time?! Youre only reporting it now?! In the field of criminal investigation, there is a concept known as the golden three hours when ites to locating missing children. Within these three hours, employing the ten people, four pursuit method maximizes the chances of finding the missing child. After these three hours, the vast city of Jiangcheng bes like searching for a needle in the sea. Within this time frame, criminals could have already taken the child to the provincial capital! Im sorry, Im sorry, I Ji Jingxings delicate makeup was smeared by tears. She ran all the way here, her neatly arranged hair bing disheveled, and there was dust on the sleeves of her suit jacket. She had even lost one of her high heels. Upon hearing Song Yuhangs words, her body went weak, and she felt dizzy. Song Yuhang quickly reached out to support her, and Ji Jingxing fell into her embrace, tears streaming down her face. I I searched I searched I didnt want to bother you but I had no other choice thats why I came to report the case Song Yuhang remembered the argument on the street that night, the harsh words she had said to Ji Jingxing, and the fact that she had ignored the three phone calls Ji Jingxing made to her. She let out a sigh, feeling somewhat guilty. She pulled out a tissue from the table and handed it to Ji Jingxing, her tone softening slightly, and helped her sit down on a chair. Wait here for a moment. I will inform you if theres any news. With that, she turned around and walked straight to the training room, making arrangements as she went. Field team, with the location of the disappearance as the center, conduct an urgent search radiating within a five-kilometer radius from the north, south, east, and west directions along the main roads. The patrol cars stationed on the street received the order and swiftly raced across the road. Field Team 2, go to the long-distance termnals, train station, bus station, tourist information centers, and other ces to search for the person. Field Team 3 She pressed her throbbing head and walked into the training room, stating Ji Jingxings home address, Send two people to stake out at the entrance of Building 48 in Jinrui Residential Area. The child knows the way, so check if she has returned home. Song Yuhang licked her dry lips, knowing deep down that this hope was too slim. She also instructed another team to stay at the location where Ji Jingxing disappeared from the cram school. Just in case Xiao Wei returns there. The remaining team rushed to Ji Jingxings workce and kept watch downstairs. Half of the Jiangcheng Police Bureaus manpower had been deployed. Song Yuhang once again stood in front of therge screen, observing the surveince footage. Lin Yan, seeing her busyness and witnessing the scene where Song Yuhang held Ji Jingxing just now, wisely chose not to disturb her and pulled a smile before returning to his technical investigation. Whether it was investigation and arrest or surveince, it had nothing to do with technical investigation anyway. Lin Yan changed into a white coat and went to do what she had to do. With all themotion outside, Fang Xin in theboratory also heard about it. Seeing her voluntarilying back to work overtime was even more surprising. Sister Lin, did you spend the whole day doing experiments and strained your eyes? Lin Yanzily took out a test tube from the constant temperature incubator. Well, youre not mistaken. The genuine Lin Yan is back. Tsk, dont you usually leave right after work? Fang Xin teased her. Lin Yan felt annoyed. Its just that If that sly fox spirit wasnt around, she wouldnt be absentminded for even a moment and would have already thrown herself at Song Yuhang. Who knows what trouble they might have caused when the two of them were alone. Besides, the child hadnt been found yet, and she couldnt rest assured leaving. She also didnt want to stay in the Criminal Investigation Department and witness their lovey-dovey behavior. So she had no choice but to return to theboratory. Whats wrong? Fang Xin smirked. Lin Yan waved her hand, urging her to leave. Alright, alright. Youve worked a whole day too. Go rest. Ill continue with the pending test results. Thanks to Captain Songs permission, being able to hear these words from her was truly a blessing. Fang Xin tearfully expressed her gratitude. Have you finally shown mercy and stopped endlessly exploiting your employees? Lin Yan used a pipette with a rubber bulb to extract a drop of liquid and ced it on a ss slide. Then she turned around and scolded with a smile, Enough already, hurry up and leave. Dont make someone wait anxiously. Outside the ss door of theboratory, a tall and thin figure could be faintly seen. Duan Cheng excitedly waved at them, as if afraid they wouldnt see him. Having failed at teasing and being teased instead, Fang Xin blushed slightly. She hung her white coat on the hanger, bid farewell to Lin Yan, and swiftly ran out.
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Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 82-2 Chapter 82-2 Hotpot Not long after Fang Xin left, the sound of orderly footsteps echoed in the corridor. It should be the collective mobilization of the criminal investigation team. Have they discovered any leads? As Lin Yan pondered, she continued her experiment absentmindedly. She nced at the microscope in her hand and suddenly stood up with a jolt. This was a highly potent piece of evidence, blood extracted from the pericardium, disying a deep blue color under high magnification. This color was all too familiar to her. The blood of several victims in the White Whale Case contained the same substance. Lin Yan rummaged through the cab and found the examination report from that time. Due to the rudimentary facilities in the municipalboratory, the sample was sent to the provincial headquarters for analysis. As she looked at the seemingly crimson blood in the test tube, a cold sweat broke out on her back. Zheng Chengrui finished his duties and returned from the training room. At a nce, he saw her sitting at her desk, staring at theputer screen and typing. There were several test tubes on the rack beside her. Sister Lin not leaving yet? Not yet, Lin Yan didnt even look back. I have something to take care of. Ill leave when Im done. Oh, Zheng Chengrui, apart from being an otaku, didnt say much. He responded and walked to his own position to retrieve his belongings. The sound of stic bags being opened and the aroma of spicy duck neck filled the air. Sister Lin, want some? Lin Yan has always kept her distance from this kind of junk food and replied impatiently, Get lost, eat it yourself. Finally, seeing hime back, she stopped typing and asked, Is it done? Zheng Chengrui had just been assigned to monitor the situation. Old Zheng nodded, licked his fingers, and rxed by yingputer games. Its over. They found the girl. Guess where they found her? Lin Yan was curious, Where? Unexpectedly, Song Yuhang was quite efficient. In a bookstore not far from the cram school. The little girl went there by herself and spent the whole afternoon reading. The store had the heater on, so it was warm. She fell asleep and didnt wake up until the bookstore was about to close. The clerk finally noticed her, and luckily, we were searching the streets for missing people, so they called the police right away. Lin Yans mouth twitched. She really knows how to cause trouble. She refocused her attention on the report she was working on, with the copy recipient being the Forensic Identification Center of the Provincial Public Security Department. The previous examination report was sent back by the department. Lin Yan wanted to ask them for further verification about some matters, but halfway through typing, she inexplicably felt a chill down her spine. She paused, her finger hovering over the keyboard, as she stared at the words Provincial Public Security Department. Then she pressed the delete key and shifted her gaze to the test tube beside her. Forget it, she wouldnt send this evidence to the department. She would handle it in her own private hospital. ording to the regtions, all evidence properlybeled with clear codes cannot be taken out of the municipal bureau unless it is necessary for the case. Lin Yan picked up the test tube rack and stood up, giving the impression that she was returning things to theboratory. In reality, she turned her back on Zheng Chengrui, avoiding the surveince, and took out a new test tube, slipping the old one into the pocket of her white coat. She walked out as if nothing had happened, draping the white coat over her arm. Old Zheng, Im leaving now. Sure, take care, oh, you dont want the duck neck? Zheng Chengrui was wearing headphones, ying a game. He responded with a few mumbled sounds, but he still remembered to offer her the duck neck. Lin Yan had already walked away in her high heels. Zheng Chengrui took off his headphones, lifted his head from the screen, and stared in the direction she had left, lost in thought.
Lin Yan walked out of the municipal bureau gate and bumped into a deeply emotional melodrama set in misty rain. Song Yuhang squatted down, snowkes scattered on her hair tips as she gently rubbed Xiao Weis face. Xiao Wei, you have to remember, before Mommyes to find you, you must stay in one ce and wait for Mommy, okay? Xiao Wei also knew that she had caused trouble today. With teary eyes and a childish voice, she nodded, I know, Auntie. Xiao Wei wont run around anymore. Song Yuhang stood up and returned the childs walkie-talkie to Ji Jingxing. Remember to charge it in the future, and also She paused slightly. If something like today happens again, you cane to me. Ji Jingxing smiled through tears, gripping her hand and pulling her into an embrace. Her voice choked up. Thank you, thank you, Yuhang. If it werent for you today, I really wouldnt know what to do. If something happened to Xiao Wei how could I face your brother in the future This was the first embrace Ji Jingxing initiated since their argument. Feeling the warmth of tears falling into the nape of her neck, Song Yuhang was momentarily stunned. She gently ced her hand on her back to offerfort. In just a fleeting moment, she was ready to push her away, but before she could make a move, Lin Yan walked over in high heels, strutting with a raised eyebrow and a sarcastic smile on her face. Oh, nowadays even hypocritical green tea b*tches can speak humannguage. When you seduced your own little sister-inw and used your own daughter to vie for favor, why didnt you think about your deceased husband? Her gaze turned towards Song Yuhang, with a somewhat chilly smile. Song Yuhang immediately withdrew her hand and took a step back to demonstrate her innocence. I advise certain people not to be too naive and kind-hearted. Maybe this is just one of the tactics to gain sympathy. The eyes of the guards stationed at the entrance of the municipal bureau all turned towards them. Ji Jingxings face turned red. You, dont talk nonsense When did I Today, I really No matter how confused I am, I would never use my child as a pawn! Lin Yan made a sound of agreement. Well, who knows? Anyway, you have done this more than once or twice. Let me give you some advice too. Even if youre busy with work, take some time to dress up and take a good look at your own haggard face. No wonder nobody has taken an interest in you even after so many years since your husbands death. Its been so long since you opened for business, no wonder you feel empty, lonely, and cold. Thats just Lin Yans personality. Whoever makes her unhappy, she will make them unhappy in return, regardless of the asion or what can or cannot be said. As long as she feels satisfied, venting her frustration is all that matters. Her mouth is notorious for being venomous. Unlike Ji Jingxing, who repeats the same few dirty words when insulting someone, Lin Yan deeply understands the principle of capturing the leader before capturing the enemy and striking at the heart when killing. Every word and sentence she uses aims for the core of Ji Jingxings emotions. Ji Jingxings tears came down in a rush, feeling lost amidst the various gazes around her as she held onto her child. Lin Yan looked at her crying, even more disdainful. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but was forcefully pulled away by someone. Lin Yan, thats enough! Song Yuhang grabbed her arm and pulled her aside. Forgive others when you can! I believe shes not In her anxious state, she lost control and her grip on Lin Yans wrist turned red. Lin Yan nced down at it, her smile bing even colder. Its nothing. If you believe it, what else is there for me to say? Song Yuhang was taken aback, and immediately let go of her. Im sorry, I Lin Yan shook her head, even that usual sarcastic, disdainful, mocking smile disappeared. She became unusually calm. You dont have to apologize to me. You can justify yourself to everyone else, but Song Yuhang, isnt your heart too big? Can it amodate so many people? Im quite curious. If one day you had to choose between me and that mother-daughter duo, who would you choose? Song Yuhang felt somewhat fearful when she saw Lin Yans unusually calm expression. It would have been better to just scold her outright. Shaking her head, she followed Lin Yans footsteps. That wont happen, there wont be such a day. If there were, I Before she could finish her sentence, Lin Yans chauffeur had already driven up in the car. She opened the door and got in, not giving her a chance toplete her words. Im tired. Anyway, Ive scolded you, and Ive vented my anger. Thats it. Donte to my house. I dont need yourfort. Today, I want to sleep alone. Song Yuhang pulled the car door slightly, but it didnt budge. Lin Yan turned her head and instructed the driver to start the car, leaving Song Yuhang far behind. Song Yuhang took a couple of steps, gasping for breath with her hands on her knees. Ji Jingxing walked up, holding her trembling child, and handed her a tissue, gesturing for her to wipe her sweat. Song Yuhang waved her hand and stood upright, looking at her. Although I dont agree with the insults she said, theres one thing I think shes right about. She nced at Xiao Wei, who was shivering in her mothers arms. You dont have to torment yourself like this. Find someone reliable to apany you, for Xiao Weis sake as well. If its really too much for you, when youre busy, you can let my mom pick up and drop off Xiao Wei. She would probably be happy to do that kind of work. At the beginning, Ji Jingxing insisted on not remarrying. She thought her brother had deep affection for her, and she was afraid that Xiao Wei would suffer with a stepfather. After so many years, she had witnessed all the hardships and bitterness of raising Xiao Wei alone. Song Yuhang couldnt bear to advise her, but that didnt mean there werent excellent people pursuing her. It wasnt until now, with everything that had happened recently, that she suddenly realized it would be good to have another person taking care of and protecting Xiao Wei. It would also relieve some of the pressure on Ji Jingxing, but the prerequisite was that the person had to be reliable. Because she was a single mother, Xiao Wei hadnt had summer and winter vacations since kindergarten. When she had time off, Ji Jingxing was still working, so she enrolled her in numerous tutoring sses. Todays calligraphy practice was just one of them. Song Yuhang crouched down and rubbed Xiao Weis head. Youve worked hard, Xiao Wei. Xiao Wei threw herself into her arms, wiping her tears on Song Yuhangs sleepwear. Auntie, Xiao Wei isnt tired or worn out. Today, really, really, I was just too sleepy and fell asleep I was wrong, Im sorry, Auntie, Im sorry, Mommy. I wont dare to do it again, I wont run out alone anymore. Can you two stop fighting, okay? Song Yuhang rubbed her head and helped her up. Be a good girl and go home with Mommy. Auntie and Mommy arent fighting. We just had a disagreement about some concepts, but it has nothing to do with you. Xiao Wei Song Yuhang held her cold hand and patted it, intertwining her pinky finger with hers. No matter what happens between me and Mommy, Xiao Wei, always remember that Auntie loves you. Xiao Weis innocent eyes seemed to not fully understand what was being said, but she nodded heavily. Yeah, okay, Xiao Wei loves Auntie too. Song Yuhang stood up and directed her words at Ji Jingxing, Since you have a car, I wont send you back. Take some time to think about it. This isnt a sustainable way to go on. Its not just hard on yourself, but also on Xiao Wei. Theres no need for that. After saying her piece, she turned around and walked away to her own car to chase after Lin Yan. She took a couple of steps but then turned back. Under the streetlight, her slender figure was reflected on the umted snow. Song Yuhang revealed a slightly shy and timid smile, the first one today. By the way, Lin Yan and I are getting married next year. Youre wee toe.
Miss, should we go back to the vi? the driver turned his head and asked. Lin Yan looked at the street scene flowing past the car window, with a hint of loneliness in her expression. No, lets go to the Taian Mental Hospital. Song Yuhang might be waiting for her at the vi gate right now, and she didnt want to see her for the time being. Lin Yan squeezed her shoulder bag, besides, there were more important matters to attend to at the moment.
LP: Poor Xiao Wei :((
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Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 83-1 Chapter 83-1 Lead Taian Mental Hospital. Is she asleep? Lin Yan looked inside through the gap above the iron door. She saw Aunt Chen lying on the bed, with an IV stand next to it. The bottle on top was already half empty. The director followed beside her, speaking respectfully, She took her medicine and went to sleep, Miss. She willingly took the medicine? The doctor sighed, We crushed the medicine and mixed it with her food to feed her. Otherwise, she wouldnt take it. A worried expression clouded Lin Yans brow. Does she still have a chance to recover? The director, in his forties, used to be the head of the psychiatric department in arge public hospital in China before joining here. He shook his head and said, The chances are slim. Considering her age, we can only hope to dy the progression of her condition and reduce rpses. Lin Yan herself was considered half a doctor. Seven years ago, when she was found in China through someones connection, she was even worse than she is now, hiding under a bridge. It was impossible to tell her gender, let alone recognize her as a human. Over the past seven years, she had exhausted every medical method, conventional and unconventional, physical and psychological, various cutting-edge medications, and advanced technologies. But Aunt Chen could only recover to a state of intermittent rity and confusion. She was far from meeting the criteria for discharge and recovery from mental illness. As her age gradually increased, variousplications followed, such as hypertension, heart disease, anemia, gastric ulcers, and so on. In her youth, she had suffered a lot in search of Chunan, and in her old age, her body gradually deteriorated. Aging was something that humans couldnt prevent no matter what. Lin Yans heart trembled as she looked at her graying hair, saying, Open the door. I want to go in and see her. The director hesitated, Miss, its too dangerous After all, she was a mentally ill patient. Open the door, she said in an upromising tone. The directors scalp tingled, and he had no choice but to take the key and open the door for her. Lin Yan walked in but suddenly remembered something. She took out a test tube from her shoulder bag and handed it to him. Find someone to do the test. Do it in our ownboratory. I want to see the test results within three days at thetest. The director received the test tube with both hands. Yes, Miss. After the director left, he left the key with her. There wasnt even a chair in the psychiatric ward where the patient was kept. Lin Yan squatted down by the bed, surveying her face lined with wrinkles. She gentlybed the white hair stuck to her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. Perhaps due to the medication, Aunt Chen was sleeping soundly. As she continued to look at her, memories of her first visit to the Chen family over a decade ago inevitably came to mind. Two people shared a worn-out umbre and ran through the muddy path. Mischievous neighborhood kids pointed and whispered behind them. Hey, isnt that the child from the murderers family? How dare shee back. Like mother, like daughter. The offspring of a mouse knows how to dig holes. Dont be fooled by her good grades. She might be up to something. Youre not allowed to y with her, understand? Thats right, lets go, dont look back. Go home and have dinner. If they hear you, they mighte after you with a knife. You wont even have a ce to cry. Lin Yan wanted to run into the rain. Chen Chunan firmly grabbed her sleeve. Lin Yan, what are you doing?! Are you just going to let them say those things about you? Young Lin Yan had a righteous and fearless temperament, like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers. Although she wasnt close to Chen Chunan before, she was now wearing her clothes around her waist and naturally couldnt stand idly by. She was always clear about right and wrong. Whoever treated her well, she would treat them well in return. Chen Chunan shook her head, closed the umbre, and pushed open the old wooden door of her own home. Im used to it. There was no sign of sadness or distress on her face, as if she was simply remarking on the nice weather today. When she turned to call her mother, her tone became even more cheerful and lively. She truly didnt take those words to heart. Mom, Im back. Mother Chen was cooking, with a coal stove ced next to the window, just sitting on the floor. She bent over, struggling as she held thedle. Upon hearing her daughters voice, she turned around but was momentarily stunned. Youre back. And who is this Since her father was imprisoned, no one had ever set foot in their small home. Chen Chunan excitedly pulled Lin Yans arm and pushed her into the middle of the room. Mom, this is Lin Yan, my ssmate. Mother Chen nervously wiped her hands on her apron and greeted her, Please sit, please sit, Lin Yan. I happen to be cooking. Stay and have some food. Lin Yan stood still, not moving or saying anything. On one hand, she was not ustomed to such enthusiasm, and on the other hand Mother Chen noticed her uneasy posture, her face pale, and Chen Chunans school jacket tied around her waist. She understood what was going on. Not feeling well? Girls feel like this the first time they have their period. Auntie will make you a drink with fermented rice and eggs, and the pain will go away. It was the first time twelve-year-old Lin Yan had heard the somewhat unfamiliar term period. A sense of unease swept over her face, as if it was something unforgivable, a great sin. She curled her toes ufortably. She almost wanted to run away immediately. But Chen Chunan, as if experienced, took her behind the curtain surrounding the bed. Mom, Ill take her to change her clothes first. Mother Chen continued cooking and replied, Bring out the new pants I bought for youst time. Let your friend wear them. I think youre about the same height, so they should fit. Chen Chunans school uniform had been washed and worn countless times. Not only were the sleeves and pant legs too short, but they also had patches. On the other hand, Lin Yan was a pretty little girl. Although her new clothes were always dirtied from her fights, the sandals she wore were thetest model seen on television. Chen Chunans mother probably couldnt afford them with her years sry. Chen Chunan dug out the pants from the bottom of the wardrobe, which was actually several stic boxes stacked together. The packaging of the pants had not been opened. Lin Yan caressed them lovingly and gently tore open the stic bag, releasing a strong scent of cheap denim. Chen Chunan felt a slight reluctance but still carefully handed the pants to her. Here, wear these. When she emerged from behind the curtain with a flushed face, several chairs arranged as a makeshift table were already set with food. This home was bare and empty, with no decent ce to sit except for the bed. The walls were patched with newspapers where the paint had peeled off, while the other side was covered with Chen Chunans certificates and awards. Chen Chunan sat cross-legged on the damp and cold floor, and Lin Yan slowly approached. Ill give you another new one tomorrow. No need, its fine as long as its clean. Mother Chen ced the fermented rice and egg dish on the table and pulled out a cushion for her to sit on. Please sit, please sit. Our home is run-down, please dont mind. The food on the table was also extremely simple: white congee with scattered vegetable leaves, a watery soup with only a few grains of rice, dark and salty pickled vegetables, and mantou buns that had been sitting for who knows how long, with mold spots on the white surface. The only thing that still looked somewhat appetizing was the steamed sweet potato. Chen Chunan looked at her bowl of fermented rice and eggs, swallowing her saliva. I can only eat this when I have my period each month. Lin Yan understood that this was an exceptionally precious food for the Chen family, especially for Chen Chunan. Without sitting down, the young Lin Yan stuffed the discarded clothes into her backpack and turned to leave. Im going home. Eh Chunan put down her chopsticks and chased after her, stuffing a thin white item into her hand. Isnt your home far away? Remember to change it on the way. Dont eat anything cold in the next few days. Thats what my mom said. She knows everything. Lin Yan held the sanitary pad as if she were holding a hot potato. She wanted to throw it away but clenched it tightly in her hand. She pushed Chunan away and ran into the rain without looking back. That sanitary pad was the lowest-quality thing Lin Yan had ever used in her life. It was neither soft nor absorbent, not even made of pure cotton. It felt a bit stuffy and ufortable. But she always remembered that pair of pants and the warmth of Chunan handing her the sanitary pad. That memorysted neen years. Mother Chen had also transformed from a kind aunt who knew everything into her current state, a hazy and ghostly figure. Fate can really y tricks on people. Lin Yan forced a smile, lifted her head to hold back her tears, and saw that the IV bag above her was empty. She picked up another bottle from the tray at the head of the bed, carefully observed it under the faint moonlight, and hung it for her again. Turning back, she pressed down the flipped-up tape on her hand one by one, tucked her arm into the nket, adjusted the bedsheet, and then quietly left. When she returned to the entrance of the vi, someone was already waiting for her. Thest time Song Yuhang waited for her like this, it was a night of pouring rain. Now, it was a scene of snowkes covering the mountains and ins. She didnt go in despite having a fingerprint, instead squatting next to the bustling sunflower nursery, smoking a cigarette. The streetlight cast a dim yellow halo on her, and a pile of cigarette buttsy at her feet. Snowkes piled up on her ck hair, and she didnt know how long she had been waiting. From a distance, she almost looked like a snowman. Song Yuhang had spotted the car lights early and threw away her cigarette as she walked up to meet her. She opened the car door for her and even took an umbre from the drivers hand to hold it for her. As soon as she spoke, the snow on her eyebrows and corners of her eyes melted, making her look as if she had been crying. Her nose was red from the cold. Youre back. She didnt ask where she had been. The driver took out the things they had bought together from the trunk, unable to put them down. Some were also ced on the back seat. Lin Yan leaned down to pick it up, but Song Yuhang helped her up and handed her the umbre. You hold it, Ille, Ille. She and the driver carried the things into the lobby, but when they turned back to lock the car and catch up, they found that the ss door of the lobby was locked from the inside. She could enter through the exterior fingerprint lock, but this door inside was locked from the inside, and it was bulletproof ss. She really couldnt get in. Song Yuhang pounded on the door, and the hot breath turned into white mist on the ss. Lin Yan, let me in. Listen to me exin, okay Lin Yan came out of the cloakroom after changing her clothes, wearing a loose robe and barefoot on the floor. She held a fashion magazine in her hand, poured a ss of red wine from the wine cab, and walked to the window, closing the curtains one by one. Out of sight, out of mind. Song Yuhang sighed, leaned against the ss door, and took out a cigarette from her pocket to light it up. When Lin Yan finished her drink and was about to take a shower, she nced through the gap in the curtains. That person was squatting in the courtyard, ying with the snow on the ground and using a twig to write her name. Lin Yan twitched her mouth, thinking how non-mainstream he was, rolled her eyes, and went into the bathroom. After she finished soaking in the bath and applied a face mask, she poured another ss of red wine and headed upstairs. Song Yuhang was exercising in the yard, engaging in high leg runs and one-handed push-ups. Well, she certainly had a lot of energy. It seemed like she wouldnt freeze to death tonight. Lin Yan carried the stemmed ss as she went upstairs and went straight to the attic, locking herself in the darkroom. This was her secret base in the Qingshan Vi. The door was always locked, without any fancy technology. A super-grade C lock was the best anti-theft measure. The darkroom was filled with photographs of various sizes, most of them rted to Chen Chunan. Lin Yan turned on the deskmp, holding the red wine as she approached the wall of clues. There were still traces of her previous markings with a paint pen. In the center, a yellowed photograph of Chunan was pinned with a thumbtack. The rest were scattered clues that didnt form a coherent mind map. However, over the years, she had made some progress. She looked at the ck and white photo of Li Bin and walked up to tear it off. This lead hade to an end. So, who could have possiblye into contact with Chunans body at that time? The person who reported the case? Eyewitnesses? The detective in charge of the investigation? The assistant forensic examiner? The intern forensic examiner? The forensic technician?
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Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 83-2 Chapter 83-2 Lead After all, this is a major and crucial case, and there have been too many people involved. Lin Yan gradually tightened her grip on the slender neck of the tall ss, exerting so much force that her fingertips turned white. She hated herself for not having the ability back then, for being ignorant and unskilled. But now, as long as theres a piece of broken bone, she can extract nearly urate information from it. Song Yuhang had been waiting outside for quite a while. she leaned against the ss door and fell asleep. She was awakened by the cold, sneezed, and even her nasal mucus froze into ice. She rubbed her hands, stood up, and looked around the entire vi. When her gaze fell on the chimney on the roof, she had a sudden idea. Damn it, chasing after a girlfriend is really difficult. I even had to resort to my former secret infiltration skills. Song Yuhang put her fingers on the edge of the chimney and nced down where there was a dim light. She closed her eyes and jumped down. In the moment she sensed movement behind her, the ss fell to the ground, and Lin Yan grabbed her knife and pounced. The paper knife, thin as a cicadas wing, was lightning fast in her hand and instantly pressed against Song Yuhangs face. Song Yuhang fell dizzy and disoriented, only seeing a sh of cold lighting straight towards her neck. Instinctively, she raised her hand to disarm the attack, but Lin Yan was relentless. Recognizing who she was, Lin Yan became even more ruthless in her actions, bending her knee and striking her in the abdomen, causing Song Yuhang to be thrown to the side. Song Yuhangs head hit the ground, but she held onto Lin Yans wrist. Lin Yan, its me Im hitting you. Shouldnt I hit someone who illegally entered a private residence? Lin Yan was slightly out of breath, and the two of them were at a stalemate. But I missed you. Song Yuhang said, shifting the hand holding the knife to the side. Under her pressure, Lin Yan slowly moved back, and the tip of the knife was aimed directly at her eye. I told you, I dont need yourfort. Are you here to seek death? She almost sat on top of her in a triangle choke position, the two of them struggling against each other. Song Yuhang was in a disadvantageous position and didnt want to hurt her. She watched helplessly as the tip of the knife touched her eyelid. She let go of her grip. Come on then. With that, she closed her eyes slightly, ready to be ughtered. Lin Yans hand, clutching the knife handle, began to tremble. She gritted her teeth, looked at the face in front of her, and her eyes reddened slightly. A strong gust of wind hit her. Song Yuhang swallowed nervously, but the anticipated pain didnte. Song Yuhang opened her eyes, and Lin Yan cut a strand of hair from her temple. She threw the knife and stood up. Song Yuhang, this is what you owe me. Song Yuhang felt a pang of sadness in her heart. She got up and chased after her, wanting to grab her sleeve and hold her gently in her arms. I know, Ill repay you slowly throughout my life. Lin Yan pped her away, sparing her in a sense, but the anger wasnt so easily dissipated. Take your cheesy love words and get lost. Song Yuhang was pushed onto the table, and she looked at the wall in front of her, which suddenly shook violently. This is It was theption of clues about the Fenyang Wharf Dismemberment Case. She had painstakingly pieced together this wall over the course of fourteen years. Song Yuhang looked at Lin Yan. The person picked up a cigarette from the table, lit it, took a puff, and rested her hand on the table, studying a map with a furrowed brow. Suddenly, she understood why she had been so irritable just now. Song Yuhang sighed quietly in her heart, walked over to her side, but still didnt dare to stand too close. Even at a distance of a palms length, she carefully examined the yellowed map. It was the city of Jiangcheng fourteen years ago. The Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School was circled with a ck pen. The route taken by Chen Chunan, who was known to have left, was marked with a red pen. But it abruptly stopped not far into the journey. When she appeared in public view again, it was three dayster, turned into a pile of minced meat, picked out from a garbage bin by someone. The dumping site was circled in a mess by Lin Yan with a red pen. Song Yuhang walked around the table, then approached the wall to examine the photos. When she returned to Lin Yans side, she snatched the cigarette from her mouth to her own mouth. Lin Yan raised her hand and delivered a p, and Song Yuhang quickly dodged. Song Yuhang smiled obsequiously, Its not good to smoke too much. Let me help you solve that problem, so it wont go to waste. Lin Yan looked at her with a hint of yful smile on her lips. Do you know that the janitor who identally stumbled upon this cest time is already dead? I can achieve the same dismemberment effect as shown in that picture, or even cleaner, not a single bone fragment left. As she spoke, with her hair scattered and her features enveloped in the dim yellow light, her lips, still red from the drink she had just consumed, created a sense of intrigue. Perhaps due to unstable voltage in the attic, the tablemp flickered for a moment, casting a ghostly shadow behind her. Song Yuhang felt a chill down her spine for a moment, goosebumps rising on her arms. But after a moment, she shook her head firmly, Its not that you cant kill, its that you wont. Otherwise, with Lin Yans intense hatred towards her, the love and hatebined, that knife would have long plunged into her neck, let alone an innocent janitor. Hearing her words, Lin Yan nced at her, tightly pursed her lips, and averted her gaze. Song Yuhang walked up to her, cing the tablemp on the map. I have done quite a bit of research on this case. Would you like to hear my thoughts?
This is The man sitting across from him looked slightly shocked. Thats right, its almost identical inposition to what was sent by the Jiangcheng City Bureaust time. The test tube that Lin Yan had recently handed over to her trusted confidanty quietly on the table. But this time, the dosage in the blood is much smaller. Lin Yan has be smarter and knows to do it herself. The man sitting across from him chuckled with his head buried, his expression indistinct, as he tapped his knee with his fingertips. Has this thing resurfaced again? Its appearing one after another in Jiangcheng City. Its not a good sign, sighed the man he was conversing with, getting up and walking to the window. For the sake of this thing, too many lives have been sacrificed. But hasnt the form already been destroyed? The seated man looked at the test tube, his tone t. But what if the owner of the form is still alive? The man standing by the window turned around, his voice somewhat hoarse and heavy. Noimpossible! The man suddenly intensified his tone, gritting his teeth. He, hes long dead! Its impossible for him to still be alive! Unless unless He gasped heavily, Has he crawled back from hell as a vengeful demon? The man looked at the neon lights flickering outside the window, the bustling traffic, lost in thought. They were no longer young, and their once tall figures had be slightly hunched. However, when he uttered those words, it still made another person reminiscent of that tumultuous era. Whether hes a human or a ghost, no matter how many times hees back, if he dares toe, well send him back to hell just like we did twenty years ago. The human world cannot tolerate such a vile creature.
Since there was no whiteboard, Song Yuhang drew and wrote on paper with a pen. Psychologically speaking, a psychopathic serial killer is also known as a sadistic killer. Over 95% of the criminals are male, with only a very small percentage being physically strong females. Lin Yan nodded and leaned against the table, signaling her to continue. She knew why this was the case. Dissecting and dismembering bodies is physically demanding work that requires either skill or strength, both of which are essential. Otherwise, do you think killing a person is like killing a chicken? Killing a chicken doesnt require any effort, but you cant even catch a chicken. Secondly, the choice of targets for the attackers is often random. Its possible that you might catch their attention just because youre wearing a beautiful dress, or perhaps they target you because youre carrying an attractive bag. Its also possible that the criminals prefer overweight individuals, and if you happen to be particrly thin, you might escape unharmed. I wont dwell on this point too much, but as long as you meet the criteria set by the criminals, they will kill you. Thirdly, in cases of indiscriminate attacks like this, criminals generally dont choose people they have social rtionships with because only unfamiliar individuals are seen by the criminals as having biological attributes rather than social attributes. In other words, to them, you are just their prey, just a piece of meat on their cutting board. They find pleasure and excitement in killing, enjoying the feeling of havingplete control over everything. Fourthly, humans areplex energy systems, and the subconscious instinct, known as libido, is the fundamental driving force of human psychology. Therefore, the development of psychology is essentially the development of libido. As a result, psychopathic serial killers, being abnormal, primarily manifest their abnormality in sexual deviance. They cannot derive pleasure from normal interactions; they can only satisfy their desires through murder. Just like when we investigate cases of sexual assault, most of the criminals cannot perform sexually. They seek psychological satisfaction through control, humiliation, and molestation of women. Its the same principle. At this point, she paused, lifting her gaze to look at Lin Yan. However, after a regr serial killermits their first crime, they will definitely strike again. I believe you understand this. Lin Yan nodded, took a deep breath to restrain her emotions, and said, So, over these years, while Ive been dissecting, Ive also been searching for simr cases. I want to Finding amon point means finding a breakthrough. However, since her sophomore year when she started interning with her teacher until now, she has dissected over six thousand corpses. She has spent more time in the dissecting room than eating and sleepingbined, yet she has still gained nothing. She hasnte across a simr case. Bai Ling was an exception, but the lead went cold. Song Yuhang remembered the ss jars filled with a thousand origami cranes in her cupboard. Her heart ached sharply. She walked over and embraced her shoulders, resting her head against hers, offering silentfort. Lin Yan nudged her with her elbow, but she held onto her and wouldnt let go. She continued speaking, So, lets put aside the spection that the perpetrator is a serial psychopathic killer and focus on the investigation of a regr criminal case. Simplify things. With one hand embracing her shoulder and the other making a gesture on the paper, she truly seemed to have some insights into the case. Lin Yan couldnt help but look at her a few more times. Realizing that she was being observed, Song Yuhangs lips curved into a slight smile. In ordinary murder cases, it usually boils down to one or several motives: financial, revenge, or passion. Lin Yan, help me organize Chunans social rtionships. Lin Yan shook her head. Her social rtionships are very simple. Theres me, her best friend, Auntie Chen, her mother, and everyone at school keeps their distance from her. There arent many social connections. Think again, Song Yuhang pondered. It doesnt have to be positive rtionships, negative ones can also be considered. Lin Yan thought for a moment, took a pen and paper, and wrote down a few names. These are a few people who used to bully us. I looked into them myself, and I assume the police have as well, but still, nothing. A sh of inspiration crossed Song Yuhangs mind. I remember at that time, the suspected criminal we focused on was a butcher. Chen Chunans father had a conflict with this person at the market over two cents and identally injured his wife, whoter passed away. He had motive, lived near the scene of the crime, had the means and tools tomit the crime, and Chen Chunans blood was found in his car. It perfectly matches the description I have of the perpetrators appearance and personality. Butter, I heard he died in custody. Otherwise, we could have uncovered more things. Even if he didntmit the murder, he must have had some involvement with the person who escaped. This is what frustrated her the most about this case. They had clearly identified a suspect, but he died inexplicably, leaving them with unanswered questions. Who could ept that? Lin Yan supported herself on the table, trembling slightly, swallowing her saliva, and trying to regte her breathing. Song Yuhang gently ced her hand on her back and patted it. Do you have aputer? Lin Yan snapped back to reality, and her eyes glistened with a hint of moisture, breathtakingly beautiful. Yes, Ill find it for you. She rummaged under a pile of newspapers and books and pulled out aptop, opened it, and handed it to her. Song Yuhang took out her own intr card, and as Lin Yan watched her busy herself, she averted her gaze. Why do you have to be so diligent and responsible? Song Yuhang didnt turn around. Do you want to hear the truth or a lie? Without waiting for her response, she continued speaking to herself, The lie would be the typical rhetoric of me being a police officer who solves every case. I bet youve heard it enough. As for the truth She took a moment to nce back at her, her smile gentle and her eyes brimming with warmth and sincerity. Didnt you say that once everything is over, youll agree to marry me? I want to get married to you as soon as possible.
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Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 84-1 Chapter 84-1 An incident ured After Song Yuhang finished speaking, she quickly turned her head as if afraid of being hit. While fiddling with theputer, she discreetly observed her with a sidelong nce. A faint smile appeared at the corner of Lin Yans lips. Seeing her looking at her, she quickly put on a stern face and pped her hand onto the keyboard. What are you looking at? Do your work. The second marriage proposal ended in failure. Song Yuhang dragged out her voice and sighed, epting her fate as she got up. Although she didnt haveputer skills as advanced as Old Zhengs, it was effortless for her to search for things within the intr. Song Yuhang showed her the search results: Guo Xiaoguang, formerly known as Zhu Fangjie, the son of Butcher Zhu Yong. After his father got into trouble, he was adopted by a family surnamed Guo and changed his name to Guo Xiaoguang. The photo on the household registration showed Guo Xiaoguang in his thirties, with a crew cut and single eyelids. He wasnt remarkable in appearance, but upon closer inspection, there was some resemnce between him and the photos Lin Yan had gathered of Zhu Yong. For years, she had been searching for people rted to Zhu Yong, but there had been little information or fake leads. Song Yuhang smiled and exined to her: As early as many years ago, the Ministry of Public Security began the construction of the SkyNet, which is the prototype of the current intr. It includes the identity information, addresses, family members, and even biological evidence such as fingerprints, blood types, DNA, of all detainees, prisoners, and released convicts, including deceased criminals. By setting up an airtight for all potential repeat offenders, this is also one of the reasons for the increasing sess rate in solving criminal cases in recent years. Of course, this is inseparable from the improvement in criminal investigation techniques. In this, whether its registering for marriage, divorce, or a childs household registration, or participating in work-rted political reviews, as long as there is a need for identity registration, it will be recorded by the local police station and uploaded to this. Of course, the ess privileges are also quite high. Lin Yan pulled the corner of her lips and casually sped her fists while standing, saying, Alright, youre at least a leader. Get to the point and tell me the results. Song Yuhang copied down Guo Xiaoguangs current address, telephone number, and identity information and handed it to her, saying, I think we should take some time to visit him. Lin Yan took the note and turned to leave but was stopped, Where are you going? What do you think? Investigating the case, of course. Song Yuhangs gaze was intense as she stood in front of her, blocking her way. Dont be impulsive. We need to gather more evidence and reopen the investigation. Lin Yan smiled, lifting her hand to push her away. Dont be impulsive? I dont have much time left. Its been fourteen years, and there has been no progress. In another six years, the statute of limitations will expire. Whats the use of finding the murderer? Can thew give me and Chunan justice? Can it make the murderer pay for their blood debt? Can they be sentenced to death? If not, then I Song Yuhang grabbed her shoulder, emphasizing her words as she called out her name, Lin Yan, even if the statute of limitations is over, we can go to the central authorities, to the Supreme Peoples Procuratorate, to the Supreme Peoples Court, and file an appeal. Justice is clear, and fairness resides in peoples hearts. I wont let the murderer go unpunished! Lin Yan shook her head, her smile carrying a hint of disdain, and a glimmer of moisture appeared in her eyes. Its useless. Have you forgotten about the Ding Xue case? Have you forgotten about He Miao, about Bai Ling, about Wu Wei, about those children who died in the White Whale case? The murderer is not just Li Yang. Those irresponsible parents, the teachers and ssmates who stood by and watched the bullying, and the people online who criticized the deceasedthey are all murderers! As if a heavy hammer struck her heart, Song Yuhangs eyes welled up, and she embraced her tightly. Lin Yan struggled, but Song Yuhang didnt let go. She held her head and whispered in her ear, word by word, We pursue justice and righteousness, not to be murderers ourselves one day. Lin Yan, if you really resort to vignte justice to punish criminals, then whats the difference between you and Li Yang, and those instigators who fueled the fire? Trembling slightly in Song Yuhangs embrace, Lin Yan was lifted up by her. Song Yuhang wiped away the slightest hint of moisture in her eyes and spoke softly. Lin Yan, I dont want you to be like that. Promise me, lets handle this matter patiently. Have you forgotten about Li Bin? Dont alert the enemy by making sudden moves. Lets follow the normal procedures. The truth wille to light one day. If Chunan were still here, she would never want you to take such risks for her sake. After all, you were her best friend, right? Lin Yan bit her lip slightly and remained silent. She tightened her grip on Song Yuhangs clothes. In the dim light, tears that had just been wiped away welled up again, but she restrained herself and didnt let them fall. Song Yuhang couldnt bear to see her like this. She embraced her and gently patted her back, providingfort. Isnt it Friday tomorrow? Ill apany you home in the evening, and then we can pack up. On Saturday, well pay a visit to Guo Xiaoguangs house. But now its gettingte, and you need to go to sleep. Carefully helping her up, Song Yuhang rubbed her face. Hmm? Lin Yan sniffed and pushed away her hand with a p. Go away, I dont need you to apany me. Ill go by myself. Finally, she added in a low voice, After all, Lin Youyuan still doesnt like you. Dont go. In the end, she was still worried about her. Song Yuhang chuckled and squeezed her hand. Okay, then I wont go in. Ill wait for you outside. She always seemed to be able to envelop her rough edges with gentleness, slowly smoothing out her sharpness and restlessness. Lin Yans restless heart gradually calmed down. She pulled her hand back, feeling a bit warm in her ears, and walked towards the exit. Hmm, Im going to sleep. Song Yuhang tidied up the table in a flurry and locked the door, then followed her closely. Lin Yan, I want to Sleep on the couch! Before she could finish saying the words sleep with you, Lin Yan kicked the door shut with her heel, locking her outside with a loud bang. Song Yuhang felt like crying without tears. She pulled the doorknob, but it didnt budge. She had no choice but to keep knocking on the door, lowering her voice and pleading, Doctor Lin, Lin Yan, Yanyan Lin Yan threw herself into the bed, angrily covering her ears with a pillow. She grabbed a cushion and threw it aimlessly. If you dont leave, Ill make you sleep in the courtyard! The knocking abruptly ceased, and Song Yuhang decided to give up and disappeared without a trace. The world finally regained its tranquility. Lin Yan let out a sigh of relief, took out a box of medicine from the bedside table, opened it, and swallowed the pills with a gulp of cold water from a ss. She dimmed the deskmp, then nestled into the bed, closing her eyes. She was awakened in the middle of the night by the coldness of her feet. Lin Yan got up, turned on the electric nket, and switched on the air conditioner. Looking at the darkness outside, she could hear the rustling sound of the wind and the gentle patter of falling snow in the quiet atmosphere. She got up and rummaged through the cab, pulling out a thick nket. Wearing slippers, she gently opened the door. A faint light emanated from downstairs. She leaned over the railing for a nce and saw Song Yuhang sleeping soundly on the sofa, with theputer still on beside her. Lin Yan tiptoed downstairs. She swore that she had never felt so guilty even when she wasmitting a theft. She nervously walked a mere ten meters, her back covered in cold sweat. It wasnt until she gently draped the nket over her that Lin Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief. She had been busy all day and endured the freezing cold in the snow. She was probably truly exhausted. Lin Yans restless movements didnt manage to wake her. Song Yuhang, with her eyes closed, muttered a few words, then rolled over and slept facing the sofa. Lin Yan tucked her in and turned around to shut down herputer. However, she noticed that there were several search pages open, including ones about the Fenyang Port dismemberment case, foreign same-sex marriage registration, and destination for wedding travel. It was a diverse array of topics. A slight curve formed at the corner of Lin Yans lips, unable to suppress her delight. She nced back at Song Yuhang, reached out, and closed theputer screen. As she was about to get up, Song Yuhang muttered something again. Lin Yan leaned in to listen, and what she said was Lin Yan marriage She really was fixated on this matter. Lin Yan chuckled, unable to contain the curve of her lips any longer. Her eyebrows lifted as she gazed at this slightly heroic face in the darkness. She leaned in, offering her own lips.
In the early morning of the next day, as she stretchedzily and descended from upstairs, Song Yuhang had already prepared breakfast and freshly brewed coffee for her. She followed Lin Yan closely. Did you cover me with a nketst night? Lin Yan took a sip of coffee and walked towards the coatroom. It wasnt me. Then who was it? Probably the housekeeper. Song Yuhang looked puzzled. But I distinctly felt someone kissing me. Lin Yan turned around slowly and handed her the coffee cup. Must have been a wet dream. Song Yuhang scratched her head. Then who shut down theputer? Lin Yan picked out clothes from the neatly arranged closet. Maybe it glitched. Song Yuhang became increasingly perplexed. But Soon, she pushed the issue aside. Lin Yan stood in front of the dressing mirror, changing her clothes while her delicate fingers tugged at the robe belt. Lin Yan, tonight I want to sleep with you. We havent for a whole day Veins bulged on Lin Yans forehead as she restrained herself from hitting her. Song Yuhang was relentless, her gaze fixed on Lin Yan. Or, you could sleep with me. Get lost! Lin Yan roared, grabbing a clothes hanger and throwing it at her. Damn it, she was still angry. If she couldnt touch her, fine, but dreaming that she would sleep with her?! Song Yuhang covered her head and scurried away, holding the coffee cup. By the time she emerged, breakfast was already on the table, and the TV in the living room was ying the morning news. Song Yuhang took out a carton of milk from the microwave and handed it to her. Here, drink it while its hot. Lin Yan stared straight ahead at the TV. Chairman Lin, Chairman Lin, what are your thoughts on the recent sharp decline in Jingtais stock price, as well as the incident where a retail investor jumped off the rooftop of the Jingtai Group building yesterday morning? Chairman Lin, Chairman Lin, could youment on the discovery of carcinogens in the Overseas brand health products and powdered milk exported by yourpany? Chairman Lin, Chairman Lin, please share your views on the mass sell-off of real estate properties under Jingtai Group. Chairman Lin, Chairman Lin, there are rumors that thepany has initiated a new round ofyoffs. Can you confirm if this is true? Outside the Jingtai Building, Lin Youyuan sat in a wheelchair, surrounded and besieged by reporters. Bodyguards struggled to navigate through the crowded crowd, protecting him. There still seemed to be no expression on Lin Youyuans face, but whether it was her illusion or not, she felt that he appeared even older on the high-definition cameras. Last time they met, his temples didnt have this many white hairs. Avoiding the camera with a gaze that used to be bright and resolute, he operated the wheelchair silently and headed inside. His shoulders slumped, and his figure appeared hunched. The security guards of Jingtai rushed out, forming a human wall to keep therge group of reporters outside the ss door. Not far away, on the steps, sat disgruntled retail investors holding banners demanding Jingtai to repay their hard-earned money, homebuyers, and family members of the deceased burning paper money in a copper basin. Some of the employees, in tears, were pleading for their unpaid wages. The camera lenses of the reporters quickly surged forward. Song Yuhang sat opposite her, subtly blocking her line of sight and squeezed her hand. Eat quickly, or youll bete for work. Lin Yan snapped back to reality, nodded, and picked up the remote control to turn off the TV. Okay. On the way to Jiangcheng City Bureau, Song Yuhang drove past the Jingtai Group building. She slowed down the car and nced sideways. Do you want to go down and take a look? Lin Yan flipped through the magazine in her hand, took a sip of coffee, and sneered. Whats there to see? What does Jingtai have to do with me? Song Yuhang fell silent. After dropping her off at the city bureau, she returned to her office and made a phone call to the local police station responsible for the matter to gather information. The person indeed jumped from the top of the Jingtai Building. Hundreds of pairs of eyes witnessed it. I heard they had topensate 1.8 million yuan. It was the hard-earned money meant for their sons medical treatment. With the money gone, their son is gone too, and his wife divorced him. Their family was destroyed, and the person There was a pause, a hint of reluctance. The Economic Investigation Bureau is also involved in the case. Captain Song, you can go and inquire. Alright, I got it. Thank you, Song Yuhang hung up the phone and immediately called the Economic Investigation Detachment. The response she received was that investigations had beenunched into Jingtais production of counterfeit and substandard products, suspected illegal fundraising, financial fraud, and a series of illegal business activities. The China Securities Regtory Commission had also deployed a team to conduct a thorough investigation within the group. In the current economic situation, which has yet to fully recover, such an oue is nothing short of adding insult to injury for apany. Song Yuhang rubbed her forehead and said, Alright, let me know if there are any updates. Okay, Captain Song. After hanging up the phone, the operator from the Economic Investigation Detachment still had some doubts. Wasnt this case initially transferred from the Criminal Investigation Detachment to the Economic Investigation Detachment? And youre not even the captain of the Economic Investigation Detachment, so why are you so concerned?
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Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 84-2 Chapter 84-2 An incident ured During lunchtime, Lin Yan didnt go to the cafeteria. Song Yuhang was afraid that she would be hungry, so she packed a meal for her to take over. Little did she know, Lin Yan had already started eating. As usual, it was an exquisite dish made by a gourmet chef, and even the utensils sent over were ceramic. Song Yuhang looked at her own stic lunch box and felt a bit embarrassed, hesitating to step back. Lin Yan sat in the chair and didnt eat much before she put down her chopsticks and said, Im not eating anymore, just pour it out. Song Yuhang quickly ran over and said, Dont, what a waste. Lin Yan turned her face away and said, Im already full. If you havent eaten, you can have it. Still showing some awkward concern. Song Yuhang smiled, dragged a chair over from the side, sat down, and without any hesitation, picked up Lin Yans chopsticks, How do you know I havent eaten? Lin Yan sneered, The cafeteria opens at 12 oclock. Its unlikely that you could finish eating and run over here within five minutes, unless youre a deity. Most likely, she went to line up early, got her meal, and came straight over. Looking at the dishes on the table, all of which were her favorite, Song Yuhang squinted and smiled, knowing that she specifically ordered them for her. She picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in her bowl. Try it, the dish today is really good. Oh, I dont want to eat. Lin Yan continued to show her disdain, but she was still fed a few more bites. Seeing her eat a little more, Song Yuhang became happier. The technical detectives had gone to have their lunch, and there werent many people around. Song Yuhang became a little bolder and moved closer to her. When are you going to Lin familys home tonight? Have you bought the birthday gift? Lin Yan peeled the steamed purple sweet potato skin that she brought with her, Ill go right after work. You dont need to tell me. Mind your own business. Look, were leaving for the provincial capital tomorrow. Can I stay at your ce tonight so that we dont have to rush in the morning? Song Yuhang cautiously bit her chopsticks and looked at her. Lin Yan smirked, Sure, but youll sleep on the couch. Lin Yan. Song Yuhang emphasized her name, You know what Im talking about. The corners of the fox spirits lips curled up with a yful smile, the familiar expression of coquettishness, knowingly asking a question. What are you talking about? I dont understand. Song Yuhang took a deep breath, held her shoulder, and looked into her eyes, getting closer to her lips. Their eyes met, staring at each other for three seconds. Thinking about the intimate moments they had shared, Lin Yans face became flushed, and she quickly averted her gaze. Song Yuhang chuckled, swallowed, looked around to see no one was around, and gently lifted her chin. Your words dont match your heart. Youre thinking about it too. I Before she could retort, Song Yuhang slightly closed her eyes and leaned in. Ai ma! I walked into the wrong set! Duan Cheng, holding a lunch box, just stepped inside the door but quickly retracted, covering his eyes and stepping back, identally stepping on several technicians. All eyes turned towards them. Lin Yan blushed and pushed away from Song Yuhang, leaving behind the words Im full! and rushed into theboratory. Song Yuhang felt like crying without tears. It was so close, ah! Her inner turmoil was roaring, but her face remained calm. What did you see? Several people shook their heads together. We didnt see anything. Song Yuhang smiled, got up, and said, Theres still Dongpo pork, braised pork, grilled wings. Lin Yan hasnt touched them. You guys have them. Ill go back to the forensic department. Finally, she added, Remember to knock when youe in next time! Duan Cheng, with a mouthful of braised pork, felt like crying without tears. He had never heard someone knock on his own office door But there was nothing he could do. It was all for the sake of the bosss happiness.
In the afternoon, she temporarily attended a guidance meeting at a local police station. When she came out of the police station, the sun was already setting. Song Yuhang said to the apanying people, You all can go back. Ill wander around by myself. As it was already the usual time to leave work, several colleagues dispersed. Song Yuhang arrived at the bank entrance, withdrew some money, and took a taxi to thergest shopping mall in the city. Thest time she and Lin Yan came here to buy clothes, Lin Yans eyes briefly lingered on the diamond rings in the shop window, but then she quickly pulled Song Yuhang away. Song Yuhang arrived at the familiar counter. Hello, Id like to see this model. The saleswoman brought it out for her and sweetly said, Miss, you have great taste. This model is thetest this year, made of white 18K gold, with a marquise-shaped cut diamond weighing a total of 4.59 carats. Do you see how the edges and corners resemble a butterfly spreading its wings? It has a beautiful meaning! Many couples buy this pair for engagement! And recently, theres been a significant discount for the autumn-winter season. The original price was 450,000 yuan per pair, but now you can have it for only 390,000 yuan! The saleswoman continued to talk nonstop, Miss, you came with your boyfriend, right? I wish you a happy and fulfilling marriage in advance Song Yuhang slipped the ring onto her finger and hooked it slightly, a hint of pleasure in her smile. No, Im buying it to give to my girlfriend. That way, Lin Yan wouldnt alwaysin that she only knew how to say cheesy romantic words without any sense of ceremony. The saleswomans smile froze on her face, like a frozen TV screen. Hehehe, you have a great sense of humor. Song Yuhang took out her wallet from the jacket pocket and handed over her bank card. The size doesnt quite fit. Can it be customized? The saleswoman widened her eyes in surprise and took a moment to regain herposure. Her smile became more sincere and professional. Of course, of course. Please leave your name and phone number, fill out this form, and pay a 50% deposit. The remaining bnce can be paid when youe to collect the ring and try it on after two weeks. Song Yuhang nodded eagerly and wrote detailed size information on the paper that was handed to her. Lin Yans size was something she had already measured while Lin Yan was asleep. The thought of being able to wear the ring on her finger soon, officially dering Lin Yan as her fiance, made Song Yuhangs face overflow with uncontroble excitement. However, when she looked at the receipt handed to her by the saleswoman, a faint sense of helplessness emerged. The nearly 400,000 yuan ring had almost emptied more than half of her savings, including the inheritance and pension left by her father. If only she had worked harder and climbed up the ranks in the past two years, she wouldnt be so financially strained when trying to get married. Song Yuhang tightly held the receipt handed to her by the saleswoman and carefully put it into her wallet, which she then ced in her jacket pocket. She then pushed open the doors of the store.
After finishing work, Lin Yan looked back as usual, but no one followed her. The driver urged, Miss, we cant park here. We should leave. Lin Yan snapped out of her daze and got into the car. The driver closed the door for her. Do we have all the gifts I prepared? The driver turned around respectfully and said, They are all in the trunk, Miss. Lin Yan nodded, and the journey was silent. Soon, they arrived at the Lin family estate. Lin Ge stood at the entrance of the estate, weing todays guests. When he saw her car, his eyes lit up. He handed the wine he was holding to a servant and went forward to greet her. Youre here. Lin Yan nodded and took off her sunsses, revealing her beautiful face. A faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips as she watched the driver hand the gifts to the butler standing nearby to take inside. Wheres auntie? Ill go see her. The Lin family estate was muchrger than her own vi, consisting of several buildings. It had amenities such as a golf course, a bowling alley, an outdoor swimming pool, and more. There was also a fruit orchard behind the estate, where she used to get lost often in her youth. To the east was Lin Youyuans residence, an independent vi with carved fences surrounding it. The lights were off, and it was quiet. To the west was Lin Ges family residence. At this moment, it was brightly lit, with a red carpetid out at the entrance, adorned with balloons, ribbons, and congrattory flower baskets sent by business partners. Shes inside. Let me take you in, Lin Ge said as he led her towards the house. He chuckled when he noticed her continuously ncing towards the east. Dont look there. Uncle Lin is not here today. Jingtai had an ident and hasnte back recently. Lin Yan subtly breathed a sigh of relief, but she couldnt understand why she felt a slight twinge of concern. Jingtai copsed. Shouldnt she be happy about it? With these conflicting thoughts, she finally saw her aunt whom she hadnt seen for many days. Mother Lin was sitting on the sofa, chatting andughing with a few older sisters. She wore a warm woolen hat on her head, and the room was heated, making it quite hot. Lin Yan took off her coat as soon as she entered, but her mother still wore thick clothes, probably because of her delicate health. Lin Yan looked at her from a distance, feeling a pang of heartache. She walked over quickly and called out, Auntie. Mother Lin snapped out of her thoughts upon hearing her voice among the older sisters. When she saw it was Lin Yan, her eyes instantly welled up, and tears streamed down her face. Yanyan, Yanyan, youre back Please sit, please sit. She greeted her with the same warmth as when she was a child. However, when she stood up, her body swayed slightly. Lin Ge quickly rushed over and supported her, saying, Mom, dont get too excited. Sit down and talk. Mother Lin nced at her son and then at Lin Yan. She immediately calmed down, wiped away her tears, and sat down with his assistance. She held Lin Yans hand and engaged in the usual small talk. How is your health? You were seriously injuredst time, and I wanted to visit you. But Lin Ge stopped me, saying that Im not in good health either and shouldnt go. Lin Ge chuckled from the side. Mom, have some tea. I should be the one asking you that. I never came to visit you Lin Yans heart was filled with mixed emotions as she held her aunts hand, which was rough and covered in age spots. It was my negligence. She didnt want to make Mother Lin too sad, after all, the patients mood was the most important. So, she forced a smile and deliberately spoke in a cheerful and lively tone. You see, this time I brought you so many good things. Ginseng, lingzhi, donkey-hide gtinexcellent for nourishing and beautifying. And heres a scarf, made of pure cashmere, thetest design. I bought it but couldnt bear to wear it, so I brought it for you. This jade bracelet has exceptionally good quality. When I saw it, I immediately thought it would suit you perfectly. Lin Yans kindness towards someone depended on whether she was willing or not. If she was willing, she would give her heart and soul, even exerting ten times the effort to repay those who had shown her kindness. Mother Lin shook her head, holding her hand while tears welled up in her eyes. Auntie is so happy that you came to see me. Youre alone out there, so dont spend too much money. After all, youre a young girl, and having some money on hand will prevent others from taking advantage of you. Lin Yan nodded. Yes, you dont know yet, but I really dontck money Her own businesses were enough to support herself and then some. Mother Lin tried to say something, but Lin Ge gently took the teacup from her hand and helped her up. Mom, its time for you to go back to your room, take your medicine, and rest for a while. Your personal doctor is already waiting for you. Mother Lin turned to look at Lin Yan, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. Yanyan Lin Yan stood up and watched her aunt leave with the support of Lin Ge and the personal doctor. Its alright, Auntie, go ahead. Take your medicine, and Ille up to see youter. Tears welled up in Mother Lins eyes, apanied by a fleeting sorrow. Lin Yan was momentarily taken aback, but by the time she tried to get a clear view, Lin Ge had already helped her leave. She took a sip of red wine, suppressing the faint uneasiness in her heart. At that moment, she thought Mother Lins gaze meant she couldnt bear to part with her. Butter, she came to understand that the meaning behind that gaze was simply a plea for help.
LP: Oh no! F***! So Lin Ge is really. ahhhhhhhh!!!
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Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 85-1 Chapter 85-1 Repaying Debt After escorting Mother Lin back to her room, Lin Ge quickly came downstairs, dressed in a well-tailored little suit, and greeted the guests. He moved through the crowd with ease, engaging in lively conversations and asionally raising his ss for a toast. Several elegant and charmingdies always surrounded him. Lin Yan found it amusing and picked up some food from the buffet to eat. Her notorious reputation preceded her, and as the least favored daughter of the Lin family, no one bothered her except for a few noble young men seeking excitement. Finally extricating himself from the crowd of social butterflies, Lin Ge approached her with a whiskey in hand. She didnt apany you today? Lin Yan wiped her hands with a tissue, raised her ss, and clinked it with his. Shes at least a junior-level cadre. Its not appropriate for her to attend such an asion. Besides, if she runs into Lin Youyuan and they start fighting again, it wouldnt be a good birthday party for auntie, would it? Speaking of the birthday party, the host made a brief appearance and quickly returned to her room, yet to be seen attending to the guests. Lin Yan was worried about Lins mothers health; she didnt seem to be in good spirits or condition. Casually picking up a piece of preserved fruit from the tray and tossing it into her mouth, she stood up. Hmm, your familys preserved fruit is delicious. Ill go upstairs to check on auntie. Lin Ge also stood up and reached out to stop her. Dont go. It hurts her to see you, and it pains you to see her. On a joyous day like this, why bother? Shes receiving an IV upstairs. Ill bring her down when its finished. After contemting for a moment, Lin Yan handed him her ss. Alright, then Ill go to the restroom. Lin Ge chuckled. Do you need someone to show you the way? Lin Yanughed and scolded, Get lost! Ive been living here for a few years, and Im not senile yet. As she walked away, Lin Ge watched her slender legs stepping gracefully in high heels, her graceful figure casting a beautiful silhouette on the shining floor. He picked up the half-finished ss of red wine that Lin Yan hadnt drunk and took a slow sip. A waiter approached him with a wine bottle, taking advantage of pouring the wine to whisper, Young master, should we send someone to follow her? Lin Ge nodded, turning around and lightly patting the waiters shoulder as if to console him. He said in a hushed voice, audible only to the two of them, Yes, make sure she doesnt wander around. The waiter put down the wine bottle, respectfully bowed, and disappeared into the crowd. Lin Yan sent a message to Song Yuhang as she walked, and she replied promptly. When are youing back? After thinking for a moment, Lin Yan typed, Itll probably take a while. Ill wait until Auntie finishes her IV and then go see her. Song Yuhang sent a crying emoji, causing Lin Yan to stifle augh. She had been staring at her phone, not paying much attention to the road, and almost bumped into someone. Two morous young women supported each other as they walked out, stumbling and swaying, overwhelmed by the scent of alcohol. Lin Yan stepped back, and then she heard one of the girls, in a drunken state, sobbing, How how could he treat me like this? Those those with the surname Lin theyre not good people! Alright, alright, lets go, okay? When youre drunk, just go home and get some sleep. The intoxicated girl waspletely limp, unable to stand on her own, muttering and cursing. She relied on the support of the other person, and the two of them stumbled and disappeared at the end of the corridor. Lin Yan, innocent yet caught in the crossfire, felt a sudden headache. She put her phone in her pocket and entered the restroom. When she finished washing her hands and was about to leave, the door of the adjacent stall opened. A woman dressed as an elegantdy approached the mirror and took out her lipstick to touch up her makeup. Lin Yan casually nced over and noticed that her hands, which should have belonged to a refined and well-maintaineddy, were rough and covered in fine lines. Without leaving a trace, she averted her gaze and ced her hands under the dryer, humming a tune as she walked out. As soon as she emerged, she noticed several unfamiliar people in the corridor. One of them stood at the entrance of the mens restroom, making a phone call. He was dressed in a suit, but she hadnt seen him in the lobby earlier. There were also young people chatting in the corridor, as well as waiters and janitors hurrying about with trays in hand. As if her presence alone instantly brought life to the previously quiet ce. Lin Yan tugged at the corner of her lips and called out to the janitor who had swept away the cigarette butt by her feet, Hey The janitor lowered his gaze, respectfully responding, Yes, Miss Lin, please let me know if you need anything. Janitors in high-ss households were undoubtedly dedicated and polite. Lin Yan slightly raised her chin, New here? Yes, I just arrived a month ago, the janitor replied, keeping his head down. He appeared to be in his forties, with a few strands of white hair peeking out from under his cap. Lin Yan looked at the few drops of water stains on the glossy surface of her ck high-heeled shoes, identally sshed on them while washing her hands. She extended her foot, saying, Clean it for me. The janitor put down his broom, knelt down on one knee, and carefully pulled out a clean white cloth from his work uniform pocket. He gently wiped away the dust and water stains from her shoe. Its done, Miss. Lin Yan retracted her foot and pulled out a few hundred yuan bills from her wallet, scattering them over his head. Not bad, I will brag about you to my brother. Yes, thank you, Miss. Thank you, Miss. The janitor held the money, nodding and bowing. In the moment Lin Yan turned and walked away, her gaze grew cold. Since he was new, how could he know herst name was Lin, let alone that she was the young miss of the Lin family? When he pulled out the cloth from his pocket, perhaps he hadnt even noticed that a corner of his phone identally slipped out as well. That logo and brand were definitely not something a janitor could afford. As she lifted her foot to leave, the man who had been making a phone call at the entrance of the mens restroom also left. The two of them followed at a distance of about ten meters, not too close and not too far. Lin Yan held her phone, texting someone,ughing happily. When she turned the corner of the corridor, the man followed, but there was no trace of her in the lobby. Young master, weve lost track of her. Lin Ge raised an eyebrow slightly, a gentle curve always present at the corner of his lips. She really is mischievous, just like when she was a child. Although the Lin family estate wasrge, not much had changed over the years. Lin Yan used to y hide-and-seek here with the servants and housekeepers who came to catch her. She was familiar with theyout. She turned a corner and took the elevator to the second floor. After shaking off her pursuer, Miss Lin happily whistled and headed straight for her aunts bedroom. She remembered it was thest room on the left at the end of the second-floor corridor. Excitedly, she walked over and pushed open the door, only to find it empty. Even the bed sheets and covers were neatly arranged, as if no one had ever lived there. Lin Yan was taken aback. She gently closed the door. If not in the bedroom, then where could it be? Lost in thought, she scanned the entire corridor. The second floor was much quieter than the first. Her gaze fell upon the door on the right, adorned with an ancient-looking sign that read No Entry. She flipped the wooden sign over and saw Lin Yans Home written on the other side. A smile instantly appeared in her eyes. This was something Lin Ge had prepared for her when she first arrived. His own door had a simr wooden sign. Lin Yan, heres something for you. If you want to talk or y with someone, hang the side with the rainbow that says Lin Yans Home. If you dont want to be disturbed, hang the other side. That way, neither the housekeepers nor the servants will bother you. At that time, ten-year-old Lin Ge already seemed like a little adult. He handed the wooden sign to her, and Mother Lin smiled as she gently patted his head. Lin Ge, from now on, you have to get along well with your little sister. Youre the big brother, so take good care of her, okay? Yes! Young Lin Ge clenched his fist tightly and nodded earnestly, his face disying a small, devout masculinity. That was the first bit of warmth homeless Lin Yan felt in the Lin family. She caressed the wooden sign, her emotions intertwined, and gently pressed down the doorknob. Surprisingly, the door was unlocked. Lin Yan was slightly startled, memories and old dust rushing into her mind together. The furnishings were the same as they were back then. The graffiti she had left on the wall in her temper tantrums remained unchanged, but there was one less bedit had been converted into a study. Upon entering, she saw several disy cabs filled with her paintings from that time, y figurines she had molded, and paper airnes she had folded. Further inside, there was a desk with aputer still turned on. It seemed that someone often worked here. Next to the wall, there was a cab filled with folders, and a human skeleton stood beside it, wearing a mischievous hat. Lin Yan couldnt help but suppress a smile, knowing full well whose office this was. Only a doctor would have such a morbid sense of humor to disy a human skeleton in a room. Her own study had one too. Every time Song Yuhang came over at night, she would joke about how terrifying it was. Unexpectedly, her former bedroom had been converted into a study. Upon seeing this, Lin Yan was about to turn and leave. Suddenly, theputer on the desk made a sound. The incessant beep beep beep of message notifications sessfully drew her attention. As ifpelled by an invisible force, Lin Yan approached theputer, but her gaze fell on a transparent model on his desk. A beautiful human skeleton, its teeth locked inside a crystal sphere, gleamed brilliantly and translucently, as if it had been coated with ayer of enamel. Even the red gums at the edges of the human teeth were imitated with astonishing realism. This was something that girls, especially female doctors, couldnt resist. Lin Yan reached out and picked it up, examining it closely. However, she suddenly felt a vague sense of unease, leaving her with a tingling sensation in her heart. Just as she was about to use her phones shlight to examine it more closely, she heard a door behind her creak open. Lin Ge, seeing her ying with his precious possession, rushed in with a look of panic and carefully took the crystal sphere from her hands, his face filled with nervousness. Oh my, be more gentle! Do you know how valuable this is? It was a gift from my mentor when I graduated from university. Its priceless! Lin Yan clicked her tongue twice. Its just a stupid crystal sphere. Whats so special about it? If it breaks, Ill buy you ten of them. Lin Ge ced the crystal sphere on the desk, arranging it neatly. How can you say that you have no social connections? This isnt just about the price; its about the bond between us. Lin Yan touched her nose, nced at the tooth model again, and started to walk out. Why are you still keeping my things? Lin Ge closed the door and followed her. Well, I thought that if you ever came back one day, this would still be your home. It feels more familiar this way. Converting it into a study was purely out of necessity. The other rooms were too spacious, but thisyout still suits us, and its closer to my mom. Lin Yan had no objections to that. She was impressed that he still remembered her. Wheres Auntie? Shes in the clinic. Ill take you there. So shes in the clinic. No wonder I couldnt find anyone upstairs. And you disappeared from the bathroom as well. Just when Mom woke up, I had the housekeeper searching everywhere for you. If we couldnt find you, I was going to call the police. Lin Yanughed, recalling a time when she didnt want to go to school and hid in the basement, sleeping soundly. Butler Lin was on the verge of going crazy, searching the entire estate upside down and almost resorting to calling the police. In the end, it was Lin Ge who dragged her out of the basement when he came home from school. Why would you call the police? I am the police. Lin Ge looked at her strangely, and the smile on his face faded slightly. You never used to say things like that. Well, its just a case of loving the house and its crows. After getting to know it better, I suddenly feel like being a police officer might not be a bad profession. When it came to anything rted to Song Yuhang, perhaps she hadnt even noticed it herself, but a charming smile would unconsciously appear on her face, and her tone became much lighter. Lin Ge was taken aback, but he didnt say anything. He pushed open the door and said, Go in. Mom, Mom he called softly a few times, but the person lying on the bed kept her eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Lin Ge smiled wryly. She was awake when I came over just now. Lin Ge looked at her strangely, and the smile on his face faded slightly. You never used to say things like that. Well, its just a case of loving the house and its crows. After getting to know it better, I suddenly feel like being a police officer might not be a bad profession. When it came to anything rted to Song Yuhang, perhaps she hadnt even noticed it herself, but a charming smile would unconsciously appear on her face, and her tone became much lighter. Lin Ge was taken aback, but he didnt say anything. He pushed open the door and said, Come in. Mom, Mom he called softly a few times, but the person lying on the bed kept her eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Lin Ge smiled wryly. She was awake when I came over just now. Forget it, its normal for patients to be drowsy. Lin Yan walked around the sickbed. The IV stand held chemotherapy drugs, and her aunts hand was exposed, so she tucked it back into the covers. Mother Lin seemed to sense something and her eyelids twitched twice, but she didnt wake up. Lin Yan stood up. Then Ill go back first. Dont you want to stay overnight? There are plenty of guest rooms. Unexpectedly, Lin Ge tried to persuade her to stay. Lin Yan shook her head and came out of the room. No, someone is waiting for me. Yanyan. He stood on the stairs and called her name again. Lin Yan turned back. Whats the matter? You and Song Yuhang He hesitated for a moment. Have you really thought it through? So thats what it is. I thought it was something else. Lin Yan slung her bag over her shoulder and smiled, with her hands in the pockets of her windbreaker. Were getting married next year. You muste. Lin Ge seemed surprised by her straightforwardness. There was a momentary look of astonishment on his face, but then he resumed his usual smile. Alright, I will definitelye. I wish you both well in advance. Having received the blessings of her loved ones, Lin Yans lips curled slightly, and she smiled with a hint of shyness, like a bride about to get married. Anyone can choose not toe, but not you. Lin Ges fingernails left a scratch on the railing as he smiled and looked at her. Dont worry, I will go. At that time, Lin Yan didnt know that the person who made such solemn promises would eventually break them.
LP: So Is Lin Ge a pervert? A psychopath? Both? F***! Why isnt he just an ordinary guy?!
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Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 85-2 Chapter 85-2 Repaying Debt Emerging from Lin Ges house, Song Yuhang was already waiting. She squatted on the side of the road, smoking a cigarette. Hearing movement at the door, she threw the cigarette and greeted them. Lin Yan. Lin Yan stumbled and hooked her neck. Song Yuhang supported her by holding her waist. She turned her head and said goodbye , Well then, Ill go first. See you. Lin Ge stood at the door, watching them leave. Song Yuhang also nodded slightly at him. See you. Song Yuhang opened the car door and helped Lin Yan inside, saying, I told you, how much did you drink again? Lin Yan, still clinging to her neck, extended a finger and wiggled it, Red ones She burped from the alcohol, then extended another finger, One ss Song Yuhang chuckled, closing her fingers together, Alright, time to sleep. The space inside the car was cramped, and they were close. With the car door still open, Lin Yan, one hand hooked around Song Yuhangs neck, spoke with warm breath brushing against her face. The hand she held was also burning hot. Lin Yan tugged at her cor, pulling her down, and teasing her nose, Im not drunk Song Yuhang couldnt resist the itch in her heart. ncing around at asional passing cars, she sumbed to Lin Yans yful seduction. She lowered her head, giving her a lingering kiss. Mmm Lin Yan still pushed her away, Go home. Song Yuhang licked her lips, looking at Lin Yan with a slightly hazy expression. Tipping her head back, her face flushed, she couldnt hold back anymore. Hastily closing the car door for her, she returned to the drivers seat, stepping on the gas. Lets go home. After bidding farewell to Lin Yan, Lin Ge didnt leave. Instead, he stood there, watching the scene inside the car with a meaningful look. Someone approached him and whispered, Young Master, hes here, waiting for you in the basement.
Initially, it was thought that she was drunk. Little did Song Yuhang know, as soon as they got home, Lin Yan decided to take advantage of the apparent inebriation and flipped her onto the couch. Song Yuhang was astonished, Youre not drunk?! Lin Yan undid the hair tie, and her voluminous curls cascaded down, stunningly beautiful under the dim, yellowish light. She arched her eyebrows, smiling seductively, and skillfully undid Song Yuhangs belt buckle. I cant smoothly escape if Im not sober Her nails grazed the edge of her pants, slowly moving downward. By the way, Ill dismantle your guard too. Song Yuhang gasped, immobilized under Lin Yans grip, Your nails are too long. I think Id be better at this. Lin Yan extended two fingers from her right hand, shaking them, Here, cut them off. Smoothly filed. Dont believe me? Try. Not only were there no nails left, but even the nail polish was gone. This stark contrast with the other mboyantly adorned fingers created a striking effect, making it look even more you know. Song Yuhangs vision darkened, almost passing out. Frantically swallowing saliva, she recoiled, No, no, no, Lin Yan, Yanyan, please listen to me Lin Yans expression changed, pulling out Song Yuhangs belt and entwining her, a hint of gritted teeth in her tone. Shut up. This is what you owe me. Song Yuhang indeed fell silent, though it was more due to being silenced by her. Outside the window, snow had begun to fall at some point. Inside, the heating was working well. Clothes scattered by the sofa. Their passion had tinted their wheat-colored skins with a rosy hue. Song Yuhang tilted her head, struggling to breathe, Lin Yan can you turn off the lights? A dim floormp still glowed beside the sofa. Lin Yans gaze was excessively heated, almost scorching her, consuming not only her body but her soul. There was a transparent residue at the corner of her lips. She kissed Song Yuhang, No I want to see you clearly taste your essence properly. The two intertwined, Song Yuhangs limbs turned weak, her words mumbled, I prefer yours. The sofa creaked, apanied by the weighty exchange of breaths. Song Yuhangs hands were bound, unable to move. She bent her legs, only to be gently released. Lin Yan: Rx, youre too tense. I Song Yuhang, for once, showed a bit of panic on her face. Lin Yan held her, one hand interlocked with hers, pressing against the sofa. She patiently treated it like a work of art, waiting for the right moment. Dont worry, there might be a slight difort, but itll befortableter. Cooperate with me? Her long hair fell onto her face, and Song Yuhang leaned in to kiss her. Mmm. That night was indeed very long, as Lin Yan had said. True to her expertise in human anatomy as a forensic expert, after the initial difort, they quickly soared to the clouds. Shey on the soft sofa, enveloped in the faint scent of her lovers perfume. Together, they plunged into the surging waves of passion. Just as Lin Yan had never fully trusted anyone, Song Yuhang hadnt entirely surrendered control to anyone either. They were each others greatest exceptions. Lin Yan undid the belt wrapped around Song Yuhangs wrist, turning this solo performance into a duet. Compared to the previous time when both were in a state of emotional turmoil, this time had a touch of tender allure and intriguing subtlety. They had time to spend on the long snowy night and the rest of their lives.
Amidst the pinnacle of joy for Song Yuhang and Lin Yan, another transaction quietly unfolded. It seems shes sensed something wrong with you. The mans voice was hoarse, speaking from the shadows. A slightly younger man clenched his fist, emotions churning in his throat. Arent you going to take action? She has to die. No. He finally breathed a sigh of relief. Until we get Lin Youyuans will, she is still the legal heir of the Lin family and cant be killed. But He suddenly lifted his head, a ruthless gleam in his eyes. The other one has to die. As for her The man chuckled, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. That persons child has grown so big now. As the man spoke, he walked back, sat down, and lit a water pipe. Youre right. Shes still alive, posing a hindrance. Not only did she eliminate the hidden stake, Li Yang, but she also attempts to reverse the situation However, the tobo in that water pipe was A swirl of blue smoke rose. The man took a few puffs, leaning back in his chair, his face showing a hint of intoxicated expression. After all, this matter poses a threat to you. Its normal to fear her, even to contemte killing her. Have you figured out how to proceed? The man asked again. The young man chuckled, We still need bait. Oh? The man chuckled lightly, raising his champagne ss to clink with his. Heres to your sess in advance.
Countless encounters After the two took their time getting ready and had breakfast, it was already past nine in the morning when they set out. Song Yuhang called her mom to inform her about her business trip. After a brief silence on the other end, she spoke, With Yanyan? Song Yuhang nced at Lin Yan, who was still drowsy, and replied, Yes, were going together. Yuhang, you Her moms voice suddenly became a bit frustrated. Mom, dont worry. When we get back, Ill exin everything slowly. Mother Song promptly hung up the phone with a loud snap. Lin Yan looked at her, Song Song Yuhang, with one hand on the steering wheel, reached out and squeezed her hand. Its okay. Trust me. Take a nap. Lin Yan wanted to say something but eventually swallowed her words, leaning back in her seat and closing her eyes. All right, wake me up when we arrive. Not long after their car passed the service area, an employee at the gas station walked to an empty and secluded area, picking up a walkie-talkie. Hey, theyve set off.
LP: Passionately~ And Lin Ge is really Sigh
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Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 86-1 Chapter 86-1 Direction Driving on the highway, Song Yuhang nced back through her sunsses into the rearview mirror, a faint smile ying on her lips. It seems were being watched. Lin Yan leaned her hand against her forehead, massaging her templeszily. Someone was tailing mest night when I was at the Lin familys house. Song Yuhang nced at her slightly nervously. Are you okay? Im fine, I shook them off, Lin Yan replied, chewing gum as she kept an eye on the ck car that had been following them at a distance through the rearview mirror. Since theyve followed us all the way here after aunts birthday banquet yesterday, dont me me for being impolite. Song Yuhang gripped the steering wheel, her gaze fixed ahead, maneuvering through the traffic. No rush, lets y with them for a while. At the next service area. Lin Yan started moring to go to the restroom again. Song Yuhang parked the car by the side, unbuckled her seatbelt, and got out with her. She took a drag of her cigarette, her arm around Lin Yans shoulder, leading her inside. From the corner of her eye, she noticed that the ck car also pulled over to the side. Song Yuhang patted her shoulder twice. You go ahead, Ill go over there and have a look, and buy some food. Lin Yan nodded in understanding, and the two of them went their separate ways. The ck-d person following behind peeked around, then pressed the mini microphone at their ear. Report, theyve separated. Lin Yan squeezed into the crowd queuing for the restroom. She took the bucket hat from thedy in front who was engrossed in ying with her phone, put it on her own head, and donned sunsses. She took off her jacket and held it in her hand, then took out a mask from her pocket and put it on her face. She blended in with a group of middle-aged women and walked out. The ck-d person made a turn and couldnt see her anymore. Meanwhile, Song Yuhang leaned against the counter and bought a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes. As the cashier gave her change, she caught sight of the anxious ck-d person pacing around. They seemed to have lost their target. A faint smile curled up at the corner of her lips, and she deliberately raised her voice. Give me a bottle of mineral water too. The ck-d person abruptly turned their head as if they had found their target. Song Yuhang led them through the corridor towards the parking lot. During lunchtime, the service area was crowded with tour buses and private cars. People asionally passed by them as they walked through the parking lot. The ck-d person followed closely. Song Yuhang maneuvered through the crowd, leading the person towards the side where the buses were parked. The towering bus body cast shadows on the ground, shielding them from the sunlight. As she walked, Song Yuhang used her teeth to undo her sleeve cuff and circled around to the other side of the bus. The ck-d person hurriedly followed. Someone tapped them on the shoulder. Hey They turned around, and Lin Yans fistnded directly on their face. The ck-d person stumbled back two steps, their back hitting the bus, while their hand pulled a spring-loaded knife from their pocket and lunged towards her throat. However, before they could get close, they were kicked away, soaring through the air. Song Yuhang caught them by the neck and pushed them onto the bus, her eyes filled with ferocity. Speak?! Who sent you?! Lin Yan picked up the spring-loaded knife, tapping it in her palm as she approached him. Nice knife, just a bit dim-witted owner. The person gritted their teeth, a fierce determination shing in their eyes. They bent their knees and struck Song Yuhang in the abdomen. Instinctively, she raised her hand to block, but the person took advantage of the opening and grabbed her shoulder, executing a textbook joint lock. Damn it! Lin Yan spat and drew a copsible baton from her waist. With a forceful swing, she struck the ck-d person on the head, disorienting them. She then grabbed the persons cor and forcefully mmed them against the bus, reaching up to remove their mask. At that moment, Song Yuhang suddenly heard a faint sound simr to the pull-tab of a soda can being opened. A silencer! rm bells rang in her mind. She lunged towards Lin Yan, pressing her against her chest. The two of them tumbled to the ground, narrowly avoiding a bullet that grazed their hair and struck the bus, sparking as it hit. The other ck-d person ran over from the other side of the bus, helping their fallenrade and showing no intention to fight. They quickly got up and fled. Song Yuhang! Lin Yans voice held a hint of fear as she lifted her head. Cough Im fine Song Yuhang cleared the dust from her throat and helped Lin Yan stand up. Lin Yan wanted to give chase but was pulled back. Dont chase them. They have guns and backup. The two of us cant handle them. She squatted down again, examining the bullet deeply embedded in the buss body. Lin Yan also leaned over, watching as she reached out and forcefully pulled the bullet out. This is Lin Yan scrutinized the bullets tip, a hint of astonishment in her eyes. Yes, its a rubber bullet. Song Yuhang clenched the bullet tightly in her palm, gritting her teeth. Patrol officers from the service area heard themotion and ran over. There, over there! That way! The sound of chaotic footsteps filled the air. Lin Yan pulled her down and they weaved through the parked vehicles, taking several turns before running out. She casually ced the cap on a passerbys head, took off her sunsses, and together with Song Yuhang, squeezed into a minivan heading to the provincial capital. The two of them sat in the back seat, swaying back and forth, and handed the money to the conductor. Song Yuhang: What about your car? Lin Yan thought for a moment, took out her phone, and sent a text message to the mysterious person: Someone wille to drive it away in a while. Okay. Song Yuhang nodded, gripping her hand tightly, still shaken by the recent events. Lin Yan tilted her head and smiled. Are you scared? Song Yuhang smiled and leaned her head against Lin Yans shoulder. Im scared that I wont be able to protect you properly. The car was crowded, stuffy, and small. Lin Yan muttered softly, I dont want you to protect me. I can take care of myself. I want to stand with you and face the enemy together. Song Yuhang smiled, ruffled her head without saying a word, and then, worried that she might feel ufortable or get carsick, patted her head, gesturing for her to close her eyes and rest for a while. Sleep, when you wake up, well have arrived.
The Guo familys shop was located in a remote suburb of the provincial capital. After getting off the expressway, they boarded a long-distance bus and traveled for over an hour on a cement road before arriving. The storefront hidden in an alley had a sign hanging that read Guo Ji Tang Shui Pu (Guos Sweet Soup Shop). It was just about to open in the evening. A sturdy and lean young man was busy moving tables and chairs out of the house. With so many things to handle, he was bustling around by himself, wearing a pure white towel around his neck and limping slightly. identally, he bumped into a table, causing the stic chair in his hand to topple over. Song Yuhang steadied it for him with one hand. The man breathed a sigh of relief, and a grateful smile appeared on his face. Thank you. However, in the next moment, his smile froze as Lin Yan walked out from behind Song Yuhang and took out her police badge. Police. I have a question for you. Do you know Zhu Yong? Of course, he remembered the face of that woman. On the day Zhu Yong was arrested, he had followed the police car for several miles. Suddenly, a thin and weak girl had burst out from the crowd and, with an unexpected burst of strength, pushed aside the police, punching and kicking Zhu Yong, who was wearing handcuffs. The police swarmed forward and forcefully pinned the girl to the ground. His father wailed in anguish, half of his ear bitten off. Meanwhile, the girl, being pulled up by the police, continued to cry and scream, Dont touch me! Dont touch me! Murderer! Ill kill you! Ill kill you! In reality, Lin Yan hadnt changed much over the years. If anything, she had be more mature and charming. He remembered it vividly. So, as soon as he saw her, his legs began to tremble, and he uncontrobly swallowed saliva, limping and hurrying into the house with his back turned. I-I dont know, youve got the wrong person. Lin Yan took a couple of steps forward. Guo Xiaoguang, your name is Guo Xiaoguang, right? Ive been looking for you all these years. Your father As soon as she mentioned father, Guo Xiaoguang suddenly erupted, throwing the chair he was holding to the ground. I said I dont know you! What else do you want?! Father, my father is already dead! Im an orphan! I dont have a father! Lin Yan was taken aback, and Guo Xiaoguang was gasping for breath, like a wild beast on the verge of copse. She reached for the mechanical baton at her waist, prepared to resort to force if necessary. But Song Yuhang grabbed her wrist and gently shook her head. A thud thud sound of a cane hitting the ground came from inside the house, and an elderly woman with an unsteady gait walked out. She had silver hair, a hunched back, and reached out to grope around. It turned out that she was blind. Oh, Xiaoguang, who is this person? Why are you arguing with someone again? Didnt I say to stay calm and conduct business peacefully? Let go of a few cents and let it go. Guo Xiaoguang threw the towel from his neck onto the table and went to support her. Mom, its okay. I didnt argue with anyone. I can handle it outside by myself. Please rest. This should be Guo Xiaoguangs stepmother. Song Yuhang moved her lips and took a step forward. Someone outside called, Old Guo, two bowls of sweet soup and wonton noodles! Guo Xiaoguang responded and pushed past them to leave. Excuse me, were about to do business. If youre not ordering, please leave. Lin Yans eyes flickered as she pulled Song Yuhang to sit down. Boss, well have two bowls of sweet soup and a serving of all your signature snacks. Guo Xiaoguang stumbled a bit, looking at the two people who didnt seem overweight.
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Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 86-2 Chapter 86-2 Direction Are you gonna finish eating? Lin Yan pulled out a pair of disposable chopsticks from a bamboo basket and opened them. Whether I finish eating or not is my own business. If you dont serve me, I willin to the Consumer Protection Bureau and make sure your business shuts down for good. Guo Xiaoguang gritted his teeth, feeling helpless against them, and limped into the kitchen. After a while, he angrily mmed two bowls of sweet soup onto the table. Here, eat up and get out! After a day of traveling, Lin Yan was actually quite hungry. She took a sip and found it to be not bad. She loved drinking these kinds of soupy desserts, so she squinted her eyes in satisfaction. Not bad, give me another serving to take away. Song Yuhang chuckled and scooped some purple sweet potato from her own bowl and gave it to her. Alright, hurry up and eat. Stop teasing people. Lin Yan grimaced at her, signaling her not to interfere. Guo Xiaoguang served one dish, and Lin Yan added another dish, deliberately ordering them one at a time to test his patience, making him run back and forth with hisme leg. In a fit of anger, the young man finally mmed the menu down. Aware of the presence of other customers, he lowered his voice and yelled, What exactly do you two want? The police wouldnt bully people like this, would they?! They had ordered too much food, and even though Song Yuhang had only taken a small bite of each dish, she was feeling a bit full. She burped and wiped her mouth with a low-quality napkin, cing it on the table. Were not doing anything. Were just asking you something. If you keep avoiding us, we have plenty of patience to stay here and wait. One yed the role of the angry one, and the other yed the role of the reasonable one. Song Yuhang was responsible for reasoning with him, while Lin Yan was the one who threw tantrums and acted shamelessly. Thats right. If you dont tell us, welle today, tomorrow, and every day. I have plenty of time and money. Or maybe, we could just go and ask She pursed her lips towards the inside of the restaurant. The olddy in there. Guo Xiaoguang turned around and shouted, Dont you touch my mom, or Ill fight you! Lin Yan shrugged indifferently. Do you think you can beat me? Or do you think Ill listen to you? Guo Xiaoguang clenched his fist, his chest heaving up and down. Just as he was holding his breath and had nowhere to vent, the sound of someone mming the table to pay the bill came from a table near the entrance of the restaurant. He had no choice but to leave them and hurried over. Brother Mao, four bottles of beer, five bowls of sweet soup, two tes of lobster, one te of edamame, a total of 142 yuan. He nodded and bowed, and the young man with tattooed arms sucked on his cigarette and blew the smoke rings in his face. What? I didnt hear clearly, say it again. Guo Xiaoguang, with a timid face, repeated: Brother, its a total of 142 yuan. The young man became furious, throwing the cigarette butt at him. F*ck your mother! You dare to ask your Brother Mao for money! Guo Xiaoguang was scalded, a hole burned in his clothes. He staggered back a few steps and bumped into the table and chairs on the opposite side. No, Brother Mao, I The profit margin of the restaurant is small. You havent paidst months bill yet Several young hooligans also stood up, pointing and gesturing at him, poking and prodding. What? Brother Maoing to eat here is giving you face. Dont be ungrateful and dare to ask Brother Mao for money?! Have you paid the protection fee this month, you punk?! A yellow-haired guy with a cigarette noticed that there were a few loose bills stuffed in Guo Xiaoguangs apron pocket. He reached out and took them, counting. Hey, 200 yuan. Business is good today. Hand it over. Guo Xiaoguangs face turned red, and he reached out to snatch it back. Dont dont Brother Mao, Brother Mao, I still have to pay rent, utilities, and my mothers medical expenses. I beg you to leave me some, dy the protection fee a bit, please. The tattooed young man kicked him in the stomach. Its always the same excuse. Cant youe up with something different? The group of hoodlums burst intoughter. Beads of sweat the size of soybeans formed on Guo Xiaoguangs forehead as his hand touched the nearby chair. Before he could make a move, someone had already swung a baton at him. He stared nkly as the woman smashed the back of the young mans head with a blow, causing him to copse onto the table. Bottles, bowls, and dishes were knocked over and shattered on the floor. The young man groaned, holding his head. F*ck f*ck Whos the crazy b*tch? Ill f*ck her! Others grabbed bottles and rushed forward, only to be dealt with one by one by Song Yuhang, subdued and thrown out of the door. She walked over, snatched the money from the yellow-haired guys hand, and gave it back to Guo Xiaoguang. Theyve been extorting protection money from you. Why havent you reported it to the police? Guo Xiaoguang counted the money carefully, not missing a single yuan, and cautiously tucked it into his apron pocket, smiling bitterly. I did report it, but its useless. Im a cripple, my mother is blind, and were outsiders. Those local thugs were caught and released after a few days, and they came back even more ruthless, demanding protection money. If we refuse, they smash the shop and beat up customers. Its better to endure and live a few peaceful days, swallowing our pride. Lin Yan clenched the baton tightly, the joints turning white. F*ck, theyre really scum. Song Yuhang turned away and made a phone call. Before long, a nearby patrol car arrived. Several police officers jumped out and, seeing the fallen hoodlums on the ground, expressed their disgust. Why is it you guys again Hey, his head is all busted up. Who did this? One of the police officers turned over the young mans head and took a nce. Song Yuhang walked over with an expressionless face. I did it. I also called the police. The police officer looked at her strangely, as if thinking she was meddling in other peoples business, andzily took out a notebook. Name, ID number. Youll be held responsible for beating someone up like this. Song Yuhang tugged at the corner of her lips and took out her police officers badge, handing it over. You are also responsible for your long-standing inaction and even tolerance towards criminal activities. Upon seeing the ck notebook, the police officer nced at her and said, Hey, a colleague. Youve got some skills. He thought she was a new rookie officer, but when he opened the notebook, he saw that her badge number actually started with a 0! Instantly, he broke out in a cold sweat,paring the person and the photo back and forth several times. He raised his hand and saluted, stuttering and unable to speak fluently. S-Song Captain Song, hello! No need for formalities. Song Yuhang took out a cigarette from her pocket, flicked it a few times, and lit it. If youre here for a vacation, then stop calling me Captain Song. These thugs and hooligans have been extorting protection money, engaging in usury, running up long-term debts, and vandalizing shops, assaulting customers. Each of these charges is enough to put them away for a few months. I will report this matter truthfully to Director Zhao. Handcuff them. The police officer was on the verge of tears. No, Captain Song She gave him a cold nce. What? Do I have to take matters into my own hands and reimburse them for medical expenses as well? She rarely used her authority to pressurize others, most of the time she was approachable. But with just one cold nce, even Lin Yan felt a bit intimidated. The small police officers scalps tingled, knowing that she was genuinely angry. They had all heard of her reputation for cracking the Aurora Case and the White Whale Case. She was Director Zhaos favored protg and the deputy head of the Jiangcheng City Bureau. They didnt dare to offend her any further. They each took out handcuffs and handcuffed the small-time hooligans and put them into the police car. At this moment, the leader handed her a cigarette as he approached. Captain Song, you see, the Dragon King Temple has been flooded. Even family members dont recognize each other. Tonights incident He tapped her wrist lightly. Forget it, my brothers and I invite you to dinner. Lin Yan put away the baton like a massage stick and patted his shoulder. She looked at him and gently tugged at the corner of her lips, smiling. But the words that came out were stern and impartial. Song Yuhang pointed at his body camera. No way, treating superiors to a banquet, thats an even more serious offense. The police officers face turned pale, knowing that this person wouldnt be swayed by bribery. He gnashed his teeth in frustration, turned around, and took the suspects away. Damn it! Song Yuhang finally walked over and helped him pick up the fallen tables and chairs. Sorry, we willpensate you for the damaged items. Guo Xiaoguang stared at her in a daze, then looked at Lin Yan. He felt that they were different from ordinary police officers. You Due to this incident, all the customers had left the shop, and tonight he had essentially made no profit. Lin Yan pulled out a stack of yuan from her wallet and ced it on the table. Ill cover the bill. Its on me, for everyone tonight. Guo Xiaoguang looked at the stack of money and swallowed his saliva. Not only could this money cover todays sales, but it would also leave him with more than enough for this months rent. He reluctantly shifted his gaze back. Even so, I wont tell you. Song Yuhangs face grew solemn, and she patted his shoulder. Do you really want to carry the burden of being the killers son, living on thin ice for the rest of your life? Tell us what you know, and we will make sure to clear your name and your fathers. Guo Xiaoguang clenched his teeth, his eyes turning slightly red. He pushed her away. Where were you all fourteen years ago?! My dad is already dead! Dead! He cante back! He could never havemitted murder! Why didnt you investigate thoroughly?! Why?! For the past fourteen years, Ive been hiding, afraid to go to school, afraid to fall in love, afraid to get married! Im scared scared of being recognized as the killer, as Zhu Yongs son! My leg was broken by those people! When my dad was wrongly used and humiliated, when everyone treated me like a pariah, where were you?! Now youe out, pretending to be righteous, acting all high and mighty. It makes me sick! Bah! As she watched his distraught appearance, Lin Yan didnt know which sorrowful matter had touched her heart. She turned her face slightly away and sniffled. Song Yuhangs throat moved slightly, her eyes lowered, red-rimmed, and she bowed her head. On behalf of the entire police force of Jiangcheng City, I offer you our most sincere apologies. At the same time, I assure you that the tragedy of fourteen years ago will not be repeated. Justice may be dyed, but it will never be absent. Because Her gaze shifted to Lin Yan. Beside me stands someone who was also involved in the Fenyang Wharf Dismemberment Case back then. What I want to say is that even though hope may seem bleak, there are still some people willing to fight for justice and righteousness throughout their lives. Like a firefly flickering in the darkness, even if alone and insignificant, it will eventually be a guide for the lost. With such a spark, the torch of justice will never be extinguished. Lin Yan straightened her posture and looked at him. Thats right, the one who died back then was my best friend. Not long after her death, her mother went mad because she couldnt bear the blow. For fourteen years, I have also lived like you, never having a good day. I have to rely on medication and alcohol to fall asleep. I deeply empathize with your feelings. But if this incident wasnt caused by your father, why should you pay with your youth and suffer the price of destruction and loss? The one who deserves to die, who should pay the price, is the murderer. Lin Yans remark struck his heart like a heavy hammer. Guo Xiaoguang clenched his fists. A real man doesnt shed tears easily. He gently wiped the corner of his eye, about to speak, when the curtain in the inner room was lifted. The elderly woman stood trembling at the doorway. Xiaoguang, close the shop and let the guests in to talk.
LP: If only majority of police are like this in real life
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 87-1 Chapter 87-1 Evidence They made contact with Guo Xiaoguang. As he listened to the voiceing from the receiver, the mans fingers touched his forehead. In a moment, as if making a significant decision, he lowered his hand. Destroy the evidence, make it clean.
Guo Xiaoguang brought the tables and chairs from outside the shop inside. Peeking around, he saw that there were not many people left on the street. Only then did he bring in the signboard and casually close the rolling shutter. Inside, there was only one dim, greasy light bulb illuminating the room. An elderly woman sat on the bed, leaning on a crutch. This bedroom, transformed from a storage room, was narrow and cramped. Next to it was the kitchen, with not much space for seating. Song Yuhang had cleared out a cardboard box, took off her coat, and ced it as a cushion for Lin Yan to sit on. She herself stood. In order to make this transcript formal and reliable for presentation in court, Song Yuhang took out a recording pen and first identified herself. Hello, I am Song Yuhang, the Captain of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Jiangcheng Public Security Bureau. This person next to me is Lin Yan, the Chief Forensic Doctor of the Technical Investigation Section of the Municipal Bureau. She was also a ssmate of the deceased in the Fenyang Wharf Dismemberment Case back then. I assure you that our conversation will be recorded in its entirety, open and transparent. We will handle this evidence properly and will not use it for any other purpose except as evidence in court. When the elderly woman heard her say that Lin Yan was a ssmate of the deceased, her lips trembled, and tears suddenly rolled down from her eyes, which were already blind except for the whites. Fourteen years Fourteen years I finally waited for this day Mom, Mom, please dont get too worked up. Guo Xiaoguang sat on the bed, using the back of his hand to wipe away his foster mothers tears. Song Yuhang crouched down and held her hand. Youve been through so much. Take your time and tell us everything you know. We will clear Zhu Yongs name. The elderly womans hand trembled as she wiped away her tears. Brother Yong Brother Yong was wronged He couldnt have possiblymitted murder Song Yuhang and Lin Yan exchanged a nce. What do you mean? When asked about this, a slightly embarrassed expression appeared on the elderly womans face. But in order to uncover the truth, she mustered the courage to speak up, even at the expense of her dignity. At that time all of you police officers said that Brother Yong killed as an act of revenge because because the father of the victim had killed his wife. So, he retaliated by chopping his daughter The elderly woman shook her head, her voice hoarse. Thats not true, not true Brother Yong Brother Yong had wanted his wife dead a long time ago, but he never had the courage He was such a weak person He would even hesitate before ughtering a pig How could he possiblymit murder? Guo Xiaoguangs eyes welled up with a hint of red. At that time, the police, the media, thewyers no one was willing to listen to us. My dad was branded as a murderer. He already had high blood pressure, and he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage shortly after being sent to the detention center. He died. Lin Yans gaze carried a pensive look as she spoke to him. What about you and your birth mother Guo Xiaoguangs throat tightened, and he closed his eyes. The pain was still unbearable even when recalling it now. She doesnt deserve to be a mother. In Guo Xiaoguangs fragmented narrative, a love story emerged from that era, twisted andmentable under societal oppression. Zhu Yong and Guo Yuezhen grew up together in the same vige, making a lifelongmitment to each other and venturing to the big city to find work. However, they ended up marrying people they didnt love. Guo Yuezhen was married off by her family to a wealthy local gentleman in the vige, who was older than her and a widower. By the time Zhu Yong rushed back home, the situation had already been settled. He attempted to elope with Guo Yuezhen but was pped back by his father. Whats the use of being infatuated with Yuezhen? Youll still be poor! Let me tell you, dont go anywhere this time. Stay at home obediently. Your mother has found several girls for you to marry, all from well-off families. The dowries alone would be enough to keep you well-fed! And so, the two young lovers fell apart. After marriage, Guo Yuezhen followed her husband to the city, while Zhu Yong married another woman. Both couples went to the city to find work. Relying on his skills from working in the ughterhouse, Zhu Yong opened a meat shop in the market and toiled day and night to make a living. His wife, who is also Guo Xiaoguangs birth mother, was a selfish and mean woman. She married him solely because she saw that he was honest, weak, and hardworking. Apart from sending some money to his family, Zhu Yong gave her all the money he earned through blood and sweat. She took that money and gambled with a few girlfriends she knew from hair salons, staying out all night and not returning home. It was only when Zhu Yong went to her workce to find her and witnessed her being intimate with another man that, in a fit of anger, he demanded a divorce, only to discover that she was pregnant at that moment. The woman cried and pleaded with him. Zhu Yong was already a weak and indecisive man, and besides, the woman wasnt entirely at fault apart from seeking attention from other men. She even sent money home regrly, which was considered the greatest virtue of filial piety in the countryside. Zhu Yong nned to wait until the child was born to determine if it was his before deciding on a divorce. When the child was born and the baby boy weakly held onto his finger, Zhu Yong couldnt bear to leave as he looked at the woman lying frail on the bed. At that moment, he firmly believed that everything would be fine, that their days would improve, and the woman would get back on the right track. They would be a happy family of three. But the good times didntst long. The nature of a person is hard to change. Once the woman regained her health, she started indulging in a life of debauchery. She only returned home when she ran out of money. After experiencing the extravagance of the city, she became even more disdainful of Zhu Yong, who she saw as an honest, weak, and penniless man. The money she spent on a casual bottle of wine with those wealthy men would be enough to sustain their family for a month. In Guo Xiaoguangs childhood, his father often carried him on his back and took him to sell meat. When Zhu Yong was overwhelmed with work, Xiaoguang would crawl on the ground alone, not knowing if he would find anything to eat. He would pick up leftover bones and raw pork and stuff them into his mouth. Eh, children shouldnt eat raw food. Why did you give this to him?! By chance, Guo Yuezhen came to the market to buy vegetables and identally knocked the raw meat out of his hands. She even patted his back and scooped the meat out of his mouth. Fate brought the two young people together once again. Their love had not diminished much. Zhu Yong had a genuine sense of responsibility towards his family, and he deeply suppressed his love for Guo Yuezhen in his heart. Little did he know that the more something is suppressed, the more astonishing its explosive power bes. They couldnt resist the temptation and betrayed their respective families, tearing each other apart in a vicious cycle, sinking permanently into the pleasure of immorality. In Guo Xiaoguangs childhood, his mother would scold and beat him without mercy. She didnt return to the family because of his birth; instead, she considered him a burden, hindering her from indulging in a debauched lifestyle with other men. In her eyes, women who had given birth were worthless. Its unclear which time it was, or perhaps it happened many times, but whenever Guo Xiaoguang called her mom outside, the woman would p him, causing his nose to bleed. Dont call me mom. I dont have a son like you. Youre just as useless as your father! Gradually, he stopped calling her mom. Sometimes when Zhu Yong went to sell meat, he would leave Guo Xiaoguang alone at home. The woman would bring various men back and make him stand guard at the door, watching over them. The little child stood barefoot, dressed in tattered clothes, squatting at the doorstep of a rundown wooden house, his eyes wide open, observing the passersby. As time went by, kind-hearted neighbors who noticed him would grin, revealing their yellowed teeth, and say, Oh, the shop is open again. Guo Xiaoguang couldnt understand their words, and as he grew older, he hoped he would never understand. Sometimes, when the woman had earned a lot of money and was in a good mood, she would give him a few coins to buy bubble gum. But more often, she would unleash upon him all the anger and torment she had endured from other men. As a three or four-year-old child, unsteady on his feet, stumbling while walking, Guo Xiaoguang had to pour foot-washing water for her, ssh the water used to wash her body outside, hold a broom taller than himself to sweep the floor, wipe the table with a cloth, roll up his sleeves to wash her socks, underwear, and undershirts. At the slightest dissatisfaction, the woman would dunk his head into a basin of water and beat him with a washboard, causing him to cry out in pain. Looking back now, it remains a nightmarish period. Guo Xiaoguang struggled to catch his breath as he clutched the fabric on his knees tightly. Guo Yuezhen felt her sons hand and gripped it tightly, their hands, one weathered and wrinkled, the other young, tightly intertwined. During those darkest days, only Guo Yuezhen, his fathers mistress, out of a sense of love, treated him well. She would smile at him, scrape money from her already meager living expenses to buy him candy, and wipe the dirt off his body while speaking to him in a gentle and tender voice. Children, in fact, dont understand much. They instinctively rely on those who treat them kindly. One day, Guo Yuezhen passed by their house after buying groceries and saw him ying with mud at the doorstep in the cold winter month. She asked him, Why dont you go inside? He replied in a low voice, Mom doesnt let me inside. Guo Xiaoguangs eyes filled with pity. Are you hungry, child? He nodded, Yes, hungry. Guo Yuezhen reached into her basket and pulled out the freshly bought steamed buns. They were still warm, and she handed one to him. Unfortunately, the woman, who had just returned from drinking, saw them and a violent fight ensued. Fortunately, Zhu Yong came back in time. It was the first time Guo Xiaoguang witnessed his father lose his temper like that, and it was the first time in many years that he hadid hands on the woman. He pushed her to the ground. Lets get a divorce! The woman burst into tears, refusing to divorce at this moment. Although Zhu Yong was poor, he treated her exceptionally well and never uttered a single word ofint. Not only did the woman refuse to divorce, but she also threatened to tell her parents in her hometown that if they divorced, they would ask for the dowry back and spread the news to the neighbors, making everyone think that Zhu Yong had abandoned her, branding him as a heartless man! She even threatened to take her son and jump into the river together, refusing to let the Zhu family continue their lineage even if it meant drowning. That night, Guo Xiaoguang peered through a small hole in the wooden wall of the inner room. His father sat on the bed, facing away from his mother, smoking a cigarette. The woman fell fast asleep. The man got up and retrieved a butcher knife from the kitchen. His silhouette, raising the knife high, cast a shadow on the mosquito. Guo Xiaoguang was so frightened that he copsed on the ground. But ultimately, that knife never came down. In Zhu Yong, Guo Xiaoguang witnessed the weakest and yet most kind-hearted side of a man. He obeyed his parentsmand and married a woman he didnt love, enduring years of being cuckolded. He couldnt even protect his own child from violence. But when pushed to the edge, he set aside the butcher knife. How could such an honest, weak, and incapable personmit such a heinous act of murder and dismemberment? Guo Xiaoguang refused to believe it, no matter what. If Zhu Yong had such courage, it wouldnt have been Chen Chunan who died years ago, but his unfit mother. As Guo Xiaoguang spoke, his eyes welled up, and two tears rolled down. He quickly wiped them away with the back of his hand and sniffled. Even with her like that, my dad didnt divorce her How could he possibly go and kill someone for revenge? Even if its inappropriate, we felt relieved when she died As for her death, it was indeed a genuine ident. Chen Chunans father went to buy meat, coincidentally when that woman came back to ask Zhu Yong for money. Zhu Yong told her to wait for a moment and went to the restroom, pleading with her to watch the shop. Impatient, the woman agreed. A quarrel broke out between her and Chen Chunans father over two cents, escting into a physical confrontation. Chen Chunans father pushed her away. She grabbed a butcher knife and made the first move, but missed. The knife was snatched away. She lunged again, shouting, Stab me if you dare! Come on, stab me here! Then, whether it was due to her pulling him or because Chen Chunans father was already unstable on his feet, a clean knife went in,ing out red.
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 87-2 Chapter 87-2 Evidence In the past, Chunan never brought up these things with her, and Lin Yan never asked. This was the first time she heard the whole story about her fathers murder. How should she put it, Lin Yan felt a bit, a bit She lowered her gaze slightly, her breathing bing unsteady, and her right hand clenched into a fist. She felt sorry for Chunans father, sorry for Guo Xiaoguang, and sorry for Chunan being called the child of a murderer for so many years. Song Yuhang didnt avoid getting close to her because of the presence of others. She walked up to her and pressed her into her arms. Lin Yan hugged her waist, sniffed twice, and quickly pushed her away. Im fine, continue. Song Yuhang carefully noted down everything they said. So, after your father passed away, you lived with Guo Yuezhen? Guo Xiaoguang nodded and gently patted his mothers hand. Tearfully, he smiled and said, Yes, if it werent for my mom, I would have starved to death by now. Lin Yan still had a lingering doubt. Madam, dont you have any other children? Guo Yuezhen shook her head, a hint of regret on her face. After I got married, I couldnt conceive. At first, we thought it was because my husband was getting older, but after going to the hospital, we found out it was my problem. My inws also despised me for this, so they kicked me out of the house. Luckily, Brother Yong didnt mind, and after he passed away, it was just me and Xiaoguang relying on each other for survival. Song Yuhang sighed, pondering whether it was fortunate or unfortunate for Zhu Yong to have encountered Guo Yuezhen. However, one thing was undeniable: Guo Xiaoguang meeting Guo Yuezhen was undoubtedly his greatest stroke of luck. Madam, Xiaoguang, think again if there is anything that can prove Zhu Yongs innocence. Simply relying on theck of a motive is not enough to clear his suspicion. Song Yuhang calmly and clearly raised a difficult point, unaffected by her emotions. Guo Xiaoguang shook his head sadly, If only my father hadnt died in the detention center. The two of them locked eyes, and Lin Yan changed her approach and asked, On the night of June 15, 1994, where was your father? Guo Xiaoguang pondered for a moment, looked them straight in the eye, and replied, He was at home the whole time, he didnt go out. Can you guarantee that? Song Yuhang furrowed her brow as she looked at him, feeling that the case was bing more and more elusive. Guo Xiaoguang raised two fingers and swore, I am willing to take legal responsibility for what I say. If I tell a single lie, may I die a miserable death. Lin Yan looked at him and said, I believe you. Guo Xiaoguang scratched his head, hearing her words, a faint smile appeared on his face. However, his brows quickly furrowed again, clearly indicating that talking about these things still made him ufortable. He usually finishes work at the vegetable market at 5:30, rides a tricycle for an hour to pick me up from school, then cooks dinner for me, and finally goes to chop grass to feed the pigs, looking for piglets to be ughtered the next day. He often starts working before dawn. How could he have the time? The elderly woman also trembled as she spoke, tears shimmering in her cloudy eyes. If you dont believe it I can testify. On that day, I went to pick up Xiaoguang from school Song Yuhang sensitively noticed something unusual in her words. Why did you go to pick him up? Because my dad lost his tricycle and had to walk back home. Guo Xiaoguang replied, I remember it vividly because I waited at school for a long time, starving. As per usual, Aunt Guoes to bring food to our house at dinner time. When she saw that there were no lights on and nobody answered the door, she thought something might have happened, so she ran to the school to pick me up. The recording pen flickered, and Song Yuhang carefully transcribed their conversation without missing a single word. Its quite a coincidence that the vehicle went missing. Lin Yan: When did it go missing? Guo Xiaoguang pondered for a moment. It was the night before the incident. On the early morning of June 15th, my dad got up to ughter the pig, and the vehicle was gone. It was a borrowed van that he and the neighbor used to transport the pork to the market. Whenever they were together, their eyes would unconsciously meet. Lin Yan nced at her, and Song Yuhang reached out and held her palm in her hand, freeing her nails from the grip. She kept her hand on her knee. Lin Yan struggled for a moment but couldnt break free, feeling frustrated. Guo Xiaoguang watched their series of actions and couldnt help butment, You guys A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Song Yuhangs lips as she held her hand tightly and didnt let go. Its just as you see. Tell me about the case. Did you report the theft to the police? We did. My dad reported it as soon as he came back from the market that afternoon. The police said it wasnt anything valuable, just a run-down car, so they might not be able to recover it. They just made a record and left. But who would have known that three dayster, on the 18th, the police came knocking again. I thought they were here to return the car, but as soon as they arrived, they pushed my dad to the ground and said he was a major suspect in a crime Guo Xiaoguang couldnt continue speaking at this point, and Song Yuhang handed him a tissue. Im sorry for bringing up these painful memories again, but please believe me, your suffering all these years will not be in vain. I will make sure that your father Gets justice. Gets justice. Their fists clenched together, and Song Yuhang made a solemn promise to him, in the manner of a man, in the capacity of a police officer. Before signing the statement, Guo Xiaoguang knelt down once again and earnestly swore, this time directed towards the recording pen ced on the table. He reiterated his oath. I, Guo Xiaoguang, swear that every word I have spoken is true. I am willing to bear legal responsibility for my words. If there is a single falsehood, may thunder strike me down and let me meet an untimely end. Having said that, he picked up the pen and, with a heavy heart, wrote his name and pressed his fingerprints. The olddy, leaning on her cane, slowly made her way over. Lin Yan supported her and handed her the inkpad. With all her strength, the olddy pressed her finger into the ink, leaving a deep impression on her fingertip. Trembling lips, guided by Song Yuhang, she also pressed her crimson fingerprint onto the paper with ck words. As she stood up, unable to support herself any longer, tears streamed down her face. She held onto Song Yuhangs arm, about to kneel down and kowtow to her. Please please I beg you you must you must clear Brother Yongs name clear Xiaoguangs name I will hold on with this old body, until the day the truth is revealed. I cannot rest in peace until then, I cannot rest in peace! The old woman wailed, and Guo Xiaoguang lifted her up, wiping away her tears. Mom, what are you doing? What are you doing? Have you forgotten how you lost your sight? The doctor said you cant cry, you cant cry Lin Yan couldnt bear to see this, but another matter came to mind. She took out her business card from her wallet and handed it over, saying, You cant stay here anymore. Move out as soon as its daylight. This is my business card. Take it and go to Fangyue Cleaning Company. They will provide you with a new job and a ce to stay. Guo Xiaoguang hesitated as he looked at the embossed gold business card. But you Lin Yan pushed it into his hand and said, Just take it and go. Stop being so hesitant! Song Yuhang also left her phone number for him and said, If you encounter any difficulties or danger, call this number. I will do my best to help you. Their seriousness made Guo Xiaoguang uneasy. Is it because of the case? Song Yuhang shook her head. We cant tell you anything right now. Just remember, we came here today for sightseeing. We happened to have a meal at your ce and helped you deal with a few thugs. After that, we left and nothing else happened. The things you told me today will stay with me. I absolutely wont tell anyone else. Otherwise She paused slightly, leaving her unfinished words chilling. Guo Xiaoguang felt a shiver down his spine, and although he felt uneasy, he nodded solemnly and tightly clutched the business card. Alright, dont worry. I wont let anyone else know about your visit here. This will be our secret. As long as I can restore my fathers innocence, Im not afraid. Ill do whatever it takes. Lin Yan stood up and said, Then well take our leave. You Her gaze swept across the young mans face and the wrinkled face of the olddy. Take care. Take care. Guo Xiaoguang saw them off and just as he was about to close the rolling shutter, he came out of the kitchen with a packed box of food. Here, sweet soup. You said you wanted a packed portion to take away, right? I thought to myself, I might not be able to continue this job, so this might be thest sweet soup I make. If you like it, its yours. Well, it doesnt necessarily have to be thest one. Youre quite skilled, after all. Once this case is settled,e cook at the Lin family. I still need a Cantonese chef. At that time, she had no idea that Guo Xiaoguangs words about it being thest one would turn out to be true. Lin Yan was momentarily taken aback but then smiled and epted the food with a cheerful expression. After the rolling shutter closed, she discreetly slipped a stack of money through the gap at the bottom. She always had a carefree demeanor, often spouting wild words and speaking with a sharp and sometimes cold and entric tone. There was always a hint of sharpness in her words and actions. It was thanks to Song Yuhangs long rtionship with her, enabling her to witness the softness and kindness beneath her tough exterior. She pulled her up and said, Lets go find a ce to sleep. The weather was cold in winter, so Lin Yan tucked her hands into the pockets of her jacket to keep warm. She absentmindedly traced her fingernail over the palm of her hand. Get a room? Song Yuhang nced at her, feeling the joints of her fingers curling and uncurling in her palm. It inevitably reminded her of the times when their passion ran high, and she would grasp the bedsheets with such force, yet in vain. Lets go. Do we want a couples room or a king-size bed? With or without a bathtub? Or maybe something outdoors She leaned in, her arm around her shoulder, and smiled suggestively. She whispered in her ear, her breath fragrant like orchids, but her words were: Dont look back, just keep walking. Did you bring your ID? Lin Yans gaze instantly turned cold. I brought it. At the next intersection, lets split up and find hotels to check in. Well contact each other in half an hour. Song Yuhang squeezed her hand gently. Be careful. Lin Yan nodded. At that moment, a bus happened to stop to drop off passengers. By the time the traffic light turned green again, the intersection was empty. The ck-d person tracking them cursed as they dropped their earpiece. F*ck, lost them again!
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Dodge Southwestern frontier. A tropical rainforest. Boots squeak on wooden attic floors, light bulbs flicker overhead, insects tirelessly crash into them. Go, Go, e here. Someone with broken English is pushing a group of girls through the jungle. The branches shake, and the short girl at the back tugs at the clothes of a girl of simr age in front. Werent we supposed to go to Southeast Asia to strike it rich? How did we end up Before she could finish, the whole line stopped; the leader loudly silenced their whispering, and then the group was led into a room. From today, you live here. Work starts tomorrow arranged by Kuba. Do well, make the guests happy, and earning over ten thousand a month is no problem. The room is small with a wooden structure, with a few simple bunk beds. Kuba, the man mentioned by the leader, enters, tall and burly with a typically Southeast Asian look, holding a dark leather whip in his hand, his greedy eyes scanning over the panicked girls. He nods in satisfaction, muttering something in Burmese to the leader. The leader showed a relieved smile and walked out with the other. The wooden door closed. Two burly men appeared to guard the door. It was the same girl who spoke earlier who put her luggage on the bed: Fangfang, which bed are you sleeping in? The top bunk. Okay. The girls bed was near the door, she was pulling things out of her worn cloth bag while peeping through the crack of the door. Kuba handed a stack of money to the person who had brought them. The leader wet his fingers with saliva counting the money, muttered something in Burmese with a faint dissatisfaction on his face. Kubas face changed, he took out the whip and barked an order, the leader jumped in fright, promptly silencing his protests. In the end, he was taken away by several men in ck. The anxiety in the girls heart grew. Fumbling for the small cell phone in her bag, she hesitated, intending to call home to check in when Kuba and several others entered, she subconsciously stuffed the mobile phone into the bedding. With a wave of Kubas hand, the men in ck started rummaging through their bags. The girl tried to grab it but was pushed onto the bed. The burly men looked at her like hungry wolves. She didnt dare move, going limp and silently enduring their violence. They searched through all the backpacks and threw everyones passports and IDs into a sack. Only then did Kuba stop and said in his broken Chinese: Work doesnt need these, earning money doesnt need these, stay put honestly, and youll be paid. With that, he closed the door again, leaving a room full of girls exchanging nces, still shaken. The top bunk was upied by herpanion, a sister from the same vige. Forget it, lets sleep, sleep. As long as I can make money, Im willing to do anything. The girly down restlessly, the bedding moist, with a scent unique to the rainforest or perhaps left by the previous upant, a smell of fishiness. She couldnt fall asleep. Neither could the others, tossing and turning. In the silent night, only the creaking of the bed boards could be heard. Finally, someone couldnt help but speak up. How old are yall? After a pause, she heard someone from the opposite bed say, Eighteen, and you? The one who asked replied, Twenty-one, so you should call me Sister Sheng. A muffledugh spread in the room, and gradually, the girls began to chat. Im twenty. Ran out after a fight with the family. Just turned neen, want to earn some money for my younger brothers education. Im twenty-five, probably the oldest among us here. And you? The question turned to her. The girl stammered, Ten fifteen You dont look it. The girl had a pretty face, with two braids, bright and lively big eyes, and a good figure, not skinny like a typical fifteen-year-old girl. She was married off as a child bride and is already the mother of a one-year-old child. This was amon urrence in their vige. It was only after she could no longer bear her husbands beatings that she begged a sister from the same vige, who was preparing to go out to work, to take her along. The continuous rushing around these past few days has made the girls somewhat tired; gradually, no one spoke anymore. Someone started to snore. The girl lifted her nket and climbed out of bed. Her bunkmate popped her head out, Where you headed? Cant sleep, off to the bathroom. The girl nodded towards the copper basin in the middle of the room, Theres a basin right there. Forget it, feels kind of embarrassing. The girl was visibly restless, pulling out her phone from under her pillow and holding it as she walked out. Even though she had left home on an impulse, her heart was still hanging onto her child. She wanted to call her childs father and hear her childs voice. Her bunkmatey back down. The girl gently pushed open the door; the guard who had been at the door was nowhere to be seen. The moon shone bright and the stars were sparse, with the flickering of campfires in the jungle, and lights were on in several cabins not far away. She walked down the stairs, looking for a secluded spot with a good signal to call home. Every wooden house here seemed exactly the same; as she passed by and peered through the cracks of the doors, she saw many rooms housing girls just like them. Just as lifeless, no one speaking. The girl swallowed hard; the hallway hade to an end, with a wooden house in front of her lit up. She had to pass by here to go down the stairs into the jungle. She treaded lightly in her embroidered cloth shoes. Excited shouts came from the men inside the house; that Kuba was there too, she dared not look, her scalp tingling, until a womans shrill scream pierced the night sky. She nced over sharply, the womans eye staring fixedly at her through the crack of the door, bloodied and battered, clothes disheveled. Save save me! Startled, she stumbled and collided with the railing, the wooden house making a grating noise that set ones teeth on edge. Torches lit up in the jungle. Someone was running this way. The wooden door creaked open. The girl took off running, only to be yanked back and thrown to the ground with force. Her phone flew out,nding beside a cane. The man bent down to pick it up. Whats your name? he asked with a kind face, perhaps aged, which seemed particrly gentle. Trembling, the girl answered, Li Lili. Not bad, the man said, eyeing her phone. He lifted her face with his cane and said, Take her home to meet her family. The girls heart leaped with joy, and her smile froze on her face. Kuba, baring his muscr arms, raised a wooden stick high and ruthlessly struck her at the back of her head. Blood sttered. The girl instantly fell silent. He had to be ruthless. He led the people to search the room. If the girl didnt die, he would be the one who died. Blood sttered on the light bulb. The shadow of Kubas sturdy figure was cast on the wall. He left a trail of chilling bloodstains where he dragged the person, extending all the way to the stairs. After a while, a seven or eight-year-old child came with a bucket of water to clean the floor. The branches in the jungle trembled, and with a ssh of water, all the sins vanished into thin air.
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 88-2 Chapter 88-2 Dodge Hello, a standard room, please. Lin Yan took out her ID card and handed it over, casually tapping her fingertips on the counter while sneakily using her peripheral vision to scan behind her. There were surveince cameras in the hotel lobby; the person tailing her had note in. Lin Yan whistled softly and threw a flirtatious look at the receptionist, then picked up her key card and went upstairs. A standard room, thanks. Song Yuhang pulled out money from her wallet, handed it over, took her change and room card, and then she also went upstairs. Fifteen minutester, in the cover of the night, a window on the second floor cracked open ever so slightly, revealing an empty alleyway below. A nimble figure scaled down the drainpipe with bare hands, then darted into the darkness. When Lin Yan reached the agreed spot, Song Yuhang was already waiting for her. Seeing her run over, Song Yuhang finally breathed a sigh of relief and greeted her: Are you okay? Im fine, Lin Yan shook her head. Took some effort, but I managed to shake them off. The long run and climb had left her a bit out of breath. Song Yuhang, feeling concerned, took her by the hand and guided her along the walls edge, avoiding the surveince cameras blind spots, and they entered a small hostel. Thendy, slouched in her chair, barely lifted an eyebrow as someone entered: ID card. Song Yuhang directly took out twice the amount of the room price and ced it on the counter. Thendy sat up, counting the money with a grin, and tossed them a set of keys. Straight upstairs then turn left. Just like that, the two of them checked into a ck hotel that didnt require identity registration, using double the money. To craft a perfect alibi and shake off their pursuers, Song Yuhang intentionally left surveince footage of herself with Lin Yan on the streets and then checked into arge hotel. These kinds of hotels usually register with the local police department, so anyone inquiring could easily find out when and where she had checked into the hotel. This could be the police or some unknown force trailing them. Lin Yan did the same, with her only worry being the potential danger she might encounter if they split up. But Lin Yan was adamant about separating. Holding her hand firmly, she whispered, One piece of evidence with each of us. They wont act rashly if they cant tell who has it. Its actually more dangerous for us to be together. Lets split up. With that, she resolutely slipped her hand out of Song Yuhangs palm and left. It wasnt until that moment, when they entered the room, closed the door behind them, and locked it, that Song Yuhang, holding the person tightly in her arms, finally felt the weight lift off her heart and settle back into her stomach. Lin Yan, buried in her neck, hugged her back. As long as their affections were confirmed, she never held back her love. Worried about me? Song Yuhang cupped her face, looked into her eyes, and saw her own reflection there. She gave a bitter smile: What else could I do? I was scared to death. Lin Yan tiptoed, and Song Yuhang naturally didnt miss the chance when she showed willingness to get close.
Because most of us are already using all our strength just to live, we study hard only to live better, to change our lives, to buy what we want, and to chase after the people we like. Sess isnt just about studying, but studying indeed is a shortcut to sess. It doesnt ask for capital; it only demands your persistent effort. Xiao Zhou, your teacher doesnt want you to drop out. You must persevere. At noon, all the small groups regrouped for a brief case analysis. First was Zheng Chengrui: Checked theputer used by the deceased, Ding Xue, before her death. Nothing abnormal, but when we looked at the frequently usedmunication tools, we found traces of chat history having been erased. Song Yuhang, propping her chin on her hands and leaning back in her chair, asked, With whom? And how soon can we recover it? A photo was erged on the screen: a man wearing gold-rimmed sses, dressed in a suit and shoes, slightly heavyset. The current principal of Jiangcheng No.1 Middle School, Ge Jun. Song Yuhang understood right away: This Ge Jun, on the day of the incidentst Friday, went on a business trip to the provincial capital and has a certain degree of suspicion. Send someone to contact the provincial office and invite him back for a tea and chat. Zhang Jinhai, holding his teacup, paused a moment: Im afraid thats not appropriate, after all, hes the principal of a key city school and also a peoples congress representative. Lets wait until the chat records are recovered and we have solid evidence. Everyones gaze turned toward Song Yuhang, who showed no particr reaction, just twirling a pen in her hand with an indifferent expression.
F***. Song Yuhang cursed under her breath, watching her casually enter the bathroom, her anger with nowhere to vent, she took out a cigarette from her pocket and walked to the window to smoke. Looking through the curtains, this ce is in prime location, right opposite the sweet soup shop, with the whole entrance and courtyard in in sight. The street is quiet, with only the asional bark of a dog. In other words, if theres the slightest noise opposite, they could definitely hear it. Song Yuhang fished out a shlight from her backpack, cracked open a sliver of window, and shone the beam onto the ss of the bungalow. Guo Xiaoguang, seeing the patches of light on the floor, got up and turned on the electric light. It shed for a moment and was quickly turned off. This was the agreed-upon signal to confirm each others safety. Song Yuhangs hanging heart waspletely put at ease. After Lin Yan finished her shower and came out drying her hair, Song Yuhang nced over unintentionally and saw that she hadnt tied her bathrobe, which instantly made her furious. She lunged over, grabbed the nket, and covered her up tightly. Keep yourself in line. Lin Yan struggled, but was pinned down on the bed with a towel and given a good rub-down until her hair was nearly dry. Only then did Song Yuhang get up to take her own shower. As soon as she left, Lin Yan, with her hair looking like a birds nest, crawled out and threw a wet towel onto her back while flipping the middle finger. Song Yuhang poked her head out of the bathroom and said, That Lin Yan immediately covered herself with the nket andy back down. Song Yuhang couldnt help butugh, whistled cheerfully, and shut the bathroom door. Little rascal, I can still handle you. After running around all day, Lin Yan was genuinely tired. She yawned, covering her mouth, and looked up at her: Arent you sleeping? Song Yuhang, just finished with her bath, her hair still slightly damp,y it t behind her ear, propping up an arm as shey on her side facing her. Im not sleeping; I need to keep an ear out for any noise from the other side. Lin Yan snuggled into her arms, wrapped her arms around her waist, and mumbled: Then Ill sleep first, and we can switch when I wake up in the middle of the night. Go to sleep. Song Yuhang affectionately brushed the stray hair from her cheek to behind her ear and gently nted a kiss on her forehead. To help her sleep more peacefully, she used one hand served as a pillow and the other gently patted her back, with no ns to wake her during the night. She slept without dreams, and it was the sound of the rolling gate being pulled open from across the street that woke her up in the early morning. Guo Xiaoguang peeked out timidly. It was not yet fully light, and the long street had few pedestrians. He looked around before carefully helping his mother out, carrying a big travel bag on his back, dragging a suitcase in hand, quickly locked the door, and, leading Guo Yuezhen, hurried away. The car arranged by Lin Yan was waiting at the corner. Only after she saw them safely on the car did Lin Yan, still groggy, copse back on the bed. Ah, its still early, sleep for a bit more, just a bit more. Song Yuhang couldnt help butugh and tickled her: Didnt you make a big fussst night? Huh? Hahaha, stop ithey! While they were fooling around, another love scene came to a close. A man stood in front of a floor-length mirror doing up his buttons. In contrast to Lin Youyuan, he was full of youthful vigor, his body devoid of any excess fat, and even early in the morning, he was refreshed and clear-headed, with every hair in ce. He seems to have a habit of regrly cutting his hair, never letting his hair and beard grow wild. This strictness in life was a clear sign of his rigidity in bed. The woman, somewhat unsatisfied, got out of bed barefoot and wrapped her arms around his waist. The mans shaving hand stiffened; he looked down with still gentle words, even though his mind was already ponderingwhat kind of specimen would this hand make? What are you doing? The womans hand slid down the triangr area: When will you give this to me, I want to The man pressed her hand, turned around with a smile: Didnt I say, wait until you get his will and then well talk. But The woman frowned, shaking his arm, coaxing him with a petnt tone. Everythings already gone that way, thepany is about to copse, and he still wont give in, what can I do? The man chuckled meaningfully, lifted her hand, and kissed it lightly: Then its up to your skills.
Guo Xiaoguang breathed a sigh of relief when he got on the van, settled his mother into her seat, and fastened her seat belt for her. The driver in the front row, wearing sunsses, turned around: Mr. Guo? Guo Xiaoguang nodded and handed over a business card: Miss Lin sent me to find you. The man nced at the card and a cunning smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his mouth. Guo Xiaoguangs heart skipped a beat and he thought this is bad!, he pushed the car door but it wouldnt budge. When he looked up again, a gun was pointed at his forehead. Child, Xiaoguang, Xiaoguang, whats happening? The olddy, hearing themotion, reached out her hand, groping around. Guo Xiaoguang, holding his mothers hand, was sweating profusely. He swallowed hard and said, Its nothing, Mom, just chatting with this big brother. The mans face broke into a sly smile, appreciating Guos quick-witted response. He put away the gun and started the van: Lets go. My boss wants to see both of you; lets not keep him waiting.
LP: Let me guess That was Lin Ge and Lin Youyans current wife, huh? Bastards!
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 89-1 Chapter 89-1 Dentist On a rare weekend off from work, Ji Jingxing got up early, made breakfast, and called her daughter to get up. Xiaowei, hurry up and get out of bed for breakfast. Dont forget that we have a dentist appointment today, and we need to go early to line up. Xiaowei, rubbing her eyes and still groggy, got up to wash up. She came back to the table where the television was broadcasting the morning news. Since the start of the Spring Festival, the police have received numerous reports of children getting lost at train stations. With the year-end surge in travelers, parents are reminded to keep a close eye on their children in public ces. If you find that your child is missing, please report to the nearest police station as soon as possible. She reached out to open the sugar jar, scooped a spoonful of sugar into her porridge, and was about to grab the remote to switch to an animated show, when Ji Jingxing came out of the kitchen and turned off the TV with a trace of seriousness on her face. Eating sugar with a cavity already? No sugar for you, drink the in porridge, try the spinach Mom made. Ji Weiyi let out a reluctant Oh, but obediently pushed the sugar-filled porridge towards her mother and picked up the spinach to put on her te. A smile finally appeared on Ji Jingxings face, and she ruffled her daughters hair: Good girl, once your cavity is healed, Mom will make you syrup-coated apples. Love Teeth Dental Clinic. The mother and daughter sat in the corridor on chairs, waiting for the nurse to call their number. Not sure if it was the cold or something else, Ji Weiyi clung tightly to her mother, wrapping her arms around hers. Ji Jingxing gently patted her back, and in a soft voice coaxed, Scared? Xiaowei is the bravest, not even scared of getting a shot. Are you scared of having a tooth pulled? Xiaowei huddled up, mumbling, with her eyes turning red: Mom, can youe in with me? If you are with me, then I wont be scared. Ji Jingxings face showed a hint of difficulty: Well it depends on whether the doctor allows Mom toe in. Right after she finished speaking, the nurse called their number. Ji Jingxing quickly stood up and handed over the slip. Hello, number 59. Yet Xiaowei still clung to her mothers thigh, unwilling to move. The nurse chuckled, Little friend, you are grown up now. This is the examination room, and Mom cante in here. It was thest appointment of the morning. Lin Ge stood up, stretching his body. He twisted his neck and, before the patient came in, there was a faint sound of a childs crying from outside the door. He curiously poked his head out and asked, Whats going on? A familiar voice came through, and Ji Jingxing turned her head to see him. Their eyes met, both a bit surprised. Lin Ge smiled: Lawyer Ji, its fine. Come on in. Xiao Zhou, get her some shoe covers. The items were quickly handed to her, and only then did Ji Jingxing walk in with her daughter. Xiaowei stopped crying and shook her mothers finger, looking at him curiously. Mommy, who is he? Dont be rude, call him Uncle Lin. Xiaowei smiled sweetly, Hello, Uncle Lin. Hello, Lin Ge put on his mask, turned around from his chair, and gestured to the nurse to give her a piece of candy. Whats your name? My name is Ji Weiyi~ Xiaowei drew out her words clearly and crisply, which made it seem like there shouldnt be any big problems. Ji Jingxing looked at the candy pushed into her daughters hand, Eh Lin Ge raised his eyebrows and smiled, winking at her to convey there was no need to worry. The nurse pulled her aside and whispered, Its okay, thats our hospitals special medicinal pill, it doesnt contain sugar and has a mild numbing effect, it will make pulling teeth easierter. Only then did Ji Jingxings worry slightly ease. Ahlike this with Uncle, lets see who can open their mouth the widest. In the early morning sunlight, the doctor wearing a whiteb coat made silly faces with the child, sessfully making Ji Jingxingugh. Never expected Doctor Lin to be quite skillful at this. Speaking of this, the young nurse also showed a hint of pride: Definitely, when I was at the public hospital I never saw a hospital director as approachable as him, and he still runs the outpatient clinic every day. The kids whoe here for dental visits all like him a lot. Ji Jingxing nodded her head, agreeing with her statement. If Lin Yan is the type that doesnt endear herself to people at first nce, then Lin Ge is probably the kind that, no matter where he is, with his way of speaking, his demeanor, his humor, and his gentlemanly conduct, always makes people feel fondly towards him. Really? Then howe he Women chatting together mostly indulge in gossipjudging by age, Lin Ge is a few years older than Song Yuhang and must be almost forty by now, right? Hasnt he settled down yet? The nurse shook her head: Nope, Doctor Lin is famous for his integrity and self-discipline. There was a colleague who harassed him a few times, openly and covertly, who was sternly warned and then directly dismissed. After that, no one dared to bring it up again. Ji Jingxing looked at him thoughtfully. Such a man, cheerful and vivacious, with a sense of humor and generosity, diligent and serious in his work, and also upholding personal integrity, is indeed rare. After an examination, Lin Ge put down the instrument in his hand and called her over: The decay is not serious; theres no need to pull it out. A cleaning and filling with medicine will do. But this Lin Ge smiled and gently pinched the childs chin: Xiaowei, let Mommy have a look. Ah Its strange to say, it wasnt their first time taking Xiaowei to see a dentist, but it was their first time at this hospital. Xiaoweis eyes widened, curiously watching this kind uncle, willing to do whatever he said. Lin Ge pointed it out to her: See? The baby teeth are retained, the old teeth havent fallen out, and the new teeth are already growing in. Ji Jingxing let out an Ah: I really didnt pay attention to that Lin Geughed: Its okay, this position is normally not noticed unless deliberately looked for. I suggest conservative treatment for the tooth decay, but this tooth needs to be extracted; otherwise, it could affect the growth and development of the adjacent teeth. He spoke with expertise about his professional knowledge. Ji Jingxings expression grew serious: Okay, extract it. Thank you, Dr. Lin. When it came to tooth extraction, Xiaowei opened her mouth again, her eyes reddening, not wanting to upset Mommy so she held back her tears, but still dawdling and reluctant to lie down on the treatment chair. A nurse came over to pick her up, but Lin Ge stopped her. The man squatted down to be at her eye level, his gaze always warm and kind. Whats wrong, Xiaowei, are you scared? Xiaowei shook her head and then nodded: Will it will it hurt? Uncle Lin Lin Ge smiled behind his mask, his eyes crinkling like crescent moons. He didnt deceive the child butmunicated with her as an equal. It will be a little ufortable, like the feeling of a mosquito bite. However, how it feels can be different for everyone. Some people think a mosquito bite is painful, others dont feel much. I promise you, if you feel pain, Ill stop right away. How does that sound? Xiaowei, be good and go ahead. Uncle has been seeing patients all morning; dont dy his mealtime. Mommy will stay here with you. Ji Weiyi looked at her mom and then at Lin Ges gentle smile, nodded, and climbed onto the treatment chair by herself. Her foot slipped, but Lin Ge caught her and lifted her up. The operating light switched on. Xiaowei clenched her eyes shut tightly. Lin Ge couldnt help but chuckle: Xiaowei, what do you see here? Xiaowei opened her eyes wide and let out a gasp. At his suggestion, the nurse sister brought over aputer that was ying her favorite cartoon. Lin Ge held her in ce: Alright, Xiaowei, watch the cartoon. Uncle is going to start working now. You must keep your mouth open and stay still, okay? If you move, the nurse sister will turn off the cartoon. With all her attention captured by the cartoon, the child hardly minded the pain. She clenched her little fists and nodded her head with her baby voice. Okay, I wont move. Thank you, Uncle. Youre wee. Lin Ge gave a slight smile, picked up his tools, and began to work. In no time at all, before Xiaowei even realized, the whole tooth had been extracted and ced on a tray. Lin Ge took off his gloves and wrapped the milk tooth in a tissue, handing it to Ji Jingxing. Are you keeping it as a memento? Ji Jingxings face turned slightly red: How did you know that? Lin Ge smiled, Throw the bottom teeth onto the roof and the top teeth under the bed, thats what my mom used to do when I was little. Ji Jingxing carefully took it with both hands and bowed with the child. Weve troubled you today, Xiaowei, thank our Uncle Lin. Because of the tooth extraction and the medication stuffed in her mouth, Xiaoweis speech was somewhat muffled and she was drooling. Tha thank you, Uncle. She covered her mouth with her hand, halfway through speaking, feeling a bit shy. Lin Ge took off his mask and walked them out of the consultation room. Its okay, Xiaowei, its normal to drool after the anesthesia, just spit it out and youll be fine. He turned his head, but it was to Ji Jingxing that he said, Change the filling material every two days, make sure to supervise the childs correct brushing of teeth, control the intake of sugar, and maintain a healthy diet. Ji Jingxing nodded slightly embarrassed. Alright, got it. Xiaowei, say goodbye to Uncle.Goodbye, Uncle Lin.Lin Ge stood in the hallway watching them leave, softly sighing in admiration.She really is an adorable and well-behaved child.
LP: What is this its wholesome?! Was I mistaken? Or is the author throwing everyone off?!
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 89-2 Chapter 89-2 Dentist Whats this? Youe to the provincial capital and dont even say hello, and upon arriving you immediately show my people a p on the wrist. And now, you cant even be asked to join your teacher for a meal? On the other end of the phone, the old mans voice was full of vigor. Song Yuhang nced at Lin Yan beside her and responded with a wry smile, This isnt a vacation, it just happened to ovep. Since its not official business, I didnt report it to the department. Zhao Junfeng snorted coldly, I dont care. Its the weekend, and your teachers wife has already gone out to buy groceries. Come to our house for lunch at midday; thats settled then. If you donte, youre disregarding my feelings. With that, he hung up the phone with a click. Song Yuhang, feeling helpless, took her phone and went over to discuss with her. How about it, lets drop by Director Zhaos ce. In the heart of the park, Lin Yan, with a cigarette in her mouth, turned her back and stood watching the ducks swim about on theke surface. No, I wont go. If you want to go, go by yourself. Song Yuhang thought it over and decided to tell it like it was. I think its better we go. Hes the head of the department; to overturn the case, we must gain his support. An old case like this, once gged as a high-priority by the Ministry of Public Security, cant be overturned just by a few low-ranking officers with some casual words. The implications are far-reaching; any mistake by one of the three giants of the justice system is as tough to deal with as ascending to the heavens. Thats why Song Yuhang is so keen on getting Zhao Junfengs backing. Lin Yan leisurely blew a ring of smoke, with a hint of lost hope in her eyes: But how can you be sure hell help us? What if Song Yuhang furrowed her brows, grasping the unfinished implication in her words. Do you suspect this case is rted to him too? Lin Yan tugged at the corner of her mouth, I didnt say that, did I? The reason this case became an unsolved case today is due to the detectives who led the investigation, the prosecutors in charge of oversight, and the presiding judges back then; none could break free from involvement. Song Yuhang shook her head: As far as I know, Director Zhao hails from narcotics control; he was in the drug enforcement squad back then. This case wasnt handled by him; it has nothing to do with him. Whether its the craving for a smoke or something else, Lin Yan seemed somewhat restless and agitated. It doesnt matter? What do you mean it doesnt matter? The state this case is in should be a shame that weighs heavily on the conscience of every police officer in Jiangcheng City! But its just ignored by everyone now. Since the victim is dead anyway, and since the murderer has already been caught, that the death urred in the detention center due to his own actions has nothing to do with the police. During the years Lin Yan apanied Mother Chen on her petitions, and all these years she investigated on her own, numerous were those who harbored such thoughts. Song Yuhang gently ced her hand on her shoulder, trying to offerfort, but it was briskly shrugged off. Lin Yan turned and walked away. She followed a few steps, Where are you going? Find an inte cafe, y some games. She kicked a can on the ground away in irritation. Song Yuhang followed step by step: Really noting with me? Im worried about you being alone. Lin Yan gave a half-smile: Whats there to worry about? All the evidence is with you, isnt it? Inte cafes are crowded, and its broad daylight, who would dare to kill someone there? But Song Yuhang blocked her way: But Lin Yan brushed her off: Get lost, Im giving you two hours. Come back quickly, or Im heading back to Jiangcheng on my own. Okay. Song Yuhang didnt let go of her, her fingertips pressing into the palm of her hand, and she apanied her: Thats settled then. Ill go feel out Director Zhaos intentions. You find an inte cafe nearby and wait for me, and well leave together afterward.
Little Song,e, try the fish soup I made. As soon as she entered the house, lunch was already prepared. Her teachers wife pulled her to sit down enthusiastically and then went back to the kitchen to bring out the hot dishes that had been stir-fried. Maam, let me help you. After washing her hands, Song Yuhang stood up, ready to help in the kitchen, but was pressed down by someone. No need, no need, you go keep Old Zhaopany and have a drink. Its rare for you all to have a day off today. Saying this, her teachers wife pushed her back to her seat. Song Yuhang had no choice but to sit down again. Pour it, pour it, fill it up. Zhao Junfeng only told her to stop when the wine ss was about to overflow. Looking at the brimming ss, Song Yuhang felt a twinge in her teeth. She still had to find Lin Yanter; how could she do that drunk? Ill toast to you first, to you. She lifted her ss first, and while Zhao Junfeng finished his in one go, she only wet her lips slightly. Even so, a warm flush spread across her face, and her stomach started to burn. Dont just drink, eat some food, eat some food. Her teachers wife served her a chopstick full of braised pork. Song Yuhang smiled and used themunal chopsticks to pick up a piece of tendon meat for her. Besides my moms cooking, your dishes are the best. Oh my, arent you a sweet talker? Come on, eat more. I said from the start how good it would have been for Old Zhao to ce you in the provincial office better sry and prospects, surely better than a prefecture-level city, right? And if you miss my cooking, you could alwayse by. Zhao Junfeng took a sip of his drink and picked up some food to apany his liquor, his face slightly flushed. Enough already, if someone wants to go home, why are you fussing so much? During the meal, her marital prospects inevitably came up. What about that guy you met on your blind datest time? Its over, said Song Yuhang as she picked up some food, without even lifting her head. Zhao Junfeng put down his chopsticks, looking at her thoughtfully: I heard, youve been quite close with that Lin Yan from your city bureautely. When Feng Jianguo reported to him, his spit was flying, saying, Thats not just close, thats zero distance! Song Yuhang was caught off guard and choked a bit, dabbed her lips with a tissue as an indirect response. Well, I quite like her. Zhao Junfeng frowned and scolded: Foolish! Initially, it was because of her expertise that she was exceptionally recruited to your bureau as a forensic doctor. Had I known it woulde to this, I wouldnt have signed that document! Why jeopardize your promising future by getting involved with her? Even if shes outstanding in her work, the organization wont offer her any official promotion or advancement, you get it? At best, shell always just be a grassroots forensic doctor! But youre different, youe from a family of martyrs, just because of this fact alone, you wont miss out on whats yours! Jiangcheng is just a stepping stone, not your final destination, understand?! Song Yuhang understood and appreciated his concern but would rather not sacrifice her love with Lin Yan for a future thates at its cost. Even if Im just an ordinary person, merely a small-time cop, I still have the confidence that I can climb up the ranks with my abilities. My notpeting or striving in the past doesnt mean Ick the capability topete. Teacher, I raise this ss to you, but please dont try to persuade me about this matter. You know what Im like; once Ive set my mind on something, not even ten bulls could pull me back. Having said that, Song Yuhang proactively lifted her ss and drank it all in one go. Of course, he knew Song Yuhangs temper well. When she was in the police academy, she wasnt the one with the best physical strength during her first year. After being scolded by him on the training field for holding her teammates back, the barely eighteen-year-old girl would get up before the wake-up call and go to sleep after lights out, pouring her sweat on the training field. A yearter, at the final exams, she managed toplete 201 pull-ups in five minutes, shattering the school athletic meets record, far surpassing her male counterparts of the same period. Zhao Junfeng seriously acknowledged this girl with the bright eyes for the first time. When they sparred for the first time, Zhao Junfeng didnt hold back, knocking her teeth out. Three yearster, when she graduated, Song Yuhang pinned him down on the boxing ring and gave him a beating, sending the onlooking school leaders into a frenzy until the referee blew the whistle and raised her hand to dere her victory. It was only then that the girl, with a bloodied face, finally showed a hint of relief. She possessed a resilience and fierceness just like her father. Zhao Junfeng found himself somewhat entranced by the face that bore such a striking resemnce. Such simrity had also been remarked upon by his old buddy. Why not? Just because Im an ordinary person, it has to be this hard to stand out?! I refuse to ept this. Ill show everyone who looks down on me that, even without money or connections, as long as I have time, Ill make a name for myself. One day, the entire public security system of Jiangcheng City will know my name! Ill have my own office. Team leader, squad leader, bureau chief, department head, what are they in the grand scheme of things?! One day, my name will be engraved on the Monument to the Peoples Heroes, admired by thousands! The youth who had drunk at the riverside was wildly defiant in those days. Now, only his lone shadow remains. Zhao Junfeng tilted his head back and downed the wine in his ss in one gulp. He mmed the ss down: Have it your way. But mark my words, I cant make anything easier for you here. Once you don the police uniform, well have nothing but a superior-subordinate rtionship. If you want glory, youll have to sharpen your wits and climb your way to the top, fight with your blood, with your life. Song Yuhang filled his cup to the brim and poured one for herself as well. I understand, thank you. Theres another thing. Song Yuhang hesitated for a moment, then decided toy it all out there while the alcohol loosened her tongue. She handed the bowl to her teachers wife and found a way to clear the room. Maam, Id like another bowl of rice. Sure, sure, let me get that for you. Understanding they needed privacy, she took away Zhao Junfengs bowl as she left. Song Yuhang began. I want to ask about the details of the Fenyang Wharf dismemberment case from 1994. In the silence where you could hear a pin drop, Zhao Junfengs face changed.
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 90-1 Chapter 90-1 Unresolved Case After a prolonged silence and gaze, Zhao Junfeng put down his chopsticks. Why did you suddenly ask about this? Song Yuhang kept herposure and said, After all, its an unresolved case; I still want to solve it. Zhao Junfeng snorted coldly and filled his cup again: Its not an unresolved case; the court has already sentenced and closed the case. But the crime suspect died in the detention center, didnt he? Song Yuhang countered, Therefore, this case cant be considered concluded. What else do you want? To dig up the dead from beneath the ground and confront them face to face? Zhao Junfengs grip on his wine ss tightened, causing ripples to form on the surface. You want merit, but this isnt the way to seek quick sess and instant benefits. Song Yuhang opened her mouth to speak but was abruptly silenced by a sharp look from Zhao Junfeng. Or is it that, for the sake of Lin Yan, youre willing to cast aside even thews and rules of thend? Ive turned a blind eye to the mess youve made in Jiangcheng, not pursuing it doesnt mean I will tolerate you acting recklessly without any boundaries. As the head of the Provincial Public Security Department, he naturally had his own sources of information and eyes everywhere; Song Yuhang had never intended to keep him in the dark. This matter has nothing to do with Lin Yan; its something I want to investigate on my own. Even for the sake of Li Bin, who met a tragic death, and Guo Xiaoguang, who must forever hide and cannot show his true face, she should continue the investigation. Zhao Junfeng took a sip of his drink and let out a slightugh. Song Yuhang didnt grasp his meaning, until his gaze met hers, and to her surprise, it contained a trace of sympathy. Yuhang. He called her by her pet name, just like back when they were still in school. You think too simply of Lin Yan, of the Lin family. Lin Yan, what stature she holdsa Ph.D. who studied abroad, before she joined your Jiangcheng City Bureau, she worked at the countrysrgest forensic institution. Even the cases marked by the Ministry of Public Security, many aremissioned to them every year. There are few young people who can achieve this level; looking back at the history of forensic medicine since the founding of New China, there probably havent been many such figures. Song Yuhang looked at him; in those turbid eyes of his was a reflection of herself. She picked up a ss of wine, took a sip, and then set it down firmly. Thats the result of her own efforts. Other than eating and sleeping, she spends all her time in the dissection room. There are probably not many who can do it like her. With her passion for forensic work and the maxim advocate for the living, speak for the dead always held close to her heart. Zhao Junfeng gave a faint smile and poured her a drink. Youre wrongthese days, there are too many people trying to get ahead. Effort is merely the passing mark. You need money, connections, cunning, and skills. Most importantly, youve got to be ruthless. Truly a seasoned narcotics officer from public security, perhaps even Song Yuhang herself didnt realize that, under the influence of alcohol, a question she initiated was subtly veered off courseled by the nose. Think about it carefully. Is everything Lin Yan does truly innocent? When you look in the mirror, the person in the reflection is also looking at you. But how can you be sure that the one in the mirror is indeed the person you live with day in, day out? After all, one cannot see into a persons heart; knowing a face does not mean you know whats behind it. Zhao Junfeng touched his ss to hers lightly, then drained his in one go. Song Yuhang watched the ripples in her ss on the table and smiled faintly: True to your reputation, with your psychological guidance, I was almost led astray. However She pushed the ss further away and said, Its the subject that tripped me up in the graduation exam, I wont make the same mistake again. Caught off guard, Zhao Junfeng then burst intoughter. Not bad, youve made progress. Song Yuhang picked up some cold dishes with her chopsticks and ced them in his te: So now, can we talk about the details of the case, Teacher?
Lin Yan opened aputer at a nearby inte cafe and, after leaving surveince footage at the front entrance, disappeared out the back door. She went straight outside and hailed a taxi, heading to the ce she had arranged to meet someone. The man was still in his loose-fitting sportswear, busy swinging at golf balls. The ball went into the hole, and the guest had arrived. The man turned around, wiping sweat with a white towel: Youre here, have a seat. Lin Yan took her seat across from him and got straight to the point: I want Zhu Yongs medical report from that year. The hand of the person opposite her, holding a teacup, hesitated: Thats impossible, its a top-secret document, I cant get my hands on it. Lin Yan looked at him with a cool gaze: Name your price, how much? The man lifted the lid of his teacup to skim off the surface foam, and in the trails of the light blue smoke, her eyes and brow seemed as captivating as if they were immersed in an ink wash painting. He set down the teacup, his gazending on her, a glint of interest in his eyes. The usual rules apply, since shes not with you today, right? Its a hint, an invitation, or perhaps a temptation. Its up to Lin Yan to choose. Their eyes met, and he thought she would agree, but to his surprise, she just chuckled lightly and leaned back in her chair. Theres more than just you whos short on cash. I could go to someone else, like, for instance, yourpetitor The mans face changed abruptly, with a hint of grinding his teeth: No one else but me would be willing to help you with this. Thats not necessarily true. Lin Yan took out a cigarette, and a server bent over to light it for her. She exhaled a circr puff of smoke leisurely: After all, you all have amon enemy. Cracking this case is only beneficial, with no drawbacks, whether its for you, for me, or for those who want him to step down. The choice is yours to make. As her words fell, her pale, slender hand ced a bank card on the table. With a mixture of threats and inducements, she truly has a thorough grasp of human nature. The manughed, looking at her face which was undeniably beautiful, yet it also brought a chill to his heart. I said if I cant get it, I cant get it, but I can tell you who the prison doctor was that did his physical examination back then.
Zhao Junfeng took a sip of his drink, his expression unchanged. This case really isnt much to talk about. Fourteen years ago, you were still in school and Lin Yan had just turned eighteen; how could you possibly know whether the police didnt make an effort for this matter at the time? Yuhang, one must not be too narrow-minded in life, and in looking at issues, one cannot be too one-sided. Of course, Im aware, and Ive heard things. Perhaps Lin Yan holds some biases against the police, but I dont. I only believe in facts, and the fact is that Zhu Yong had no motive for the crime. We indeed apprehended the wrong person, or to put it another way, what kind of irrefutable evidence could lead the police, the media,wyers, and the public to blindly believe he was a murderer? Zhao Junfeng let out a sneer: Modern criminal investigation prioritizes evidence over confessions. You say he didntmit the crime, that he had no motive. Would the police just take your word for it? Would you handle a case like that? A barrage of questions was hurled, and Song Yuhang firmly rebutted, No, but if there are doubts, I will definitely investigate thoroughly to the end. I will procure evidence that convinces the criminal at heart,pelling a confession. With the conversation reaching this point, Zhao Junfeng truly had nothing more to say. Back then, I was in the Narcotics Division. Even though this case was marked by the Ministry of Public Security, it wasnt our turn to handle it. Youve got the wrong person. Song Yuhang looked at him; he had aged, with temples streaked with white, and the eyes that seemed bright and clear just a couple of years ago now looked clouded with a hint of cataract. The alcohol turned his dark skin a flushed red, but he did not shy away from his students scrutinizing gaze. Song Yuhang knew the answer now. She gently lifted herst cup of wine for the day, toasting her teacher. Im going to investigate this case. She dered. Zhao Junfeng clinked his own drink against hers, conceding, If you wish to investigate, then investigate. If the investigation unveils any connections, I will not be lenient or merciful. Well, youve grown quite capable, Zhao Junfeng remarked as he set his empty ss on the table. His gaze was gentle and unaffected throughout, watching his beloved protge with a softness. Im getting old, about to retire. If you really can overturn this case, I will be at ease. Song Yuhang drained her drink, almost fleeing from such a gaze. She hurriedly stood up, Maam, no need to serve anymore, Im full, and theres still work at the office, so I must go back. Ehhave a little more, her teachers wife called out from the kitchen. Song Yuhang shook her head, picked up her coat, and left. Zhao Junfeng imparted onest piece of advice to her: Always, always keep your guard up against the people around you; a lurking beast, once awakened, can also be a man-eater.
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 90-2 Chapter 90-2 Unresolved Case When she got the answer she was satisfied with and was about to leave, the man called out to her again with a somewhat teasing look in his eyes. Who would have thought you would one day keep yourself pure for someone. Lin Yan turned around, showing a gorgeous smile. I cant help it, I just like it this way. When she found her at the foot of Zhao Junfengs building, Song Yuhang was squatting by the side of the road, throwing up. Lin Yan walked over, opened a bottle of mineral water for her, and gently patted her back: You shouldnt have drunk so much if you cant handle it. Song Yuhang waved her hand, took the water to rinse her mouth, followed Lin Yans guidance to stand up, and stumbled into her arms, resting her head on Lin Yans shoulder. Where did you go? I went to the inte cafe to find you but you werent there. Lin Yan stepped back slightly to help her stand firmly, feeling a twinge of concern in her heart. I didnt go anywhere, I just felt ufortable after sitting for a while and came out for a smoke to get some air. Song Yuhang buried her nose in her neck and took a deep sniff, Liar, theres no smell of smoke, but theres this, this She couldnt quite describe it but it was a pleasant smell. The warmth of her breath hit her ears, and they turned a bright red. Lin Yan helped her to stand and cradled her head: Youve had too much to drink. We should go back now. Song Yuhang buried herself again in the palm of her hand, murmuring: No, no, lets get a room. I want to find a ce to sleep with you, to sleep! In broad daylight, on the side of the big road, Lin Yans face turned red and she pulled on her ear: Dont push your luck, were going home! Ow, Song Yuhang dragged out her voice and replied, It hurts, it hurts, I was wrong, Yanyan, baby, fiance, wife When she gets drunk, she really can say any sort of embarrassing stuff. Lin Yan had already seen her drunken behavior before and got goosebumps right away. Her face turned even redder with embarrassment, and she covered Song Yuhangs mouth firmly and fiercely. Shut up for goodness sake, say one more word and youre on your own! Song Yuhang nodded agreeably, her eyes still shining brightly as she stared at her. Lin Yan couldnt stand that look, it made her heart melt, and she really wanted to tousle her short hair. So, she did just that, and Song Yuhang bowed her head, letting her tten and round her hair as she pleased. Lets go, time to head home. Lin Yan propped up one of her arms, supporting the staggering person as they moved forward. Zhao family. After Song Yuhang left the table, Zhao Junfeng also put down his chopsticks. Old Zhao, not eating anymore? Facing his wifes call, Zhao Junfeng shakily stood up, draping over himself the old wool coat issued by his work unit that he had worn for decades. His hand trembling, he pushed back the chair and, with a hunched back, walked towards his own bedroom. Im done eating, clean up.
Song Yuhang was too drunk to take the bus, as there was a fear she might go on a drunken rampage on the way. Lin Yan thought for a moment, then decided to phone an informant in the provincial city to have a car sent over. She helped Song Yuhang into the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt for her. Miss, do you need someone to apany you? Lin Yan was going to say no need, but seeing her drunken state, she nodded instead. Fine, but keep a distance, dont let others notice. The informant quickly made arrangements, then Lin Yan stopped him, Did you take care of the person from Fangyue Cleaning Company with my business card? The informant was startled, careful not to make unfounded guesses from her expression. Im not in charge of the Fangyue side, I will ask and then inform miss. Lin Yan frowned. For confidentiality, her private industries and informant were all separate; they functioned independently and had never met each other, each with their own responsibilities. His response was actually not wrong, but Lin Yan felt an inexplicable unease, which she didnt show on her face. Never mind, Ill ask myself. Okay, miss, goodbye. The car rental boss nodded and watched her car merge into the bustling traffic. Lin Yan drove while putting on a Bluetooth headset. She pulled a nket from the back seat and tossed it over Song Yuhang. As she waited for the phone call to connect, she tapped the steering wheel impatiently with her fingertips. Until after a brief dial tone, the call was picked up by someone. Hello? Guo Xiaoguangs voice carried a hint of fatigue. Lin Yan felt a surge of relief: Are you okay? Have you arrived at the ce? It was a spacious warehouse. The exhaust fans buzzed as they worked, casting scattered shadows on the ground. He was tied to a chair, and a person in ck handed him the phone to his ear, with a dark muzzle of a gun pointed at him. Guo Xiaoguang swallowed: Im fine, Ive arrived, Im at the ce. Lin Yan breathed a little easier: Thats good, have they arranged a job for you? The gun barrel pressed against his temple was so painful, Guo Xiaoguangs voice was slightly hurried. No, no rush to start working, I want to, to rest for two more days. Okay, look at you, you dont need to work if you dont want to. By the way, have the police been looking for you? Lin Yan asked back, driving in the direction out of the city. Yes, yes, they came in the morning. I told them exactly what you guys taught me, they dont seem to be suspicious, and they even said they would return the stolen money to me. Thats good. Lin Yan wanted to say more, but the person in ck grew slightly impatient and nudged the gun barrel, prompting beads of cold sweat to form on Guo Xiaoguangs forehead. Understanding it was time to end this overly long and torturous phone call for him. Theres nothing else, Ill hang up now, my mom is waiting for me to feed her. Okay. Seeing that they were about to enter the highway, Lin Yan also took off her headset, hung up the phone, and focused on driving. Being able to hear his voice meant he was still alive, and being alive meant he was safe for now. But she still needed to send someone to check. As she was thinking about this, she didnt realize it was already toote. By the time she snapped back to reality, Guo Xiaoguang had disappeared without a trace, as if he had vanished from the world. When the car stopped for inspection, Song Yuhang hummed twice, rubbing her temples as she slowly woke up. Where are we? Lin Yan was wearing sunsses and yawned slightly, tossing her a bottle of mineral water. Toll station. Were just a few dozen kilometers from Jiangcheng. Song Yuhang unscrewed the cap and took a couple of sips before putting the bottle back in the glovepartment, then turned to look at her. Youve worked hard, how about I drive for a whileter? No need. Lin Yan tossed the toll money she found onto the dashboard. I just got the car today, and I reced my A1 drivers licensest year, I dont want to get any points deducted. Song Yuhangughed and pinched her hand. Ill give you a good rxation when we get back to the viter. Lin Yan snorted and passed the toll booth. Who said were going back to the vi? Go back to your own home. Thats fine too, since your home is my home anyway. Whether youe with me or I go with you, its the same. But it might not be so convenient to go to my ce at night Song Yuhang squeezed her eyes jokingly, trying to lighten the mood while she was driving. If Lin Yan werent driving, she would have swung at her and cursed, Scram! On their way back to Jiangcheng, another phone call was connected. Theyve got the key evidence, the mans voice sounded a bit aged. The person on the other end of the phone chuckled lightly, as if this was all expected. If you dont remove the roots when cutting the grass, the spring breeze will bring it back to life. Ive said it long ago Before he could finish, someone abruptly interrupted him. Do not harm innocent people, thats the bottom line! The voice on the other end sounded quite anxious. The man was silent for a bit: Dont worry about this, Ill take care of it. How will you take care of it, they are So what if they are? They shouldnt have touched this case in the first ce. Ive given them countless chances, both openly and in secret. If they dont toast, theyll have to take the forfeit. Huh, you really have the heart to be ruthless. The person on the phoneughed lightly, the voice sounding a bit grim and cold. Those who achieve great things do not get bogged down in the details. Besides After a brief silence, he said, Both of us know very well, if this case is exposed to the world, theres no benefit to us at all.
The remaining few dozen kilometers to Jiangcheng City were all winding mountain roads, which Lin Yan was driving on with focused attention. Song Yuhang nced from the rearview mirror: Someones following us. Lin Yan, wearing sunsses and chewing gum: Theyre my people. Song Yuhang shook his head: The car on the left is yours, right? But the one behind isnt. Lin Yan, steering with one hand, slightly pulled down her sunsses to take a look, and a faint cold smile appeared on her lips. Lets try and well know. As she spoke, there was a ramp ahead. She turned the steering wheel and took a sharp turn onto a fork in the road, heading towards an unnamed mountain path. The car behind clearly hesitated and slowed down. A voice came through the earpiece: Miss? Lin Yan raised her eyebrows indifferently and nced at Song Yuhang: Dont take action without mymand. The radio returned to silence. Song Yuhang slung her backpack over her shoulder and stretched her limbs: Ah, Ive slept a bit too long, its time to move a bit. The white car she mentioned quickly pulled over to one side, while the ck car followed them onto the ramp. Lin Yans lips curved up slightly: Come on, its been a long time since Ive had a good car chase.
LP: Damn the whole police force is involved? I have a feeling Song Yuhangs father and brother died trying to open this case too just a hunch though
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 91-1 Chapter 91-1 Attachment Lin Yan today is driving a high-end model of the BMW M series. Its powerful engine almost instantly sent the numbers on the dashboard soaring, and with a roaring vroom, the car surged forward. No, shes trying to escape. Chase her! The ck car behind also revved up its engine, doggedly pursuing. Lin Yan nced at Song Yuhang: Hold tight. No sooner had she spoken than she executed a beautiful 180-degree drift around a sharp bend, the tires screeching painfully and leaving a white streak on the ground. Song Yuhang retched twice, thrown about: F***, next time give me a heads-up before we take a turn like that! With a pleased whistle, Lin Yans bangs fluttered up: I did give a heads-up. You just didnt hold on properly. Song Yuhang nced through the rearview mirror and saw that the car behind them had also taken the sharp turn with a slick drift and was sticking close to their tail. It seems theyve trained well in driving specialized vehicles. Since we cant shake them off, what do you want to do? The mountain road was serene and narrow, with signs on both sides: ident-prone area, please drive with caution. A fierce resolve suddenly shed in Lin Yans eyes: If we cant shake them off, then well just Seeing her pull up the handbrake, Song Yuhang watched as she mmed the clutch pedal to the floor. Before the expletive F*** me could leave her mouth, the car suddenly lurched, the rear wheels lost traction, and the car tail skidded out with a speed so fierce it was like thunder, threatening to smack the ck car ruthlessly into the cliffside. The vehicles screeched sharply against each other, engines roaring, and sparks flew as the car scraped against the rocky wall. In that critical moment, the ck car responded swiftly, its driver knowing full well that continuing like this would lead to being crushed against the mountain by Lin Yan, resulting in a vehicle rollover with no ce to bury the wreckage. Deciding to stake it all, the ck cars driver pushed the horsepower to the max, the numbers on the dashboard instantly soared to 300 km/hour, and with a firm press on the gas pedal, he carved out a path of survival between the rock wall and Lin Yans squeezing car. As rocks tumbled down, the paint on the ck cars body started king off. It flicked its tail like a dragon, finding a perfect angle to swing into the tunnels entrance. If Lin Yan didnt brake in time, she would crash head-long into the concrete wall outside the tunnel, leading to a catastrophic end for both car and upants. Damn it, she spat angrily, her mind fixated on a single thought: she couldnt die, Song Yuhang was still in the car with her. Her hands on the steering wheel were slick with cold sweat. Song Yuhang didnt rush her. As the wall in her pupils loomed everrger, she swallowed hard and cast a look at Lin Yan. Panting heavily, Lin Yan wrestled with the steering wheel, sending the rear of the car skidding along the stone wall, carving an arc. The tires left the main road, crushing the scrubby underbrush along the way into a tattered mess. Song Yuhang knew that at this moment, it was toote to either hit the brakes or rely on the engines own power and speed to reduce traction. In the nick of time, she executed a sleek sideslip jump with the poise of a top-notch racer. The moment they collided, Lin Yans heart pounded like a drum. The airbag deployed, and she violently jerked the steering wheel to the left, the car swinging out and entering the tunnel at an uncanny angle. With a boom, the hood was catapulted by the force, smashing into the windshield. Song Yuhangs vision went dark, then was immediately assaulted by the tunnels fluorescent lights, making her squint. You okay? Her voice came through beside Song Yuhangs ear. Song Yuhang breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her firmly: Im fine, what about you? Lin Yans forehead was beaded with sweat the size of soybeans: Im fine. Having weathered such an ordeal, both cars were severely damaged. Lin Yan fought back like a wild beast tearing at its prey, vowing not to give up. The other party was also dead set on forcing her to a stop, squeezing along the stone walls, colliding and rolling over obstacles, with sparks and lightning streaking out of the tunnel. Lin Yan wanted to speed up, but was blocked by a car overtaking her from the side. She hit the brakes, but the other party was relentless in pursuit, exhibiting extreme cunning. Exiting the tunnel, they were immediately confronted with a sharp turn, and Song Yuhang took on the role of an observer. Be careful, theres a pothole in the road surface a hundred meters ahead, steer right by five, full throttle through. Lin Yan understood the hint, turned the steering wheel slightly to the right, and skimmed past the edge of the pothole. The car behind copied the maneuver, doggedly tailing her. This wont do, once we enter the urban area, its swarming with their people. If we run into traffic police, well bepletely exposed. The upants of the ck car discussed amongst themselves. The man behind the wheel, his face covered, gritted his teeth: Hold tight, Im going to ram. His aplice gripped the handle on the roof of the car tightly. The next moment, the engine roared as the vehicle fiercely sped off. The white BMW took to the air, a fleeting sensation of weightlessness hit, and the numbers on the dashboard scrambled wildly. An rm started to re. Lin Yan clenched her teeth and timely pulled the handbrake; the sports cars excellent performance allowed the rear wheels to quickly touch ground, gripping the pavement, preventing the car from fishtailing out of the road. Just one centimeter away was a bottomless abyss, and the sea surface shimmered brilliantly. Song Yuhangs heart pounded like a drum, leaning back in her seat, she took deep breaths. Through the broken rearview mirror, she saw the other car smashing up again. A twinge of anxiety gripped her heart: Lin Yan?! Lin Yan caught on and swiftly put the car in reverse, the tires rubbing against the ground, sending off dazzling sparks. Adrenaline and the digits on the dashboard soared together. In the distance, the break of day could faintly be seen, with bright sunlight piercing through the windshield. The roads gone. Lin Yan turned her head to look at her: Scared or not? Song Yuhang grasped the hand that Lin Yan used to control the gear stick, covering the back of her hand: Im not afraid. You say jump, well jump together. Alright. Lin Yan turned her head back, staring straight ahead, watching as the road became narrower until it reached the end. Those people wanted the evidence they had on them; they were determined to drive them to their deaths. Rather than waiting to be captured, it was better to burn the boats and fight with all they had. She sped up; the ck car behind would surely keep up and ram into her. The drivers skills were on par with hers. At this time, it all came down to who was more ruthless, who was more willing to leave the other without a grave to rest in. So even though she knew it was a dead-end, she still chose to drive up the path with no hesitation. She relied on her own driving skills, relied on Song Yuhangs determination to stick with her through life and death, and also on the superb performance of her supercar. An ordinary race car might not have the same gripping power as hers; under inertia, it was uncertain who would meet their end. Lin Yans lips curved into a slight smile; Song Yuhang held her hand, shifting gears with her as they pushed the horsepower to the max. The white car shot towards the cliff like an arrow released from its bow. The ck car had its view blocked by her, and by the time it wanted to brake, it was already toote. The numbers on the dashboard wildly surged, the needle fluctuating erratically. He stomped on the brakes only to find them unresponsive. After frantically pumping a few more times, it was clearthe brakes hadpletely failed. Sweat streamed down the forehead of the man in ck, as he yelled sharply, Jump! The road hade to an end, both car doors swung open at the same time. Song Yuhang and Lin Yan quickly let go of each others hands, and two figures tumbled out separately. Bang! The two cars crashed fiercely into one another. The person sitting in the passenger seat of the ck car didnt manage to jump out in time and was instantly engulfed by the mes that erupted. The tires squeezed against each other, leaving white streaks on the ground as they both flipped below the sea level, disappearing without a trace. All that remained were scattered car parts and fuel leaking from the gas tank, with mes licking and ck smoke billowing, bearing witness to just how fierce the confrontation had been. Under the high-speed inertia, the parabolic trajectory mmed people toward the ground. Lin Yan rolled several times, her head hitting the ground, and the world went dark as she lost consciousnesspletely. When she came to, she was being held up by someone, the bright de of a knife pressed against her neck. The man in ck demanded, Hand over your bag to me. His voice was hoarse, fierce and ruthless, and he was injured too, with fresh blood streaming down one of his legs. Song Yuhang rose from the ground, the majority of her clothes torn and her head bleeding, as she raised her hands in surrender. Dont touch her! The man in ck, holding Lin Yan captive, roared, Give me your bag, and Ill let her go! Lin Yan breathed with difficulty, lifting her head to look at her: Dont dont mind me, go! Song Yuhang gripped her backpack with one hand, ncing at the ck-clothed figure and his wicked eyes, as well as the knife pressed against her throat, ready to sever it at any moment. Tears welled up in her eyes as she trembled and moved her lips. Lin Yan The ck-clothed figure roared, Donte any closer! Back off! Give me what you have in your hands, or else or else He paused for a moment, his whole being sinking into a slightly manic state. The de pierced two inches into the skin, blood oozing out and trickling down along the cor. Ill kill her! Song Yuhang cried out in horror, Dont! Song Yuhang! Lin Yan struggled, her eyes reddening as she silently lowered her head, extending her right hand to motion him to take the backpack and release her. The corner of the lips beneath the mask of the man in ck curved into a slight smile, Good, throw it over. You release her first, otherwise how do I know you wont go back on your word? Ill count to three, and well both let go. One. Two. Song Yuhang swallowed hard, her eyes brimming with misery as she looked at Lin Yan, reluctantly averting her gaze with an air of heartache. As long as Lin Yan could live, she was willing to do anything. Song Yuhang, look at me! The evidence we finally found, youre willing to hand it over to someone else, to those murderers? How can you bear it? How can you be so heartless? My death is not a pity; avenge me, seek vengeance! Before the man in ck could count to three, Lin Yan, with a voice strained to its limits, finished speaking and gently closed her eyes, throwing herself toward the glinting de. No! Song Yuhang hurled herself forward. In the nick of time, the man in ck withdrew the knife and delivered a chop with the edge of his hand to her nape, pushing her away while snatching the backpack from Song Yuhangs grip. He then hobbled to his feet and made his escape. In the distance, the rumble of a motorcycle grew louder until it roared to a stop in front of him, its rider wearing a helmet that obscured any identifying features. Get on the bike. Grinding his teeth, the man in ck nced back, grabbed the backpack, and leaped onto the motorcycle. Without waiting for him to settle in, the rider twisted the throttle, and they sped off, leaving a trail of dust behind. Song Yuhang, cradling Lin Yan and pressing against her neck wound, buried her face in her neck, sobbing. Feeling the scalding tears seep into her nape, the person who had been feigning unconsciousness suddenly opened her eyes, a hint of a smile appearing on her lips, and pushed Song Yuhangs head up. Werent we supposed to be acting? Why the tears? Song Yuhang wiped away her tears, Seeing you hurt, my emotions got the better of me. Cut it out with the pretense, Lin Yan sat up from her embrace, wiped her neck with a hand, and hissed softly. The blood was real, and indeed, so was the pain. Song Yuhang fumbled in the pocket on the sleeve of her jacket for a bandage and wrapped it around Lin Yans wound. Dont move, we need to go to the hospital. Seeing the knife at your neck, I was genuinely scared. I never want to y a part in this kind of act again. Lin Yan tilted her head back, allowing Song Yuhang to make her moves. As she wrapped the bandage, Song Yuhang asked, By the way, where did you hide the USB drive? Somehow it hadnt been found by the man in ck. She had fiercely protected her backpack, not forgetting to carry it even at a life-and-death juncture, naturally making it a target. Lin Yans lips curled into a mischievous smile, digging it out from her undergarment: Here it is. Song Yuhang looked down and her mouth twitched: Really, is this the advantage of having a bigger chest?
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 91-2 Chapter 91-2 Attachment Not long after setting off, the motorcycle veered onto a secluded path that wove through the mountains and woods. The man in ck looked back at the dense, lush forest and thought to himself: Safe atst. Before he could let out a sigh of relief, the driver hit the brakes, bringing the vehicle to a stop in a pile of fallen leaves. He shoved the person in front: What are you stopping for, keep going! The driver turned around, the face beneath the helmet expressionless. The man in ck felt a shock in his heart. The loud report of a gunshot scattered the sparrows resting in the woods. Speckles of blood were scattered on the fallen leaves. A bright hole gaped in the forehead of the man in ck. The driver yanked the backpack away from his arms. At the mountaintop. A sports car with a bottle of red wine resting on the hood. The man slowly sipped from his winess, thoroughly enjoying the winter sunlight. Young master, Ive got the item. Speaking thus, the driver plugged the USB drive into theputer and an audio file popped up, which he clicked to y with a touch of excitement. Little boy, little child, with his backpack on, heads off to school. He isnt afraid of the suns scorch, nor does he fear the storms fury The drivers face turned pale in an instant. He rummaged through the backpack he had retrieved, pulling out a piece of paper that was nk. He flipped it over to see the back. In huge letters: Ha ha, are you a pig? He fell to his knees with a thud: Young master, Im sorry, young master And the song continued: I only fear the teacher calling mezy, shamed before my parents The man gradually tightened his grip on the winess, his expression growing dark. In a burst of anger, he swept theputer onto the ground, shattering it. Dammit, fooled again. Young master, please give me another chance, young master the driver wailed as he was quickly hoisted up by several attendants. A metal case was opened, and a staff member dressed in a suit and gloves took out a syringe, drawing arge amount of blue liquid from a vial, and began to step towards him. An old man, leaning on a cane, passed beside the driver, who was in the throes of convulsions, twitching all over and foaming at the mouth. See, I told you, shes not that easy to deal with, very sly indeed. The man finished his drink in one gulp and threw the ss heavily onto the car hood. You still have some sentimental feelings for her, cutting off your own escape route. Our goods will soon be on the market, and when that happens, well have an endless stream of wealth, more than you can use or exhaust. With that, why worry about finding a good woman? The old man stood beside him, basking in the sunset, looking out as the sea level rose and fell, patting him on the shoulder. That face, as if chiseled by an axe, bore a slight resemnce to him. When youre as old as I am, youll understand that in this world, all that talk about brotherly love, and all the sentiments of love and emotion, are like dirt in front of so-called money.
Smelling the strong smell of disinfectant in the hospital, Lin Yan felt a physiological difort and clutched at the corner of her garment. I dont want to be hospitalized; I want to go home. Song Yuhang pressed her down, That wont do, stay for a few days before going homeits about time you had a health check anyway. You lie down for a bit; Ill go and pay the bills. Sensing that she was about to leave, Lin Yan quickly slid off the bed and pounced on her, clinging onto her neck and wrapping herself firmly around her waist. Afraid that Lin Yan might fall, Song Yuhang could only support her as well. Lin Yan clung to her, burying her head in the nape of her neck: I dont want to be hospitalized; I want to go home. Her tone softened this time, with a hint of coquettishness. Song Yuhang kept a stern face: No way Lin Yan then began to throw a tantrum and act up, which was her specialty. I dont want to. If you make me stay in the hospital, Ill just hold on to you like this and never let go. If you have the ability, carry me while you pay the bills, carry me to work, and let the whole department know we are a couple, and that you, Captain Song, are henpecked.1 Frustrated, Song Yuhang pinched the back of her neck: You really think yourewless, huh? Burying her head, Lin Yan rubbed against her neck like a small animal seeking warmth, and softened her voice to plead. I dont want to sleep in the hospital; its ufortable, and I cant sleep. I want to go home, Song Yuhang, is that okay? Her head was burrowed into her own neck, warm and cozy, and her hair tickled her face as it brushed against it. Both her tone and her actions were full of utter dependence and longing. How could one have the heart to refuse a Lin Yan like this? In the depths of her heart, Song Yuhang let out a quiet sigh. On the surface, she appeared to be a strong, independent woman, but in reality, she was just a child who desperatelycked warmth and longed for a sense of security. She nuzzled her nose, coaxing Lin Yan to lift her head: Alright, but only after the doctor has seen you, prescribed medicine, and said you can go home to rest, then well go home. Lin Yan smiled sweetly and pecked at her lips: Okay. Song Yuhang pushed her upwards slightly, freeing one hand to open the door to the hospital room. Lin Yan was shocked and horrified: What are you doing?! Song Yuhang just openly carried her like a child and started walking out. Wasnt it you who said I should just carry you to go make the payment? Lin Yan roared: Ah ah ah ah put me down, you bastard!!! When passers-by cast strange nces her way, she immediately went quiet, her face flushing as she buried it into her neck crevice, resembling a shy quail. Song Yuhang couldnt help but chuckle, patted her on the head, knocked on the doctors office door, and plonked her down on a chair.
By the time they got home, neither of them had eaten much all day, and their stomachs were growling with hunger. Song Yuhang put her down to cook, while Lin Yan washed her hands and slowly shuffled over to her side. Seeing that her face still looked somewhat displeased, it seemed she was probably still unhappy about Lin Yans insistence on going home. Lin Yan picked up a piece of green vegetable: Ill help you pick the vegetables. Song Yuhang: Thats the choy sum Ive already picked out. How about this? I can help you peel it! Lin Yan picked up the washed cucumber with great vigor, ready to start peeling. The corners of Song Yuhangs mouth twitched, and she quickly took it from her: Thats meant to be used in a cold sd, what peeling! With her cucumber turned into a work of art that would amaze gods and ghosts alike, there would be no eating it tonight. Lin Yan drew out a long Oh, evidently disappointed. Song Yuhang took a moment to nce at her, the bandage wrapped around her neck still quite startling. She looked away: If you want to help, dont make a mess, go and run a bath. Lin Yan ran off with a tter, then came back. What next? Song Yuhang wasnt really angry with her, just concerned about her health, and fed her a slice of the freshly cut cucumber. Stay, taste, be my guinea pig. I like this job. Lin Yan rubbed her hands together excitedly, circling around her. Song Yuhang cooked, chatting with her off and on, asionally feeding her some food. As night fell, the lights of the spacious vi shone brightly, andughter dispelled the chill of the deep winter. After all the food was ready, Song Yuhang turned off the stove, washed her hands clean, and then turned around to embrace her. Do you think were missing something? Lin Yan had just finished a c-vored chicken wing, licking her fingers, she looked up at her: Missing what? Song Yuhang looked at her face, her clear pupils reflecting her own image. She lowered her head andughed, nose to nose with her. Were missing a pet that runs around our feet, or maybe She paused slightly: A child. As her burning gaze fell upon her, Lin Yan blushed, bursting into a fit of coughs: Cough cough cough A child or such, wasnt it too early for that? Song Yuhang patted her back for her, saying gently: No rush, I can give birth too. Lin Yan smeared her oily hands on her face, squeezing and molding it, and then turned on her heel and walked away. Keep dreaming, Im determined to be DINK (dual ie, no kids). Song Yuhangs face fell, and she hurried after her: You cant be serious, Lin Yan, Yanyan, listen to me After dinner, Lin Yan went to take a bath. Soaking in the tub, she had to keep her injured neck that couldnt be exposed to water outside, looking like a swan with its head drooping over the edge of the bathtub. Song Yuhang couldnt help butugh, fetching the shower gel, shampoo, and other items that were ced high up, and putting them within her reach. Alright, Miss Lin, just lie down, Ill wash your hair for you. Lin Yan turned over, exposing the softest of her fur like a wild animal. Song Yuhang squatted down, used the hand-held shower to wet her hair, and had justthered her hands full of bubbles when the phone rang. She fumbled with both hands to fish it out. Mom? Since her hands were upied, she had no choice but to press the speakerphone button and ce it on the stool. Mother Songs aged voice came through the earpiece: Yuhang, next week is New Years Eve, bring Yanyan back home for dinner. Lin Yan was startled, quickly flipping over, scrambling to the edge of the tub, looking at her in disbelief. A hint of a smile began to y at the corners of Song Yuhangs mouth: Okay, Mom, Ill talk to her. She turned her head to look at her lover, warmth rippling in her light brown eyes. Yanyan she will go. After the call ended, Mother Song took off her reading sses and let out a deep sigh. On the table were clippings from recent newspapers, all about homosexuality. Incapable of surfing the and seldom watching TV, she resorted to the most old-fashioned method to graduallyprehend her daughter, trying to understand the love between her and her partner. The elderly woman rubbed her eyes, her eye sockets slightly red, as she unsteadily rose and walked toward the kitchen. Since they wereing home for the New Years Eve dinner, preparations had to start from now. Groceries needed to be bought in advance and stored, meat that required marinating had to be done early; by the time of cooking, it would be ready to eat. After all, this was Lin Yans first visit to their home as Song Yuhangs girlfriend. It deserved to be treated with special importance.
LP: Mother Song so sweet!
  1. continually criticized and given orders by ones wife or female partner
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 92-1 Chapter 92-1 New Years Eve After hanging up the phone, Lin Yan only then snapped out of her joyous and excited mood. Her hair still had shampoo foam in it, and she leaned over the edge of the bathtub watching her, the steam making herplexion appear somewhat flushed. You just agreed for me like that? I havent said yes yet, She muttered. Lie down properly, dont get water on your neck, Song Yuhang pressed her down again, her fingertips running through her soft hair, gently massaging her scalp. The ugly wife must meet her inws sooner orter, right? Lin Yan bared her teeth in a mock grimace, Whos ugly? Whos ugly? Whos ugly? Song Yuhangughed, turning on the shower to let the warm water wash away the foam in her hair. Lin Yan closed her eyes in contentment, a slight smile ying on her lips, Do I need to prepare anything? Just bring your appetite. In previous years, it was just her, Ji Jingxing, and Xiaowei celebrating the New Year at home. Mother Song would prepare a feast so abundant that leftovers wouldst until the second day of the new year. This year, with Lin Yan added to the mix, it was uncertain just how much more bountiful the feast would be. The thought of having to eat leftovers for several consecutive days made Song Yuhangs scalp tingle. Lin Yan lifted her head, and in the bathrooms mistor perhaps it was something elseher deep ck pupils seemed to be coated with ayer of watery sheen. Devoid of their usual sharpness, they took on the warm, soft appearance of a small animal. Droplets of water clung to her long eyshes. From Song Yuhangs angle, the view was unobstructed, leaving nothing to the imagination. I always feel its too fast, theres a kind of unreality to it. She turned her head to look at her, To be honest, I never thought about marrying anyone before. Song Yuhang rinsed the foam from her hair, applied conditioner, and gently massaged it in. So you intended to stay alone forever? Lin Yan nodded slightly, scooped up the flower petals floating on the water. The current quickly leaked through the gaps in her fingers. As a person like me, full of ws and imperfections, sometimes even I find myself repulsive, how can I deserve someone elses love that is whole and unreserved? Burdened with a vendetta as deep as the sea and forced to take medication for life due to Guiin-Barr syndrome, bipr disorder strikes her from time to time. She is like someone stuck in the mud, and to love her, one must have the courage to step into that mud. Some are attracted to her beauty, others to her wealth, and they are all scared away by the bristles of defense she raises all over her. Only Song Yuhang saw the stars hidden in the mud, and she approached her bravely and boldly, gradually piecing her broken heart back together. The hand that had been threading through her hair and kneading her scalp stopped. There was a rustling sound. Lin Yan lifted her eyes to look. Song Yuhang had taken off her coat and, d in a white T-shirt, stepped into the water. The shirt, thin as paper, faintly revealed the contours of her abdominal muscles. Lin Yan felt her ears grow hot and hastily averted her eyes. Song Yuhang knew that for someone like her,cking a sense of security and filled with uncertainty, actions spoke louder than words. With a long arm, she swooped in and embraced the other person. Lin Yan fell into her arms, still clutching the rose petal in her palm. Her heartbeat thundered like drumbeats, as the other party gripped the back of her neck. Do you still feel its not real? No, she breathed hurriedly, and before she could finish, she was lifted higher. The warm flow of water was the best lubricant. The sensation was so wonderful that even Song Yuhangs scalp tingled, and she let out a stifled moan. She always preferred being the one on top. Lin Yan held back from making a sound, her fingernails pinching the petal until it was bruised and battered. Song Yuhang, holding her, pushed her to the edge of the pool: Youre worthy, dont belittle yourself. She whispered in her own ear, taking control of her sensitive spot, and Lin Yan was rendered immobile. With every word Lin Yan said, Song Yuhang became more formidable. Until atst, with the corners of her eyes reddened, she could do nothing but sob, unable to utter aplete sentence. The water surface was violently turbulent, slowly returning to calmness. Lin Yans long eyshes were coated with mist, even her usually fair skin was flushed red, as if she had undergone a full-body sauna. Song Yuhang, buried in her neck,ughed: You still think its too soon. I cant wait to marry you. Lin Yan, grasping her hair, tried to push her up, gritting her teeth with resolve, but before she could act, she had already been hoisted into the air. The water from the bathtub spilled onto the floor, and she casually pulled a bathrobe from the shelf to wrap around the other. Barefoot on the wooden floor, Song Yuhang carried her towards the upstairs bedroom. Lin Yan had an inexplicable sense of foreboding, I still have work tomorrow. Song Yuhang pushed open the bedroom door and gently ced her on the bed, Ill give you a day off. Uhm Youre abusing your authority. This is called caring for and being considerate to your subordinates. Lin Yan wanted to resist, but all her words were smothered between their lips and teeth.
The next afternoon, when Lin Yan woke up, the bed was already empty. Song Yuhang had left her a note: Ive asked for your leave. The porridge is in the pot, eat it while its hot. Lin Yan sat up, rubbing her somewhat sore waist and neck, and slowly got out of bed to wash up. As she was serving the porridge from the pot and stirring it with a spoon on her way to the seat, her phone rang. Lin Yan answered it. Miss, Ive found the person you were looking for. Her heart tightened, and she ced the bowl on the table. How is it? The prison doctor has been paralyzed in bed for several years now, and nowadays his senile dementia is getting increasingly severe. Not to mention recognizing people, he cant even speak clearly anymore. If it were anyone else telling her this, she would certainly have gone to verify it herself; but since it was him, she had always been at ease with his way of handling matters. Okay, I got it. Have there been any leads on the whereabouts of Guo Xiaoguang? Nothing at all, not a trace. Lin Yans eyes dimmed slightly, and her voice turned a few degrees colder: Keep searching. Alive, I want to see him; dead, I want to see his body. Yes, Miss. The call ended quickly. After she finished eating, Lin Yan put the bowl in the sink and hurried off to the cloakroom to change her clothes. She was nning to make a trip to the station in the afternoon, as she had arranged to go shopping with Song Yuhang in the evening to buy some things for Mother Song. Technology Investigation Office. Lin Yan told me to ask if you guys have any ns for the annual leave. If not, Im going to book the tickets ah. During the lunch break, Song Yuhang came over with her mobile phone. The colleagues all turned their heads from theputer screens simultaneously. Fang Xin thought Lin Yan was just saying it for the sake of it, but who knew she was actually serious about inviting them to an ind vacation, sparking stars in her eyes. Not at all, not at all, Sister Lin is going too, right? Duan Cheng was the first one to slide over with his ID, handing it over with excitedly rubbing hands. Looks like Ill get to see Sister Lins swimsuit show again. Both Song Yuhang and Fang Xin raised their eyes at the same time, giving him a cold look. She then turned to Fang Xin and said, This kid is too noisy, maybe we shouldnt bring him after all. Come on, Fang Xin, Old Zheng, your ID numbers. I agree. Me too. Duan Chengs face fell: Captain Song, this isnt fair. Sister Lin picks on me, and now you too? Fang Xin pulled him away by the ear: You really have no tact. Go back to reading youric books! Old Zheng, its your turn. Song Yuhang had finished entering Fang Xins ID number and then turned her gaze to Zheng Chengrui. Zheng Chengrui took off his headphones and recited a string of numbers, while Duan Cheng pounced to throw his arms around his neck, looking visibly delighted. Why dont you show us your ID so we can all have a look, eh? I got a glimpse of it the other day. You guys wouldnt believe it, Old Zheng used to be much thinner. Hes like apletely different person now! Zheng Chengruiughed as he pushed the person off: Stop messing around, were at work. I just gained weight because of irregr schedules after starting work. Song Yuhang smiled as she entered the numbers he recited: Thats true. In our line of work, getting fat is an upational disease. We do need to exercise more and keep fit. She said this as she put away her phone, nning to head out: Alright then, everyone, pack up your things, prepare your swimsuits, and lets meet at the airport on the first day of the lunar new year. Duan Cheng ran after her: Captain Song, Captain Song, what about me? Fang Xin couldnt help but let out augh, feeling it served him right, for his inherent naughtiness never changed. After Duan Cheng came back, fully satisfied, Song Yuhang stood at the door, presumably texting Lin Yan. Fang Xin approached again, holding a folder and making faces: For this ind trip, Captain Song, you must have other ns, right? The receipt for the ring Song Yuhang had ordered was still in her jacket pocket, close to her chest. She had arranged to pick it up on New Years Eve, and she did indeed have some surprises she wanted to give Lin Yan, hence she smirked a little shyly. Um, what about you, with Duan Cheng? She nodded towards the distance with her lips. That rascal was still busy ying online games with Old Zheng, having the time of his life. Fang Xin gritted her teeth: Forget it, I have no expectations for him. Theres a glimmer of hope, but its too early for an epiphany, Song Yuhang waved her phone, Thats what Lin Yan said. She also said that this ind trip is to give you guys a chance, she even purposely booked a double room for you. Fang Xin almost choked on her saliva, her face turning red: No, Captain Song, Sister Lin, this is too much Thats really something. Song Yuhang shrugged, indicating that she was powerless: Im heading back to the Criminal Investigation Department. I need to get off work early if I finish everything up today. Now it was Fang Xins turn to be internally overwhelmed as she watched her retreat: The image of a womanpletely whipped by her wife is well established, its easier to beg Sister Lin than her.
By the time Song Yuhang got off work in the afternoon and changed her clothes, Lin Yan was already waiting at the door. As always, it was a shy red sports car. The woman, hands in her pockets, leaned against the car door, listlessly smoking a cigarette and attracting sideways nces from passersby. It was hard to imagine that when Song Yuhang first met her, she was fixing a car next to the city bureaus main entrance, while Lin Yan was having a heated kiss with someone. Now, she belonged entirely to Song Yuhang. Seeing her figure, Song Yuhang felt an inexplicable excitement, akin to hearing the school bell ring for recess. Though middle-aged, she still ran over with the bouncy energy of a child. Lin Yan opened the car door for her, What do you want to eat? Anything, Song Yuhang replied, closing the car window, the tinted ss shielding them from any prying eyes. She leaned in slightly and kissed the corner of Lin Yans lips. Or, we could go home, and Ill cook for you. Lin Yan pulled back a little, her cheeks tinged with a hint of red, No, dont think I dont know what youre up to. Well eat out, then go buy clothes and pick out a gift for Auntie. Song Yuhang fastened her seatbelt, Alright, Ill listen to you. While they were out dining and shopping, Ji Jingxing had just left the Love Teeth Dental Clinic, pulling Xiaowei along, with Lin Ge sending them to the door. Ji Jingxing turned back to look at him standing on the steps: Its still a hassle for you to help us jump the queue today. I usually get home toote from work, and most dental clinics are already closed. Lin Ge smiled, d in his white coat, bathed in the sunset light that made his face even more handsome. Its no problem, I usually dont leave myself until there are no more patients, he said with a twinkle in his eye, revealing a boyish charm and yfulness. If Miss Ji finds our service satisfactory, feel free toe here for future dental fillings, Ill give you a 20% discount. Ji Jingxingughed, So this time, its finally not about setting a broken bone, right? As soon as the words fell, both of them burst intoughter. Xiaowei wriggled free from her mothers hand and ran to his knee, presenting a paper heart in her open palm. Uncle Lin, this is for you. Thank you, my tooth doesnt hurt anymore. Lin Ge bent down, affectionately patted her head, and took the paper heart, cing it carefully into the pocket of his white coat. And thank you, Xiaowei, for being such a good girl, so obedient, cooperating with uncles treatment, which is why you got better so quickly. Remember to listen to your mom and eat less candy, okay? Ji Weiyi clenched her little fists and nodded vigorously, looking back at him every three steps as she walked away: Goodbye, Uncle. Lin Ge waved to them: Goodbye. On the way back, Xiaowei was skipping and hopping while holding her mothers hand: Mommy, I think Uncle Lin is such a nice person. Oh? How so? Ji Jingxing asked with a smile, looking at her. Mmm Xiaowei murmured, counting on her fingers: He loves to smile, and his smile is warm. Hes very nice to Xiaowei and also to mommy. When he rubs my head, his palm is very broad and generous; it feels kind of like a fathers touch. Ji Jingxing felt a pang in her heart. Xiao Wei was born after Song Yichen had passed away, leaving only cold pictures at home. She must miss her father so much to say something like that. At the same time, Ji Jingxing felt a warmth in her ears. She squatted down to look into her daughters eyes, tying her scarf properly: Xiaowei, its nice that Uncle Lin is good, but hes not your dad. You cant say things like this in front of others; it would make Uncle embarrassed, you know? Ji Weiyi nodded somewhat dejectedly, I understand, Mommy. I wont talk nonsense in the future. Only then did Ji Jingxing rub her head again, breaking into a smile: Good child. The two continued walking forward, Ji Weiyi holding her hand, wide-eyed with childlike curiosity and without a filter. Then Mommy, Mommy, I have onest question, why cant Uncle Lin be my daddy? I want a dad just like the other kids. Ji Jingxing felt a mix of heartache and helplessness, pressing her forehead, Xiaowei Xiaowei giggled, covering her mouth with her glove: Mommy is blushing, I have onest,st question Ji Jingxing feigned a stern face: No more questions allowed. Im going to ask, going to ask. Xiaowei raised her hand high, showing a lively and adorable side that she only ever showed in front of her mother. Then, what kind of person can be my daddy?
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 92-2 Chapter 92-2 New Years Eve Then, what kind of person can be my daddy? Ji Jingxing was suddenly stunned. In that moment, her mind shed with the face of Song Yichen, and even the brows and eyes of Song Yuhang crossed her thoughts, eventually focusing on a pair of smiling eyes. The sunlight fell on her white coat. Ji Jingxing felt an indescribable emotion in her heart. She thought, perhaps Lin Yan was right, maybe she had indeed been single for too long. She didnt truly like Song Yuhang; it was just that she cherished thepanionship and warmth she provided. But then again, who doesnt lovepanionship and warmth? She prided herself on maintaining her purity and integrity, being upright and refined. At thepany, she never engaged in gossip and kept a distance from the men who showed her favors, thinking this would keep her above themon fray. Little did she realize, she still couldnt avoid worldly dust. What she considered being out of the ordinary was actually not much cleverer than Lin Yans approach. Xiaowei saw her mother not responding and gently shook her sleeve. Ji Jingxing squatted down and touched her daughters head: Mommy is sorry for letting Xiaowei grow up without a fathers love all this time. Actually, mommy doesnt have any specific requirements for your daddys candidate. I just hope that if there really is such a person, he would be trustworthy and dependable, and that he would always, always be good to Xiaowei. Ji Weiyi was still young and didnt quite understand the bitter smile that lingered on her mothers lips. She only sensed that her mother was a bit sad, so she also held up her mothers face, saying in her baby voice. Mommy, I was wrong. I wont mention daddy anymore. Actually, its okay without him. Things are good as they are now. I will always be with mommy. As the two continued to walk, the streetlights elongated their shadows far and long. But mommy is so busy, I cant pick you up from school on time Its okay, Ill wait at school for mommy, or grandma to pick me up. I wont run around. But during the winter and summer breaks, you still have to attend enrichment sses Ji Jingxing said, feeling increasingly guilty. But my ssmates are all envious of me. I can do calligraphy, y the piano, dance, and sing Ji Weiyi said this as she let go of her mothers hand, hopping and skipping ahead of her, performing the nursery rhyme she had just learned that day, looking like a true little angel under the streetlights.
As the end of the year approached, rednterns were hung up and down the streets, and the festive atmosphere thickened. Song Yuhang and Lin Yan also had a rare few days of peaceful life. Every day, they would go to work one after another,e home to cook after work, go for a walk after dinner, curl up on the sofa to watch TV for a while, and then it would be time for their routine exercise. At first, Lin Yan found the taste for the first time and thought it was quite good, but over time, she couldnt wait to kick her off the bed. However, the other person was just getting a taste for it and was on a roll, inevitably needing to go for three to five rounds until both were exhausted. She had no energy left to think about anything else and would fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Upon waking up that day, Song Yuhang set about cutting paper-cuts for window decoration, trying her hand at this craft for the first time. The shapes turned out to be crooked and wonky as they were pasted on. Lin Yan looked on incredulously: What is that? Her counterpart turned around excitedly: Its a fish, cant you see? Lin Yans mouth twitched involuntarily; she really couldnt tell. It didnt look like a fish, nor like a dragon instead, it bore a closer resemnce to a centipede. Not having the heart to dampen her enthusiasm, Lin Yan still silently tolerated her as she pasted the oddly shaped red paper onto her own floor-to-ceiling windows. Does it look good? Yes, it looks good. Lets go, lets go, its time for work! Fearing that she would ask that dreaded question Where does it look good? Lin Yan hastily pulled her out of the vis grand doorway and shoved her into the car. The day before Chinese New Years Eve, its customary to have a dinner gathering after work. A group of people sat in the private room of a hotpot restaurant, clinking sses and engaging in cheerful conversation, which filled the air. Lin Yan was exceptionally allowed to drink a few more sses than usual. As the clock struck midnight, ss cups were clinked together, and everyone shouted in unison. Happy New Year! Bangpop, fireworks soared outside the window into the sky, painting a look of joy on every face. For Duan Cheng, this was his first year of internship at the Jiangcheng Municipal Bureau, and it was a year filled with numerous disasters and difficulties. Fortunately, he made it through. For Fang Xin, it was a year of getting to know a supervisor who was stern in appearance but warm-hearted, and a lovely younger brother. Although the future was uncertain, for now, having people around was the best oue. Zheng Chengrui looked at therades horsing around him and took the initiative to clink sses with Duan Cheng: Come on, Ill drink to you first. The clear sound of ss clinking rang out. Duan Cheng was taken aback and clearly saw a glimmer of moisture behind the lenses on Old Zhengs sses. But by the time he tried to take a closer look, it had already disappeared. He had no choice but to also lift his ss and drink it all in one gulp: Cheers. Lin Yan and Song Yuhang had long been distracted, their bodies present but their minds far away. Lin Yan, fearing she would drink too much and break out in a rash, and Song Yuhang, eager to head home early for some intimate time together. After all, with so many people around, they feared she might feel embarrassed. Once the gathering was over, the two of them called a designated driver and went straight home. Before getting in the car, they didnt forget to remind the other three. Dont forget, first day of the lunar month, see you at the airport at twelve noon. Got it. The group waved them off, watching as Lin Yans car disappeared at the end of the street corner. Back at home, Song Yuhang leaned on the sofa to sober up, watching her move in and out of the walk-in closet, fluttering back and forth like a peacock. At one point, she picked up a dress. Does this look good? Song Yuhang, belching from the alcohol, nodded: It looks good. Lin Yan then picked up a trench coat, Is this suitable to wear? Without waiting for an answer, she dived back into the pile of clothes. No, no, this is too in; for the New Year, one should wear something more dazzling. This wont do either, its too revealing; after all, Im going to meet the parents. How about this one? This is even worse, so out-of-date, itsst years style, isnt it? Song Yuhang, with a helpless smile, staggered to her feet and walked over to embrace her waist, resting her head on her shoulder. Were going to see my mom, not entering a beauty contest. Its fine to wear anything casual. Besides She let out a burp of alcohol, nuzzling into her neck once more. Belch I think you look best wearing nothing. Get lost! Lin Yan roared, flinging a clothes hanger in her direction. The next morning, a rare day off from work, Song Yuhang woke up early as usual. Lin Yan, in azy drawl, tugged at the hem of her clothes: Where are you off to? She turned back and pressed a kiss to Lin Yans forehead. Im going to paste couplets, then go out to buy some stuff. Arent we having dinner at my ce tonight? Lin Yan murmured incoherently, and Song Yuhang held her tenderly for a moment longer before letting go. Watching her get dressed and leave, Song Yuhang turned around and headed straight to the diamond ring counter. It seemed the mall was also preparing to close, thankfully she arrived early. Song Yuhang felt a secret thrill as she took out the still-warm piece of paper from her chest and handed it to the sales clerk. Hello, Im here to pick up the custom-made ring. A small velvet box was handed to her, and upon opening it, her heart swelled with joy, her lips unable to suppress a smile. She tried on the slightlyrger ringit fit perfectly. The smaller one would wait until tomorrow when they arrived at Saipan Ind, where she would propose to Lin Yan. Song Yuhang carefully took the ring off her right hand, ced it back into the box with great care, and slipped it into the pocket near her heart inside her coat. After thanking the sales clerk, she hurried off. She still needed to go to the supermarket to buy some stuff, to prevent Lin Yan from sensing anything amiss. By the time she returned to the parking lot,den with gifts big and small, a shadowy figure skulked away from her car. She ran over to check and found that the person had slipped away faster than a rabbit. Someone had keyed a long scratch on the door of Lin Yans red car. Damn it, what an unlucky year, muttered Song Yuhang as she set her things on the hood. She tugged at the car doorlocked tight. She breathed a sigh of relief, pressed the key fob, bent down to pull open the car door, and checked to see if anything inside had been stolen. Fortunately, everything was still there. She stepped back out, picked up the gifts, and stuffed them into the trunk, brimming withplex, hard-to-express emotions. She contemted how she would exin this to Lin Yan. That evening, Lin Yan, with a stroke of her pen, decided to let the matter slide under one condition: that she must not resist her subsequently. With no alternatives, Song Yuhang was forced to sign what she deemed a humiliating treaty, stripping her of her rights and dignity. After all, they were going to meet the parents, and seeing the long scratch on the car door was still somewhat embarrassing. Lin Yan called someone to tow away the damaged car for repair and, at the same time, reced it with a new, less shy, and more low-key white Audi. Song Yuhang watched in astonishment as she switched cars as easily as one would change clothes; that scrapped BMW M series at the bottom of the sea was worth at least a million in the market. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow, whistled, and walked over, lightly lifting Song Yuhangs chin while looking down at her in her high heels. Happy now? Youve snagged yourself a richdy. Song Yuhang opened the car door for her and bowed slightly, Richdy, after you, please. Upon arriving at the Song residence, Mother Song had already prepared two pairs of brand new slippers at the door, waiting for them. They were not the kind for guests, but rather those fluffy, warm cotton slippers for winter days. Song Yuhang took them down from the shoe rack for her and said, Mom, were back. Hearing the noise at the door, Mother Song wiped her hands on her apron and emerged from the kitchen, only to pause in surprise. Her daughter, who had always been so proud and lofty, was squatting down, gently massaging another womans ankle. Though her words were ofint, her tone was soft and tender. Youre told not to wear high heels, look, your feet hurt again, dont they? Lin Yan was leaning on her shoulder, standing with a slightly flushed face, she muttered in a low voice, Its only to make a good impression on Auntie Perhaps because she had been standing for too long, the lovey-dovey couple was finally snapped back to reality. Lin Yan swiftly stood upright, a polite smile spreading across her face: Hello, Auntie. Her cheeks were still flushed, and her eyes clearly dared not meet her gaze, showing a shyness simr to that of a newlywed bride. Today, she was dressed in a way that was sure to be endearing, wearing a white turtleneck sweater paired with a camel-colored skirt, her long legs and slender waist entuating her graceful figure. Dangling from one ear was a long tassel earring, worn on only one side, which was delicately fashionable without being overlyplicated. The white sweater made her already fairplexion even more porcin and luminous, and the touch of rosiness added because of it made her look even more bright and enchanting. Except for being too thin, this girl just looked delightful to the eye. Seeing Mother Song appraising her, Lin Yans face was almost stiff with smiling, always feeling that something was amiss, until her gaze fell upon her own cross-body bag slung over Song Yuhangs shoulder, which she promptly snatched away. Hehehe Its good that the two kids have such a strong rtionship. Mother Song couldnt help but let out augh: Please sit down, sit down. Look at this, I havent even finished setting up. There are sunflower seeds, peanuts, candies, and fruits on the table. You guys go ahead and nibble on something first. The room was warm, so Song Yuhang put down her things, took off her coat, and removed her scarf to wash her hands. As soon as she entered the kitchen door, a wave of the fragrance of braised meat hit her. Her cravings were through the roof. Mom, what delicious food have you made today? Mother Song gave her a sideways nce, yet she still fished out a piece of cooked beef from the bubbling stew pot, ced it on the chopping board, and chopped it into small pieces before cing them into a bowl. Go on, let Yanyan have a taste. You said you wereing back but didnt give a heads up, everythings still not ready, and mom hasnt even changed her clothes, dressed like this For convenience while cooking, Mother Song had her silvery hair wrapped in a headscarf, donning an old dress, and tied with an apron. Song Yuhang snickered and took a piece for herself, only to be burned and start touching her ear reflexively. Mom, dont worry, she wont mind it, she said. Besides, Yanyan also bought new clothes for you. Didnt I say not to buy anything? Disobedient again Before Mother Song could continue her scolding, Song Yuhang had already grabbed the bowl and, like greasing her feet with oil, slipped away. Using her chopsticks to cool it down before handing it over to Lin Yanyan, she coaxed, Ahtry this, its the braised beef my mom made. Mmm, delicious. The beef was stewed to a tender mushiness, vorful, with a hint of spice and a lingering aftertaste of spices just right. Lin Yan contentedly narrowed her eyes. Song Yuhang handed her the chopsticks: Then you eat first; Ill go help in the kitchen so we can start the meal sooner. Okay. Lin Yan responded and also prepared to stand up. How about I go too? No need, no need, our family doesnt have a tradition of making the new bride do any work. Lin Yanyans face turned slightly red, murmuring, Whos the new bride? It was agreed that tonight I would be on top Song Yuhang pinched her nose and, without waiting for her to finish, had already run off. Just this once, Ill indulge you. To prevent the cooking fumes from drifting into the living room, the kitchen door was closed again. Lin Yan sat down once more, just as she picked up a piece of meat and was about to put it into her mouth, the doorbell rang. She dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin and ran to open the door: Coming,ing! As the door opened, their eyes met. The smile on Lin Yans face faded a bita family member who is bound to visit sooner orter will inevitablye. Ji Jingxing was holding her child, silently observing her wearing Song Yuhangs slippers. Those slippers were bought during a shopping trip with Mother Song a couple of days ago; they had bought two pairs. Miss Lin, may I ask if we cane in? Lin Yan pressed her lips tightly together, silently making way for them.
LP: Juicy family drama
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 93-1 Chapter 93-1 Exchanging moves After they came in, Song Yuhang also emerged from the kitchen, taking Lin Yans hand and protectively nking her, intentionally or unintentionally, addressing her as sister-inw. Ji Jingxing nodded, without much expression on her face. Contrarily, Xiaowei let go of her mothers hand and enthusiastically threw herself into her arms. Song Yuhang rubbed Xiao Weis head and yed with her for a while, Xiaowei is good. Go watch TV; dinner will be ready soon. Once Xiaowei ran off, she turned back to look at her girlfriend and pinched her hand. You go rest in my room for a while. Ill call you when its time to eat. Lin Yan cast a nce at Ji Jingxing, who was sitting on the sofa ying with Xiaowei, her expression still somewhat annoyed. Song Yuhang, as if no one else was present, draped her arm over Lin Yans shoulder and gently pushed her toward the house, speaking in a soft and tender tone. Alright, for my sake and my mothers, didnt you agree when you came that you wouldnt lose your temper today? Lin Yan hmphed and said: What temper could I possibly have? If she did nothing to provoke me and I still get angry, wouldnt that be making a fuss without reason? Song Yuhangughed and pinched her nose: Our Yanyan is the most generous. Ji Jingxing sat on the sofa, peeling an orange for Xiaowei, catching all their interactions in her peripheral vision, feeling a bitter sweetness in her heart while forcing a calm facade on her face. Watching Song Yuhang escort someone inside, it took about ten minutes before she came out again. When she did return, her shirt buttons had been carelessly undone, revealing a vivid lipstick mark on her neck a silent deration of Lin Yans possession. Ji Jingxings fingernails squeezed the orange hard enough to release its juice. Song Yuhang herself looked thoroughly satisfied, her eyes soft and tender with unspoken things done behind closed doors. However, at the moment their gazes met, Song Yuhang regained her usualposure, nonchntly pulling a paper towel from the table to wipe off the lipstick mark, making no effort to avoid it. This was Song Yuhangs way of bolstering Lin Yans confidence while also hinting that there should be no mischief today. Ji Jingxing, with a bittersweet feeling inside, passed the peeled orange to her, Yuhang, have some orange. Song Yuhang waved her hand to refuse, No, thanks. Im going to help Mom cook. Give it to Xiaowei. Ji Jingxing also stood up, Ill go too. She turned back and looked at her, The guest should not work, its against etiquette to let guests lift a finger. But Ji Jingxing wanted to argue but was promptly interrupted. Please, sister-inw, just take it easy and have a seat. The kitchens too small, really cant fit three people. If youre hungry, have some snacks to tide you over first. Neither too enthusiastic nor too distant, whether it was her tone or her expression, she maintained a perfectly appropriate level. But the use of guest somehow created a huge distance. Do we really have to be like this, Yuhang? A look of sorrow spilled onto Ji Jingxings face. The sound of stir-frying came from the kitchen as Song Yuhang rolled up her sleeves, her demeanor calm andposed. Sister-inw, I crossed the line and was rude in the past, for which I apologize. But today is thest day of the lunar year. After today, lets turn the page. Lets not sadden Mom on this day meant for family reunions. No matter how many faults Lin Yan may have, shes still my girlfriend She lowered her voice to keep the people inside the house from hearing. Ive even bought the engagement ring. I appreciate your good intentions, but the person who will spend the rest of her life with her is me. Knowing you woulde today, she still chose toe home with me. Shes not one to quibble over every little thing; shes just a bit stubborn, and even if shes in the wrong, shes unwilling to admit it. Dont take it too much to heart. Im not asking for you two to live in harmony, but just for today, in front of the child, in front of Mom, if each of us could give a little, this could all be behind us. After finishing her words, Song Yuhang called Xiaowei over and flicked her forehead, Go check out the gift your auntie got for you, its at the entrance. With a cheer, Xiaowei dashed off, while Song Yuhang headed straight through the door into the kitchen, not leaving any room for further conversation. Wow! A Hello Kitty crystal hair clip! Xiaowei opened the gift box and was instantly amazed. A variety of hair clips and head ornaments neatly embedded in ck sponge shone brightly under the light, looking incredibly pretty. Theres even a kids camera! Its so cute, mommy! Xiaowei continued to rummage through and pulled out a pink camera, cheering, and there was even a full tote bag of watercolor pens from the fairy tale princess series. And there was a giant Barbie doll and a carousel music box. Just by looking, you can tell this isnt Song Yuhangs doing. She usually gifts things like Transformers action figures, toy guns, or LEGOs, making Ji Jingxing exasperated and even suspect she might think of Xiaowei as a boy. Only Lin Yan would be so thoughtful and have the delicate touch necessary for a girls heart. She even considered Xiaoweis calligraphy practice, gifting her a set of exquisite and expensive Four Treasures of the Study, customized for a childs use. She also gave her thetest English reading aid, something Ji Jingxing has wanted to buy for Xiaowei but hadnt quite managed to bring herself to do. The gift was undeniably valuable, leaving Ji Jingxing with mixed feelings. She looked toward the bedroom door, which remained tightly closed, with no sign of opening. Inside the room, Lin Yan took out a small mirror from her bag to touch up her makeup and applied lipstick. After blotting the excess with her little finger and pressing her lips together, her phone rang. Picking it up, she saw a message from Lin Ge: Are youing home for dinner tonight? Lin Yan twisted the cap back on her lipstick, had just typed a line of text when there was a knock on the door. She walked over and opened it. Xiaowei held out a big bunch of candy to her: Thanks, Auntie Lin, but Mom said there are too many gifts, I cant take them. Ji Jingxing sat on the couch, her eyes glued to the TV, but in reality, she was all ears. Lin Yan took a White Rabbit Creamy Candy from Xiaoweis palm and epted it: Its no biggie, Xiaowei. Those gifts are from your auntie for you. Theyre yours, and no one else has the right to deal with them. Ji Jingxing felt an itch in her teeth from irritation. Lin Yan straightened up, her voice just loud enough to carry to everyone in the living room. No matter what, the kid is innocent. Gifts are given for the sake of the child, so certain people shouldnt tter themselves. Ji Jingxings face changed, just as she was about to speak, Mother Song came out of the kitchen with dishes in her hands. You must be hungry, go wash your hands, time to eat. At the square eight-immortal table, Mother Song took the seat of honor. Xiaowei kicked up a fuss about sitting alone, and Ji Jingxing sat by herself too, while Song Yuhang took off her apron and sat down next to Lin Yan. Lin Yan couldnt hold back a smile that broke out on her face, a hint of smugness in the lift of her brows and the sparkle in her eyes. Song Yuhang gave her hand a squeeze under the table: Try our familys New Years Eve dinner, see if its to your taste. Sure~ Aunties cooking always tastes great, Lin Yan cooed in a drawn-out, sweet voice, her demeanor both cheerful and well-behaved. No matter how reluctant Mother Song might have been before, her displeasure vanished in an instant, her smile so wide she couldnt close her mouth. Good, good, good, eat up. At the dinner table, conversations andughter flowed among the few people present. Song Yuhang asionally used the serving chopsticks to ce food into the bowls of her mother and Xiaowei, but never once did she serve any to Ji Jingxings bowl. Owing to Lin Yans first time joining them for the New Years Eve dinner, Mother Song was naturally more enthusiastic towards her, frequently offering her dishes. Before long, Lin Yans bowl was heaped up like a little hill. Lin Yan didnt refuse; she ate bite by bite and was eloquentlymenting on the taste of various ingredients. Song Yuhang gently pulled at her clothes and whispered, If you cant eat it all, dont force yourself. She wanted to avoid her feeling unwellter when they went back home. Its okay, I can handle it, Lin Yan said, and it was unclear whether she was choked by a chili or if she was simply eating too hastily. She turned away, coughing softly. Song Yuhang patted her back for her. Ji Jingxing also put down her chopsticks, her tone quite sarcastic: Mom, kindness is taken for granted, as if it were liver and lungs of a donkey. Shes ustomed to delicacies from the mountains and the sea; how could she take to our simple meals? Lin Yan turned her face back around, coughing until the corners of her eyes were slightly red. She picked up a ss of boiled water and took a big gulp, gripping the ss tightly. Song Yuhang was pulling on her hand under the table. Looking back and forth between her and Lin Yan, Mother Song wasnt sure if she had said something wrong or done something mistaken, the elderly woman seemed quite embarrassed, with a helpless expression on her face. After several short breaths, Lin Yan calmed down but viciously pinched the flesh on the back of Song Yuhangs hand to vent her frustration. Song Yuhang winced in pain. Methodically, Lin Yan finished the dish that Mother Song had just served her, then dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin. Using the same ingredients but just cooking them differently somehow creates a hierarchy of superior and inferior, she said coolly. I wonder what kind of logic that is. Now, even Mother Song could see that there was discord between the two. Ji Jingxingsplexion changed, and she gripped her chopsticks tightly. Yet Lin Yan turned her face back and smiled at Mother Song: Auntie, its really delicious. My mother passed away early, and its been many years since Ive had the chance to enjoy a New Years Eve dinner with a family. Thank you. As she said this, the redness from her choking cough still lingered at the corners of her eyes, and her dark pupils seemed to be covered with ayer of mist. Her smile was both sincere and soft. Mother Songs heart suddenly felt touched as she said, Ah, good, then, eat up, eat up. As she said this, she moved the spicy dishes to her side of the table. Song Yuhang patted her mothers back and served her a bowl of soup. Mom, you have some too. After eating, try on the new clothes Yanyan bought for you. If they dont fit, we can go exchange them. With those words, the conversation was sessfully steered away. Why make it so troublesome? Didnt we agree not to bring gifts whening over for meals? If this happens again, I might not wee it, ah. Song Yuhang smiled, served a bowl of soup for Xiaowei and ced it beside her, then she did the same for Lin Yan. Whether its troublesome or not, its not up to me to decide; it has to be agreed by Lin Yan. Besides, whats wrong with having one more person who cares about you? You never like the clothes I buy for you anyway. Next time, maybe Yanyan could go shopping with you. Lin Yan took a sip of soup and said, Hmm, sure, isnt there a new mall opening in the city center after the New Year? I will apany Auntie to check it out. Anyway, every time you shop with me for clothes, you cant articte why you like something. You just keep saying it looks good, like a parrot. The tense atmosphere quietly eased. With a smile, Mother Song picked up her chopsticks and added a piece of white-cut chicken to her te, Just like her father. The whole table burst intoughter, even Xiaowei started giggling joyfully. Song Yuhangdled out thest bowl of soup and handed it to Ji Jingxing. Its been hard for sister-inw to take care of the child all by herself. Mom specially went to the vegetable market early today to buy fresh pork trotters, came back and added kidney beans, and stewed it all afternoon. Its especially nourishing and good for beauty andplexion. Ji Jingxing seemedpletely taken aback, as if she had never expected to be included, and paused for a moment in surprise. Seeing that she didnt ept it, Song Yuhang put the bowl on the table and sat back down to chat and jest with Lin Yan. Lin Yan rolled her eyes surreptitiously, and just like that, the incident was glossed over. The meal was eaten amidst hidden tensions, with a suspenseful undertone. By the end of it, Song Yuhangs shirt on her back was soaked with sweatshe was petrified that the two might start fighting at the dinner table. Thankfully, it only amounted to some minor bickering, and generally speaking, the meal concluded without incident. She let out a quiet sigh of relief. Ji Jingxing no longer had any reason to ask Song Yuhang to take her home, because now she wasnt just her sister, but also someone elses girlfriend. Mother Song walked them to the door and patted Xiaowei on the head: Xiaowei, be good. Go inside and y with your auntie for a while. Grandma and Mommy are going to have a talk. Ji Jingxing, with her bag slung over her shoulder and holding the childs hand, stood there: Mom, forget it, just say what you want to say directly. Mother Song nced inside. Song Yuhang was clearing the leftover food from the table, with Lin Yan apanying her, holding the trash can for her. She lowered her voice, looking at her daughter-inw: Whats going on between you and Yanyan Do you have any grudges? This question took Ji Jingxing aback. Hadnt Song Yuhang and Lin Yan ever spoken ill of her in front of Mother Song? She forced a smile and said, Nothing, theres nothing wrong. If its all the same, well be leaving now. Its gettingte as well. Mother Song saw the two people in the living room busying themselves and not paying attention to this side. She fumbled in her sleeve and pulled out a red envelope, stuffing it into her hand. Take it, take it. Ji Jingxing tried to decline, pushing it back into her hand, Mom, this The olddys face turned serious, and she pushed her out the door, insisting on cing it into her pocket. Her tone softened then, her full head of silver hair trembling as she gently grasped her hand.
LP: Didnt Ji Jingxing realized that she only wanted Song Yuhangspany? Communicating this might fix their rtionship. Although it wont be the same as before, but at least theyll be in good terms without any ambiguous feelings between them. Do it for Xiaowei!
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 93-2 Chapter 93-2 Exchanging moves The olddys face turned serious, and she pushed her out the door, insisting on cing it into her pocket. Her tone softened then, her full head of silver hair trembling as she gently grasped her hand. Take this, Jingxing, use this money to buy some snacks for Xiaowei. Im old now and dont have many desires; I just want to see our family living together in harmony. If you and Yuhang are happy and Xiaowei grows up safely, Ill be content. Ji Jingxing felt a warmth in her eyes and said with emotion, Mom Mother Song waved her hand: Go on, take the child ande back early. Dont forget toe over for dumplings tomorrow. script async /pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7308560877180315" crossorigin="anonymous"> After Mother Song returned to the room, Song Yuhang was helping the pale-faced Lin Yan out of the bathroom. Whats happened here? Its nothing, Auntie, Lin Yan said, lifting her eyes faintly, forehead still beaded with sweat, her palm-sized face as white as paper, yet she forced herself to stand up and walk outside. Then Ill be heading back too. Song Yuhang helped her to sit back down again: Heading back? How can you head back in this state? Sit for a while, Ill pour you a ss of water. Saying this, she dashed into the kitchen, with Mother Song following her. Whats going on? Werent you alright just now? While pouring water, Song Yuhang grumbled softly. I couldnt very well speak up at the dinner table, but her stomach is weak, and she overate, which led to indigestion. That bottle of medicinal liquor of yours must be at least ten years old; I wouldnt dare to drink it, yet you kept pouring it for her. Now look whats happened, regardless of whether its exquisite delicacies or simple teas and meals, its alle back up. Saying so and shaking her head, she walked out and brought the water to her lips, carefully helping her drink. The medicinal liquor is spicy; if you cant drink it, then dont. My mom has no one to drink with her on normal days, so she seized the opportunity with you, didnt she? Lin Yan, sipping the warm water, felt much better, I can do it myself, let me do it. As long as Auntie is happy, its all good. Mother Song, listening in the kitchen, felt a sour and astringent pang in her heart, and warm tears welled up in her eyes. This child is so thoughtful; its impossible not to be moved. Come, Yanyan, take a digestive tablet. From now on, you must tell Auntie what you can and cannot eat. Also, the bed sheets and duvet cover in the Yuhang roomI just changed them yesterday. Dont bother going back today; its a long way. Just stay and sleep here. Thank you, Auntie. Lin Yan, upon hearing the first part of the sentence, popped the tablet into her mouth. The second part almost choked her, leaving her face blushing red. This wouldnt that be inappropriate? Mother Song walked into the kitchen and took out some honey and aged tangerine peel to make a hangover soup. After preparing it, she turned on the TV to watch the Spring Festival G and said, Whats wrong with that? Sooner orter, were all family. Its more lively with you here to apany me. If you leave, Yuhang would follow you anyway. Song Yuhang sat between them, wrapping an arm around her mothers shoulder, and making yful faces. Mom, this time youre really acting like my mom. Two elbows jabbed into her stomach simultaneously. Lin Yan gritted her teeth: Song, Yu, hang. Mother Song retorted, Being a close mom means you still have to do the dishes! Song Yuhang threw her head back in a long howl, copsing onto the sofa.
In the Lin residence. Cough, cough, cough I cant eat anymore. The old man was coughing violently, sitting alone in the vast vis dining room. The room was cold and quiet, and the delicate and abundant dishes on the table had hardly been touched. A woman gently patted his back and used a handkerchief to wipe the saliva dribbling from the corner of his mouth. Alright, alright, no more eating, Ill assist the master in returning to rest. As she spoke, she and the butler together secured the man into the wheelchair. Lin Youyuan lifted his eyes to look at her, his voice hoarse: Dont fuss about, Old Lin can take me up. You should also get some rest. The womans eyes flickered, wanting to say more, but the butler, always Lin Youyuans confidant, had already pushed the wheelchair away. Left with no other option, the woman could only stand there, stomping her foot in silent frustration. A servant approached and inquired, Madam, do you wish to keep these dishes? Whats to keep? Throw it out for the dogs! The woman snapped, clutching her handkerchief. The sudden ferocity etched onto her face made the servant recoil a few steps, not daring to look up at her again. Yes, madam. In the tranquil corridor,id with an intricately patterned carpet, the wheelchair rolled soundlessly. Lin Youyuan coughed twice more, hisplexion wan and his eyes sunken. Dressed in loose pajamas, the skin that showed was loose and dotted with age spots. He was visibly aging at a rapid pace. The butler couldnt help but feelpassion: Master Lin Youyuan gestured to stop him mid-sentence: Did Geere over today? Butler Lin shook his head: No, the young masters mother is also severely ill, so he didnte. However, he sent someone with a congrattory gift, saying that he wille over to give his New Years greetings tomorrow morning. A hint of a smile appeared on Lin Youyuans lips: Oh, what is it? Its an antique snuff bottle, imed to be a relic of the Qing Dynasty emperors. He went to great lengths searching for over half a year as a gift for you. This child, hes considerate. Lin Youyuan leaned on his wheelchair and let out a long sigh, and as soon as he finished speaking, he was seized by a bout of coughing. Master the butler moved to pat his back. Lin Youyuan stopped his movement: Do you think the woman Jin Xia is trustworthy? I wouldnt dare to specte about thedy. The old butler lowered his head. Lin Youyuan covered his mouth with a handkerchief, and from his throat came a heh-heh-heh sound, making it unclear whether he was coughing orughing. He didnt speak, and Lin Youyuan did not ask further. Has the young miss returned? As Butler Lin continued to push him forward, he shook his head. Lin Youyuan closed his eyes, allowing himself to be wheeled into the bedroom. Its better she doesnt return, better that she stays away.
The expansive vi returned to silence, with the asional bark of a doging from the distant woods. Jin Xia slipped out the main gate and turned into the neighboring building. Didnt I tell you not toe over? Lin Ge opened the door to his study, nced aroundthe corridor was pitch-dark, not a soul in sight. He quickly pulled her inside. Jin Xia nestled softly into his arms, her fingertips gently teasing his chest. That old fart has gotten on my nerves again. She spoke with not a small measure of grievance, but Lin Ge pushed her away abruptly. Go back, this is not the ce for you. But Jin Xia stamped her foot in frustration. When will he finally die? Every day I have to attend to him, bear the sight of his coarse, sagging skin, even bathe him it makes me want to puke. Lin Ge let out a cold snort and moved to his desk to immerse himself in his work. A centipede dies but never stiffens immediately not so fast. But Ive been doping his medicine for over half a year now and still no sign of improvement Jin Xia pouted, circling around to his front, about to sit on hisp when she caught sight of the crystal ball on the desk, her eyes instantly lighting up. Wow, this is so pretty! She reached out and grabbed it. Before she could sit down, someone snatched the crystal ball from her hand and shoved her against the wall, gripping her neck. Lin Ges eyes were bloodshot as he tightened his grip on her hand, steadily increasing the pressure. Dont. Touch. My. Things. Jin Xia rolled her eyes, her feet iling wildly against the wall. She never would have imagined that the seemingly frail Lin Ge could possess such strength. Looking at his face now, it was clear he had lost his usual geniality. His gaze was fierce and icy, as if he were merely pinching an ant to death. Jin Xia was frightened; she started gasping for breath, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes, desperately pping at his wrist. Cough cough Im sorry I I was wrong. In countless moments, Lin Ge had thought of killing her, making her one of his specimens. However, when he thought of her remaining usefulness, the bloody streaks in his eyes visibly faded. Lin Ge let go, and Jin Xia fell to the ground, sitting with a thud. She trembled all over, staring at him with a mix of shock and fear. Lin Ge bent down, gently helping her up, and even patted off the dust from her dress. Sorry, did I scare you? Its just that its very precious, so I dont want others to touch it. The womans eyes were red, and there was still a ring of bruise on her neck where he had choked her. Lin Ge gently massaged it, easing the pain. Im sorry, I was impulsive just now. It wont happen again, Xiaxia. You have to believe me, I will surely rescue you from this sea of suffering. One moment he was fiercely cruel, the next, tender as water. This capricious change was as swift as flipping through a book, sending shivers down Jin Xias spine. She felt as though she had never truly known this man, and an unfounded chill rose within her as she looked at his face. Lin Ge continued to disy his expertise, picking up a cup of water from the table and handing it to her: Im sorry Xiaxia, take a sip to calm down. Here, it was my bad mood tonight. Youve worked hard taking care of Lin Youyuan, and I should be more understanding. Jin Xia didnt dare to linger, pushing his hand away she stood up by herself: Its okay, its okay, Ill go back first. With those words, she left the room as if fleeing for her life. Not long after her departure, a dark figure emerged from behind the bookshelf. You dont kill her, arent you afraid shell tell Lin Youyuan? Lin Ge scoffed coldly, caressing the crystal ball as if it were the softest part of a woman. Lin Youyuan is no easy mark. If she tells him, shell be even less likely to survive. And youre not worried that shell cut off all ties with you and stop doing your bidding? Lin Ge sneered, at this point, there was no longer a need to pretend. After drinking that stuff, few people can resist addiction. Just wait and see; shell be back for more tomorrow. The man in ck turned to leave, but someone called out to stop him. You did well this time, the money has been transferred to your ount. A contemptuous smile yed at the corner of the mans lips: You know, Im not in it for the money. I know, dont worry. Lin Ge stood up and stuffed a gold bar into his hand. Ill help you, just as youve helped me.
LP: EWW!!!
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 94-1 Chapter 94-1 Game The New Years Eve that Lin Yan spent at the Song family home turned into one of her most treasured memoriester on. Leaning on Song Yuhangs shoulder, she idly cracked sunflower seeds, listening to Mother Song share amusing anecdotes from her daughters childhood, chuckling heartily as Song Yuhangs cheeks became increasingly rosy with bashfulness. Mother Song also peppered her with questions about various aspects of her work and personal life. Lin Yan responded with sincerity, not hiding anything, including details of her illness. Mother Song couldnt fullyprehend the disease, but when Song Yuhang described the symptomsregr insomnia, long-term medication usage, vomiting, and other side effectsshe felt a twinge of sorrow for this poor child. script async /pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7308560877180315" crossorigin="anonymous"> Ultimately, her primary concern was: Thiswhat syndrome did you call it? Its not hereditary, right? Lin Yan hadnt fully swallowed her mouthful of water when, with an indelicate snort, it nearly sprayed out everywhere. Really, was this the primary concern of all parents in the world? Mother Song was visibly worried. Song Yuhang couldnt help but chuckle: Its okay, Mom, its not hereditary. Besides, even if it was, youve still got me, right? And if all else fails, we can always adopt. She cracked a handful of sunflower seeds, giving all the kernels to Lin Yan. By the way, how did youe to know about all this? Mother Song was slightly embarrassed; she hadnt really had any exposure to these things herself. I, uh, read about it in the newspaper. From the TV set, the tune Unforgettable Tonight began to y, and the chimes of the midnight bell rang from outside the window. Mother Song heaved a sigh of relief and started to hustle people out. Alright already, hurry up and go take a bath and sleep, dont you have to catch a flight tomorrow? Okay. Song Yuhang put the sunflower seeds back into the dish and pulled Lin Yan as they dashed into the bathroom. Mom, no need to make breakfast for us tomorrow, Id like to sleep in a bit. Fine, got it, got it. Mother Songs drawn-out response came from the living room. Song Yuhang held her hand as they washed together, then they brushed their teeth, and after washing their faces, she began to take off her sweater. Lin Yan pressed down on the hem of the garment, looking at her warily: What are you doing? Its water and time-saving for two to wash together. Auntie is still outside, you Lin Yans eyes widened, but her mouth was swiftly covered by a hand. Did she still want to be able to face people when she went out tomorrow? Shh, dont make noise. What used to be sneaky can now be done openly. Um No, you cant! Lin Yans eyes reddened with urgency, steadfastly refusing and gasping for breath, she managed to push Song Yuhang out the door, sshing her face with water from the showerhead. Song Yuhang, wiping the water off her face, turned to see Mother Song still busy in the living room and went over to help tidy up. Mom, let me do it. You should go to sleep. She said, helping her to sit on the sofa, then she took the broom and started to sweep the room. Mother Song watched her tall figure stoop over, sweeping out sunflower seed shells from underneath the sofa, and called out her name. Yuhang. What is it, Mom? She looked up at her, her hands never ceasing their work. Nothing much, just that seeing you now, Im reminded of when you were just born, tiny as a palm. The doctor said you were premature and probably wouldnt survive three months, but look at you now, all grown up. Mother Song looked at the portrait of herte husband, measured with her hand, and tears welled up in her eyes. Youre even taller than your father now. Song Yuhang set down the broom and half-knelt beside her, taking her hand with a touch of emotion, Mom Mother Song gently brushed her ck hair from her forehead to behind her ears, I never really noticed before, but today, watching you take care of Yanyan, I realized that my daughter has truly grown up and found her own ce in the world. Song Yuhang rested her face on her mothers knee, Mom, no matter how old I am, whether or not I have a girlfriend, or who I am with, you will always be my mom, and I will always love you. Song Yuhang knew that Mother Song might not necessarily ept homosexuality; she simply loved all who were dear to her daughter, epting Lin Yan out of her hope for her daughters happiness. This is such great and profound maternal love. She rubbed her moms leg, just like when she was younger. Mom, dont worry, Im not the type to forget my mother once I have a wife. Mother Songughed lightly: If you were that kind of person, itd be better if you didnt start a rtionship at all, to avoid holding any girl back. By the way, have you met Yanyans family? At the mention of Lin Yans father, Lin Youyuan, Song Yuhang had a look that spoke volumes of unsaid troubles. I have met them, but The oue was not as good as expected; in fact, it could be said that from then on, a feud was born. Mother Song pondered, Since you two have decided to get married, there are things that must be done. Those who should be respected must be respected. If Lin Yan doesnt want to go home, you need to be tactful. Dont favor one over the other. Song Yuhang smiled. She didnt n to share the overlyplicated issues that would worry her mother, so she gently squeezed her hand. I understand, mom. Dont worry, Ill be prudent. Anyway, before we officially get married, we should pay a visit. There is another matter, Mother Song said, straightening her face in a mock-serious manner. No matter what, through adoption or giving birth, you two need to have a childI want to hold a grandchild. Song Yuhang wailed, resting her head on her mothers knees, Not this again, Mom. Yanyan doesnt want children; she prefers to be a DINK. Mother Song tugged at her ear, I dont care if youre DINK or KIND, Ive alreadypromised. This is the one thing you need to fulfill for me. Song Yuhang finally understood where Lin Yan picked up the habit of tugging at her earclearly, she had learned from her own mother. Looking utterly distressed, she hastily made her exit with a swift move. Alright, alright, your word isw, your word isw, she said. Im off to take a bath, then Ill go make a grandson for you. ??? This no-good rascal, Mother Songs face flushed with the mock anger, her hand raised as if to strike, but by then her daughter had already dashed off like a shot to find her girlfriend. Lin Yan, after her bath, passed by the living room. Mother Song had already gone to bed, and no one was around. Under the dim glow of the wallmp, the incense on the altar had burned out. She walked over, lit three more sticks with the lighter, took a moment to bow her head in silent tribute, and gently ced them into the incense burner before returning to her room. Her hair was just half-dried, not yet fully wet, when Song Yuhang came back from her shower. Lin Yan was flipping through an album on her desk without looking up. You showered so fast? Before her words fell silent, she was enveloped in a full embrace. Song Yuhang buried her head in Lin Yans neck, I missed you. Its been less than ten minutes apart, does Captain Song really need to be like this? Lin Yan chuckled, propping up her head. Song Yuhang buried her head again, muttering as she pushed her towards the bed. As for, as for, my mother is urging us again What? Lin Yan was taken aback. To have children. As Song Yuhang spoke, she had already taken the photo album from Lin Yans hands,id her down on the bed, and reached out to turn off the bedsidemp. Lin Yan gritted her teeth: You tell me, how are the two of us, both women, supposed to do that? Song Yuhangs voice was sticky and muddled: Just like this, suddenly feeling that not getting pregnant is pretty good, we can Lin Yan rolled her eyes: Can let you hassle me indefinitely? She grabbed her hair with one hand, propping the person up. Song Yuhang was taken aback, but it was already toote. Lin Yan reapplied an old trick, firmly immobilizing the person beneath her with a Cross Lock. Lin Song Yuhang gasped, her arm trapped. Lin Yan leaned over, her long hair brushing across her face. Sorry, Officer Song, looks like Ill disappoint you. Auntie, I cant make babies. But Her well-manicured fingernail lifted the hem of the pajamas, slowly tracing down the slender curve of the back. Its time for you to keep your promise, remember to keep it down. Lin Yan whispered in her ear, hitting her sensitive spot. After all, auntie is still in the next room. Lin Yan Yanyan Song Yuhang gasped, her ability to formplete sentences quickly escaping her. Hiss Mmm That usually calm andposed face now flushed with red, slightly intoxicated, a look that only surfaced in moments like these. Lin Yan was utterly enamored with her current expression, bing even more enthusiastic. Their fingers intertwined, as if kneading each other into their very bones. The sheets became wrinkled, sweat beads rolled onto them, and strands of hair were entwined, scattered over the pillows. The night was still young.
Early the next morning, sunlight filtered through the window screen, casting a warm glow on the wooden floor. Ji Jingxing was roused from her sleep by a work call. After a brief conversation, she was wide awake. Turning back, she looked at the little one, Xiaowei, still deep in slumber on the bed. Despite feeling reluctant to disturb her, she gently woke her. Xiaowei, Xiaowei, wake up, its time to get out of bed. Mommy has to work soon; I have to go to thepany to meet with a client. How about I take you to Grandmas house for some dumplings first? Mumbling, Xiaowei rubbed her eyes and crawled out from under the covers, Okay, I know, Mommy. Ji Jingxing felt a pang of sympathy, stroked her daughters head, and held her close. She thought to herself that maybe when Xiaowei was a bit older and more self-reliant, they wouldnt have to push themselves so hard. Good girl, get dressed. Mom is going to wash up. By the time Ji Jingxing dropped her child off at her grandmothers, Song Yuhang and Lin Yan had juste downstairs, chatting andughing together. Song Yuhang greeted them with her usualposure: Sister-inw, Xiaowei. Xiaowei ran up to give her a hug, Auntie! Hey, let me see, after one New Year, have you gotten any heavier? said Song Yuhang, as she lifted the child up. Lin Yan, however, was still giving Ji Jingxing the cold shoulder, not entirely weing. Of course, Ji Jingxing paid her no mind either.
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 94-2 Chapter 94-2
Content Warning: Please be aware that the following chapter contains disturbing themes. These scenes may be distressing or triggering to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. If you find such content unsettling or ufortable, I rmend skipping this chapter or proceeding with caution.
Game Of course, Ji Jingxing paid her no mind either. Where are you two off to? Song Yuhang put the child down: Hurry on up, Xiaowei, Grandma has made dumplings and is waiting for you guys. Lin Yan and I are going on a trip for a little vacation. Lin Yan seemed like she had stayed over at Songs cest night, and the mention of a ring suggested that this vacation was probably a marriage proposal. Ji Jingxing felt a twinge of envy and her heart soured a bit, forcing a slightly strained smile: Thats great, having a vacation. Ill send Xiaowei up and then have to head back to the office, just took on a new case. Ji Jingxing was unaware that this rare vacation was something the couple had managed to carve out for themselves with great difficulty. The precinct has a shift rotation system; you still have to pay back the time taken off after the New Yearno matter how many days youve rested. Song Yuhangs smile faded slightly as she took Lin Yans hand, ready to leave. Thanks for your hard work, sister-inw. Auntie, you guys are going out to have fun, and Xiaowei wants to go too. I really dont want to stay at home and do homework. Ji Weiyi clung on, hugging her thigh tightly. Song Yuhang couldnt help but chuckle and gently stroked her head, softly saying, Xiaowei hasnt had breakfast yet, right? Go have something to eat first, be good. When auntiees back, Ill take you out for some proper fun, okay? Xiaowei responded with a disheartened oh and let go, nodding her head in a pitiful manner. Got it, goodbye, auntie, goodbye, Auntie Lin. As the two waved goodbye and moved away, Ji Jingxing led her upstairs, handed the child over to Mother Song, andforted her with a few words before leaving. Although Ji Weiyi was only 7 years old and had lost her father at a young age, she was more sensitive and perceptive than most children. Knowing her grandmothers advanced age and not wanting to trouble her, she obediently took out her homework book after eating and started doing her homework at the dining table. Mother Song finished washing the dishes and came out to see her granddaughter still writing. Her heart softened, Xiaowei, do you want to go out and y? Ji Weiyis eyes lit up as she raised her head. The elderlydy smiled affectionately, Then go change into some clothes, put on something warm, and well go stroll around the temple fair.
Another case of marital strife. The man of the house smoked, drank excessively, and resorted to domestic violence; the client sat there with a bruised and swollen face, sobbing intermittently. As the wife poured out her grievances to thewyer, the husband made countless concerned calls to inquire about her entire family. The woman answered in front of thewyer, thenguage so crass it was unbearable to hear. Having dealt with too many such cases, Ji Jingxing had be somewhat desensitized. As the womanmented her woes, Ji Jingxing couldnt help but think of herte husband, Song Yichen, and her expression turned to one of bitterness. Is happiness really that hard to obtain in this world? She still feels like the sudden passing of Song Yichen is like a dream to her. Lawyer Ji, Lawyer Ji The client has left, agreeing to discuss more next time. A colleague calls out her name: Whats happening with you? Ji Jingxing snapped back to reality: Its nothing, its nothing, Ill be heading back too. Let me walk you out. Youre the master at handling marriage dispute cases, Attorney Ji. Youre sure to win. Ji Jingxing smiled, picked up her bag, and stood up, declining her male colleagues kindness. No need, Attorney Wang, youre too courteous. Im picking up my daughter and going home, so I wont trouble you. The man sighed as he watched her retreating figure, feeling a touch of mncholy. A colleague patted his shoulder: Let it go, man. Youve been pining over her for years. Attorney Ji, you know, has a heart free of desirestough to win over. The man gave a wry smile, buried his head in his work, and remained silent.
For some reason, Song Yuhang felt a sense of unease all the way. She thought it was just her nerves, so she quietly tried to control her breathing. Lin Yan nced over: Whats the matter? No, nothing. Weve arrived, lets get off. The moment they reached the airport, Song Yuhang opened the car door and got out, hurriedly greeting the people who came with her. Servants were already waiting with luggage at the international departure gate. Lin Yan put on sunsses and walked over. Song Yuhang touched the small box in the inner pocket to reassure herself it was still there, with her. She silently sighed in relief and clenched her fist tightly, psyching herself up. It all came down to this moment. From a distance, Duan Cheng caught sight of Lin Yans enchanting figure in a leather skirt, sprinting over with ne tickets in hand. Sister Lin, Sister Lin, Captain Song! Lin Yan stepped to the side, and Song Yuhang subtly stuck out her foot. Duan Cheng, with an Ouch! stumbled into the embrace of Lin Yans big and burly African bodyguard. Caught off guard, the towering bodyguard found himself with an unexpected armful, looking down at Duan Cheng with gentle eyes. Duan Cheng: rgh! Sister Lin. Captain Song. Lin Yan turned around to see Fang Xin and Zheng Chengrui also hurrying over, dragging their suitcases and gasping for breath. She gestured grandly, Lets go, off to the ind vacation! The two women walked ahead, arm in arm, in an intimate bond. Song Yuhang intended to follow but was sent to the back with a p from Lin Yan. Feeling somewhat indignant, Song Yuhang dragged the two enormous suitcases and walked alongside Duan Cheng. She watched Lin Yans high heels clicking on the polished floor, the bodycon dress tracing a perfect silhouette, each step blooming like a lotus enchantingly mesmerizing. A bit more would be gauche, a bit less and it would lose its vor. Licking her lips, Song Yuhang took the boarding passes, noting there was still some time before boarding. Lin Yan, Im going to grab a coffee. Anyone else want one? Lin Yan was busy sharing her beauty tips with Fang Xin: Your sses are too thick. You should try wearing contact lenses, or better yet, just get LASIK Interrupted and clearly annoyed, Lin Yan waved a dismissive hand to shoo her away. Ill take an Americano. Make it quick. Got it. After setting her suitcase beside her, Song Yuhang dashed to a nearby caf. As she emerged clutching a bag, her phone rang. Fumbling seven-hands-and-eight-feet (chaotically), she fished it out to find a strange number calling. At the moment she answered, she finally understood the source of her unease. The piercing cries of a child were being carried farther and farther away. It was a sound she knew all too well. A chill ran through Song Yuhangs body, as if she had plunged into an icy cave.
It had taken her an absurdly long time to get this coffee. Lin Yan had started off jovial, sharingughs with them, but then the final boarding call crackled through the speakers. She began to nce at her watch more and more frequently, a touch of irritation blooming. This mood spread to the others as well; even Duan Cheng shrank into his cor, silent. Finally, Lin Yan pulled out her phone and dialed her first. Sorry, the user you are calling is currently on another call. The handset emitted a cold, mechanical voice. F***. Lin Yan cursed under her breath, not taking it at face value, and dialed again, only to be met with the same system prompt. The airport was teeming with people, alling and going, but still, there was no sign of her. Duan Cheng put down his bag: Ill go have a look then. A momentter, he came running back, shaking his head: No one. I asked the staff, and they said she left a while ago. Lin Yan gripped her phone tightly, feeling a mix of anxiety and unease, with a tinge of feeling slighted. Fang Xinforted her, Its okay, maybe she went to the restroom and didnt hear her phone. The announcement urging passengers to board started ring, and Lin Yan forced a smile: Its fine, Ill wait for her here. You guys go ahead. Its okay, its okay, well wait a bit longer, just a bit. All in unison, the group spoke. Lin Yan began calling Song Yuhang again, but this time the call went unanswered. Her eyes reddened, a fury within her stirring so passionately she felt like hurling her phone away. Damn it! With the tap running full st in the restroom, Song Yuhang braced herself against the sink, staring at the video sent by the person on her phone. The reflection in the mirror showed someone with eyes red from rage, grinding her teeth in anger. Xiaowei was bound to an electric shock chair, intermittently being electrocuted. From initial wails and cries to a haunting silence, she tilted her head, her face deathly pale, motionless. Gritting her teeth, she tasted blood in her mouth, clenching her fists tightly to barely contain her trembling. She wanted to call the kidnapper back when the phone rang againit was Ji Jingxing. Hello, Yuhang, do you know where mom took Xiaowei? I cant get through to her phone, no ones at home, Ive asked every neighbor around, and no one has seen them Ji Jingxing spoke while running downstairs, her toneced with urgency and haste, gasping for air. Before Song Yuhang had a chance to speak, she suddenly heard a cry of rm from the other end of the line, followed by a dull thud of something heavy hitting the ground. Her heart instantly leapt to her throat. Sis, sis?!, she yelled in the restroom, startling a person who had juste out of the next stall. Are you crazy?! the person eximed. Several men in ck lifted the limp form of Ji Jingxing into the car. A man picked up the mobile phone that had fallen to the ground: Officer Song, the game begins.
LP: F*** Lin Ge, f*** everyone involved with this! Why go after innocent people let alone a child?!
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 95-1 Chapter 95-1 Betrayal The mans voice, originally warm and clear, became deep and hoarse through the voice changer, chilling to the bone. Your first mission is to get that USB sh drive with the audio file on it. Oh, and remember, dont tell anyone. I know youre a well-connected criminal investigator, but He paused slightly, lowering his voice, the end of his sentence lilting upwards. If you call the police, youll never see your dear family again. Song Yuhang stood outside the restroom in the hallway, breathing heavily, her eyes shing with fury. What exactly do you want? Not much. The man sighed deeply: I just want to y a game with Captain Song. To ensure no interruptions, walk forward ten steps. Theres a green trash can in the corridor, toss your phone into it. After you get the USB, I will contact you again. Oh, and one more thing. The man nced at his wristwatch: You have less than half an hour. After that, Ill start giving electric shocks again. Im also curious how much shock such a little kid can withstand. Oh, I havent told you yet, but the voltage will increase gradually. Or, if you dont want to y this game, thats fine too. Its just that such a cute kid will be deactivated, tsk tsk tsk, such a pity. Song Yuhang roared with fury, Stop it!!! Listening to the roar on the other end and her violent gasps for air, the man hung up the phone with satisfaction, gesturing to start driving. A chilly breeze swept through the empty airport. Not far in her line of sight, a green trash can stood silently. Song Yuhang felt as if she was trapped inside an invisible ss dome with nowhere to hide. The surveince cameras above and the CCTV in the corridors seemed like pairs of pitch-ck and venomous eyes, scrutinizing her every move incessantly. She felt a mix of shock, fear, and apprehension, standing frozen in ce, clutching her phone and trembling. Those eyes, usually so calm, were now filled with panic. She had countless moments where she wanted to call back to the precinct for help, to have all her colleaguese together to aid her searchtheres strength in numbers. She also had countless moments where she wanted to turn back to find Lin Yan, to tell her about the threats. But the kidnapper had said, Anyone. Anyone. Her Adams apple moved up and down, she could only swallow this bitter pill alone. She couldnt gamble with the lives of Xiaowei and Ji Jingxing. And her mother, just thinking about her tightened her already anxious heart even more. Her, who disappeared along with Xiaowei, most likely faced grim prospects. At that moment, the cry of someones child in the airport pierced the air, sharply cutting through her eardrums and stabbing deep into her heart. No longer hesitating, Song Yuhang wiped the corners of her eyes with her sleeve, took long strides away, rapidly typed a line of text, hit the send button, and then tossed her phone into the trash can. As she ran through the central hall of the airport, she nced sideways at the spot where they had just been sitting, now empty. The boarding announcement had already been made; they must have left by then. Song Yuhangs heart skipped a beat, and it was as if she sighed in relief, yet her eyes became slightly moist. Lin Yan, Im sorry. She silently recited, heading straight for the parking lot.
With three minutes remaining before boarding. Song Yuhang still hadnt arrived, and Lin Yan knew that something must have gone awry. Go ahead, someone will meet you there. Ive arranged for a local guide. Duan Cheng kept looking back: Sister Lin With a stern shout, Lin Yan barked, Get lost, thats an order! Having said that, she herself disappeared into the surging crowd without a backward nce. The three of them lined up for the security check. Sir, please show your ID. Sir? Sir? The staff member called out several times, Duan Cheng numbly pulled out his ID card from his wallet. Just as the security officer was about to take it, Duan Cheng, as if suddenlying to his senses, snatched it back. Turning around, their eyes met, and the other two nodded, their eyes sparkling with the same resolve. He shoved his backpack into the hands of the security officer and bolted off, Sorry, Im leaving this with you for a moment. Lin Yan had checked the coffee shop and knocked on each door of the womens restroom, but still found nothing. She turned on her mobile phone, and only one sentence lit up the screen: Im sorry. The message was signed by Song Yuhang. Lin Yan bit her lower lip hard, her eyes stinging with acidity. Im sorry, sorry your mother! She turned around and threw a hard punch against the wall, startling the passersby. Fang Xin ran over from afar, his words tripping over themselves, Lin Sister Lin, Old Zheng Old Zheng said he can check the surveince. Lin Yans lips curled into a cold sneer, No need to bother with that. Just take your police badges and head straight for the airport control room. Police. While Lin Yan verbally identified as police, her actions were entirely thuggish, kicking the door open and shoving her police badge into the airport workers face. When he didnt move aside, she pushed him away with one hand. Behind her, several others also shed their police badges to bolster Lin Yans presence, wearing a stern and righteous expression on their faces, yet feeling a bundle of nerves on the inside. Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau Criminal Investigation Detachment, on official duty to investigate a case. Move aside, we need to ess the surveince. It was the same little leader that Lin Yan had pushed aside earlier who scrambled up again, trying to snatch their badges for a closer look. Each badge had a police number and position on it. Duan Cheng coughed loudly, prompting everyone to swiftly put their badges away again. Leading the group, Lin Yan walked straight up to therge screen. Seeing that the operator hadnt yet risen, she grabbed the individual by the cor and yanked them to their feet. A man about 1.7 meters tall was treated like a small chicken as he was hustled to the side. Old Zheng, over here. Zheng Chengrui nodded, made his way over, and sat down to begin rewinding the surveince footage. The control room staff exchanged nces, silent as if they were facing a bitter winter. No one could ascertain their identities for certain. After all, they operated under the name of the City Public Security Bureau, and the woman leading them possessed extraordinary skills and an unusually striking appearance, exuding an air of stern execution. For the moment, no one dared to step forward and interfere. Duan Cheng propped himself on his chair and whispered, Old Zheng, hurry it up, will you? You guys have legitimate IDs; mines a fake. Once security gets here, not even wings would help us fly away. Zheng Chengruis forehead was dotted with a sheen of sweat as he rapidly tapped on the keyboard, scrutinizing the surveince footage frame by frame. A woman in a ck jacket burst out of the restroom corridor. Lin Yan shouted, Stop! The screen froze on the instant she flung the phone. The surveince videos resolution wasnt very clear; one couldnt make out her facial expressions, but just from that action alone, Lin Yan sensed something was amiss. rm bells went off in her head: Check the parking lot cameras. Sure enough, the screen switched to the parking lot, a white Audi slowly pulled away. Damn it, Lin Yan cursed vehemently, spat on the ground, and turned to leave, calling her people on the phone as she walked. Hey, has Song Yuhang returned to the vi? After retrieving items from the safe, Song Yuhang hurried downstairs and coincidentally bumped into one of Lin Yans bodyguards at the door. In the moment their eyes met. Lin Yan, gritting her teeth,manded: Stop her! Fists and kicks flew her way, but Song Yuhang deftly dodged, grabbing the assant by the cor and hurling him into the flower bed. Seeing a scuffle break out, the other remaining bodyguards promptly joined the fray. The people there had often crossed paths, so when she first came in, they didnt stop her. With eyes reddened, Song Yuhang murmured an apology: Sorry about this. She kicked the person blocking her way aside, dashed to the car, yanked open the door, and slid in. As the bodyguard lunged, trying to cling to the car window, she, with eyes zing, mmed her foot on the gas and zipped away. The car took a sharp turn on the mountain road, and the bodyguard tumbled to the roadside. Song Yuhang nced back; Qingshan Vi getting farther and farther away from her. Listening to the sounds of the fight and the screeching brakes, Lin Yan was almost gritting her teeth in frustration. F***, chase her! They had just started running out when the patrol personnel, armed with stun batons, were already encircling them from a distance. Under normal circumstances, being questioned would be no big dealwith Lin Yans status and background, there wasnt much she couldnt handle. But it just had to be now, she couldnt afford to lose even a minute. They exchanged looks. Lin Yan barked, Run! The four of them scattered in different directions, disappearing into the crowd. Stop! Dont run! the security guards shouted from behind, doggedly in pursuit. One of them in uniform, running until he was out of breath, leaned on his knees, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and with a sharp eye, suddenly realized why that woman looked so familiar. Wasnt that Lin Yan, the forensic scientist from Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau? He whipped out his cellphone, and with one call he was through to the city bureau. Feng Jianguo was sipping tea and reading the newspaper when he got the report, and he ended up spraying tea all over the table. What?! Everythings gonepletely haywire. Master, theres trouble, Butler Lin hurried into the bedroom and whispered a few words into his ear. The people we sent outst time theyre dead too, the bodies have been found. Lin Youyuans pupils contracted, and he set down his medicine bowl only to be seized by a violent cough, Stop stop her, dont dont let her go! As an outsider, or rather, someone who orchestrates the game, he maintained ample rity and reason. He wasnt like Lin Yan, prone to anger and impulsive to charge ahead without a thought. Upon hearing the news, his intuition almost immediately told him who the trap was set for. Alright, understood. Ill start making arrangements. The butler scurried out. Lin Youyuan massaged his brow, his mind racing with thoughts: Could it be that another force is involved? Who could it be? Or could it be, he, has really returned? The elder rolled his wheelchair, fumbled to the bedside, and from under the pillow, he drew out his mobile phone, pressing the familiar number.
Miss, the driver had just opened the door when Lin Yan yanked the person out and seated herself behind the wheel. She picked up three people who were rushing toward her at the front intersection and then steered the car onto the airport ramp. Lin Yan nced back. Sirens ring, the police car was in hot pursuit. She clenched her teeth and asked, You all had your faces covered, right? The several people obediently wore masks and hats in the back seat. Duan Cheng shook his head, Sister Lin, where do we go to find Captain Song now? Lin Yan raced down the highway, nearly turning the sports car into a race car, slyly weaving it through dense traffic, creating a considerable gap between them and the police car. She didnt look back, her expression stoic: After getting off the highway, Ill find a ce to drop you off. Everyone go back to your own homes, find your own mothers. Song Yuhang drove down the mountain, a folder on the passenger seat beside her the material she took from Lin Yans house, the sum of their efforts investigating this case over the past days. She nced at it once, forcing her gaze away, then checked her watch. One minute had passed since the agreed upon time, and she couldnt help but punch the steering wheel, breathing heavily. Ahead, at the crosswalk, there was a mother and daughter crossing the street. She pulled over to the side, her car window aligned with a public telephone booth on the sidewalk. The phone began to ring urgently, like a death knell, but this was the suburbs vast and sparsely popted. Besides her car, and the mother and daughter who had just passed by, the road was empty. Song Yuhang stared fixedly at the public telephone booth, her eyes bloodshot. Suddenly, she flung the car door open and ran over, grabbing the phone fiercely. Hello? Her voice was hurried and panting, wishing she could tear the kidnapper to pieces. First of all, congrattions onpleting the first phase of the task. However, youre still a minutete, so, I have to punish her. How about you take a guess, who shall it be this time? The older one, the younger one, or maybe He paused for a moment, his intent loaded with meaning. Song Yuhang gripped the phone receiver and roared, Dont touch my mom, donty a finger on them, whatever you have, bring it to me! Come at me! The man started tough. Dont rush, Captain Song, your turn wille soon enough. Alright, head to the next location now, Ill only say it once. If yourete, they wont have a chance at life.
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 95-2 Chapter 95-2 Betrayal Having sped off the airport expressway, Lin Yan made a quick dash into an exit just as the green light was about to turn red. She swerved up the overpass with seven twists and bends, sessfully shaking off the pursuers in her rearview. With a screech, tires squealed against the asphalt, piercing the air with their shrill cry. She flung open the car door: Lets go! The others didnt budge. Duan Cheng slowly looked at her, his lips moving slightly: Sister Lin Clutching the steering wheel, Lin Yan looked back at them, This has nothing to do with you. Dont ask anything, the less you know, the better. But several people protested. Lin Yan turned her face forward again, staring straight ahead. Youve seen it too, the people after me are not just the cops but also other unknown forces. Get out of the car, its for your own good. Zheng Chengrui pushed up his sses, still rtively calm, as the pursuers had not yet caught up, so they had a moment to talk. But if we go, how will you find Captain Song on your own? After all, theres strength in numbers. I have my ways. Lin Yan took a deep breath, urging them, Hurry up. If you dont leave now and the cops catch up, do you really want to throw your future away by getting mixed up with me? Duan Chengs face showed a hint of confusion, Although I dont know if what youre doing now is right or wrong, Sister Lin, I feel like I should stand by your side. Youre not just my superior; youre my friend. The word friend was an extravagant luxury. In Lin Yans life, the people who could be called friends were few and far between. She curved her lips into a smile but quickly reverted to her stern demeanor. She had thought Duan Cheng was alone in his thinking and turned to dissuade him, only to see those pairs of eyes uniformly fixed on her. In that moment, the solitude and anguish Lin Yan felt from being abandoned by Song Yuhang, the sorrow and heartache of being betrayed by a loved one, even her restless anxiety, were all somewhat soothed. An invisible strength seemed to flow into her body. She was invigorated by it. If were friends, then get out of the car. She said coldly, as she tossed amunicator his way. Duan Cheng was taken aback for a moment, but when he saw themunicatornd in his arms, a smile appeared on his face. He pushed the car door open and got out. A group of people stood by the roadside, watching her white car drive off into the distance before casually entering an empty restaurant. They had only just sat down when police sirens wailed past them. Following at a neither too-close nor too-distant range were several cars with local license tes, each of a different model. Duan Cheng picked up a steamed bun from the te and took a bite. It seemed Sister Lins words were right. She really was being targeted by various forces.
This the persons already passed out. Should we stop the electric shocks? a little kid, with her head drooping, slumped in the electric shock chair. The man with a covered face asked the question. The man standing beside with his hands behind his back, d in a ck suit, was expressionless, seemingly nothing more than a messenger. The boss said, as long as she hasnt arrived, keep the shocks going. Another slightly more corpulent thug swallowed hard, If we keep this up, its going to kill someone. The man in the ck suit finally lifted his eyeszily, his tone still t and matter-of-fact, Youre all wanted criminals now. Even if you do nothing, the police wont let you off. Once the job is done, the boss will send you out of the country and give you 50 thousand dors as a reward. With that, youll be free as a bird, no need to fear the cops again. In the jungle at the border Kuba hurried down from the cabin and shared the news with the old man who was basking in the sun in the courtyard. The old man, a tea aficionado, had an Asian girl by his side humbly brewing tea for him. She couldnt have been more than in her teens. With a wave of his hand, he signaled everyone to leave. The girl, barefoot, bowed deeply, revealing shocking marks of abuse on the back of her neck. Kuba approached him: Should we send someone to stop this? Its pretty much like startling the snake by hitting the grass. Having spent time with the Chinese, he even picked up using their proverbs. The old man chuckled, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan, his face the picture of tranquility. No need, let him go. If he doesnt have the skills to avoid this much, he doesnt deserve to He gracefully lifted the brewed tea to his lips and took a sip, leaving enough of a pause to stir curiosity. On the old mans shoulder was a colorful parrot that mimicked after him: Unworthy, unworthy, unworthy Kuba retreated. The old man spread the seeds he held in his palm and gently stroked the soft feathers of the parrot. Good child, eat.
Once they entered the city, the road conditions worsened. Lin Yan, left with no choice, engaged in a high-speed urban chase with her pursuers. The white sports car weaved through the alleys; its side mirror became askew, its wheels running over the washboards that themon folks used to doundry, overturning basins and eliciting curses. F***, do you even know how to drive?! No sooner had her words faded, a few more ck cars squeezed in, tipping over cages at the entrance of the pet store opposite, causing a chaotic flurry of chickens and dogs. In such a tense moment, Lin Yan didnt forget to stay sharp. Why did Song Yuhang take the USB drive? She knew her well enough; she would only do that out of desperation. But then She recalled the words of the mysterious figure from the provincial city who had once spoken to her. Song Yuhang, you can trust her, but notpletely. Dont forget whose apprentice she is. Youve faced danger time and again, and yet the evidence youve passed to the provincial department has vanished without a trace. How can you be sure it wasnt someone close to you? Youre in the shadows, shes in the light; its uncertain whether one day she may abandon you for what she calls justice and righteousness. Lin Yan bit her lower lip until it bled, feeling a fierce fire burning in her chest, almost consuming her sanity. In a moment of distraction, it was already toote to brake for the wall that appeared in front of her. Lin Yan crashed head-on, her head buzzing as the airbag deployed with a pop. Crash The windshield shattered, and the broken ss grazed the corner of her eye, drawing a line of blood. Chunks of brick and tile came raining down, denting in half of the cars roof. Lin Yan gritted her teeth and jerked the steering wheel to the right. Sparks flew from the tires as they scraped against the ground, racing out of the ruins. A police car appeared on the side, blocking the way, but she revved up the engine, stepping hard on the gas pedal and executed a perfect drift onto the main road. The ck car tailing her wasnt so lucky,ing out full throttle only to crash headlong into the police vehicle. Both cars were moving fast when, with a thunderous Bang, the ck car spun around and smashed onto the sidewalk, flipping over instantly and belching out ck smoke. The crowd panicked, screaming in terror. The police car was knocked into andscape tree on the side, breaking the tree trunk as thick as a bowls mouth, and it stopped dead. The driver was slumped over the steering wheel, and from the gas tank trickled a stream of clear gasoline, the pungent smell quickly filling the air. In the midst of the bustling city, the sound of ambnce sirens began to rise. Lin Yan nced back, a cold sweat breaking on her forehead, as the voice of Zheng Chengrui came through her earpiece. Sister Lin, Ive found out Captain Song has taken a car towards Yeling Mountain in the north of the city. After evading their pursuers, several of them hid in Zheng Chengruis house, with the curtains drawn, and Duan Cheng keeping watch at the door. Zheng Chengrui tapped away at the keyboard, while Fang Xin joined him to monitor the surveince. Lin Yan headed onto the highway leading out of the city. Okay, Ive got it. She closed her eyes briefly, pursing her lips slightly: Go and verify something for me, I dont trust anyone else to do it. She gave the address of Song Yuhangs home. Zheng Chengrui scooped up hisptop, shoved it into his bag, and they all headed out the door. The car arrived downstairs at the Song residence. As they were about to step forward, Fang Xin abruptly pulled them to a stop, frowning at the footprints in the remnant snow on the ground. Whats wrong? Theres been a struggle here, she noted, gingerly stepping on the bits of icy snow, circling the area. One set of footprints, two, three, four Tracing and identifying footprints is a fundamental skill, after all. Fang Xin crouched down, reached out to touch the mark, and then took out her phone to snap a photo. This is a womans footprint, with plenty of dragging traces, stretching from here all the way to there. Following the direction indicated by her finger, two distinct tire tracks were clearly visible. Thank goodness forst nights snowfall. When the photo was sent to Lin Yan, she recognized the footprint instantlyit was someone she knew. This morning, as they brushed past each other in the corridor, she noticed that Ji Jingxing was wearing a pair of thick-soled leather boots. That brand was all the rage this year, and of course, she had a pair as well. Lin Yans fingers pinched her brow center, irritably leaving a red mark on her fair skin. Just as she had expected. With a creak, she pulled over to the side on the highway, heavily exhaling a breath of stale air. Stop chasing after Song Yuhang. I refuse to believe it. In such arge city as Jiangcheng, three people get kidnapped in broad daylight and nobody sees anything?! Old Zheng, change our investigative approach, track down where they might have gone. Duan Cheng nodded: Ill go from door to door asking. Fang Xin dered: Im also on it. Zheng Chengrui plunged into his own car, his being the only one with a car among them due to his longer work tenure. As soon as he settled into the car, he immediately turned on theputer, fingers flying across the keyboard. Sister Lin, I cant use my internalwork ount; I dont know how much longer I can hack into it. Ill be quick. Also, do you have their photos? Send them to me so I can have Duan Cheng and the others search for them. Lin Yan picked up her cellphone, intending to scroll through Song Yuhangs updates to see if there was anything, but instead, her gaze was instantly drawn to the photo she posted that day. I will forever be loyal to my ideals and to you. Her eyes brimmed with warmth, almost spilling over with tears. Damn scammer, big fat liar. Dont you know that by leaving today, youve betrayed both your ideals and me? Lin Yan felt as if a long crack had suddenly split open in her heart, wind howling in, chilling her to the bone, every organ aching with pain. Sister Lin, Sister Lin? Zheng Chengrui called out to her anxiously. Lin Yan wiped away the gleam of tears in her eyes and kept scrolling through her updates, but there was nothing there. This was her first and only update. Lin Yan propped her forehead with her hand, sniffled, and forced the tears back. For a moment, she wanted to throw her phone away. But in the end, she just gripped it tightly, clenched her back teeth, and quickly adjusted her emotions, sitting upright. No, nothing on my end. Name? Ill see if I can dig something up. Zheng Chengrui asked. Lin Yan gave him the name, then reached out to the dashboards cigarette case to fumble out a cigarette, trembling as she lit it. Her car was badly damaged, the biting winter wind pouring in through the shattered windows, quickly turning her hands pale, even snuffing out her cigarette several times. She took a harsh drag, the sparks flickering in the twilight. She was forcing herself to stay calm. This was the technical teams first case on their own, breaking away from Song Yuhang. If she lost her measure again, the kids following her would only fall into disarray. In that USB drive,y the lives of Guo Xiaoguang and his mother, and possibly Chu Nans as well. She had to save them, no matter what. Song Yuhang carried on her back the lives of three members of the Song family those she was determined to save at all costs. But what if she really had to choose the lesser of two evils? How will Song Yuhang choose? She should know that taking the USB drive is as good as signing her own death warrant, snuffing out all hope for her future and burying the Fenyang Port Dismemberment Case once and for all, never to see the light of day again. Lin Yan clenched her fist, her fingernails digging deep into her flesh, her mouth tasting the metallic tang of blood. Song Yuhang, how will you choose in the end?
Not bad, Officer Song sure is punctual. Following the agreement, Song Yuhang found a phone hidden inside a waterproof bag in the cistern of a toilet at the gas station off the highway entrance. It only had one number saved and called it back. The man, with a hint of a smile in his voice yet it was raspy, said, Alright, lets move on to the next game. See you at Yeling Mountain Tunnel. What the heck do you want?! Song Yuhangs eyes were red, her appearance had worn to a frazzle within just a few short hours, her hair in a mess from the intense running, piled on her forehead. Havent I told you? I want something from you. Then lets make the exchange face-to-face. Let me see them, Song Yuhang replied hoarsely. Oh, you agree so readily? Sheposed herself reluctantly and started to leave. Nothing is more important than the lives of my family. The other party chuckled, as if they had already understood her intentions. Dont even think about stalling or using that phone to call for help. The signal receiver terminal for the phone is with me. Whether you make a call or send a message, Ill be alerted. You make one call or send one message, and Ill kill one person. Hahaha The phone spat out his maniacalughter. Song Yuhang was beside herself with rage, feeling all her insides twisting in agony. She gritted her teeth, spitting out each word with venom. You dare toy a finger on them, I swear, you wont get a thing from me! The man returned to his own ce, plopping down into a chair and pouring himself a ss of red wine, clearing his throat. No worries. Destroy it if you wishthat actually works better for me. Its just He gazed at the image of a childs cherubic face on the screen, his tongue flicking over his lips. Such a little kid, having to endure so much hardship, it quite breaks my heart.
LP: I wish people like this just disappear
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 96-1 Chapter 96-1 Insect Awakening The temple fair was in a market not far from the Song family. Duan Cheng was running from stall to stall with his phone out, showing a photo and asking, Hello, have you seen this child? The stall owner shook his head, so he quickly moved on to the next one. Fang Xin was also holding a photo and splitting up to cover more ground. She grabbed the attention of a hawker selling candied hawthorns. Excuse me, uncle, have you seen this child? The uncle leaned in to look at the phone for a moment, and a scene shed through his minda middle-aged man hurrying by with a child in his arms, the childs candied hawthorns was definitely bought from his stall, hence he took a longer nce. Ive seen the kid, he bought a candied hawthorns from here, seemed to be with his dad, heading in that direction. Dad? Ji Weiyis only father had passed away years ago. A sense of dread clenched Fang Xins heart. It must be a kidnapping. After thanking the man, she immediately called Lin Yan. Sister Lin, Ive found something out, a man took away Xiao Weiyi. Which direction did they go? Fang Xin looked around. The temple fair was crowded and chaotic, situated right in the bustling center of town with roads leading every which way. There were several forks in the road corresponding to the direction that the uncle had pointed out. She shook her head: Im not sure of the exact location, but whats certain is that the person was taken away from the temple fair, and moreover, Captain Songs mother wasnt around. Mother Song. Lin Yans heart felt as if it had been sharply pricked by the point of a needle, the sting leaving her speechless. It took her quite some time to regain herposure. Old Zheng? she called out through themunicator. Im on it. Zheng Chengrui was typing furiously on the keyboard, his sses reflecting the faint blue light of theputer screen and lines of code. Jiangcheng City Bureau. Technical Investigation Department, Network Security Brigade. rm, rm, the server is being hacked into arge electronic disy shed with red exmation marks. A technician wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead and turned back, Quick, go report to Director Feng, the firewall is under attack by an unknown hacker. Feng Jianguo mmed his palm down hard on the desk, causing the teacup to jump and rattle, as he paced back and forth in his office. Damn it, this Song Yuhang, what the hell is she up to? Her phone is off, and shes nowhere to be found! And this Lin Yan His anger surged even more at the mention of Lin Yan, mming another palm down on the desk, he panted with heavy breaths. Whats all this about! Director Feng, the Technical Investigation Department just reported that our server is under attack. Feng Jianguo, the seasoned criminal investigator, finally sensed that something out of the ordinary was afoot. Taking leave at the same time, disappearing simultaneously, Lin Yan led a team to the airports control room to check the surveince. Who is she looking for? Then came that street ident, followed by the crash of the ck car tailing her; the injured have already been taken into police custody. After that, their internal server was attacked. Feng Jianguo shuddered suddenly: Track the opponents IP, lock their position, and keep up with Lin Yan. Report, Forensic Lins car has been spotted on Tongyuan Expressway. Nothing could be done; her car was simply too conspicuous. The lookouts posted on the expressway almost recognized it at first nce. Stop her and bring her back. The officer tasked with conveying the order was taken aback, but upon seeing the stern look on Feng Jianguos face and his authoritative gesture, the officer saluted and hurried off. Yes, Director Feng. In the distance, police sirens echoed once more. Lin Yan mmed on the gas pedal; the severely damaged car gave a groaning sound of protest but managed to lurch forward. Sister Lin, weve found something. Two vans went in different directionsone towards the Yeling Mountain tunnel to the north of the city, and the other near Tongyuan Expressway. Just as she expected, to force Song Yuhangs hand, they kidnapped her family members and held them in different locations. The purpose was to throw them off track and buy some time. Song Yuhang had already headed towards the direction of Yeling Mountain. And the other location wasnt far from her. Lin Yan opened her phones navigation and eyed the map. A ce to hide people would surely not be in the bustling city center, and there arent any residential areas near the Tongyuan Expressway. Besides, if they were to take the expressway, theyd have to go through a toll booth. A kid might manage to lie and cover up, but two adults tied up would definitely not escape the notice of the staff. So, they couldnt have taken the expressway. So where could it be? Near the expressway, where are there hidden ces without surveince? Lin Yan zoomed into the map with her fingers, her gazending on a lumberyard near the entrance to the expressway. She pressed the tiny microphone on her ear: Once you leave the temple fair street, theres a hotpot restaurant on the roadside, the one where we ate before. Go in, order a private room, get a big pot, and then the waiter will lead you out through the back door. Remember to change your clothes. After youe out, head to the coordinates, 25 Northtitude, 10410 East longitude. Wait for me there. Duan Cheng knew that this was her creating an alibi for them, and he grew anxious: Sister Lin, what about you? Lin Yan swerved the steering wheel to the left, reversing direction amidst a re of horns. She weaved through the traffic, barrelled through the toll booths barrier, and sped down the highway. Me? Im off to save people.
Ive arrived, release the hostages, Song Yuhang parked the car on the ramp next to the Yeling Mountain Tunnel. A voice from the earpiece chuckled softly: No rush, Captain Song. Did you bring the thing I asked for? Song Yuhang clutched the folder in her hand, her voice gritty: Ive brought it. Good. Tear up the page of the record with Guo Xiaoguang and his mothers signatures and fingerprints, and throw it down the cliff. Night had fallen, and only the car lights illuminated the ramp, beside it, was a cliff as dark as pitch. Song Yuhang clenched her teeth: Let me hear my mom first. There was a pause on the other end, and then her mothers cries came through: Yuhang, Yuhang She barely had time to listen closely when the call was abruptly cut off. The man took over the conversation: What do you think? Shes still alive, but He paused slightly: It all depends on whats more important to Captain Songthis testimonial or your family. It was when he uttered those words that Song Yuhang suddenly sensed something amiss. Before speaking with her mother, she hadnt noticed it, but now, thinking carefully, her mothers voice seemed slightly distortedpared to the mans. It didnt sound like a face-to-face conversation but rather like a voiceing through an electronic device. Moreover, she acutely perceived some background noise during her mothers speech, reminiscent of the rumble associated withrge machines at work. Yet the mans voice was, by contrast, exceptionally quiet. It was thanks to the sharpness honed from years of criminal investigation work that she managed to remain calm under extreme conditions and analyze these clues. Song Yuhang kept herposure. Alright, Ill tear it up. But this game is getting pretty tiring. Lets settle this once and for all, what do you say? You pick a ce, Ill hand over the USB directly to you, you release my family, and Ill even go with you if thats what you want. The person on the other end burst into loudughter, Good, thats our Captain Song, straightforward! Then head into the mountains, Ill be waiting for you in the wilds of Yeling Mountain. After the call ended, the screen showed her fiercely throwing the torn pieces of paper into the air, scattering them all over the mountainside. Lin Yan is already on her way to the lumberyard, another voice came from themunicator. I know, the man said, sipping red wine with an expression in his eyes that was enigmatic. Arent you afraid shell rescue them? Then Song Yuhang surely wont hand over the stuff to you. The man set his wine ss on the table, leaned back, and reclined in thefortable office chair. If she doesnt go for the rescue, then she truly wouldnt be Lin Yan. He set up the trap, calcting human nature, even guessing how far each person would go. The voice paused briefly: You really are Truly a heart of a serpent and exceedingly malicious. As if the man understood what he was about to say, he chuckled lightly, A man isnt considered potent without a trace of poison. To tell you the truth, Im really quite looking forward to seeing her expression when shees out and hears the news of Song Yuhangs death.
At the lumberyard. Mom, Mom Ji Jingxing called out softly, crawling towards her, her hands and feet bound. Her face was smeared with blood, clearly having endured some torture. Mother Song was tied up against a radiator, her head drooping down, while the venttion fan above buzzed relentlessly. The workshop was filled with fine specks of dust floating in the air. Ji Jingxings eyes reddened, and she sniffled, shuffling over to her feet and nudging her leg with her shoulder. Mom, Mom, wake up, are you okay? Seeing her motionless and silent, Ji Jingxing choked up with sobs, tears streaming down unchecked. The elders full head of silver hair was disheveled, her figure was gaunt to the extreme, her clothes stained with blood, her face not much cleaner. Before she had found the child, Ji Jingxing harbored a sliver of resentment towards her; had she not taken Xiaowei out, the child would not have gone missing. But now, seeing her like this, that hint of resentment vanished without a trace. In this world, what grandmother doesnt cherish her own grandchild? Ji Jingxing knelt up, leaning over to bite at the ropes binding her grandmothers wrists, trying to saw through them with her teeth. The radiator emitted a strong, pungent smell of rust, causing her whole body to shiver with a cold metallic sensation. The rough rope scraped against her teeth, making them ache, and Ji Jingxing tasted a hint of blood, but she couldnt bite through the rope. Creak The door swung open, and several men in ck rushed in. Ji Jingxing was both startled and terrified. Before she could say a word, someone grabbed her by the cor and violently threw her to the ground. Damn it, trying to escape, huh? Ill teach you a lesson! A whip as thick as a thumb came down,shing across her face and head. Ji Jingxing rolled on the ground, screaming hoarsely as the venttion fan above cast a chaos of light and shadow. Sobbing, she begged for mercy, barely holding on to life, Im sorry, Im sorry, Ill give you whatever amount of money you want, just let me go, please let me go The gang stopped their assault as the masked leader bent down, lifted her face, scrutinizing her closely. Its not about money; its that youve messed with someone you shouldnt have. Do you understand? And another piece of advice, youd better stop provoking Lin Yan, or you wont even know how you end up dead. A fleeting recollection of Song Yuhangs warning shed through Ji Jingxings mind, and tears brimmed in her eyes instantaneously. The man let go of her, pressing down on her hair and flinging her to the ground. Think it through for yourself, he said before instructing, Close the door. With that, he left with his henchmen in tow. The door was locked once again. One of the subordinates leaned in and whispered, Shes here. Do as the young master instructed, let her in, but dont make it too obvious. The subordinate nodded and quickly walked away. Lin Yan climbed over the wall with her bare hands,nding softly on the ground. Before she could blend into the shadows, the searchlight whitewashed the surroundings. Several men in ck, brandishing machetes, pounced towards her.
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 96-2 Chapter 96-2 Insect Awakening Several men in ck, brandishing machetes, pounced towards her. Lin Yan reached behind her waist and pulled out a mechanical stick. With a sharp click, she swung it straight, taking advantage of her proximity, aiming for the head of the nearest man in ck. The vibrations from the stick reverberated in her palm as the man in ck staggered back two steps, clutching his forehead. Blood poured out profusely. From the side, a gleaming de swung towards her. Lin Yan blocked it with the mechanical stick, creating a sharp metallic sh. She lifted her leg and swiftly delivered a whip-like kick, her leather boot ruthlessly smashing into the persons head, sending him flying. The man in ck spat out blood and crashed into the surrounding wall. Out of the corner of her eye, Lin Yan caught a glimpse of a sh of a de behind her. Her hair stood on end as she swiftly turned and sidestepped, grabbing his arm with her left hand and fiercely smashing his wrist with the stick in her right hand. The man in ck winced in pain, dropping his knife. Before he could react to defend himself, the tip of the stick shifted direction and struck him squarely in the vital area of his abdomen. The man in ck let out a guttural ah as he spat out some murky substance. Lin Yan followed up with an elbow strike, leaving him dizzy and disoriented, and forcefully mmed his head against the wall, pressing it down. Song Yuhang showed mercy and spared lives when she intervened, but Lin Yan was different. If sheid her hands on someone, it meant she was going for the kill. Little specks of blood stained the thinyer of snow at the base of the wall. Releasing her grip, Lin Yan left the man in ck slumped on the ground. Her cold gaze swept across the scene, the tip of her stick still dripping with blood. For the sake of convenience, she had changed into ckbat attire, donning a short jacket and tactical boots, her brown curly hair tied back into a ponytail that hung behind her head. Her eyes and brows, sttered with blood, were set with an air of lethal seriousness. The enemies exchanged nces, then, undeterred by the threat of death, lunged at her again. She cant hold out much longer, go! Lin Xians lips curled into a slight, cold smirk as she almost turned her mechanical stick into an imprable shield, weaving like a dragon amidst her attackers. But even with her skill, facing multiple foes meant asional oversights, and in an unguarded moment, she acquired another sh on her body. She clutched her shoulder and stepped back, but someone kicked her in the back, right in the center of her back. She stumbled forward and just as she hit the ground, a knife came at her! Lin Yans pupils contracted as she swiftly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the gleaming de that shaved off a strand of her hair, causing a faint stinging sensation on her cheek. Someone delivered a powerful kick to her chest, and Lin Yan rolled in the muddy ground. She raised the mechanical stick with both hands to block, but her arm gradually gave way under the pressure. She gritted her teeth, her arm throbbing with pain, and the wound on her shoulder bled profusely, staining arge area of the ground where shey. Another man in ck crawled up from the ground, wielding a knife and thrusting it towards her chest. The glint in Lin Yans pupils grew sharper and sharper. She gritted her teeth, barely able to hold on any longer. The man in ck, stepping on her, kicked her wrist, causing the mechanical stick to fly out of her grasp. He stomped down, delivering a solid blow. Lin Yan winced in pain, her brows tightly furrowed. She coughed twice, blood frothing at the corner of her lips. Every organ in her body twisted with agony. She clung tightly to his foot, trying to move them away, her face pale. The most dangerous part was that the knife wasing. She could already feel the piercing pain as it pricked against her skin. Lin Yan was gasping for air, her body tensed, but just as the knife was about to do more than just slice her clothes, it halted abruptly. She looked up in astonishment to see the man in ck being hurled away by someone who had grabbed him by the cor. The person who had been stepping on her was forced to turn and defend, leaving Lin Yans rescuer unarmedhaving snatched the knife from the attackers hand. He nced at her and said, What are you staring at? Lets go! Clutching her abdomen, Lin Yan scrambled to her feet, picked up her mechanical stick, and limped towards the workshop. She nced back and saw the mysterious figure now entangled inbat, single-handedly holding off two skilled fighters. That wine-red hair stood out starkly against the night. Jingzhe, she called his name, giving a slight nod. (Jingzhe means Insect Awakening yeah) Be careful. With that, she plunged headfirst into the workshop without looking back. Is anyone there? Is anyone there? She went from door to door, pounding and shouting, her voice carrying far in the empty space. Ji Jingxingy on the cold floor, tears dried up, her typically expressive eyes now dull and lifeless as she stared nkly at the chaotic y of light and shadow on the ceiling. Caught off guard by the sound of footsteps, she almost instinctively began to tremble, curling herself into a tight ball. Dont, please dont kill me In the sawmill workshop, sawdust flew chaotically as Lin Yan coughed twice, supporting herself against the wall as she walked, leaving bloody prints where her palms touched. Is is there anyone? She leaned against the door, gasping for air, her head tilted back to stare at the ceiling as blood trickled down from the tip of her stick, dripping steadily. The silence here was profound, with only the sound of the exhaust fan and her heavy breathing to be heard, almost nothing else stirred. Lin Yan closed her eyes, took a few deep breaths to calm her erratic heartbeat, and at the moment she held her breath, the world returned to silence. Then, suddenly, she heard a faint cry for help. She listened carefully. Dont, dont kill me Lin Yan sprang up from the door: Whos there? Whos inside?! The plea for help grew more piercing. Please, dont kill, dont kill me, not my child Ji Jingxing, with hands and feet tied, watched the door shake violently, tears streaming down her face, banging her head on the ground begging for mercy. The door was padlocked; Lin Yan rammed against it a few times, and dust and wood chips fell in showers. She tried kicking it, but it wouldnt budge. Finally, she grabbed her mechanical stick and forcefully smashed it down on the lock. The sh of metal produced a shrill, piercing sound and sparks flew instantly. The paint on her mechanical stick gradually scraped off, revealing the stark white material underneath. With every lift of her arm, the unhealed wound on her shoulder surged with blood. She had stood there for too long, so much so that a pool of blood had gathered at her feet. Break for me! Lin Yan raised her hand high, and with a roar of fury, she smashed down hard, and the overwhelmed lock finally broke apart, falling at her feet. Lin Yan pushed the door open. A beam of light shot into the dusty air. Ji Jingxing squinted, seeing a tall and lean figure running this way, her heart leapt with joy, thinking it was Song Yuhang. She waited until the person came near. Before the name Yuhang could leave her lips, Lin Yan threw her mechanical stick aside and squatted down, frantically pulling at the hemp ropes entangled around her. Why is it you? Ji Jingxing looked at her in disbelief. Lin Yan ignored her, awkwardly stripping the ropes from her body and tossing them to the side. Go straight out, turn right, and take the side door. My friend will meet you there. Wheres Aunt Song? Following Ji Jingxings gaze, Lin Yan turned her head and her lips pressed into a thin line. She rushed over in three strides, took only a moment to lift the person up, and quickly unraveled her ropes. Auntie, Auntie, wake up, Lin Yan gently shook her shoulders, then ced a hand on her breath and sighed in relief. Ji Jingxing also ran over: Mom is she okay? Shes fine, just passed out, Lin Yan said as she carefully helped the person up and patted her back, allowing her to cough out the breath that had been caught in her throat. Cough, cough Aunt Song coughed violently twice, opening her eyes to see them and tears streamed down her face. Jingxing, mom is sorry Mother Song weakly stretched out her hand and took hold of hers. Ji Jingxing shook her head, tears falling freely: Mom Lin Yan, supporting Mother Song by her waist, lifted her up: Enough, lets not wallow in sorrow here, we need to get out quickly. Together, they supported Mother Song, running towards the exit, one on each side. Before they could reach the main door, the heavy, bulletproof steel door came crashing down. Lin Yans pupils contracted; she let go of Mother Song and ran towards the door, but it was already toote to try to lift it by herself. As the steel door hit the floor, dust billowed up, and Mother Song watched, heart pounding, as Lin Yan narrowly avoided getting her fingers crushed. Lin Yan got to her feet and scanned the surroundings. The workshop, neither toorge nor too small, had another door likely a staff entrance that led outside. She took the lead and sprinted towards it: This way. Ji Jingxing, struggling to support Mother Song, twisted her ankle in her high heels. Ouch. Lin Yan rolled her eyes inappropriately and tossed her stick to her: Hold this. Ji Jingxing, looking at the blood-stained mechanical stick, recoiled in fear and let out another Ah, barely holding it with a fingertip. It was too heavy for her, and she almost dropped it, nearly hitting her foot. She quickly caught it with both hands. Lin Yan turned around and hoisted Mother Song onto her back. Yanyan, this Its okay, we need to get out quickly. If they werete and Song Yuhang handed over the USB drive to the other party, it would all be toote. Decades of hard work threatened to go down the drain; just thinking about it made Lin Yans blood boil and teeth itch with hatred. The guards outside heard the racket and pressed a switch on the wall, slowly lowering a bulletproof steel door, aiming to trap them inside. Lin Yan ground her teeth in anger. Shoving Mother Song into Ji Jingxings arms, her gaze fell on a thick round log nearby. Summoning all her strength as if it were a matter of survival, she hefted it up and shoved it against the door. The log fell, but the door didnt budge a millimeter. A sharp pain shot through Lin Yans shoulder, her fingers lost their grip, and she fell to her knees on the ground, breathing heavily, her breaths asbored as if she were pulling a bellows. Ji Jingxing and Mother Song looked at her; she was also looking at them. In their eyes, there was misery, despair, sadness, and also a trace of pleading. They were begging her to lead them out to see the light of day again. Ji Jingxing wanted to live to see Xiaowei, and Mother Song wanted to live to see Song Yuhang. Lin Yan knew that at this moment, she was their only hope. Lin Yan looked at them, at the y of light and shadow on the ceiling, at the dust floating in the air, and swallowed hard. Alright, theres only onest thing to try. Her right hand was already trembling, unable to grasp things firmly. Lin Yan touched the sawdust on the ground and grabbed a handful, throwing it up in the air fiercely. Ji Jingxings vision was obscured, and she coughed violently, Cough cough What are you doing? Trying to choke us to death? Lin Yan said coldly, Cut the crap. If you want to live, just do as I say. While they talked, the temperature in the workshop plummeted rapidly. The exhaust fan began to reverse, blowing out nothing but cold air. Ji Jingxing shivered, her fingers practically too stiff to move. Lin Yans eyes reddened, frantically throwing the sawdust on the ground, even tearing open the bup sacks piled in the corner and flinging their contents out with a fierce shake of her hands, sending dust flying everywhere. The workshop was spacious, without any hiding spots. She pulled out a lighter from her pocket and looked back, saying, Run! Seeing the lighter in her hand and the blinding dust that made it impossible to keep ones eyes open, Ji Jingxing snapped to her senses, dragging Mother Song desperately backward. A streak of light cut through the pitch-ck workshop. Lin Yan hurled the lighter with all her might, it smashed against the steel door, the stic casing shattered, and the liquid butane mixed with arge amount of dust, causing a dust cloud to rise, and sparks flew in all directions. Lin Yan turned and ran back, the air st flipping her over. Ji Jingxing and Mother Song also fell to the ground. Lin Yan pulled the two of them back in one swift motion, throwing herself over them. Boom! The shockwave of the explosion lifted all the dust from the ground, and mes quickly consumed the wood, spreading outwards. Those standing guard outside only heard a loud bang and before they could grasp what was happening, the steel door was sted open, arge hole gaped in it, and mes jetted out, meeting the fresh air outside, instantly creating a backdraft that mixed with the rising dust to trigger a secondary explosion. Fire was everywhere. Ji Jingxing was pinned down tightly, her eardrums buzzing, her nostrils filled with dust, and she soon choked and passed out. Duan Cheng and his party, who were waiting outside the factory to respond, watched the thick smoke billowing inside and immediately felt a terrible premonition.
LP: Lin Yan so cool
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 97-1 Chapter 97-1 Dawn Young Master, its terrible! The servant rushed in hurriedly and whispered into his ear, and the mans face changed instantly. What?! The scene cut to the lumberyard, where dense smoke billowed; the workshop had exploded, turning the entire factory area into a sea of fire. He slumped into the chair, grinding his teeth in anger. Lin Yan, could you really go this far for Song Yuhang, even to the point of not caring about your own life? This was so unlike the woman he knew. Old Zheng, whats the situation? Duan Cheng paced anxiously beside him. Zheng Chengrui maneuvered the drone over the ze, but the screen showed nothing but smoke; visibility was zero. He shook his head, sweat forming on his forehead. Its no use, I cant see anything. Duan Cheng, teeth clenched, was about to rush in when Fang Xin pulled him back with a firm grip: Are you out of your mind?! Sister Lin told us to wait here for her. Whos going to be around to rescue her if shees out needing help?! But Duan Cheng tried to argue, but when he saw the tears welling up in Fang Xins eyes, his heart skipped a beat, and the remaining words caught in his throat. He bowed his head and crouched down to fiddle with the mud on the ground. You can track traces, Old Zheng can operate drones and even hack through firewalls, but what about me? I cant do anything; Im no help at all. Fang Xin knew how distressed he felt and was also worried about the safety of the three people inside. She squatted beside him and gently patted his back. Itll be alright; Sister Lin will definitelye out.
After the st had passed, Ji Jingxing was choked awake by the thick smoke. Lin Yan was still lying on top of her, and with effort, she turned the body over, pushing it so that ity facing up on the grounda face smoked to the point of being unrecognizable, the exposed skin all wounded. Ji Jingxing nced once, couldnt bear to look again, and hurriedly helped up Mother Song beside her. Mom, mom, wake up. When the explosion hit, Lin Yan had shielded them with her body, taking the brunt of the st wave, which left Mother Song unharmed but quickly waking up, coughing violently, the smoke causing tears to flow continuously. Cough, cough Ji Jingxing helped the person to stand up, looking around at the sea of mes; the passage that had just been sted open was still there. Mom, lets go, we need to hurry. Mother Song was dragged staggeringly, turning her head back, she called out tremblingly, Yanyan Lin Yan was lying on the ground, her face deathly pale,pletely unconscious, as the rampaging tongues of me had already licked up to the tips of her hair. Ji Jingxing nced back at the figure in the sea of mes. In such a scorching environment, every hair on her body curled from the intense heat. If they didnt leave now, they would both die here. She looked at Mother Song, as if making a monumental decision, and pushed her to the side of the steel door. That area was hit by the secondary explosion, where the shockwave had cleared everything around, making it rtively safer. Mom, stay here. If I donte back in a while, you go straight out, turn right. Theres a side door. Lin Yans friends will be there to meet you. She squeezed Mother Songs hand, her eyes brimming with hot tears: Mom, please take good care of Xiaowei. With that, she slipped off her high heels and, regardless of how Mother Song called out, plunged back into the inferno without looking back. Barefoot on the burning floor, the piercing pain shot through her with each step. With each step, sweat beads the size of beans formed on Ji Jingxings forehead. She gritted her teeth, held back tears, and navigated through a treacherous path, ultimately reaching Lin Yans side. Ji Jingxing took off her coat and smothered the mes engulfing Lin Yans body. She pulled Lin Yan up from the ground, shaking her by the shoulders. Lin Yan, wake up, wake up! Lin Yans head hung low, and Ji Jingxing supported her with a hand on her shoulder. Upon feeling something sticky, Ji Jingxing looked at her hand under the light of the fire and saw it covered in blood. Dressed in ck, it was impossible to tell that she was bleeding. With her agile movements, Ji Jingxing had thought she was fine, but now, as she opened her clothes, she saw a deep wound exposing bone. No matter how biased Ji Jingxing had been towards her, she couldnt help but soften her heart a little. Ji Jingxing clenched her teeth and, seeing that Lin Yan was still unconscious, raised her hand and pped her hard. Lin Yan, wake up! Dont think youre something special just because you saved me. Let me tell you, this whole situation is because of you. If anything happens to Xiaowei, I wont let you off the hook, damn it! Youll die, youll die! Once your gone, Yuhang will be mine! Ji Jingxing shook Lin Yan by her cor and roared. It was rare to see this typically dignified and gentle woman uttering foulnguage. The p was swift and brutal, catching Lin Yan off guard. Her head abruptly turned to the side, and she spat out a mouthful of clotted blood, abruptly waking up. Lin Yan grasped her by the cor and shoved her away: Keep dreaming your grand delusions. If it werent for your trouble, Id be getting engaged right now, f*cker. She let out a slight groan, using the back of her hand to wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth. Damn, that was harsh; this woman really meant business. Seeing Lin Yan awake, Ji Jingxing, although it was to save someone, felt a tinge of embarrassment for pping someone without an exnationsomething she hadnt done in her thirty-odd years of being ady. Now that youre awake, get out of here quickly. Lin Yan knelt on the ground, fumbling about: You go first. Ji Jingxing stomped her foot in frustration: What on earth are you looking for?! My stick, the stick Lin Yan insisted, her voice full of conviction. Her eyes were stinging so much that she could barely keep them open, her fingers searching on the scalding hot floor. Have you lost your mind?! People are dying and youre worried about a stick?! Ji Jingxing snapped in exasperation as she tried to pull her away, only to be pushed back again. Kneeling on the ground, Lin Yan didnt care about the burning heat as she managed to embrace a charred stick, now ckened with soot. Tears seeped into her eyes, yet she curved her lips into a smile. Clutching it in her hand, she felt reassureda sense of stability and peace returned to her. Lin Yan shoved the stick into the sash tied around her lower back and yanked Ji Jingxing to start running out. Lets go! They met Mother Song at the door, and the three of them, supporting one another, stumbled their way out. mes leaped to the sky, the crackling sounds of burning wood were everywhere, and streams of fire flowed on the ground they passed, with columns from the burning beams falling from above. Lin Yan nced up, her pupils shrinking, and she pushed the two ahead of her: Go! A sudden force from behind threw her off bnce, and she slid forward. ncing back, she was shocked to see Jingzhe using his back to shield her from a falling wooden column. Jingzhe! Miss, go! Jingzhe shouted, desperately trying to heave his body up, but the beam was too heavy; suddenly lifting his head, to his eyes, she was running back towards him. Lin Yan summoned all her strength, the kind you muster when its all on the line, and together they pulled Jingzhe out from under the beam. If we go, we go together! Old Zheng, can you go any lower? Duan Cheng urged from the side. Zheng Chengrui, who was already portly, became even more anxious with this prompting, panting heavily, sweating more than anyone else there. He tried his best to lower the drone a bit more, when suddenly his eyes lit up, he stood up with the remote control in hand. Weve got them, theyreing out! Duan Cheng dashed over in a few swift strides, lifting people out one by one from the side door. Thest one was Lin Yan, her face smeared with soot and singed, a far cry from her usual pretty appearance. But when she saw the weak daylight emerging outside, her eyes were fiercely bright. She did it. Song Yuhang, wait for me, just wait whatever you do, dont hand over the USB drive to them, dont. With this thought, Lin Yan pursed her lips, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Here, take a drink of water, wash your face, and then well get you to the hospital. Fang Xin took several bottles of mineral water from the car and handed them to Ji Jingxing and Mother Song, then instructed Duan Cheng to fetch a medical kit. Auntie, are you hurt anywhere? Mother Song shook her head, and Fang Xin checked her for injuries. Although the elderlydy bore only a few bruises and minorsh marks, the harrowing ordeal had clearly taken its toll, leaving her spirit considerably dimmed, a shadow of her former self. Ji Jingxing was faring slightly better. Apart from burns on the soles of her feet, she didnt have any serious issues. As Fang Xin applied burn ointment, Ji Jingxing reached out to take it: Im okay, I can handle this myself, thank you all so it was you who Lin Yan referred to as friends. She had thought it would be some of her own subordinates again; this was a rather pleasant surprise. As they spoke, someone sitting against the car body let out a stifled groan of pain. Jingzhe tore open her clothes and poured iodine on the wound. Miss, bear with it. Jingzhe nced at her, and Lin Yan bit down on a white towel, beads of sweat the size of beans appearing on her forehead. Her body was taut as a line, her hands pressed against the ground, futilely wing at the dirt. The pain forced her to throw back her head, gasping for breath, the veins on her neck standing out starkly. Ji Jingxing took one look and felt her heart lurch. She looked again, finding it shocking that a strange man was tending to her wounds wasnt she about to be engaged? Shes not adhering to the virtues expected of a woman. And its unclear for whom shes indignantly indignant. Lin Yan caught her gaze and, with a weak turn of the head, slightly lifted her chin in a defiant manner, her eyes rebellious. She extended her hand and raised her middle finger. The message was clear: Were not done over that p you gave me. Jingzhe finished wrapping the gauze under her armpit, pulling it into a tight knot. Lin Yan let out a muffled groan asrge beads of sweat slid down her forehead, and with a ptui, she spat out the towel from her mouth and delivered a kick straight to the chest. F*ck, could you be any gentler? Do you want to kill me? Jingzhe staggered back a few steps, clutching his chest as he stood up. His red hair was striking against the night. He gave a slight nod as an apology, then turned and left. Lin Yan, leaning on the car for support, climbed to her feet, pointing in Ji Jingxings direction, Wait, take them with you. Saying this, she made an attempt to climb onto the vehicle. Ji Jingxing hurried after her for a few steps, Xiaowei hasnt been found yet, I cant leave. Lin Yan, with her fingers gripping the car door, looked back at her, then at Mother Song, and nodded, Jingzhe, take Auntie to the hospital. Jingxing, Yanyan Mother Song was being assisted past them, with Fang Xin following closely. Knowing that her own presence would be of no help, but rather a hindrance, she said so. Sister Lin, I will go with this She nced at the red-haired man, with this redhead to take Auntie to the hospital. Having someone familiar around should offer somefort to Mother Song. Lin Yan nodded, Okay, go ahead. She nced at Duan Cheng, who climbed into the drivers seat, Sister Lins hand is injured; Ill drive. Ji Jingxing stepped forward, taking Mother Songs hand, Mom, dont be scared. Were all out now. Ill pick up Xiaowei, and then welle to see you. Tears gleamed in Mother Songs eyes as she looked at her, then at Lin Yan, with Lin Yan gently nodding to her in reassurance. Mother Song also reached out to her, and the hands of the three women tightly held each other, even though two of them were a sight with their swollen noses and eyes. Mother Song tightly grasped their hands and choked with emotion, Yanyan, Auntie owes you a life this time. From now on, you are my own daughter. If Yuhang treats you poorly, Ill break her legs and kick her out of the house. Finally, she added with concern, You must be careful. After saying these words, she was supported by Fang Xin as they left. Once they were gone, Lin Yan retracted her hand, opened the car door, and got inside, instructing Duan Cheng to drive. Ji Jingxing, unwilling to back down, followed suit and got in. Zheng Chengrui sat in the back seat, continuously tracking Song Yuhangs car on hisputer. Entering the Yeling Mountain Tunnel. The screen showed a fleeting glimpse of her Audi passing by. Zheng Chengrui pressed the pause button. Duan Cheng nced at her and asked, Sister Lin, is there still time? Ji Jingxing anxiously clutched the back of the front seat. This night would eventually pass. The moon was about to set, and the mist was already seeping from the east. The vehicle drove through the mountains, as if galloping through a sea of clouds. On both sides, ancient cypress trees and green mountains loomed like ghostly shadows. The day would eventually dawn, but Lin Yan didnt know whether the spark in everyones hearts would reignite if they couldnt save Xiaowei. She let out a deep sigh and said, I dont know.
LP: My hatred for Lin Ge just reignited alright ( ` )
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 97-2 Chapter 97-2 Dawn Young master, the jackals and wolves are in position. After passing through the Yeling Mountain Tunnel, you will reach the Wanghai Bridge, which connects Yeling Mountain and Chang Ind. It has beenpleted and will officially open next month. Once you cross the bridge, you will leave the maind and it will be even more difficult to pursue the culprits. Taking advantage of the cover of night, a sniper climbed up the lighthouse near Yeling Mountain. The pitch-ck barrel of the gun was aimed at the Wanghai Bridge. A mans voice came through the earpiece, faintly saying, Hmm, make sure to eliminate them all, leaving no one behind. What about the two kidnappers? The man chuckled, Hmph, fifty thousand underworld coinsfor you to spend in theherworld. The call was cut. The sniper opened the scope, and his view was intercepted by a white Audi that came into sight, plowing through a triangr warning sign on the bridge. It slid a great distance on the snow-wetted, slippery road before graduallying to a stop in the middle of the way. Song Yuhang got out of the car, lifting the folder in her hand, What you want is here, now release her. Hearing her shout, the man emerged from behind a shipping container, pushing the child in front of him. Let me check the goods first. How am I supposed to check them without aputer or speakers? Goddamn it, Song Yuhang gritted her teeth, watching the man clutch Xiaoweis neck, while the Xiaowei hung her head lifelessly, her face pale as death. With one hand gripping Xiaowei, the man scraped a speaker off the shipping container and tossed it at her feet. y it for me. The blue speaker rolled over her instep, but Song Yuhang didnt pick it up. Youre f*cking with me, arent you? You said youd release all three together. The man hesitated. In the night, Song Yuhang saw his lips move, but he said nothing. Then the man said, You y it first, and once Ive confirmed its legit, Ill naturally have my brothers release the others. She cocked her head, sizing up his face a bristly beard, shifty eyes it struck her as familiar. Wasnt this the human trafficker wanted by the police for kidnapping children at the train station not so long ago? Song Yuhang remainedposed, and upon seeing Xiaowei, it was as if she had swallowed a calming pill. What could be confirmed now was that Ji Jingxing and Mother Song were held somewhere else, not with Xiao Weiyi. Otherwise, he wouldnt have paused to think about what to say. The only variable now was Lin Yan. With her intelligence and wisdom, she should be able to guess that something had happened to her the moment she saw that text message. The only thing she couldnt predict was how Lin Yan would act. Would she get on a ne right away? Will she save Ji Jingxing and Mother Song? These doubts lingered in her heart only for a moment before she negated them. Lin Yan would go. Yet she felt aplex array of emotionsrescuing them would no doubt be a path strewn with danger. Song Yuhang hoped for her to stay out of harms way, yet she couldnt bear the thought of her family being in jeopardy. This contradiction clenched her fists tight, her nails digging deep into her palms. She knew her opportunities were scant. Her only chance was to y her handto stall for time, to get the enemy to lower their guard, and in a swift move, to subdue them and rescue Xiaowei. My familys lives are in your hands. How could I possibly use fakes to deceive you? Since Ivee here, its already shown my sincerity. I hope you can show some sincerity as well. She raised her hand and said, Release the child first. Im an unarmed woman, we can negotiate. Ill go with you. The man swallowed his saliva, seemingly unsure of how to respond. A furious roar came through the earpiece, Idiot, shes buying time. Shes not just an unarmed woman. Dont let her get close to you! The man reached behind his waist and pulled out a gun, shouting at her, Stay back! Otherwise, Ill shoot! Song Yuhang stopped in her tracks. Alright, alright, I wonte any closer. She wasnt confident she could take him down from this distance. The dark muzzle of the gun was a severe threat to both her and Xiaowei. She had to figure out a way to neutralize it. Put your USB stick down where I can see it! An opportunity had arisen. Song Yuhang bent down, picked up the blue speaker, opened it, and took out a ck USB sh drive from a folder. Then, she casually threw the paper bag into the air, twirling, and it drifted into the sea. The man watched as she opened the speaker, inserted the USB sh drive, and pressed y. I, Guo Xiaoguang, son of Zhu Yong, ID number Song Yuhang pressed pause. Can you release the child now? The man nodded. Yes, ce the speaker on the ground and kick it over. For some reason, Song Yuhang always felt that he was exceedingly stiff in his speech and actions, like a marite being puppeteered, always needing a moment to collect himself, especially when speaking, halting at intervals. She frowned, sensing that something was off, and slowly bent down, nning to ce the speaker on the ground. The man watched her movements unblinkingly, swallowing hard, his palm clutching the gun slick with sweat. In the distance, the faint sound of a ships horn carried over the sea. Song Yuhangs eyes lit up: My friends havee to find me! The man hastily turned around, but Song Yuhang raised her hand fiercely and threw the speaker at him. It struck him square on the forehead, causing his nose to bleed and the gun in his hand to fall to the ground. He staggered back a few steps. With a swift step, she lunged forward, but before she could pull Xiaowei behind her, a short and stout figure emerged from the shipping container and swung an iron rod at her. Damn it, two people! Miscalcted! She couldnt evade in time and was ruthlessly struck on the back of her head. She fell to the ground, and as she reached out, her hand was covered in blood. Song Yuhang quickly rolled to her feet, and she did a cunning and fierce whip kick. The short and stout man was sent flying and crashed into the shipping container, causing steel materials to scatter all over the ground. The tall and thin kidnapper, sensing the unfavorable situation, lunged forward in an attempt to grab the gun on the ground. Song Yuhang swiftly sidestepped, knocking him down and kicking the gun far away in the process. He then went to grab Xiaowei, who was lying on the ground. Song Yuhang rolled over while holding Xiaowei, narrowly avoiding the attack. The short and stout man climbed out from the pile of construction materials and swung a blow towards her back. Song Yuhang spat out a mouthful of blood on the spot, propping herself up with one hand and flipping over. With a single leg, she forcefully tripped him by hooking his leg. The mans center of gravity shifted forward, and she bent down, delivering a powerful elbow strike to his face. Simultaneously, she grabbed his arm, twisted back, and struck his jaw with a fierce elbow joint. The impact was so strong that the sound of muscles and bones breaking could be heard. Unlike Lin Yan, Song Yuhangpensated for herck of strength by using her fists, her feet, her knees, and every joint in her body as her best weapons. The mans teeth were shattered, blood pouring from his mouth. Song Yuhang grabbed his arm and pushed him aside, causing him to collide with the guardrail and sit down heavily. She turned around and picked up Xiao Wei, then ran. Xiaowei, Xiaowei, wake up! No matter how she called out, the child remained tightly shut-eyed, silent and still. Tears welled up in Song Yuhangs eyes as she bit her lip and choked, Xiaowei The tall and thin robber lunged forward and grabbed her leg, shouting at the stout man, Get her! Fifty thousand dors! At those words, Song Yuhang was jolted awake. She turned back and caught sight of the barely discernible wire hanging by his ear. A sense of rm took her, and with a lift of her foot, she kicked the man, sending him flying away. As she was about to turn back, the hefty man came at her again, brandishing an iron rod. Clutching Xiaowei, Song Yuhang found her movements restricted and could only dodge. Between the two assants, she found herself at a disadvantage. A mist began to rise over the sea, and still, no lights glimmered in the lofty mountains. On the eerily silent Wanghai Bridge, the only sounds were the thuds of sticks against flesh. Song Yuhang, dazed from the blows and buzzing in her ears, still clutched Xiaowei tightly without letting go. Her gaze found a gun not too far away, and with gritted teeth, she crawled towards it. The fat man stepped onto her hand, panting heavily: Damn, this woman can fight. Those in desperate straits always have a few moves up their sleeves. Song Yuhang, protecting the child in her arms and unable to use them, relied solely on her legs to fight, making it quite the challenge for her assants, both of whom had already taken some hits. The skinny tall one wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and came over, trying to yank the child from her embrace. You know, this kid is pretty cute, he remarked. Could fetch a nice price in Southeast Asia. Watching his filthy hand touch the childs face, Song Yuhang felt a surge of fury rush to her head, and with eyes zing, she bellowed, Dont touch her!!! With a strength she didnt know she had, the hand that was being stepped on clenched into a fist and pushed up forcefully. Her other hand grasped his knee, bringing him down with a wrestling move. A growl simr to that of a beast emanated from her throat as she sprang up and lunged at the skinny tall man. Madwoman, madwoman The tall and thin kidnapper retreated in fear, forgetting about grabbing the child. He fell to the ground and was suddenly lifted by his cor. A powerful right hooknded squarely on his chin, causing him to spew blood and not even recognize his own mother. Song Yuhang didnt give him a chance to catch his breath. She pressed his head down, smashing her elbow into the back of his neck. The man fell to his knees, spitting a mouthful of congealed blood onto the ground. She delivered a knee strike to his jaw, forcing his head to tilt back as his nose sprayed blood. He clumsily tried to block, crying out for mercy. Song Yuhangs eyes turned bloodshot as she grabbed his cor and mmed him into the bridge pir, leaving stters of blood along the way. The stout man gulped and picked up a handgun from the ground. The pitch-ck barrel was aimed at her, his voice losing its authenticity due to fear, sounding somewhat shrill. Stop, or Ill shoot! Song Yuhang remained unaffected, as if she hadnt heard him. The man swallowed nervously, closed his eyes slightly, and slowly squeezed the trigger. Suddenly, the headlights of a car illuminated the area. Duan Cheng honked the horn frantically and rushed over like a bolt of lightning. The stout mans pupils contracted. The shot missed its mark after all. Fortunately, he dodged quickly, or else the wheels would have rolled over his leg. Before the car came to aplete stop, Lin Yan opened the door and jumped out. With a single nce, she saw Xiaowei lying on the bridge surface. She rushed over in a swift stride, picked her up, and handed her to Duan Cheng. Take her away. Ji Jingxing and Zheng Chengrui stayed at the entrance of the bridge to cover the retreat for those who hadnt made it across. Duan Cheng gave a slight nod, scooped up the person, and immediately swung the car around. The stout man tried to block them, but Lin Yan pulled out a retractable baton from her lower back, snap straightening it with a flick, and nted it in front of him. Your opponent is me. Song Yuhangs rusty mind finally cleared up a bit at the sight of her, a gleam of affection surfacing in her eyes. Despite being covered in injuries and her face smeared with blood, she shed a smile at her, a mix of reproach and relief. Why did youe? If I hadnte, youd be dead. What about my mom? Shes been taken to the hospital. She doesnt have any serious issues. And my sister-inw? Shes waiting in the back with Xiaowei. Lin Yan answered her questions one by one, holding a stick with a wary eye on the short, plump man, not giving an inch. The man couldnt size up her true strength, and he didnt dare to shoot rashly. Song Yuhang watched her figure, so frail, yet so unbreakable. Both of them were more disheveled than the other. Lin Yans fair face was smudged almostically with soot, and her shoulder was wrapped in a bandage. What she loved dearly, her hair soft as seaweed, was burned and curled into singed clumps. Song Yuhang choked out, And my fiance? Lin Yan tipped her chin up slightly, Alive, right by your side.
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 98-1 Chapter 98-1 Seagull Wow, thats really touching, the man said as he pped his hands before theputer. Who wouldve thought Song Yuhang was so skilled? She held her own against two well-trained adult men twice her size without breaking a sweat. And Lin Yan, pulling off aeback time after time he had really underestimated this girl. The man tapped the tiny mic on his ear: Jackal, move out. Understood, Young Master. The sniper trained the scope on the head of the man Song Yuhang was holding. Give it up, you cant beat us. Even with a gun, its useless. Your friend is seriously injured; you need to get him to a hospital fast. I dont know who promised you guys fifty thousand dors, but you also need to be alive to spend it, right? Put the gun down,e with me and turn yourself in, confess everything you know truthfully. Ill make sure its all written down in the report. When this goes to court, maybe the judge will be lenient in consideration of your surrender. What do you say, huh? For an elusive fifty thousand dors, is it worth throwing your life away? Did even a single cent of that money make it to your ount? The chubby man looked at her earnest face and then at the grim Lin Yan, slowly lowering the muzzle of his gun. Will I really get a lighter sentence? Song Yuhang nodded. Its definitely better than you resisting us now and dying here. When the main police force arrives, for armed thugs like you guys, they typically shoot to kill. Lin Yan rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached heaven. Damn, this woman could talk a dead man back to life with her tall tales. With multiple charges like child trafficking, assaulting police officers, and kidnapping, it would be a dead end in court. I, I surrender Dont Dont kill me The thin man held by Song Yuhang gasped for air, teetering on the brink of death, feeling his lifeblood ebbing away with every passing second. He was terrified. I, I give myself up, surrender, I Ill tell Ill tell everything The sniper muttered silently: Its toote. He released the trigger. The bullet whispered through the darkness just before dawn, silent as a secret. Blood sttered in Song Yuhangs eyes, mixed with the snowy white brain matter. The tall and thin figure had a shiny hole on his forehead, oozing crimson blood as they fell backward. Song Yuhang, get down! Lin Yan shouted in shock. She turned her head and saw a sh of light on the distant lighthouse. That was the spark emitted by a bullet scraping against the muzzle. She hugged her head and rolled away as sparks scattered off the nearby railing. Seeing the manner of his friends death, his eyes still open, gazing in his direction. The chubby one copsed to the ground, legs trembling, pants wet, emitting an unpleasant odor. He nced at the two people, trusting no one now, threw down his gun, and grimaced as he scrambled up. Making a clumsy exit from beneath the tarp covering the containers, he retrieved a motorcycle which they had hidden there earlier. This was the n he and the thin man had agreed uponto grab the USB drive and the money and bolt. As he rode past that blue speaker, he snatched it up, tucking it into his chest. The pitch-ck muzzle of the jackal was once again aimed at him, silently murmuring, Can you run? Sweetie. He slightly pulled the trigger. But the gun didnt go off. His gun would never fire again. The jackal had their throat sealed with a spring knife, their neck shed open, blood flowing profusely. As soon as the person in ck let go, they slumped down from the lighthouse. 01, target eliminated. The person in ck pressed the miniature microphone on their ear.
The moment the gunshot sounded, Song Yuhang knew there was a sniper behind her. She nced at Lin Yan, then dragged her behind a container, panting rapidly, Stay here, Im going after them! Lin Yan tugged at her, Come back, stepping out now is like being a sitting duck! Forget the USB if Song Yuhang held her hand, quickly kissed her forehead, and pulled away. The killer must be silencing the victim to hide secrets unknown, Im not just after the USB. The suspect will only be safe in the hands of our police force! Lin Yan of course understood that capturing the chubby suspect was the key to reeling in the puppet master behind the scenes. But now, with dawn breaking and visibility on the Wanghai Bridge increasing, there was nothing for cover except this container. To step out was akin to suicide! Youe back! Lin Yan hoarsely shouted, lunging to grab the hem of her clothes but it was toote. Song Yuhang dashed back with the speed of a 100-meter sprint to her car. Lin Yan picked herself off the ground recklessly charging out, and with eyes closed and arms spread wide, she stood in the middle of the bridge, halting Song Yuhangs car. If were going to die, were doing it together! The wind whipped up the hair on her cheeks, and the car stopped less than five centimeters from her. Song Yuhangs eyes moistened, she flung open the car door and yanked the person inside: Lets go! However, she soon regreted this decision. If it werent for the desperate situation, Lin Yan really wanted to throw herself at her for a deep kiss. Whether it was her ruthlessness when striking others, her patience when advising the kidnapper, her thoroughness in protecting her, or the expression on her face when she pulled her up to face life and death togetherall of it was utterly enchanting to her. Song Yuhangs ck hair was a disheveled mess, tarnished with dust and stains of blood, the wheat-colored skin of her exposed neck slick with sweat. Her lips, firmly pressed together, held a hint of severity. Her shirt, undone in the heat of the scuffle, had lost its earlier neatness. Feeling the intensity of her heated gaze, that stern mouth curled into a slight smile. What are you looking at? Lin Yan, unflinching and direct, stated: I want to have s*x with you. Song Yuhangs Adams apple moved up and down, her hearts tip trembling. Wait, once this is over, well take a seven-day leave, and we wont go anywhere, she said, her voice carrying a palpable tremor of anticipation. But for now Her gaze hardened as she eyed the container blocking the way, her tone growing firm and resolute. Hold tight, brace yourself. She swiftly shifted gears, mming the elerator to the floor. The white car shot out like an arrow released from a bowstring, and as Lin Yans vision cked out, the container they rammed bang crashed against the guardrail, sparking mes upon impact, the railing teetering on the edge of copse. The chubby man riding the motorcycle became a speck in their vision. Perhaps it was inconvenient to continue with voicemunication, the man started to type to him. Your people dont seem to have stopped them. No rush. The person seated before theputer leaned slightly forward. Shes about to die soon. The other party paused briefly and sent a line of text: Lin Yan is still in the car. The mans pupils constricted sharply as he stood up abruptly. It was already toote. After crashing through the shipping container, Song Yuhang tried to slow down, stepping on the brakes, but nothing moved. A shock went through her the vehicle continued to hurtle forward at a speed of three hundred kilometers per hour. There was still some distance to the Wanghai Bridge. She maintained the wheels stability and tried to pull the handbrake. As she pulled, the tires braked fiercely, and some screw must have failed because the car veered violently, crashing toward the guardrail. Beside themy the vast sea. Song Yuhangs pupils shrank, her hands quick and eyes sharp as she swung the steering wheel back around, performing a 180-degree drift on the road surface, narrowly missing the guardrail and continuing to speed forward, while the numbers on the dashboard kept climbing. Lin Yan was thrown harshly against her seat, and now even she realized something was off. Whats wrong? Song Yuhang nced at her, unflustered, with a gentle smile. Lin Yan, what are you to me? A sense of foreboding rose in Lin Yans heart. What do you mean? Answer the question. Fiance. If youre my fiance, will you listen to me? Song Yuhangs eyes became slightly moist, yet she controlled herself remarkably well, steering the wheel, maintaining the vehicles stability so Lin Yan wouldnt notice. I will. Lin Yan looked at her and nodded slightly, as if to convey something more profound. Good, unbuckle your seatbelt. The road was littered with gravel and steel materials, making the already unstable vehicle struggle even more at high speeds. Song Yuhang felt the steering wheel was about to go out of control. She looked at Lin Yan, etching her image deep into her eyes. Lin Yans eyes reddened with fury as she bellowed, You bastard, Ill be damned if I unfasten it. Well die together!!! Song Yuhangs hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her feet pressing hard against the brake, still clinging to thest shred of hope. But the brakes hadpletely failed to spring back. She simply said, Lin Yan, after fourteen years of chasing the killer, Chunan has not yet beenid to rest. Are you ready to give up now? She knew all too well how to exploit her vulnerabilities. The moment the words Chunan slipped out, tears welled up in the corners of Lin Yans eyes. Biting her teeth, Song Yuhang stared at her intently, breathing as desperately as an animal at bay, her gaze fixed on the steering wheel. Lin Yan lunged to seize control: I wont give up, but I wont give up on you either! The vehicle spun on the bridge, disorienting Song Yuhang, who fiercely wrestled with her hands, her eyes filled with fierce determination.
LP: _
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 98-2 Chapter 98-2 Seagull Lin Yan lunged to seize control: I wont give up, but I wont give up on you either! The vehicle spun on the bridge, disorienting Song Yuhang, who fiercely wrestled with her hands, her eyes filled with fierce determination. Lin Yan, listen up! Didnt you say youd listen to everything I say?! Except for this f*ucking one thing, Ill listen to anything else! Lin Yan roared, her eyes brimming with tears. Song Yuhang felt extreme heartache, gripping her by the nape of her neck to restrain her. She then gently guided her to the other side of the car door as usual, embracing her tenderly and brushing the hair beside her cheeks behind her ear. Alright, how about this: I have another request. I want you to stay alive, to pursue your own dreams, and to seek out the truth for all the unjustly departed souls. In this moment, Lin Yans tears streamed down her face, trembling all over, continuously calling out Song Yuhangs name, pleading for mercy: Song Yuhang, Song Yuhang, I dont want happiness, I want you, I want you Song Yuhang gave a faint smile, before she could even take out the ring from her chest, she was engulfed by the mes. She only managed to undo her seatbelt, exerted all her strength, and pushed the person out through the open car door. Lin Yan rolled to the side of the road like a kite with a broken string. mes rose from the bridge, the loud noise even startling Duan Cheng and his crew who were guarding the entrance. A few people hurriedly nced over, their eyes widening in shock. Duan Cheng dashed forward as if possessed: Captain Song, Sister Lin! Watching Song Yuhangs car plunge into the sea, cradling an unconscious child in her arms, the stoic demeanor of Ji Jingxing also crumbled. She copsed on the ground, unable to withhold her sobs. Yuhang In the distance, sirens began to re. Zheng Chengrui threw the remote control and hugged him around the waist, dragging him back. Lets go, hurry! Fang Xin, help! Im not going, not going, I have to go save them! Duan Cheng pried open his hands, roaring with tears streaming down his face. Fang Xin wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, walked up, and fiercely pped him, making him turn his head. Duan Cheng stared at her intensely. Theres still a child over there who is unconscious and in danger at any moment! Have you forgotten what Sister Lin said about safely getting her to the hospital? If you go to save her now, everything shes done for us will be in vain, do you understand?! Duan Cheng choked up, I understand, I do, but The bridge was so high, the sea so cold, and so deep. Seeing him cry, Fang Xin couldnt bear it anymore. She pulled him into her arms, holding his head andforting him. Duan Cheng wailed, and Fang Xin, tears in her eyes, exchanged a nce with Zheng Chengrui. Nodding, he helped Ji Jingxing and Xiaowei into the car, picked up his remote control, retrieved the drone, and messily wiped away their footprints and traces with dried branches and leaves, covering them up. A small car rushed away into the mountains before the police arrived. With a ssh, the sound of water, the waves obscured the ripples. Feng Jianguo opened the car door and leaped out, Stop her! But it was toote. No one even touched the hem of her clothes. They watched helplessly as she plunged into the deep sea, disappearing like a fish swimming away. Winter is not the season for diving. Lin Yan had never dived in an unfamiliar sea before, let alone jumped from such a high ce. She was extremely anxious, her diving posture was all messed up, and she almost got knocked out by gravity. After swallowing several mouthfuls of salty sea water, she finally came to her senses, floated to the surface, took a deep breath of fresh air, and then plunged back down. The deeper she dived, the colder it became. Her blood seemed to congeal throughout her body, and the wounds stung intensely as they soaked in the sea water. It felt like Lin Yan had lost all sense of awareness. As she swam, faint red blood mixed with seawater trailed behind her. Tears began to fall uncontrobly, but she couldnt close her eyes. She needed to rely on the faint bioluminescence emitted by nkton to locate the spot where the vehicle had plunged into the sea in the dark environment. This is like finding a needle in a haystack. She had never spent this long in the deep sea before. Various sea creatures swam past her, from fish to jellyfish, but she paid no attention. She was like a madwoman, searching the ocean floor to find her beloved. Diving deep without any protective gear made her eardrums ring, causing a splitting headache. As oxygen depleted, her lungs felt like they were being poked by countless steel needles. The most deadly threat was the cold. At any moment, hypothermia could make her lose consciousness, drifting into a deep slumber on the ocean floor. Lin Yan grimaced, biting down on her tongue to jolt herself awake with pain. Tears running down her face, she silently prayed in her heart: Song Yuhang, where are you? Come out quickly. Stop hiding from me, Ill do anything you say. Stepping on a reef, Lin Yan thrust forward with all her might, breaking through the water ripples. In her sight, arge group of fish gathered together. Gritting her teeth, she swam in that direction as the sea fish scattered in rm. Upon seeing the heavily damaged car, Lin Yan burst into tears of extreme frustration, causing bubbles to form between her lips. She took a few quick steps forward, vigorously pulling at the car door, kicking and pounding on it to no avail. Lin Yan changed her approach, squeezing through the shattered windshield, the ss bits leaving a few more cuts on her body. She pped Song Yuhangs face hard, as she sat quietly leaning back in the seat with her eyes closed, almost like she was fast asleep. The seawater washed her blood-stained face clean, and her soft ck short hair gently rippled with the water. Lin Yan carefully lifted her face, feeling a lump in her throat as she pressed her head against her icy forehead, pulling the person into her arms, trying to warm her up with her own body heat. But to no avail, it was just too cold here. She shivered all over, like a block of ice. ncing around, Lin Yan kicked the broken window harder with her feet, widening the gap. The shattered ss shards and bloodstains drifted away with the water. Turning around, she used her frail shoulders to support Song Yuhang, embracing her waist, and together they struggled to swim out. The originally thin oxygen in her lungs was depleted even faster due to the intense exercise. Lin took in several mouthfuls of seawater, bubbles escaping from her nose. She still bore the weight of another person on her body, making each swimborious due to gravity. Looking up, the seawater above remained dark, uncertain of when she would see daylight again by swimming. However, Song Yuhang couldnt hold on for much longer. Her face was pale, her lips a bluish-purple hue, and she had been submerged in the deep sea for a while. Without hesitation, Lin Yan cradled her lovers face and ced her lips upon hers. As she felt her icy cold lips, a shiver ran down Lin Yans entire body, and tears welled up in her eyes. She transferred all her warmth, vitality, love, and breath to her. Lin Yan held her tightly by the waist, deepening the kiss. The circle-bound leather strap fell off, dropping into the deep sea, with her soft hair floating like seaweed in the waves. They intertwined, weaving together, swaying with the waves, and faint red bloodstains drifting around. yful fish came to chase after them, while Lin Yantched onto her waist, pulling her strenuously upstream. She no longer felt the cold or the pain, her consciousness even a nk te. She had only one thought: take her away. The seawater sshing against her body almost gave Lin Yan an illusion that it was Song Yuhang responding to her in that warm and gentle way. Overwhelmed with joy, Lin burst into tears. Suddenly, a sh of white light exploded in her mind. She swam with all her might towards it and then realized It was actually the dawn breaking. Emerging from beneath the seas surface, Lin saw the eastern sky unveiling its light. The morning sun cast its shimmering rays on the surface of the sea. Lin Yan cried, almost wailing, dragging herself towards the shore as if her life depended on it, swimming while cursing along the way. Song Yuhang, didnt we agree to get married? Is this engagement still valid? Fine, you pretend to be dead, pretend to be dead, then I wont marry you! Ill go find ten or eight f*cking mistresses,e back every day to anger you! Get up! Get up and curse at me! Lin Yan roared, stumbling, tears streaming down her face as she flung herself onto the beach. The wavespped at their bodies, and the police also gathered around, encircling them. Lin Yan felt as if she had turned deaf, bending down to listen to her heartbeat. Silent as can be, only the sound of the waves. Seagulls soared across the sky, emitting a mournful cry. Tears welled up in her eyes that once held so much affection, her face filled with grief, trembling all over. As Feng Jianguo pushed through the crowd and saw the pale face of the person lying on the ground, he shuddered, his eyes slightly moist. Someone wanted to step forward to carry her away. Dont move!!! Lin Yan shouted hysterically, tearing open her clothes and stubbornly starting CPR. After thirty consecutive chestpressions, she leaned down to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and her t chest began to rise and fall. Yet, it was only for a moment. When she let go, she stopped breathing on her ownpletely, relying solely on what she had blown into her. Lin Yan cried out in silent agony. In reality, she had long reached her physical limits, solely relying on that breath to rescue the person from the seabed, swim to the shore, and now, kneeling here to give her artificial respiration. She was working on one side, looking extremely disheveled as everyone around her watched, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her eyes were red and swollen, hair a mess, covered in bruises. Seagulls circled above, their mournful cries lingering in the air. Feng Jianguo watched her copse, watched her wail and sob loudly, watched her desperately shaking Song Yuhangs shoulders, unable to bear it any longer. The old man turned away, wiped away tears with the back of his hand, and said in a deep voice, Take her away.
LP: hahaha! Dont worry, theres still like, 40 chapters more anyways, Ill continue to curse those b*stards who did this
Subscribe to our newsletter & never miss out on the newest updates. Subscribe Now! Hey guys! Comment on this post if you have any problems with the Ads. Thank you! Chapter 108 Chapter 108 Logo That day after Wang Qiang woke up, he knew he had wronged her and held her in his arms tofort her for a long time. Lin Yan took the opportunity to inquire about some news regarding the delivery three dayster. ¡°At eleven o¡¯clock at night, Tiger wille. Aren¡¯t we supposed to be bringing in a batch of alcohol? The goods wille in with the alcohol delivery truck, face-to-face transaction.¡± Lin Yan didn¡¯t know if Pei Jinhong had ever seen ¡°Tiger¡± before, which made her hesitate for a while before speaking up. Wang Qiang thought she was scared and softly said: ¡°Don¡¯t worry, that day Brother Hu pointed a gun at you because he had no choice. Since the undercover has already been killed by Liu Zhi, there¡¯s no need to worry anymore. Besides, if he really tries to harm you, Brother Wang will also protect you.¡± Lin Yan, acting coquettishly, nestled into his arms: ¡°Brother Wang is always good to me.¡± Seeing Brother Wang¡¯s face showing pleasure, Lin Yan continued: ¡°It¡¯s a rare big scene, I also want to experience it. Besides, our stock is almost running out.¡± As she spoke, she fidgeted restlessly in his arms, yawning and crying, looking exactly like someone suffering from drug withdrawal. Brother Wangughed heartily: ¡°Okay, let¡¯s do as you say. This time there¡¯s good stuff, let¡¯s get some to try!¡± Noticing it was gettingte, Brother Wang still had another troubled little fairy in mind, so he nned to leave. ¡°You¡¯re injured, right? Rest up, I¡¯ll make arrangements.¡± Lin Yan sneered internally, guessing it was to arrange a tryst with Chen Fang. Deep down, she was disgusted by it, but her face showed nothing. ¡°Brother Wang, you should also rest early.¡± Brother Wang nodded, dressed, and left. As soon as he was out the door, he eagerly asked a waiter where Chen Fang¡¯s room was. Liu Zhi was carrying drinks through the hallway when he heard a voice from the crack of a door. ¡°Ouch, my little darling, you¡¯ve suffered.¡± Chen Fang sobbed, ¡°Sister Hong wants to punish me, how dare I say a word against her?¡± Wang Qiang lifted her onto the bed, ¡°Tsk, to be honest, I also don¡¯t really like her, too domineering. But you know we have been together for many years, she has a lot of people under her, it¡¯s not easy to just¡­¡± Chen Fang¡¯s crying became intermittent, ¡°Tell me, who do you really like?¡± The voice was quite urgent, ¡°My little darling, of course, I still like you, young, beautiful, and soft like water.¡± There were also jokes between the two and someints about Pei Jinhong. Liu Zhi couldn¡¯t listen anymore, his fingers holding the tray turned white, and he turned around and left with big steps. Song Yuhang came out of the restroom, turned to the staircase, and was about to step up when someone stopped her. ¡°Hello, the second floor is for VIPs only, you need a senior member to lead and a spending of over a million to enter.¡± The waiter in a suit and leather shoes looked at her warily, with a walkie-talkie attached to his waist, and his trouser pocket was bulging, possibly hiding some other weapon. Other waiters wandering not far away also gathered around. Song Yuhang took a step back, not intending to confront them head-on, and thereby missed the opportunity to meet with Lin Yan. ¡°Sorry, I went the wrong way. Your ce is too big. Where is the exit?¡± The waiter pointed the direction for her: ¡°Let me escort you out.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Song Yuhang waved her hands repeatedly. When she passed the booth where she had been before, she nced inside, and it was empty. Duan Cheng and the others must have left earlier. She felt relieved, allowing the waiter to follow her from a distance, until he stopped once he saw her out the door. A group of people gathered in the car. Song Yuhang holding the steering wheel: ¡°They are all very alert, the hallways are full of CCTV, and there are many waiters. Rather than say their service is omnipresent, it¡¯s more like surveince is everywhere. This nightclub must have some issues.¡± Duan Cheng also nodded: ¡°Not long after you left, people kepting to ask us to order. If we didn¡¯t order drinks, they wouldn¡¯t leave. More and more people came, and we were afraid of getting beaten up, so we left first.¡± Song Yuhang handed over the membership card she had casually taken to Fang Xin: ¡°After all, it¡¯s a hundred thousand yuan, better return it to them.¡± Fang Xin nodded, understanding her intention, took the membership card, got off the car, and walked towards the entrance of the Huange nightclub, and handed it to the staff of the venue. ¡°I found this not far from the intersection ahead, saw your venue¡¯s logo on it, please return it to the owner, thank you.¡± The other party was startled, flipped it over to confirm, and by then, Fang Xin had already walked far away. After dropping the three of them off at their homes, Song Yuhang also drove back to her own house. She entered the door, put down her backpack, washed her hands, and then returned to the incense table to light three sticks of incense and inserted them; staring at Lin Yan¡¯s photo for a while, she wiped the non-existent dust over and over again before gently putting it down. Song Yuhang returned to her own room, locked the door, and sat cross-legged in front of the whiteboard to start folding origami cranes. This thing might seem simple, but when she first started folding, either a side was missing or a corner wascking, and the wings couldn¡¯t be lifted properly. Only after folding many did she slowly get the hang of it. In the time it took to smoke a cigarette, an origami crane as lifelike as it could be was already folded. Song Yuhang unscrewed the cap of a ss bottle, using the same one her mom gave her that day. The paper cranes she brought back from Qingshan Vi were not many, only half a bottle. Every time Lin Yan dissected a body, she would fold an origami crane to pray for the deceased. Now, Song Yuhang, following her example, folds an origami crane every day, and the mouth of the bottle was nearly full. But the forensicdy she loved, oh, she would nevere back again. Song Yuhang wiped the corner of her eye with her hand and took out a cigarette from the box to light it, thinking about going to the supermarket one of these days to buy a few more ss bottles. She was nning this when the doorbell rang. Song Yuhang tensed up and nced at the monitor next to her, only to see a delivery guy standing at the door. She then breathed a sigh of relief and got up to open the door. ¡°Hello, your meal is here. Please enjoy.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Song Yuhang carried the meal box back but suddenly seemed to remember something as she stared at the delivery receipt. That¡¯s right, everyone needs to eat, even drug lords. Since the Huange Nightclub is a ce of entertainment that sells alcohol and has snacks on the menu, they must have their own supply channels. Catching these channels is like grabbing their lifelines, possibly no less than what she could gain by going in openly. Song Yuhang put the meal box on the table, couldn¡¯t care less about eating, picked up her keys, and went out again. This time, she didn¡¯t scare the snake by beating the grass; she drove around the Huange Nightclub and found a back door in an alley behind the street. People in work clothes wereing out to throw away the trash from time to time. Song Yuhang made a mark on the map, she parked her car at the entrance of the alley and secretly observed everything. When the hour hand of the watch pointed to eleven, a van marked ¡°Fei Xun Logistics¡± slowly passed by her. Song Yuhang instantly braced up. With a light ¡°squeak,¡± the back door opened, and out came several workers, holding ledgers probably to check the quantity. The van driver came down to sign, the doors opened, and boxes of alcoholic beverages were carried inside. Song Yuhang tapped her fingertips on the steering wheel; the process was quite standard, with no abnormalities. After the handover waspleted, a worker counted the money and handed it over to the driver right there. The driver, nodding and bowing, took the money and left. Song Yuhang gently stepped on the gas and followed the logistics vehicle ahead.
Early in the morning, themunity hospital wasn¡¯t crowded. Lin Yan quickly got a number and queued up to enter the consultation room. Liu Zhi, ordered by Wang Qiang, followed close by her side. The doctor wanted her to take off her clothes for an easier dressing change. Lin Yan gave him a look, hesitated, then pulled down half of her sleeve, revealing her fair and smooth shoulder. Liu Zhi¡¯s face turned red, and he stepped back: ¡°Sister-inw, I¡¯ll wait outside.¡± Lin Yan lightly nodded, giving him a look full of charm. Liu Zhi left the door slightly ajar, standing at the entrance. At this distance, no matter what was said, he could hear it all. The doctor asked her somemon questions, then began to make small talk: ¡°How long did it take for you to get here? You arrived quite early.¡± ¡°Hmph, stuck in traffic, took more than twenty minutes, left before it was light.¡± ¡°Is that so? Now not only are doctors working hard, but patients also have a tough time getting seen. Come on, lift your arm.¡± Liu Zhi peered through the crack in the door, the doctor was treating her wound with a cotton swab, Lin Yan bit her lower lip, her profile as pale and luminous as jade in the morning sunlight. He then turned his face back. ¡°Alright, when you go back, don¡¯t let the wound get wet, avoid vigorous exercise,e on time for dressing changes, and seek medical attention promptly if you feel unwell.¡± The doctor gently guided her up, Lin Yan got up, slipping the small note she had clenched in her sweaty palm into his hand. ¡°Okay, thank you.¡± She said, quickly retracting her hand, donned her clothes, and Liu Zhi pushed the door open, helping her out. After the two of them left, the doctor opened the door to check the corridor, put up a ¡°Do Not Disturb¡± sign, turned around to lock the door, and opened the note. Lin Yan had written in crooked letters: ¡°In two days, transaction at the Huange Nightclub, big shot involved.¡±
With the transaction date approaching, the atmosphere at the Huange Nightclub also quietly tensed up, with many more staff added upstairs and downstairs. As soon as Pei Jinhong returned, Liu Zhi was called away. Wang Qiang was sitting on the couch, smoking, holding the delicate Chen Fang in his arms, and he didn¡¯t avoid this in front of his brothers. ¡°What did Jinhong do going out this morning?¡± Liu Zhi lowered his head: ¡°Went to see a doctor.¡± ¡°Was it the same hospital she went to before?¡± Liu Zhi nodded: ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What did she say to the doctor?¡± Liu Zhi thought for a moment: ¡°Didn¡¯t say much, mentioned something about traffic congestion in the morning, and came out in less than five minutes.¡± Wang Qiang took a puff of his cigar: ¡°Okay, got it, you can go down now.¡± Liu Zhi slowly turned back, looking at the woman in his arms, and then at his elder brother. ¡°Brother, you had me follow Sister Hong, do you not trust her?¡± Wang Qiang snorted, extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray, and stood up to straighten the shoulders of his suit. ¡°Trust is there, of course, but your Sister Hong is too smart, have to guard against, besides, brothers are like limbs, women are like clothes, clothes, well, will have to be changed sooner orter.¡± ¡°Alright, the transaction date is also pressing, you go busy, if there¡¯s any movement from her, report it all to me.¡± Liu Zhi bowed slightly, turned, and left, but secretly clenched his fists.
¡°Shang shi.¡± ¡°Jiang.¡± As the piecesnded on the Xiangqi board, the oue between ck and red was clear. The elder chuckled lightly, just as Kubo and the camouge man walked in. ¡°Supreme Lord, everything is ready,¡± said the camouge man. ¡°Tiger is here, huh.¡± The elder scattered the Xiangqi pieces on the board and shakily stood up. Kubo helped him sitfortably on the sofa. Lin Ge took out a cigarette from the cigarette box and snickered, ¡°I just don¡¯t understand, why make it soplicated? If you suspect, killing them off would solve it.¡± Kubo also lit a cigarette for the elder, whose murky eyes were full of bloodshot veins, and his face covered in wrinkles and scars, appeared even more sinister and dreadful under the light sliced by the rotating ceiling fan. ¡°You¡¯re still young. Killing a person is easy, but then it¡¯s hard to manage and maintain a vastwork of rtionships.¡± The elder known as ¡°Supreme Lord¡± let out a long sigh, ¡°Right, who did you say was the undercoverst time?¡± Tiger respectfully bowed his head, ¡°A person under Wang Qiang¡¯smand.¡± The old man blew a smoke ring, and in the swirling smoke, heughed, revealing a set of yellow teeth with gaps, looking both sinister and cunning. ¡°Is that so? I¡¯m really looking forward to it.¡± Saying this, as if remembering something, he shakily pointed his hand towards a box on the ground. ¡°This time, I also brought you something good, try it.¡± Tiger opened it and was immediately overjoyed. A whole row of neatly arranged test tubes, enough for him to use for a month. He knew this was Supreme Lord trusting him, and immediately knelt down to kowtow deeply. ¡°Thank you, Supreme Lord!¡± Lin Ge disdainfully curled his lip, throwing the Xiangqi piece into the board. The old man¡¯s gaze turned to him, ¡°Right, how are preparations on your side?¡± Lin Ge stood up, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Also, don¡¯t send people to find me when it¡¯s unnecessary, I don¡¯t have the time.¡± A flicker of displeasure passed over the elder¡¯s face, Kubo lifted his foot to follow, but was stopped by a hand gesture. ¡°Supreme Lord, he¡­¡± ¡°Enough, enough, as long as it doesn¡¯t affect the overall situation, let him be.¡± The elder sighed deeply, with a hint of helplessness in his tone. After serving Supreme Lord to rest, Kuba and Tiger walked out together. Tiger: ¡°What kind of person is that Mr. Lin, being so rude to the boss, yet Supreme Lord doesn¡¯t even get angry?¡± Kuba nced at him, saying in his awkward Mandarin. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know, Lord hasn¡¯t said.¡± This person has always been a taciturn type, you can¡¯t knock a fart out of him with a stick. Tiger gave up, patted his shoulder, and left. ¡°That¡¯s it, I won¡¯t waste words with you. I¡¯m going to hurry back and enjoy my feast.¡± Then Kuba chuckled, ¡°Give me a few, give me a few, craving, craving¡­¡±
Song Yuhang watched the logistics truck drive back into the suburban industrial park. She parked her car on the outskirts, waited for people to walk away, quietly climbed over the wall, and quickly jumped down into the shadows before the searchlight came over. She walked along the wall, and several staff members holding shlights came towards her, patrolling back and forth. Song Yuhang quickly hid inside a container, lightened her breathing, almost blending into the darkness. She looked out through the cracks in the container. The staff members wearing safety helmets patrolled back and forth, the light from their shlights sweeping over her eyebrows and eyes. Song Yuhang hid further inside. ¡°That¡¯s odd, I clearly saw someone just now.¡± ¡°You must be seeing things, let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go, it¡¯s too hot, let¡¯s hurry back and turn on the air conditioner.¡± The staff member wearing the safety helmet was pulled away by apanion, and Song Yuhang again pressed her eyes to the crack. Tonight the moon is very round, she clearly saw a familiar logo on the backs of those two workers¡¯ uniforms. Memories came flooding back. Tracing back to the day she first met Lin Yan, the business card handed over by the butler. ¡°If there are any problems, call this number and contact us to resolve it.¡± She remembered, the hemispherical logo on the workers¡¯ uniforms was exactly the same as the Jingtai Group logo on that hot-stamped business card! Song Yuhang¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted. Chapter 109-1 Chapter 109-1 Trade After the others walked far away, Song Yuhang climbed out from the container, continuing along the wall. It was deep into the night, and the park was still operational. Not far off, the roaring sound of machinery from the workshops filled the air, with the smoke being expelled into the sky, spreading a pungent odor throughout. Patrolling personnel moved back and forth in an orderly manner, while several forklifts shuttled materials through the cargo area stacked with containers. Song Yuhang could hardly move a step and hid in the shadows where the searchlights didn¡¯t reach. A forklift glided past her, with the driver yawning just as a searchlight slid over his face, the light blinding. He instinctively closed his eyes, shielding them with his hand. The vehicle shuddered, and Song Yuhang quickly slid underneath it. The driver lowered his hand, yawned again, and continued driving forward. Clutching the bottom of the vehicle, Song Yuhang covered her face with grease. After approximately five to six minutes, the vehicle came to a stop. The workshop doors opened, and several workers wearing white masks ran out to unload the cargo. From Song Yuhang¡¯s perspective, all she could see were the uniformly blue protective trousers they wore, quite simr to the ones Lin Yan would don while conducting experiments. She slightly furrowed her brow. Wasn¡¯t this a logistics park? Could it be a case of hanging a sheep¡¯s head but selling dog meat, conducting some secret experiments inside? As far as she knew, Jingtai was a diverse multinational conglomerate with numerous subsidiaries, operating in various sectors including real estate, finance, education, technology, and of course, healthcare. If it were a Jingtai experimental facility, they could have operated openly and aboveboard. Why the need for such secrecy and stringent security in the dead of night? While she mused over this, the driver finished unloading and prepared to reverse back. Seizing the moment as he drove to the side of the road, Song Yuhang rolled out and hid in the darkness behind the guardhouse. Employees walked by, whisperingints to each other. ¡°I can¡¯t take this nearly half a month of daily overtime anymore.¡± ¡°No kidding, someone new has taken charge upstairs, and it¡¯s like the new official has lit three fires, huh. We¡¯ve taken on a big order, so of course, we have to work overtime.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t been home for a week now, spending every night sleeping in theb.¡± The speaker then poked his colleague¡¯s arm again. ¡°Hey, I identally caught a glimpse of the form the other day. Guess what I saw?¡± Curiously, his colleague asked, ¡°What?¡± Looking around and seeing no one, the speaker whispered secretively, ¡°¦Ã-Hydroxybutyric acid.¡± Before he could finish, his colleague grabbed his sleeve: ¡°Shh, are you out of your mind? That¡¯s a controlled substance!¡± Song Yuhang was shocked and peeked out. The two had already reached the entrance of the workshop. After being frisked, having their IDs checked, and their fingerprints verified by the staff at the door, they were let in. Damn, fingerprint verification too? Are they that cautious? She came in a rush, unprepared for anything, guessing she wouldn¡¯t be able to get in. However¡­ Song Yuhang slightly closed her eyes, remembering the words Lin Yan had once said. ¡°¦Ã-Hydroxybutyric acid, a natural substance found in the central nervous system, has been used in medicine to treat insomnia, depression, and other mental disorders.¡± ¡°This drug is easily fatal in overdose, and¡­ it can cause withdrawal symptoms.¡± Suddenly, she clenched her fist tightly, knowing it was rted to several cases; she had to get in and take a look no matter what. Song Yuhang turned and searched the ground for something usable, picking up a stone and holding it in her hand. She tiptoed and forcefully threw it towards a nearby container. ¡°Bang¡ª¡± The stone hit the container, bouncing a few times and making a medium-sized noise, immediately drawing the attention of the staff at the door. Song Yuhang watched as they pulled out electric batons from behind their waists. ¡°Who? Who¡¯s there?!¡± A group of people hurried past in front of her. Once they were far enough away, she quickly slipped to the door, pried open a crack in the workshop¡¯s iron door with her fingers, and pressed her eye to it. Then, her pupils narrowed, witnessing one of the most shocking scenes in her life. The workshop was brightly lit, as bright as daylight. Dozens of workers dressed in blue protective suits were standing in front of machines, operating them. The liquid flowing out of the reactors, after being filtered, distilled, and separated by centrifuges, turned into rows of neatly arranged blue test tubes on the conveyor belt. The whole atmosphere was silent, tense, and solemn. On thergest iron barrel in the center, there was written with red paint ¡°¦Ã-Butyrctone.¡± Song Yuhang had once heard Lin Yan say that this was one of the essential raw materials for synthesizing ¦Ã-Hydroxybutyric acid, also a highly mmable and explosive first-ss hazardous material, and moreover, listed in the national ss III carcinogens list. Song Yuhang was so shocked she couldn¡¯t speak. Her Adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down, and it took her a long time toe back to her senses. She fumbled her phone out of her pocket, turned on the camera, and aimed it inside. The lens had recorded for no more than three seconds when a beam of light enveloped her, and a sharp shout: ¡°Who?!¡± A electric baton smashed down towards her head! Song Yuhang instinctively lifted her sleeve to block her face and stepped back; the baton hit the door, and she turned and ran. ¡°Chase!¡± Pursued relentlessly, Song Yuhang deftly climbed over the wall, her palm cut by the ss shards embedded on top, and quickly disappeared into the night. The pursuers, panting heavily and hands on their knees, stopped: ¡°Damn it, we have to report back to the young master that this ce has been discovered.¡± When the servant reported to him, Lin Ge was toying with his precious crystal ball, wiping it over and over with a velvet cloth. He raised his eyebrows as if he had anticipated this, ¡°Oh? So soon, I thought it would take a bit longer.¡± ¡°What about the deal tomorrow¡­¡± The servant hesitated. ¡°Continue.¡± Lin Ge ced the crystal ball back on its stand on the table. ¡°Yes.¡± The servant, unsure of his meaning and seeing his inscrutable expression, bowed hurriedly and left. Lin Ge stood up, his gazending directly on a watercolor painting on the wall. It depicted two children, one big and one small, sitting and lying side by side on a hillside, looking at the stars. That was the work of the young Lin Yan. In the deep blue night sky, the stars shone brightly, the grass by her side swayed gently, and the girl¡¯s silhouette was slender and fragile, her soft hair draped over her shoulders. The youthy next to her, resting his arm under his head, the green grass framing his brows and eyes. Although her painting skills were crude at that time, the whole scene undeniably looked very harmonious and pleasing to the eye. When she gave him this painting, she called him ¡°brother¡± for the first time. That year, she was ten, and he was about to go abroad for his studies. At their parting, Lin Yan gave this painting to him as a gift, and just like that, so many years have passed. Lin Ge took down the frame, wiped off the dust with a velvet cloth, gently touching her silhouette. ¡°Yanyan ah, brother won¡¯t let you die in vain.¡±
Song Yuhang didn¡¯t return home but drove straight to another location, where she knocked on the door. After a while, an elderly voice came from inside. ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Song Yuhang knocked a few times with a pattern of two long and one short knocks as a secret signal. Feng Jianguo opened the door, still in his pajamas and slippers, and looked into the corridor: ¡°Come in quickly.¡± Song Yuhang took off her hoodie and walked in, her face smeared with engine oil, and she was also bruised. ¡°What happened to you¡­¡± ¡°Long story short, I have a significant discovery to report to you. Sending an email or making a phone call both run the risk of being intercepted, so I took the liberty ofing herete at night. Sorry for the disturbance.¡± As Song Yuhang spoke, she looked around the room. Feng Jianguo pushed open the study door: ¡°It¡¯s fine,e in and talk; everyone¡¯s asleep.¡± He pulled some tissue paper from the table and gestured for her to wipe herself off. Song Yuhang took it and hastily dabbed at herself, then dug out her phone, opened the photo gallery, and handed it to him. The screen shed by, only showing a few blue shadows, very blurred. Feng Jianguo was taken aback: ¡°This is¡­¡± Song Yuhang had a hint of regret in her eyes: ¡°In the suburban area, Jingtai established a logistics park. By chance, I sneaked in and discovered that there was arge drug manufacturing factory inside.¡± ¡°I inadvertently showed myself leaving. They should soon realize, Director Feng, I request that you order an immediate raid on that factory now. We will surely catch them red-handed.¡± After she finished speaking, the room fell into silence. Feng Jianguo looked at her skeptically: ¡°How can you be sure it was Jingtai? And how did you find that factory?¡± Song Yuhang knew she had to rify these doubts to dispel his suspicions. She licked her lips, still tasting the metallic tang of blood in her throat from the intense running. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it; the logo on their work uniforms is exactly the same as Jingtai¡¯s trademark.¡± As she spoke, she relied on her memory to draw it out and handed the piece of paper to him. Feng Jianguo examined the paper, thinking to himself: Song Yuhang said she followed the logistics truck delivering goods to the Huange Nightclub to an industrial park, discovering arge, highly organized drug manufacturing facility. This confirms the undercover reports are urate. Most likely, that batch of goods is scheduled to leave the warehouse tomorrow. Sending people to surround the ce now would be like startling the snake by hitting the grass. Although this could result in the arrest of numerous drug makers, it¡¯s unlikely that the mastermind behind the scenes would bepletely captured. If the root is not removed when cutting the grass, the spring breeze would bring it back to life. In the brief moment of eye contact, countless thoughts shed through Feng Jianguo¡¯s mind. He calmly met her gaze. ¡°I understand. You can go back now.¡± Song Yuhang was stunned: ¡°What do you mean? We¡¯re not sending anyone?¡± Seeing Feng Jianguo unmoved, she suddenly stood up, lowered her voice, and eximed: ¡°So many people have died because of this f*cking thing! The innocent children in the ¡®White Whale Case¡¯, the manipted Li Yang, the ill-fated Yu Jing, the heroic sacrifice of Captain Zhang¡­¡± She suddenly bit her lower lip tightly: ¡°And¡­ my Lin Yan.¡± ¡°Are the lives of so many people really worth nothing?!¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes reddened slightly as she said this. She thought of the deceased Lin Yan, thought of the countless families that could be destroyed once this batch of drugs was released, and felt a surge of emotion, chewing on her full of bitterness. A shade of agony flickered in Feng Jianguo¡¯s eyes. He too wanted to bring the criminals to justice, but now was indeed not the best time to act. Song Yuhang was blinded by hatred; he was not. Therefore, he simply repeated himself, in amanding tone. ¡°Go back, we¡¯ll n this thoroughly.¡± Song Yuhang raised her voice: ¡°Why?! If you won¡¯t go, I will!¡± Feng Jianguo stood up, the chair making a light sound: ¡°You stay right there! You¡¯re just a patrol officer now, what right do you have to go?!¡± Song Yuhang froze, her eyes red, biting her lip hard, fists clenched. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with being a patrol officer, a patrol officer can also¡­¡± Feng Jianguo paced back and forth in the room, his tone decisive. ¡°Without advanced equipment, without firearms and ammunition, without strong backup, going there is equivalent to seeking death!¡± ¡°Could it be, the drug traffickers will put down their guns and let you catch them with bare hands?¡± ¡°Look at how radical you are now; you¡¯re exactly like Lin Yan!¡± His frustration boiled over, and the words just slipped out. After a moment, he realized something was off and awkwardly touched his nose. Song Yuhang had already calmed down, the tears in her eyes not falling but instead swallowed back down. Chapter 109-2 Chapter 109-2 Trade His frustration boiled over, and the words just slipped out. After a moment, he realized something was off and awkwardly touched his nose. Song Yuhang had already calmed down, the tears in her eyes not falling but instead swallowed back down. ¡°You¡¯re right, I used to think she was too radical, but living in this world, if there¡¯s nothing that stirs your heart, that you¡¯re willing to devote everything to, including your life, how boring that would be.¡± ¡°My father also started as a patrol officer in the police station, and Lin Yan also started as an intern forensic. Everyone is born ordinary with no distinction between high and low, noble or humble.¡± ¡°Even if I¡¯m just a grassroots cop, I should die at my post, rather than turning a blind eye to illegal and criminal activities, living a life of cowardice and evasion.¡± Saying this, she grabbed the paper on the table, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it into the trash can, then turned and left. ¡°You have your grand schemes, and little people have their own persistent beliefs. Neither of us can persuade the other, I¡¯ve disturbed you tonight, I take my leave.¡± Feng Jianguo was absolutely livid; he was so angry and scared that he felt like his lungs were about to explode. Angry because she, of all the good things she could have learned, had to pick up Lin Yan¡¯s stubbornness. Scared because he was afraid that in her impulsiveness, she would rush off to her doom! He had promised someone to take good care of and look after her, after all. If Lin Yan got wind of this, she¡¯d probably kick up a fuss and make faces, refusing to cooperate. Seeing her about to leave, it was an emergency. Feng Jianguo was so stressed he nearly had a heart attack, imploring earnestly, ¡°You stop right there! If I tell you not to go, then don¡¯t go. The city bureau and the narcotics squad have their own ns for this. You, youngdy, better not f*cking startle the snake by hitting the grass!¡± A slight smile appeared quietly at the corner of Song Yuhang¡¯s lips under her hat, as she turned around. ¡°Then I¡¯m relieved.¡± Feng Jianguo was taken aback and grabbed the teacup as if to smash it. ¡°Are you tricking me?¡± Song Yuhang didn¡¯t dodge: ¡°If I don¡¯t trick you a bit, how will you tell me the truth?¡± Feng Jianguo gritted his teeth in hatred, damn it, not only did Song Yuhang learn Lin Yan¡¯s radicalism to a significant degree, but she also sneakily picked up cunning and trickery. Really f*cking true, birds of a feather flock together. ¡°Don¡¯t throw the teacup anymore, it¡¯s not good to disturb your granddaughter¡¯s sleepte at night. Tell me, what¡¯s the top-secret n.¡± She then calmly sat down again, sifted some tea leaves into a disposable paper cup from the tea caddy, and poured some hot water to soothe her throat. In the study, the light stayed on for a long time that night. When Feng Jianguo gently closed the door after seeing off the guest, his little granddaughter opened the bedroom door, standing at the doorway rubbing her eyes. ¡°Grandpa¡­¡± Feng Jianguo turned around, his face immediately brimming with a kind smile, and scooped her up in his arms. ¡°Ah, why is little Fengfeng still not sleeping at thiste hour?¡± The little girl, holding a doll in her arms, looked up with big eyes: ¡°Can¡¯t sleep.¡± ¡°How about Grandpa tells you a story, would that be good?¡± Feng Jianguo said, holding her as he pushed open the room door. The little girl clung to his neck: ¡°Good~¡± ¡°What story do you want to hear?¡± Feng Jianguo turned on the deskmp and put on his reading sses. ¡°¡¶Cindere¡·, ¡¶Snow White¡·, ¡¶Pinhio¡·?¡± Holding her doll, the little girl pondered for a moment: ¡°Grandpa, I want to hear a story about the police.¡± The old man smiled, his temples already grey, his wrinkled face smoothing out as his aura shed the intensity of his job. At this moment, he was not the imposing chief of the Public Security Bureau, just a grandfather who adored his granddaughter. ¡°Alright, Grandpa will tell you a story about the police, once upon a time¡­¡± Before he could finish the entirely made-up tale, the little girl was nearly asleep, snuggling against his wrist with drowsy eyes. ¡°Grandpa is so awesome, Fengfeng wants to be a police officer when she grows up too.¡± Feng Jianguo tenderly stroked her head, tucking her small arm under the nket, turned off the tablemp, and quietly left.
The next day, Officer Song Yuhang went to work as usual, patrolling the streets within the jurisdiction of the police station. After resolving several neighborhood disputes, it quickly became evening. She stared at the clock hanging on the wall while expressionlessly chewing on instant noodles. Two hours before eleven o¡¯clock, the rm bell rang. The operator picked it up immediately; it was an internal call from the 110mand center. ¡°A public report ims that arge quantity of suspected drugs was found inside Huange Nightclub, with people trading on-site. The higher-ups have ordered us to secure the scene before the Drug Enforcement Team arrives, to prevent the drug dealers from fleeing upon hearing news.¡± Officer Song hadn¡¯t even finished her sip of soup when the chief ran in: ¡°Quick, quick, quick, grab your weapons and follow me, we¡¯ve got a big case!¡± Hearing the order, Officer Song¡¯s instinct was to obey. She put on her uniform, took her electric baton, secured her gun holster, and wore herw enforcement recorder before heading out. It wasn¡¯t until she saw the station¡¯s only two police cars, with the entire office having emptied out, that she felt something was amiss. ¡°Chief, where are we going, what¡¯s the mission?¡± ¡°s, if it weren¡¯t for our station being close to Huange Nightclub, this task wouldn¡¯t have fallen to us. There¡¯s been a public usation of drug dealing inside the nightclub! The drug enforcement brothers will arrive soon; let¡¯s control the scene first.¡± Huange Nightclub, the scene of a drug transaction. Officer Song¡¯s heart skipped a beat, as she looked towards the neon lights flickering outside the window. The police cars, with their sirens shing, soared past the crossroads.
Fifteen minutes ago. Lin Yan paced back and forth in the room. ¡°Has Brother Wange back yet?¡± Liu Zhi shook his head: ¡°Not yet. I just went to Chen Fang¡¯s room, and she¡¯s not there either, most likely they¡¯ve gone out to¡­¡± To have fun. Afraid that the rest of the sentence would upset her, Liu Zhi held back from saying it. Lin Yan bit her lip, ¡°Damn it, don¡¯t they realize what time it is? Men really are creatures driven by their lower halves, a bunch of useless A Dou (weak and inept person).¡± As if to prove her point, her phone rang, disying a string of unfamiliarndline numbers. Lin Yan, puzzled, pressed the speakerphone button in front of him to answer. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Jun¡¯an Substation police station, is Wang Li your boyfriend? During our routinew enforcement patrol, we found him engaging in a mary and sexual transaction with an unfamiliar woman in a room. Pleasee to pick him up.¡± The police had put it quite euphemistically, wasn¡¯t this just being caught for solicitation? Lin Yan almost spat out a mouthful of blood in shock, knowing well that this Wang Li was a pseudonym for Wang Qiang, who most likely also used a fake ID. She pinched the bridge of her nose, ¡°Okay, got it, I¡¯lle over soon, goodbye.¡± Liu Zhi saw her looking frustrated, incessantly smoking, and assumed she was upset about Wang Qiang¡¯s infidelity, silently passing her a cup of tea. ¡± Sister-inw, don¡¯t be angry, I¡¯ll go bring big brother back.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, someone knocked on the door lightly twice. Lin Yan extinguished her cigarette in the ashtray: ¡°Come in, what is it?¡± The waiter bowed slightly: ¡°Sister Hong, the person has already arrived.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s pupils shrank: ¡°Wasn¡¯t it agreed at eleven?¡± ¡°The buyer proposed it, saying that the night is long and full of dreams, the earlier the transaction, the sooner the peace of mind, thus the time was changed at thest minute. Brother Hu is also on his way to deliver the goods, it will take at most ten minutes to arrive. We need to set up the venue and prepare to receive the goods.¡± Upon hearing this news, Lin Yan¡¯s first instinct was that it was too conspicuous. If someone was sent to fetch Wang Qiang at this time, it might well be suspected by the drug dealers lurking nearby that she was signaling the police. She slightly lowered her gaze and quickly made a judgment. ¡°Alright, I got it. You go ahead and leave first. Allow me to prepare, and I¡¯ll go to meet the guests shortly.¡± The waiter bowed respectfully and then retreated. Liu Zhi walked up behind her, watching her twist open the lipstick cap in front of the mirror, gently applying it, then pursing her lips, and putting on a ck veil, concealing most of her charming face, including the beauty mark. He couldn¡¯t help but straighten the brim of her hat for her, his eyes filled with infatuation. ¡°Sister-inw is really beautiful.¡± Lin Yan smiled faintly, observing the man¡¯s intoxicated expression in the mirror. In that moment, she suddenly felt that something was off. Such an expression, she had never seen on Wang Qiang¡¯s face, whether towards her or Chen Fang. Wang Qiang seemed more like the past her, ying with the world, never truly having his heart moved by anyone. Moreover, even though he is a man, he is more importantly a drug lord, a criminal, a ringleader of a crime syndicate; he wouldn¡¯t be so careless to get caught by the police for soliciting a prostitute! Upon this realization, Lin Yan broke out in a cold sweat. She mmed her lipstick down on the table, and suddenly, tears started rolling down her eyes. Seeing her crying in the mirror, Liu Zhi was shocked and turned her around: ¡°Sister-inw, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Lin Yan¡¯s fingers, soft and boneless, rested on his wrist, her tears falling like pearls onto the back of his hand. ¡°Liu Zhi, they all don¡¯t believe me, only you believe me, love me, protect me. Whether I can survive or not depends on you.¡±
Five minutester. A small delivery van drove in. Tiger, wearing work clothes, jumped off the van to knock on the door, and Liu Zhi weed the people in. He looked around and closed the door. ¡°Sister Hong has been waiting, please.¡± He led the people upstairs while the employees unloading the goods outside got busy with their tasks. Someone offered cigarettes to the people brought by Tiger: ¡°Brothers, you¡¯ve worked hard.¡± ¡°Ha, we¡¯re all just doing tasks for Boss, it¡¯s nothing tough.¡± The person giving out cigarettes made a meaningful nce to the side. A van, with a license te exactly identical to the first, quietly arrived. The person handing out cigarettes slung an arm over the speaker¡¯s shoulder: ¡°Every transaction, Sister Hong always keeps some for herself. If there¡¯s good stuff this time, share some with the brothers too.¡± ¡°That¡¯s damn good, Southeast Asia, that ce, where birds don¡¯t even sh*t, not even a decent woman to be found, but you guys here¡ª¡± The men talked more and more excitedly, bursting into boisterousughter. ¡°Rx, rx, what ce is this, a nightclub! What does a nightclub have the most of?¡± The menughed maliciously together, echoing in unison: ¡°That¡¯s obviously women!¡± As they spoke, the vehicles passed each other. The man who first offered the cigarettes, one of Liu Zhi¡¯s subordinates, released Tiger¡¯s younger brother¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go, work first, workes first.¡±
As the police car drove into the neighborhood, the residents around turned their heads to look. Song Yuhang felt something was off. ¡°Chief, I think we should wait for the anti-drug team to arrive before we go in.¡± The Lianhuachi Subbureau was an unknown small police station that couldn¡¯tpare to the other stations in Jiangcheng City. The chief had been in the position for half his life and had little chance of promotion. He was hoping to make some achievements and move up a rank. ¡°This is an urgent matter. What if the drug dealer escapes? We can¡¯t wait any longer!¡± Of course, Song Yuhang understood the urgency of the situation, but¡­ She couldn¡¯t mention what happenedst night. Before she could think further, they had already arrived at the Huange Nightclub. The police car couldn¡¯t enter, so it stopped at the intersection. The people inside opened the doors and jumped out one after another. The chief loaded a bullet into his gun. ¡°Listen to mymand. We¡¯ll break in and arrest them directly. If anyone resists violently, shoot them with rubber bullets. Just avoid vital areas.¡± They were equipped with rubber bullets, which had a strong deterrent effect butcked lethality. Song Yuhang sighed deeply. It was already toote to stop them. Chapter 109-3 Chapter 109-3 Trade The chief loaded a bullet into his gun. ¡°Listen to mymand. We¡¯ll break in and arrest them directly. If anyone resists violently, shoot them with rubber bullets. Just avoid vital areas.¡± They were equipped with rubber bullets, which had a strong deterrent effect butcked lethality. Song Yuhang sighed deeply. It was already toote to stop them.
¡°Where¡¯s Auntie Hong, looking down on me¡­ me¡­ me, huh? Noting out¡­ out to entertain me?¡± His speech was somewhat slurred and unclear. Liu Zhi, having seen big scenes with Wang Qiang and been instructed by Lin Yan, calmly poured him a cup of tea without a rush. ¡°Boss Qian, no hurry, our Sister Hong will surely bring out some good stuff for you shortly.¡± Two beauties in shiny low-cut tank tops fed him a grape, easing his mood. ¡°Fine, in the absence of Brother Wang, I¡¯ll trust Auntie Hong one more time, for your sake.¡± Lin Yan, trapped inside her room, pondered over and over but couldn¡¯t find a way to send a message out. There must be something wrong with this deal! Now, she could only hope that the police wouldn¡¯te, must note, for if they did, she would be exposed, and it would be the end of her, and those whoe would also be in danger. If they don¡¯te, she might still have a slim chance. Her current cellphone was definitely tapped, calling was not an option, and emails were out of the question, with all ounts under Wang Qiang¡¯s control. Lin Yan gently pushed open the window, creating a small gap to look outside. Behind the bustling Huange Nightclub, the quiet alley was also wandering with quite a few unfamiliar faces, not seeming like her people. She closed the window again, pacing back and forth in the room, her heart burning with anxiety. Just then, footsteps sounded from outside again, likely someone sent to hurry her, with a voice she did not recognize. ¡°Where¡¯s Sister Hong?¡± ¡°She¡¯s inside.¡± Then, there was a knock at the door. ¡°Sister Hong, Boss Qian is asking for you.¡± Lin Yan pressed her fingernails hard into the cigar, leaving several marks, then lit it, draped on a shawl, and stepped out with it in her mouth. ¡°Here I am, changing clothes, what¡¯s the rush?¡± After giving him a nce full of allure, she slipped the cigarette into his mouth. ¡°Here, it¡¯s a gift from sister.¡± As soon as she turned her face away, he sneered silently, took the cigarette out of his mouth, and tossed it onto the ground. These transactions, aimed at thoroughly dismantling the drug-producing gangs behind Tiger, usually involve a third party. Pei Jinhong and Wang Qiang act as intermediaries, taking a cut of the money or drugs as their reward after the deal is done. Tiger himself hardly ever shows up in person; after delivering the goods, he¡¯d hide in the shadows, sending his men to watch over the situation under the guise of preventing a double-cross, but in reality, they¡¯re also watching out for their own. These criminal gangs are indeed filled with nothing but deceit and malice. As Lin Yan pondered this, she couldn¡¯t help but worry for herself. With Wang Qiang absent, without any support, facing buyers ahead and Tiger behind, she¡¯s truly caught between a rock and a hard ce, treading on thin ice. She needs to be cautious about every word she says, every expression she makes, every gesture, and even every nce. Any slight slip-up, not to mention waiting for the police to blow her cover as an undercover agent, if she shows even a hint of fear or something amiss under the watchful eyes of these ruthless criminals, she could be torn to pieces and fed to the dogs, with not even the scraps left behind. Her first real challenge since going undercover was about to begin. Lin Yan¡¯s palm was covered in a thinyer of cold sweat as she silently adjusted her breathing, getting ready to step downstairs. Suddenly, the main door was kicked open, and several waiters stumbled in, their faces bruised and battered. The myriad lights of the dance hall flickered over her, casting shadows on Song Yuhang¡¯s sharply defined face. Why is it her?! Lin Yan¡¯s hand, holding onto the railing, trembled slightly. Song Yuhang, wearing half-finger tactical gloves, was holding a dark Type 54 pistol, her expression cold as ice as she aimed at everyone. ¡°Police! Don¡¯t move. We¡¯ve received reports suspecting you¡¯re involved in a drug deal. Calmly put your hands on your head and squat down for inspection!¡± Her voice, neither too loud nor too soft, was forceful and resonant, just enough for everyone to hear. The moment Lin Yan saw her, she felt unsettled, tears welling up in her eyes, yet she couldn¡¯t cry. Because from the corner of her eye, she saw Tiger¡¯s men already drawing their guns from behind their backs, bullets chambered. More footsteps approached, and Song Yuhang and herpanions found themselves surrounded. Although she didn¡¯t know these people, they were wearing the exact same police uniforms she used to wear. She couldn¡¯t stand idly by, especially when Song Yuhang is here. The Song Yuhang she had been so determined to protect. So, you finally came. Lin Yan closed her eyes slightly, her Adam¡¯s apple bobbing up and down. Then she quickly opened them, a cold glint shing through. She gently pushed the gun of the person behind her back. ¡°This is my turf. Leave it to me.¡± ¡°But today, we won¡¯t let any cops go. People and package, no one can leave.¡± Lin Yan lowered her voice and coldly said, ¡°F*cking saying you killed someone in broad daylight, so many police stations nearby, and you think you can just walk away.¡± In the end, she still diverted the gun aimed at Song Yuhang away and pushed him into the shadows when she hadn¡¯t been seen yet. ¡°I¡¯ll hold them off; take your men and get out of here fast.¡± The man was momentarily stunned, hesitation flickering in his eyes. Lin Yan¡ªno, it was Pei Jinhong who had spoken. As she spoke, she started walking downstairs, step by step as if blooming lotuses appeared under her feet, her figure enchantingly graceful. ¡°Wow, what kind of wind blew the police over here, huh? In our small ce, doing a bit of alcohol business, listening to some songs and singing some tunes, is that illegal now?¡± This female voice was unfamiliar to her, even somewhat hoarsely enchanting, but the way of speaking was immensely familiar to her. Song Yuhang suddenly looked up, and the moment she saw her, her whole body shook, and she slowly lowered the gun in her hand. She took a step forward, her eyes reddening, and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°Lin¡­ Lin Yan?¡± ¡°This officer, you must be mistaken,¡± the woman scoffed, holding onto the railing as she descended thest step. If Lin Yan didn¡¯t maintain herposure, she felt she might lose her footing and copse right there. She steadied herself, adjusted the shawl that had slipped down to her shoulders, and wrapped herself in a qipao with a slit up to her thigh root, walking towards her with a seductive gait. She sized up the woman before her, a harmless yet cold smile spreading across her face. ¡°Just by the word of an official, we¡¯rebeled as drug dealers? Without any reason or evidence, I¡¯m going to sue you guys for breaking into a house and assaulting people.¡± Hearing this, Liu Zhi¡¯s beaten subordinates struggled to their feet one by one, limping over to her side. ¡°Sister Hong¡­¡± Their faces bore no light injuries. As Lin Yan scrutinized her, Song Yuhang was also observing her. Although the woman¡¯s face was covered with ayer of ck veil, her eyes, the familiar jawline, her figure, her posture, her every move, and even the habitual tone of her speech were all identical to Lin Yan! Unless it was a clone or she had never died in the first ce, Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t think of any other reason she could be standing here, she would be standing here. From the moment she appeared, Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes were glued to her. Lin Yan felt her fighting spirit crumble. Song Yuhang slipped her gun back into its holster, an action that quietly eased the tense atmosphere. She took a small step forward, realizing that they were about the same height. Song Yuhang lifted her hand to remove her veil. ¡°Who exactly are you?¡± By the end, her words were almost clenched through gritted teeth. Lin Yan couldn¡¯t move, and she shouldn¡¯t. With her current skills, she was just a weak woman, unable to dodge no matter what. Even if she could, she wasn¡¯t supposed to. She had to make Song Yuhang give up hope to protect her, to protect herself. ¡°Sister Hong!¡± Thinking she was about to make a move, Liu Zhi rushed out and pulled someone back. The veil fell. Revealing a face strikingly simr to Lin Yan¡¯s. Yet, the expression was exceedingly cold, even carrying a hint of disgust towards an impolitely intrusive stranger. Song Yuhang staggered back a step, tears swirling in her eyes. ¡°Lin¡­ Lin Yan¡­¡± Supported by Liu Zhi, Lin Yan stood firm, their eyes meeting. Tears filled her eyes, her lips trembling. After such a long absence, her hair had grown longer, unkempt, almost covering her eyelids. She wore nothing but the uniform of an ordinary police officer, with no double bars on her shoulder epaulets, just a few cold four-pointed star badges. The person who always used to step out perfectly groomed now wore her uniform all twisted, with the cor button done up wrong, missing the lower one it should have been. Her clothes were also dirty, face grimy, pant legs rolled up, one booce undone. It was unclear what she had been through these days, having been stripped of her position, to end up in this disheveled and slightly pitiful state. Lin Yan wanted tough and cry at the same time, feeling a sourness in her heart. Tears welled up to the tip of her nose, but she forcefully pushed them back by pinching her palm. She couldn¡¯t afford tough, nor could she cry. She had to maintain enough coldness and vignce. After all, she was now a ¡°drug dealer,¡± and Song Yuhang was a police officer. Her people and Song Yuhang¡¯s people clearly stood on opposite sides, both watching each other like hawks. Lin Yan had no choice but to meet her gaze, her lips curling into a mocking smile. ¡°I told you, my name is Pei Jinhong, they all call me ¡®Auntie Hong¡¯.¡± ¡°Officer with the badge number 015765, I¡¯ve got you memorized.¡± Lin Yan said, lightly tapping on the body camera on her chest, then tiptoeing to whisper in her ear with breath as soft as orchids. ¡°You¡¯re going to bear legal responsibility for your impulsiveness today, Officer.¡± Thest two words dropped gently, drawing out the tone, carrying a hint of intimacy. Lin Yan¡¯s crimson nails rested on her shoulder, watching the blush that came over her earlobe due to her proximity, in a ce she couldn¡¯t see, she zoned out for a bit, nearly bursting into tears in a moment, a strong impulse made her want to embrace the person she had been longing for day and night. Yet, she ultimately restrained herself, and after a moment of daze, Lin Yan stepped back. ¡°Move aside, let them search.¡± Led by Liu Zhi, the crowd hesitantly followed his lead and stepped back. Only Boss Qian in the private room was restless, sweating profusely. Song Yuhang looked down at the face that was extremely simr to hers, the difference was, her eyes had added teardrops moles. When she approached, Song Yuhang didn¡¯t dodge, as if also to confirm something. Song Yuhang smelled the residue of shampoo in her hair, the scent of cheap perfume mixed with smoke from her neck, but what she didn¡¯t smell was the light floral fragrance on Lin Yan. She had a face extremely simr to Lin Yan¡¯s, spoke with a tone and habits like hers, had her height, her figure, but what she didn¡¯t have was her scent, and her love for her. The woman before her had only indifference in her eyes,plete and utter coldness, mixed with a hint of disgust and contempt. Lin Yan¡­ wouldn¡¯t look at her like that. Song Yuhang was deeply conflicted and in agony. Nheless, she realized that no matter who the woman before her was, be it Pei Jinhong or Lin Yan, they were ultimately on opposing sides. Song Yuhang gave her a cold look and finally found her voice, ¡°Secure her well and conduct a thorough search.¡±
LP:So close!!! Chapter 110-1 Chapter 110-1 Encounter After she finished speaking, several people hesitated, looking at her and then looking at the Director. The Director himself seemed uncertain. In his decade-plus career inw enforcement, he had rarely encountered a woman who could face fully armed police withposure. What¡¯s more, the backup hadn¡¯t arrived yet, putting them at a disadvantage in terms of momentum. He licked his lips, his gaze wandering, as if calcting how to wrap things up. In the end, it was Song Yuhang who was more resolute. She whispered, ¡°Given the situation, it¡¯s better to err on the side of caution. If we manage to find something, it¡¯ll be a major aplishment.¡± The Director thought to himself that since it was Song Yuhang¡¯s idea, if any me came down from above, it could just be pushed onto her. After all, she was only sent here to gain grassroots experience. So, he holstered his gun and waved his hand. ¡°Search.¡± The staff of Huange Nightclub lined up for inspection, while Lin Yan lounged on a sofa, smoking, next to the trembling Boss Qian. He was fat and kept wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, looking every bit the guilty thief, his shivering making the whole sofa quiver. Lin Yan rolled her eyes, her fingers pinching a cigarette, and gave a twist to the excess flesh on Boss Qian¡¯s thigh. Boss Qian almost didn¡¯t let out a howl. Lin Yan¡¯s lips moved slightly, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear: ¡°Just follow my leadter, and I¡¯ll ensure you¡¯re safe.¡± Trembling, Boss Qian, with the two beauties he had been holding, shrank into the corner of the sofa, looking utterly terrified. ¡°But¡­ but¡­¡± His gaze kept darting to the table. It was incredibly unlucky how right after Liu Zhi had taken out the goods, the police had arrived. Now, they really were caught red-handed, damn it. Lin Yan saw his evasive and timid gaze and silently cursed him for being so useless. She forcefully twisted his thigh, making Boss Qian look at her. That icy and sharp gaze contained a hint of killing intent, while the corner of her tightly pursed lips revealed a sense of determination, as if saying, ¡°Listen to me, and you¡¯ll live. Disobey me, and you¡¯ll die.¡± Boss Qian trembled all over and was about to say something when Lin Yan was seized by a police officer. ¡°What are you doing? What are you doing? I¡¯m talking to you. Stand still. Let¡¯s search her!¡± As she watched the officer¡¯s hand reach towards her shoulder, Lin Yan discreetly took a step back, her gaze soft and boneless, sticking to the man¡¯s body. ¡°What¡¯s this? Harassment? Is this how you police operate? I want that female officer to search me.¡± Her voice was neither loud nor low, as she clutched her shawl, putting on a face full of grievance like she was being bullied. Song Yuhang¡¯s colleague had no choice but to retreat with a defeated look. ¡°Sister Song, it¡¯s your turn.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Song Yuhang looked at the face before her, remarkably simr to Lin Yan¡¯s, momentarily lost in a daze. Moreover, with her dressed in a cheongsam and draped in a shawl, standing there, she was like a blooming flower attracting attention. Lin Yan¡­ also likes to dress this way. Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes warmed, her lips moved: ¡°You¡­¡± Lin Yan then took another cigarette from the box on the table, lit it up, and took a few puffs, the me dancing. She lightly blew smoke rings towards her face. ¡°I¡¯m saying, officer, are you going to search or not? We still need to open for business. Can you afford topensate for our business loss for the whole night?¡± She said this with a look of disdain and rolled her eyes. Song Yuhang noticed that the cigarette she was smoking was no longer the slender Marlboro, but the more rugged Furong Wang. For some reason, this detail made her heart ache sharply, and her expression turned cold. ¡°Stand properly, I¡¯m going to search you.¡± Lin Yan has always been casual in her posture, whether standing or sitting. As the head of drug traffickers, Pei Jinhong was even less likely to show any courtesy to the cops. So, as she searched her, Lin Yan continued to leisurely smoke, asionally blowing smoke rings into the air. The person standing before her had once given her all the tenderness and love. They hugged, kissed, and possessed each other. The moment she touched her, Lin Yan¡¯s scalp tingled instantly. However, she just took another harsh drag of her cigarette, letting the smoke pass into her lungs and gently blew it onto her face, allowing the spreading smoke to redden both of their eyes. Song Yuhang ignored such petty tricks. She conducted a thorough search, her fingers running through Lin Yan¡¯s thick ck hair, finding nothing, then dropping down to squeeze the shoulders and sliding further down. Lin Yan took the opportunity to tilt her head back, exposing her long neck to Song Yuhang¡¯s view. Song Yuhang¡¯s throat moved slightly as she averted her gaze. ¡°Take it off.¡± Lin Yan nced at her sideways, ¡°Take off what?¡± ¡°Your shawl.¡± She pronounced each word distinctly, finding it hard to speak. Lin Yan met her gaze, staring indently until Song Yuhang turned her face away. The corners of her lips lifted in a mocking smile, yet sheplied, removing her shawl and tossing it onto the sofa. She was left wearing nothing lengthy, utterly bare, not even a piece of jewelry on her. ¡°Officer, do I need to take off more?¡± Lin Yan said, subtly arching her chest. The two were extremely close, their light summer clothes brushing against her softness. In that instant, the shock was nearly enough to send shivers down Song Yuhang¡¯s spine. She seemed to stagger backward, clenching her lips tightly, her voice cold to the extreme. ¡°No need.¡± Just then, a police officer from upstairs came running down with a syringe in hand: ¡°Chief, Sister Song, we found this.¡± Liu Zhi¡¯s pupils shrank: ¡°Sister Hong¡­¡± Lin Yan gave a reassuring look. Pei Jinhong had long stipted that all nightclub staff were not allowed to use drugs within the club, so there wouldn¡¯t be any drug residues left here. The syringe thrown in the trash can was intentional, aimed atpletely dispelling the police¡¯s suspicions. After all, a ce too clean could also raise doubts, right? The moment that syringe appeared, the atmosphere tensed up quietly once again. Boss Qian kept swallowing his saliva, curled up on the sofa without saying a word. Song Yuhang held the syringe, surveying everyone in the room. ¡°Which room was this found in?¡± A colleague answered, ¡°The trash can in the room at the very back.¡± Song Yuhang raised the syringe: ¡°Whose is it? Step forward yourself.¡± Lin Yan covered her mouth and let out a small yawn. ¡°Mine, what of it?¡± ¡°What¡¯s it used for?¡± She revealed the injured part of her arm to show her. ¡°I got hurt, it¡¯s inmed. Can¡¯t I call a family doctor to get an injection or something?¡± Song Yuhang looked at her skeptically. Without changing her expression, Lin Yan said, ¡°Why don¡¯t I unwrap the gauze so you can see for yourself? Or, you could smell what¡¯s inside.¡± As she was about to unravel the gauze wrapped around her arm, Song Yuhang lifted the syringe to her nose, and indeed, it smelled of anti-inmmatory medication. The other police officers, having searched the rest of the club, came back to report. ¡°Chief, we¡¯ve searched everywhere, and found nothing suspicious.¡± Hearing this, Boss Qian felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders, as if a massive boulder had been removed. He cast an approving nce at Lin Yan, leaning back on the sofa and gasping for breath. His series of small actions finally caught the attention of the chief. ¡°You, get up, let¡¯s see if there¡¯s anything under the sofa.¡± The group proceeded to overturn the sofa cushions, check behind the sofa, and even flip the carpet upside down, but still, they found nothing. Lin Yan watched this with amusement, rolling her eyes in response. ¡°I¡¯m asking everyone, have you finished searching? If you have, then get out quickly. We¡¯re not like you all, with secure jobs; we still need to open our doors for business.¡± The director slowly let go of the carpet he had been lifting, looking towards the door where still, no one hade. Uncertainty flickered in his eyes. Finally, he took out his mobile phone from his pocket, intending to make a call to ask around. Then, Song Yuhang spoke up, pointing towards a ss on the table. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Inside the ss, a light blue liquid was shimmering, its light dancing within, making it appear all the more mysterious. Boss Qian¡¯s face turned deathly pale. Lin Yan¡¯s expression, on the other hand, became subtly intriguing. ¡°Just some foreign liquor, what¡¯s the matter?¡± She spoke with tranquility, but one of Liu Zhi¡¯s men gently nudged his arm and whispered, ¡°Brother Zhi, that¡¯s not just¡­¡± Liu Zhi turned his head, signaling him with a look to keep quiet. Chapter 110-2 Chapter 110-2 Encounter ¡°Just some foreign liquor, what¡¯s the matter?¡± She spoke with tranquility, but one of Liu Zhi¡¯s men gently nudged his arm and whispered, ¡°Brother Zhi, that¡¯s not just¡­¡± Liu Zhi turned his head, signaling him with a look to keep quiet. Everyone looks tense as if facing a formidable enemy. Song Yuhang smiled and said, ¡°Foreign liquor, with this color, it must be something¡­ Hmm.¡± She paused, implying something profound, ¡°A new type of drug, perhaps.¡± ¡°Tsk.¡± Lin Yan clicked her tongue in disapproval, wearing her crimson qipao and high heels, elegantly moving over. ¡°Officer, are you joking? We run a legitimate business here with a license to operate. How could we have such a thing?¡± ¡°Yeah, right, Boss Qian?¡± She suddenly emphasized thest three words. Taken off guard by being called out by name, Boss Qian quickly regained hisposure and nodded repeatedly, ¡°Yes¡­ Yes, yes¡­ we¡­ we¡¯re discussing¡­ discussing¡­ business¡­¡± In the tense atmosphere, his nervousness intensified, causing him to stutter more. However, when facing the police, this kind of tension was necessary. It would make you appear weak and ipetent if caught lying. Boss Qian heeded Lin Yan¡¯s warning and, coupled with Song Yuhang¡¯s sharp gaze like lightning, he dared not make eye contact with her. He lowered his head, buried his head, and appearedpletely honest and submissive. ncing at him and then at Lin Yan, Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes shifted to the ss of ¡°foreign liquor¡± on the table, slightly curving her lips into a smile. ¡°Do you think I would believe that? I must tell you, I have seen this thing before¡­¡± Before she even finished speaking, Lin Yan had already picked up the cup of blue liquid, tilted her head back, and drank most of it, leaving just a sip swirling at the bottom of the cup. She wiped the water stain off the corner of her lips and gently handed the ss cup back in front of her. ¡°Tasty, officer. You¡¯ve been busy all day and stille back empty-handed. Do you want to moisten your throat a bit?¡± Song Yuhang suddenly tightened the corner of her lips, taking a deep breath. She was proving a point and also provoking her. Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes showed a mix of changing emotions, after a moment, she shook her head and chuckled. Strands of hair fell gently to the side of her forehead as she moved, revealing slightly disheveled eyebrows and a pair of bloodshot eyes. She exuded a somewhat careless and unbridled aura, quite different from the dignified and upright Captain Song from before. ¡°Since we¡¯re here, we can¡¯t leave empty-handed. Xiao Chen, bring the drug testing paper.¡± A urine test! Lin Yan¡¯s mind was buzzing with rms. Damn it, Song Yuhang, you won¡¯t give up until I¡¯m killed, huh! If she took the urine test, there would be no issue. But for the others in the room, it was uncertain. If they found even one drug user, she¡¯d be in trouble too, and her undercover mission would bepromised. As the test paper was about to be handed to Lin Yan, she gritted her teeth, feeling helpless. The phone of the chief rang, and he hurriedly picked up the receiver, nodding and bowing as he listened. ¡°Hello? Director? Huh? It¡¯s a false rm? Someone made a false report¡­¡± A smile yed on Lin Yan¡¯s lips as she pushed the test paper back to her. ¡°I think we can skip this, right?¡± The chief hung up the phone and turned to pull Song Yuhang. ¡°Alright, alright, let¡¯s call it a day, just a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding.¡± The director personally ordered it, so the chief had toe and fetch her. Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t possibly openly defy a superior order. She kept looking back, staring at her through the colorful yet icy lights. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow, giving her a smug smile. Just as she was about to put down the ss, a shadow fell in front of her. She looked up and saw Song Yuhang bent down again. Lin Yan was taken aback. She snatched the ss from her hand, raised it to her lips, drank it all in one gulp, and mmed it hard on the table. The ss shattered with a loud noise. Song Yuhang¡¯s palm was covered in fresh blood. She raised her eyes to look at her, nonchntly licked her lips, with a gleam of curiosity in her eyes. ¡°Pei Jinhong, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll remember you.¡± Her hand casually brushed over her shoulder, leaving a bloodstain on her cheongsam. Song Yuhang distanced herself, saying, ¡°I¡¯m Song Yuhang, we¡¯ll meet again.¡± As others left, Lin Yan swayed and almost fell. Liu Zhi caught her, not calling her sister-inw but referring to her as ¡°Sister Hong.¡± Others gathered around, looking at her with concern. ¡°Sister Hong, Sister Hong, are you okay?¡± After this incident, she finally gained credibility in Huange Nightclub. This credibility had nothing to do with who she was; they would only remember that Lin Yan bravely stood up in front of the police to save them and also saved Boss Qian. Lin Yan waved her hand, steadied herself, and looked at the mess all around. ¡°It¡¯s fine, clean this up, return the money to the boss, and suspend business for tonight. Let¡¯s each go our own way for now.¡± Liu Zhi escorted her upstairs to rest. ¡°Sister Hong, about that batch of goods¡­¡± The drugs brought by Tiger had long been swapped by her; the liquor she and Song Yuhang drank was indeed alcohol, just mixed with a bit of blue ink. A cold smile crept upon Lin Yan¡¯s lips. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, daring to deceive me, when in trouble, they¡¯ll naturallye looking for what they want from me.¡± That new batch of drugs in the car at least had a hundred kilograms, not a small amount, but it did give her more leverage. Liu Zhi watched her enter the room, feeling somewhat reluctant, and couldn¡¯t help but ask one more question. ¡°And Brother Wang¡­¡± Lin Yan leaned against the door frame, her face somewhat cold. ¡°Do you think Brother Wang is not a cautious person? How could he be caught so conveniently?¡± Liu Zhi felt a sudden shock, his clothes drenched in cold sweat. ¡°Are you saying¡­¡± Lin Yan uttered thest sentence that pressed down on his doubts. ¡°Liu Zhi, sister is older than you, has crossed more bridges than you have walked roads. Despite our good rtionship with your Brother Wang all these years, there is something I have to say ¨C when you consider someone a brother, they may not necessarily treat you sincerely.¡± ¡°One hundred kilograms is not a small amount. If today, I hadn¡¯t sensed something wrong and had you switch it out in advance, we would both be headed for prison, facing the music.¡± ¡°Think carefully, and then¡­¡± Lin Yan¡¯s gaze fixed on him, calm yet harboring an edge. ¡°Make a choice.¡±
Tonight, the Huange Nightclub remains closed, and the back alley is quiet. ¡°Creak¡ª¡± With a light sound, the wooden door is pushed open, and several staff members walk out carrying garbage bags, heading towards the alley where the trash cans are overflowing. They casually toss the bags, scattering the garbage all over the ground. After they chat andugh while walking away, an elderly man jogging for fitness stops at the alley entrance, ncing around at the deserted surroundings. Quietly, he picks up a cigar from among the scattered waste of paper and beer bottles. He quickly checks it and feels some orderly marks pinched on it with fingernails¡ªa Morse code. The old man tucks the cigar into his pocket and continues jogging forward.
The person who made a false report was found, drunk and rambling in the police station, iming nonsense. After careful questioning, it was revealed that he had a grudge with the Huange Nightclub because he wanted to enter but didn¡¯t have enough money, and they wouldn¡¯t let him in. ¡°¡­¡± Several investigating police officers looked at each other in disbelief. Following the principle of ¡°where there¡¯s police, there¡¯s trouble,¡± the 110 Command Center immediately dispatched the task upon hearing it was a major drug trafficking case. This led to the farce of theming up empty-handed. Afterward, the Anti-Drug Brigade also received the task. Upon verification, it was reported upwards to Feng Jianguo, who put a stop to it right away. Meanwhile, as they were interrogating him, Song Yuhang finished her day of work and drove back home. She ced her backpack on the bed with a ¡°snap,¡± turned on the deskmp, and opened her notebook to write under the warm yellow light. ¡°In 2009, June 15th, you have been away from me for 140 days already. It¡¯s summer in Jiangcheng, the hottest time of the year.¡± Song Yuhang supported her chin with her hand, and two drops of water stained the paper. She wiped them away and continued writing. ¡°I miss you very much, especially, especially miss you. Almost every night, I dream of some of our past moments.¡± ¡°I wonder if it¡¯s true that one thinks about something during the day and dreams about it at night. Today, during a mission, I met someone who looks almost exactly like you¡­¡± As Song Yuhang wrote up to this point, her gaze shifted to the whiteboard on the side, looking at the three characters ¡°Pei Jinhong,¡± clearly distracted. After a moment, she tightened her lips, as if making a significant decision, picked up her keys, and left. Chapter 111 Chapter 111 nder Under the cover of night, Song Yuhang arrived at the alley behind the Huange Nightclub. She stepped on a water pipe on the wall and nimbly climbed up to the second floor, gently pushed open the window of the room at the end, and leaped inside. The room was pitch dark with no lights on, with only a quilt spread on the bed. Clutching a mechanical stick in her hand, Song Yuhang tiptoed over and suddenly flung it aside. ¡°What in the world¡­¡± Her words were cut off as her pupils shrank ¨C no one was there! Of course, Lin Yan wasn¡¯t there. Not long after she left, Tiger came back. Both groups stood armed and coldly facing each other in a factory in the outskirts. Lin Yan¡¯s side was led by Liu Zhi, holding a gun, protecting her in the middle, staring fiercely at the opposition. Lin Yan, with a cigarette between her fingers, leaned on an old sofa, somehow managing to exude the vibe of a luxury five-star hotel lounge chair. She flicked her cigarette ash casually, calm andposed, until Tiger lost patience, holding back his rage before finally speaking. ¡°Where exactly did you hide that batch of goods?¡± Lin Yan¡¯s lips curled into a mocking smile: ¡°I haven¡¯t asked Brother Tiger yet, why the sudden change in delivery time, why did the cops show up right after you guys left?¡± Tiger growled: ¡°Who the hell knows? It could just be a coincidence. Besides, the delivery time was set by the buyer and the Supreme Lord. I don¡¯t make the calls.¡± ¡°It is quite a coincidence,¡± Lin Yan flicked ash into the ashtray, looking at the man standing in front of her, and smiled lightly. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying the Supreme Lord wants us dead, huh?¡± As soon as her words fell, the crowd became enraged. Someone cocked their gun with a click, aimed it at her, and cursed loudly. ¡°You b*tch, stop ndering the Supreme Lord. This matter has nothing to do with the Supreme Lord today. It might even be a trick yed by your own people, maybe there¡¯s a traitor among you!¡± ¡°Who the hell are you cursing at?! Try saying that again!¡± Led by Liu Zhi, the people from Huange Nightclub became provoked, each unwilling to show weakness as they hurled insults at the ancestors of the other party. Pushing the person who had spoken, the two groups started scuffling. Lin Yan flicked on her lighter with a ¡°click,¡± and the rising smoke made her eyes look even more profound. ¡°Enough, stop it. After all, we¡¯re all just underlings, haven¡¯t we suffered enough grievances?¡± Lin Yan looked up at Tiger with sorrow in her eyes, ¡°Brother Tiger, please be fair. If there is a traitor within the Huange Nightclub, surely they want all of us to end up in jail or worse.¡± ¡°To kill an enemy at the cost of significant self-harm, why bother?¡± Tiger was at a loss for words for a moment. Today¡¯s incident was indeed strange, but he noticed Lin Yan sitting in the usual spot of Wang Qiang, and her men were very obedient. Suddenly, a thought shed through his mind. ¡°Wasn¡¯t it supposed to be Wang Qiang who arranged today? Why is it you?¡± With those words, Lin Yan also realized something was off. If Tiger didn¡¯t know about Wang Qiang being arrested, could it be possible that it wasn¡¯t the Supreme Lord who did it? Lin Yan sneered, ¡°I was wondering too. Just 15 minutes before the hand-off, the police station called me out of the blue, saying that Brother Wang was caught soliciting prostitutes.¡± As soon as the words ¡°soliciting prostitutes¡± floated out, it immediately caused a stir among the crowd. ¡°Really got caught?¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± ¡°Brother Wang wouldn¡¯t be so careless, right?¡± ¡°With who?¡± ¡°Who else could it be, if not that one¡­ hehehe.¡± ¡°He¡¯s been fooling around behind my sister-inw¡¯s back for a while now.¡± ¡°Will he rat us out now that he¡¯s been caught?¡± Finally, someone addressed the crux of the matter. Tiger¡¯s face turned an iron-shade of green: ¡°So, was it from your side that the news leaked?¡± Lin Yan quickly waved her hands to stop him, ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not happy hearing that from you, Brother Tiger. He is him, and I am me; don¡¯t f*cking mix him up with me.¡± ¡°Right, brothers?¡± Lin Yan¡¯s lips curled into a sly smile, pleased to hear the others behind her hesitate for three seconds before hurriedly distancing themselves, the crowd indignant. ¡°Yeah, yeah, Sister Hong is Sister Hong, Brother Wang is Brother Wang.¡± ¡°We all work with Sister Hong, we have nothing to do with Brother Wang.¡± ¡°What Brother Wang does is his business, don¡¯t f*cking lump us in with him.¡± ¡­¡­ At this point, if you don¡¯t take a side, it might be toote. However, Lin Yan extinguished her cigarette in the ashtray. ¡°Brother Tiger shouldn¡¯t rush tobel anyone a traitor. Brother Wang has had his share of hard times serving the Supreme Lord over the years. I think we should find him first and then think this through.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s words carried both force and gentleness, but most importantly, they were logical and persuasive, even making Tiger¡¯s men exchange looks. One of them stepped forward to whisper to Tiger. ¡°Brother Tiger¡­ this woman makes sense. Our goods are still with her. If we lose them, it might be difficult to exin to the Supreme Lord.¡± The corners of Lin Yan¡¯s mouth slightly curled up. She had already sent out a message; Wang Qiang would most likely not be able to return, and as for that batch of goods, she had other ns for it. However, before she could revel in her sess for too long, an unusual noise came from outside the house. Everyone¡¯s nerves tensed up, and Liu Zhi was the first to load his gun: ¡°Who¡¯s there?!¡± ¡°Me.¡± A man¡¯s voice, full of confidence and slightly deep, came from outside, followed by the uniform footsteps of a group of tall, foreign soldiers walking in, each holding an AK and with bullet belts slung over their shoulders. Leading them was Kuba. Everyone in the room put down their guns and bowed slightly. ¡°Second Master.¡± In terms of seniority and hierarchy, he was the right-hand man of the top boss, worthy of such an entrance and title. Only Lin Yan remained casually leaning on the sofa,zily blowing a ring of smoke, with a look of indifferent charm. ¡°Second Master has arrived.¡± Kuba had long been ustomed to her lukewarm demeanor, nodded slightly, and got straight to the point. ¡°The person you wanted, I¡¯ve brought him for you.¡± The hand Lin Yan used to hold her cigarette paused for a moment, then she smiled nonchntly again. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s really good.¡± Wang Qiang was dragged in, hands tied behind his back, and thrown onto the ground like a dead dog. He was wearing only a thin shirt covered in bloodstains, and below, just underwear, his legs were full of bruises, and his face was swollen and bruised beyond recognition. ¡°Brother Tiger, Brother Tiger, Second Master, Second Master, it wasn¡¯t me, it wasn¡¯t me! Nobody knew about me going out!¡± He crawled on his knees to lick Kuba¡¯s feet, then rubbed his face against Tiger¡¯s pant leg, finally turning his gaze toward her. ¡°Jinhong, Jinhong, please speak up for me!¡± The message Lin Yan sent out a few days ago was for the police to take this opportunity during the transaction to obtain samples of ¡°Drunken Dreams¡± and to arrest key figures like Tiger, not to catch everyone at the trade site in one fell swoop. When she heard the deal was moved up, she became suspicious, and her suspicions only grew when she saw it was Song Yuhang who arrived instead of the drug enforcement squad, making her feel increasingly certain she was being set up. The police were probablypletely clueless. Lin Yan was calcting, no matter who was plotting against her, the best move now was to distance herself from Wang Qiang. Realizing this, a look of resentment appeared on her face. ¡°What¡¯s Brother Wang talking about? You going off to a hotel with someone else, you truly broke my heart. A day as husband and wife means a hundred days of grace. Even if you forget this grace, do you still want my life just to enjoy a carefree life with that b*tch?¡± ¡°Jinhong, Jinhong, you¡­¡± Wang Qiang choked on a mouthful of blood, unable to speak. He gritted his teeth, feeling a chill run through his body as he stared at her face. He couldn¡¯t live, and others would die too! ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know, ever since you came backst time¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Lin Yan grabbed the ashtray and viciously smashed it, hitting his temple and causing blood to flow. Wang Qiang let out a miserable scream and fell to the ground. He crawled over and clung to Kuba¡¯s leg, crying and howling. ¡°Murder! It¡¯s murder! Second Master, Second Master, save me, save me! She¡¯s the spy, she wants to¡­ silence me!¡± Lin Yan calmly stroked her beautiful nails and blew a sigh. ¡°If I wanted to silence you, I would just shoot you. Why would I throw an ashtray? I hit you because you have no shame, sneaking around with other women behind my back. I can¡¯t tolerate it.¡± Kuba pped his hands andughed heartily. ¡°As expected of Aunt Hong, you¡¯re clear about right and wrong.¡± ¡°Since Wang Qiang says the spy is you, and you im he¡¯s the one who leaked the info, let¡¯s y a game.¡± He gestured behind him, and his subordinate handed over a revolver. ¡°There¡¯s only one bullet in this gun. Whoever gets hit by it is the spy. Of course, the one who doesn¡¯t want to risk their life might also be the spy.¡± Kuba paused for a moment before slowly cing the gun on the table. ¡°Who¡­ will go first?¡± Lin Yan¡¯s gaze fell on the gun, and she chuckled, ¡°Second Master must be joking. If I die, no one will know where the goods are.¡± ¡°No matter,¡± Kuba replied coolly, ¡°The Supreme Lord said we can take our time to search.¡± The smile at the corner of Lin Yan¡¯s mouth gradually stiffened, and she nced at Wang Qiang, then at the gun, her expression growing colder. Wang Qiang swallowed hard, looking at her and then at Kuba, lunging forward, hoping to seize the initiative. Lin Yan kicked the table over, and the handgun flew up; she caught it steadily in her hand. Wang Qiang lunged forward but missed, kneeling at her feet. ¡°A crisp ¡®click¡¯ sounded as the bullet was chambered, but Lin Yan didn¡¯t aim the gun at herself. Instead, she grabbed his hair and pressed the muzzle against his chest. ¡°A spy like you isn¡¯t qualified to y this game, Brother Wang. I¡¯m sorry, but Jinhong will burn paper for you next year.¡± She spoke swiftly and ruthlessly, catching everyone off guard with a series of sudden changes. Before Kuba¡¯s men could react, Lin Yan pulled the trigger. After a suffocating silence, Wang Qiang widened his eyes. He wasn¡¯t dead, he survived! He gasped for breath, cold sweat streaming down his forehead, but he didn¡¯t have much time to celebrate. ¡°St¡ª¡± The de pierced through his chest, staining his clothes with fresh blood. Kuba withdrew his hand and licked the blood off the knife. Wang Qiang thudded to the ground at her feet, lifeless and unavenged. Feng Jianguo had warned her not to kill unless absolutely necessary. Even for criminals, they should be brought before the court to let thew decide their fate. If she were the one to act, there would still be a chance for life. Lin Yan slowly lowered the gun, her eyes brimming with sorrow at the right moment. Kuba slid the dagger back into hisbat boot, took the gun from her hand and tossed it to his subordinate, then patted her shoulder with augh. ¡°There are no bullets in this gun. The test was to see who is more loyal. Well done, the boss will reward you.¡± It¡¯s less about who is more loyal and more about who is more ruthless. After a brief moment of grief, Lin Yan regained herposure. ¡°Ten percent of the transaction amount.¡± Kuba readily agreed: ¡°No problem.¡± ¡°The future transactions will be arranged by my people.¡± This statement implied that Tiger might also be suspected. He stepped forward, ¡°You¡ª¡± Lin Yan¡¯s people swiftly drew their guns, standing in front of her. Kuba gestured with his hand, signaling everyone to stand down. ¡°No problem, Aunt Hong will only contact me directly from now on.¡± Lin Yan made an even bolder request. ¡°I want to meet the Supreme Lord.¡± ording to what Pei Jin ong said, she traveled between China and Myanmar several times, but the highest-ranking person she met was only Kuba, the second inmand. The mysterious ¡°Supreme Lord¡± remained elusive, never fully revealing himself. Uncovering the identity and background of this ¡°Supreme Lord¡± to thoroughly dismantle this criminal organization was the truepletion of the mission. These underlings, probably none of them didn¡¯t want to meet the Supreme Lord. Kubaughed, gesturing for his brothers to withdraw. ¡°Not now, but there wille a day when you¡¯ll meet the Supreme Lord. Alright, this person is now your responsibility.¡± With that, he left with his men. Lin Yan: ¡°What about the goods? Don¡¯t you want them anymore?¡± Kuba waved his hand: ¡°Supreme Lord said to give it to Aunt Hong as a meeting gift.¡±
After searching to no avail, Song Yuhang had no choice but to restore the room to its original state and head back down. By then, the moon was high in the sky, yet she found herself wide awake. Deciding against trying to sleep, she drove straight to the cemetery. This was a ce she frequented, where the tombstones were scrubbed spotless. Sitting on the steps, Song Yuhang took a pack of cigarettes from her pocket, lighting one for herself and leaving the rest in front of her tombstone. The cool night breeze carried the smoke far away as Song Yuhang caressed her photograph, her eyes slightly reddened, murmuring to herself. ¡°Lin Yan, are you¡­ okay? ¡­¡± No one answered her, only the empty wind picked up the paper money from the copper basin and twirled it into the sky. Song Yuhang, with a cigarette pressed between her lips, shivering, lit a sheet and ced it in the copper basin. Just as it was about to burn out, she added another piece. She woulde here every now and then, more frequently when she felt low. Sitting next to her, Song Yuhang seemed to feel a sense of returning to one¡¯s roots. While burning the paper money, she would prattle on about her feelings, talking about recent happenings. She sat there until dawn began to break, signaling it was time for her to go back to work. Only then did she stand up and leave. Song Yuhang¡¯s fingers caressed her photo, truly feeling that this face was genuinely beautiful. Although she rarely smiled, her eyes always brimmed with confidence, determination, and an unwavering forward momentum, open and honest. Unlike that woman, who, despite having a face not much different from Lin Yan¡¯s, mingled in ces of ill repute, radiating a dangerous aura. She was like a venomous snake, cunning, sinister, and fickle. Song Yuhang felt guilty for the momentary soft-heartedness she had at Huange Nightclub. She leaned over to kiss the tombstone: ¡°I¡¯m leaving, I¡¯lle to see you again tonight.¡±
¡°Supreme Lord, if we can¡¯t be sure who the undercover is, then why not just kill them all?¡± Kuba returned to their hideout, finding the Supreme Lord still awake. He helped the elderly man to his feet, trembling as he sat down by the window to y chess. ¡°That would be too boring,¡± the old man said, picking up a defeated ck piece and cing it back in the bowl. ¡°Is everything taken care of?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± If things went as he expected, Wang Qiang, after being caught by the police and subjected to some questioning, would certainly divulge information to save his own life. Therefore, he arranged for people to intercept the car on its way to the detention center, cutting it off midway. As for that emergency call to the police, it was truly a fortunate mistake, but it also provided Lin Yan with an excellent opportunity to establish her authority. If not handled well, death awaited. If handled skillfully, her reputation would rise to a new level. Auntie Hong really is ruthless and skilled. The elder smashed all the chess pieces down on the board. ¡°Alright, you can go now. For that batch of goods, tell Lin Ge to hurry up.¡± Kuba nodded slightly and left: ¡°Yes, Supreme Lord.¡±
LP:¡°Supreme Lord¡± is so tacky haha, and he knows it¡¯s Lin Yan?! Chapter 112-1 Chapter 112-1 Reminisce After everyone left, Liu Zhi looked at Wang Qiang lying on the ground and said, ¡°Sister Hong, what should we do now?¡± Lin Yan raised her finger to her forehead and said, ¡°We at least had a passionate affair. Let¡¯s find a ce to bury him properly.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Several strong men wearing gloves came in and dragged Wang Qiang out. The remaining few people brought buckets of water to clean the bloodstains on the floor. Liu Zhi threw the bloodstained carpet into the bonfire, watching it burn. Lin Yan sat in the car, absentmindedly tapping her knee, contemting the next steps. Wang Qiang is dead, this news must be sent back as soon as possible. Her position in the Huange Nightclub is now unshakeable, bringing her closer to the core leadership of this mysterious organization. The next step is to find the source. Behind such a huge amount of new drugs, there must be a massive production factory hidden. Without pulling this factory out, investigating any number of batches of goods would be in vain. ¡°Sister Hong, everything has been taken care of,¡± Liu Zhi knocked on the car door and ran over to report. Lin Yan came back to her senses, saw the sweat on his forehead, slightly smiled, and handed him her handkerchief. ¡°Here, wipe it off.¡± Working with Wang Qiang, one would never receive this kind of warm and considerate treatment. Liu Zhi hesitated, seeing her hand stretched out and feeling it was rude to ignore it. Her wrist was delicate and fair. A warmth surged in his heart. He took the handkerchief by its corner, pretending to wipe his sweat. He noticed a pleasant scent on it, making his face turn slightly red. ¡°Thank you, Sister Hong.¡± Lin Yan closed her eyes again to rest, Liu Zhi took his ce in the passenger seat, instructed the driver to start the car, and then turned his head to ask in a low voice. ¡°Sister Hong, about that batch of goods¡­¡± Lin Yan didn¡¯t open her eyes: ¡°Just give it back to Tiger.¡± A little impatience can ruin a big n. It seems this Supreme Lord is even tougher to deal with than she had anticipated. Liu Zhi was startled: ¡°Understood.¡± Upon returning to the Huange Nightclub and locking the door, Lin Yan slumped against it, sitting down with her hand propping up her forehead. The events of the night had left her feeling utterly exhausted. Whether she was dealing with ruthless drug dealers, engaging in insincere dealings with Wang Qiang, or facing life and death directly, none of these experiences drained her as much as meeting Song Yuhang again. When she revealed she was ¡°Pei Jinhong,¡± the shock and pain fleeting through Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes did not escape her notice. Her lover was by her side, yet they couldn¡¯t acknowledge or embrace each other; her heart ached as if it were her own suffering. Lin Yan bit her teeth tight, warning herself not to cry, she must not cry, yet her eyes warmed up, biting her arm with her teeth and emitting a sob from the depth of her throat. After a long while, the weak, cub-like whimpering stopped. Lin Yan rose from her bed and poured herself a ss of red wine from the cab. She pressed a hiddenpartment next to her bedside table, revealing a wooden box. From it, she retrieved several white pills and dropped them into her wine. Bubbles formed on the surface and quickly disappeared. Lin Yan swirled the ss gently and emptied it in one gulp, intending to take a shower afterward. However, she suddenly felt something was amiss. Sitting back up from the bed, she saw that everything was exactly as she had left it before; the pillow was neatly ced, and not a single wrinkle marred the nket. Turning on the bedsidemp, Lin Yan lifted the nket and carefully searched inch by inch. Her fingertips finally caught something fine and soft. Bringing it under the light for a closer look, she found it was a strand of ck short hair. She had been here. In an instant, Lin Yan¡¯s heart swelled with emotions, and her eyes reddened again. She clutched the strand of hair, lips trembling, motionless. How desperately she wanted to rush out to find her, to tell her she was still alive, to hug and kiss her again, to draw even a trace of warmth from her embrace. This ce was so cold, constantly on edge, walking on thin ice. Not a night went by that she could sleep peacefully. Even in the sweltering nights of summer, she would wake up drenched in a cold sweat, chilled to the bone. The doctor said it was a normal stress reaction post-major surgery, but only she knew that what she suffered from was a condition named ¡°Song Yuhang.¡± A yearning deeply engraved in her heart. After returning the mechanical stick, she had nothing left that belonged to her, not even something to remember herself by. Struggling repeatedly, Lin Yan eventually decided to take out a lighter and burnt the strand of hair. The raging me also engulfed her fingers. In this near-phoenix-like process, Lin Yan experienced heart-wrenching pain, finally letting two streams of tears roll down the corners of her eyes. It rained all night, and she didn¡¯t sleep a wink. Early the next day, she arranged for people to help her move. Originally, living closer was only for the convenience of managing the club, but now, with Wang Qiang dead, everyone assumed she was moving due to being reminded of painful memories, making her relocation seem reasonable and not arousing suspicion. Lin Yan was pondering over this, firstly because Song Yuhang already knew that ce, which might not be safe as she coulde looking for her. Secondly, with so many peopleing and going in the nightclub, it was easier to pass messages while staying outside. As for the movements inside the nightclub, Liu Zhi would naturally keep an eye out for her. The apartment she had moved into was also a private property owned by Pei Jinhong, located in a high-end duplex in a residential area of Jiangcheng City, with 24-hour security and surveince cameras in the elevators and hallways. Lin Yan was very satisfied. Standing in the hallway and watching her subordinates bustling around, she thought to herself: This human trafficker has quite good taste. ¡°Sister Hong, everything¡¯s been taken care of,¡± Liu Zhi said, wiping sweat off his forehead as he came out. ¡°Take a look and see if there¡¯s anything else we need to add. We can take care of it.¡± ¡°Hard work, huh.¡± Lin Yan pulled out a few red bills from her wallet, holding them between two fingers and handed them over. ¡°Please treat the brothers to a good meal.¡± The others also chuckled, ¡°Sister Hong is always the best to us.¡± The room, spanning two floors, was probably around 200 square meters, a bit smaller than her previous vi, but it was barely livable. Lin Yan looked around, picking up a photo frame that was turned upside down next to the TV cab. Inside was a ck-and-white photo that seemed ancient, with one corner torn off, leaving only a little girl in the picture. She looked like Pei Jinhong. For some reason, she felt a familiar sensation when looking at this photo. Lin Yan frowned. Liu Zhi¡¯s words interrupted her train of thought. ¡°Sister Hong, everything is packed up, so we¡¯ll be heading out now.¡± Though he said he was leaving, he stood there without moving, while the others were nowhere to be seen, likely sent away by him. Lin Yan sneered inwardly, putting down the photo frame. ¡°Alright, go back and rest.¡± Liu Zhi didn¡¯t move but stepped forward instead, his expression somewhat urgent: ¡°Sister Hong, Brother Wang is dead, and I¡­¡± Lin Yan looked up at him, her smile sharp and pointed. ¡°Then I am still your sister-inw.¡± ¡°No, I mean¡­¡± Looking at her face, dressed in a spaghetti strap dress, with her pale, bare shoulders exposed, Liu Zhi swallowed hard, drawing closer to her, his handnding on her shoulder. ¡°You know what I mean. I will treat you even better than Brother Wang did.¡± As he gently pulled down her strap, Lin Yan didn¡¯t react outwardly, still smiling at him. But just as Liu Zhi was about to further his advances, a small knife pressed against his heart. Lin Yan¡¯s bright red nails brushed his chest, her voice soft. ¡°I called you brother-inw because I saw you as a brother. I didn¡¯t expect you to be as despicable as your brother, blinding my damn eyes.¡± As she spoke, her voice grew icier, and the knife point prated an inch deeper, causing Liu Zhi to break out in cold sweat and his face to pale. ¡°You might have forgotten, I¡¯m not just your sister-inw, I¡¯m also Sister Hong, the ruthless ¡®Golden Pheasant¡¯. Don¡¯t take my kindness for granted and push your luck. Remember how your Brother Wang¡ª¡± Lin Yan smiled sweetly, buttoning up his shirt for him. ¡°¡ªdied.¡± Liu Zhi wasn¡¯t a fool; he was simply blinded by his passions. Lin Yan¡¯s warning was pointed but brief; there was still use for him. After she sheathed her knife, Liu Zhi also stepped back, panting heavily, looking at her in disbelief. Lin Yan offered him a tissue, ¡°Don¡¯t be so surprised. Anyone who has died once tends to change.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Liu Zhi clenched his teeth, wanting to say more. Lin Yan cut him off, ¡°Right, you haven¡¯t been home in years, have you? There¡¯s nothing much going on recently. Take a break, go back to your hometown, and visit your parents.¡± Liu Zhi¡¯s pupils shrank. ¡°You, how could you¡­¡± How could she know about his parents? Ever since he started working with Wang Qiang, he had imed to be an orphan to avoid dragging his family into this. How could she know? Naturally, it must have been information from the police. Lin Yan gave a forced smile, offering him a hollow support. ¡°I consider you a brother, so your parents are naturally my uncle and aunt. It¡¯s only right to look after them when possible.¡± She stuffed another bank card into his hands. ¡°Following Wang Qiang, those scraps were barely enough to fill your teeth, but now it¡¯s different. Ten percent of the transaction amount is no small sum. Work hard, and you won¡¯tck money or goods.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s words were both a threat and a temptation, sending chills down his spine. Liu Zhi held the card, feeling as if he was sitting on pins and needles. ¡°What do you want? Just don¡¯t touch my parents.¡± ¡°Of course, I, your sister, am not so heartless and ungrateful.¡± Lin Yan said as she settled down on the sofa, reaching for a cigarette. ¡°As for what I want¡­¡± She shed a charming smile, lighting the cigarette with a flicker. ¡°Guess.¡± Chapter 112-2 Chapter 112-2 Reminisce Song Yuhang had been staking out near the Huange Nightclub for several days, yet she hadn¡¯t caught another glimpse of Pei Jinhong. She didn¡¯t want to make another brash and disrespectful move like climbing over the wall for a nighttime meeting, feeling sorry towards Lin Yan, but her heart was still filled with unresolved doubts. With the card Zheng Chengrui had copied for her, she had slipped in a few times without any luck in encountering her again. Asking the employees led nowhere, and further questioning risked exposure. Left with no choice, Song Yuhang decided to give up. Just as she was contemting making onest attempt to find some clues after work, her phone rang. Upon answering, her expression immediately turned cold. As the windshield wipers screeched against the ss, Song Yuhang gently pressed on the gas pedal. ¡°Alright, I got it. I¡¯ll be there soon.¡± A homicide case. The organization dispatched her to take a look. A reporter, holding an umbre and wearing a raincoat, shouted into the camera: ¡°The crime scene is located at an abandoned construction site in the suburbs. Due to the recent heavy rains, the topyer of soil was washed away, revealing the body that was buried underneath. Those who have missing family members that haven¡¯t returned home recently, or have other clues that could aid in solving the case, please contact the police in a timely manner.¡± Song Yuhang lifted the police tape and put on her white gloves. The forensic team was already bustling about. She looked over and saw a figure crouched beside the body, donned in a white protective suit. Song Yuhang was momentarily startled, losing herself in thought until the person turned her face towards her, revealing a stranger, likely a neer. Xue Rui approached, a bitter smile ying at the corner of his lips, still using the familiar address, ¡°Captain Song, you¡¯ve arrived. Please, enlighten us through this puzzle.¡± Song Yuhang walked over, ¡°Call it as you see fit; anything else is inappropriate.¡± Caught off guard, Song Yuhang had already crouched down to examine the body closely. ¡°When did you find out?¡± Seeing her obviously a bit agitated, Duan Cheng, carrying a camera, answered quickly, ¡°At four in the afternoon, the police were already making a record.¡± The witness was a local resident who came to the construction site to pick up steel bars. Song Yuhang briefly understood the case and then nced at the corpse again. It was too gruesome to look at. The body was charred beyond recognition, looking no different from a lump of coal, its featurespletely obscured; it was impossible to even distinguish whether it was male or female. Faced with such a corpse, even the most experienced forensic pathologist would be at a loss. ¡°Let¡¯s call it a day, the rain is too heavy, let¡¯s take it back for the autopsy.¡± Several people worked together to ce the body into a body bag. The heavy rain had almost washed away all traces and footprints, leaving nothing behind. After carrying the body away, Song Yuhang grabbed a handful of soil from the pit and sniffed it close to her nose. ¡°The soil is very hard. The heavy rain only washed away the loose soil that covered the surface; the soil in the pit wasn¡¯t burned. This isn¡¯t the original crime scene.¡± Xue Rui was taken aback, ¡°Are you saying the victim was killed elsewhere and then the body was dumped here?¡± ¡°Correct. Let¡¯s wait for the autopsy results,¡± Song Yuhang brushed the soil off her hands and stood up, sighing to herself. If it were Lin Yan, she would most likely be able to exin the situation by now. ¡°First, find the source of the body. Check surveince footage, talk to nearby residents, and after finding the source of the body, investigate the victim¡¯s social rtions to further narrow down the list of suspects. Verify each one.¡± She hadn¡¯t been at the scene for long when Song Yuhang had already roughly outlined a direction for their investigation. A thought shed through her mind about the wristwatch on the corpse¡¯s wrist, charred ck by the fire. The fact that it didn¡¯t melt under fire likely means it¡¯s an expensive brand. Song Yuhang thought for a moment and then brought up this point. ¡°The deceased had a wristwatch on their right wrist that didn¡¯t melt in the fire, most likely a luxury item. Such luxury goods usually have customer information recorded by the sales assistant at the time of purchase. It¡¯s worth a good check.¡± Thanks to the time spent with Lin Yan, Song Yuhang had gained some understanding of the lives of the wealthy. Perhaps missing someone is such a magical feeling. Sometimes, while she was busy with things unrted to her, she would suddenly think of her. This must be what it means to be deeply engraved in one¡¯s heart. Song Yuhang smiled bitterly in her heart. Xue Rui was awakened by her words, his eyes suddenly brightening: ¡°It¡¯s good that we asked captain Song for help today. Otherwise, we would have beenpletely clueless about this case.¡± Being seasoned members, a few colleagues approached her as she returned, greeting her and even offering to take her out for a meal. Song Yuhang waved her hands to refuse, tucking her gloves into her pocket. ¡°No need, I¡¯ve got things to do. Heading home now. You guys stay busy, call me if you need anything.¡± Duan Cheng tried to follow her, calling out, ¡°Hey, Captain Song¡­¡± But he was pulled back by Fang Xin, who said, ¡°Forget it, forget it. Let¡¯s get back to work.¡± People were also whispering among themselves. ¡°Have you guys felt like Captain Song has be apletely different person?¡± ¡°Absolutely, she used to smile before. Look at her now, so aloof. I heard she doesn¡¯t have a single friend at the police station.¡± ¡°How could you smile if your girlfriend had died?¡± ¡°Crow¡¯s mouth1, don¡¯t jinx me, will you?¡± ¡°To be honest, I¡¯ve always suspected that Captain Song and Forensic Doctor Lin were an item. I¡¯ve seen them exchanging looks in the office more than once. Who would¡¯ve thought it¡¯s actually true.¡± ¡°Tsk, it¡¯s just a waste of Captain Song¡¯s bright future. To achieve what she has at such a young age is rare.¡± ¡­¡­ Song Yuhang slightly curled her lips, closed her umbre, and sat in the car, driving straight to the cemetery. When she wasn¡¯t busy, it was her routine to visit her every day, yet she hadn¡¯t expected that he would be there too. Lin Ge held a ck umbre, leaning against the tombstone was a bunch of fresh white chrysanthemums. Hearing the approaching footsteps, he slightly curved his lips upward. ¡°You came.¡± A low murmur, almost like a sigh. Song Yuhang looked at the white chrysanthemums by the tombstone, then at him, and nodded: ¡°So it was you.¡± Compared to the luxurious bouquet full of expensive flowers that Lin Ge brought, the handful of wild chrysanthemums and a few rain-drenched, even more delicate white roses she picked by the roadside seemed somewhat humble. Lin Ge tugged at the corner of his lips, ¡°She¡¯s afraid of being alone.¡± Captain Song nodded, bending down to wipe the rainwater off the tombstone with her sleeve, then gently cing her umbre over their heads. ¡°That¡¯s why Ie often.¡± Lin Ge turned his head to look at her as the night fell. He was clearly smiling, but the smile didn¡¯t reach his eyes. He joked, ¡°You should probably go down and keep herpany.¡± Song Yuhang nodded, ¡°Yes, I will, but not now.¡± Lin Ge turned around with his umbre in hand, ¡°That¡¯s all there is to it.¡± This rain, no, perhaps it¡¯s the death of Lin Yan that made the barriers that already existed between the two of them even clearer. Lin Ge tore off his hypocritical mask, and she no longer had to pretend to be magnanimous. Song Yuhang didn¡¯t turn back, instead, she looked at the photo of her. ¡°In life, herst words were a promise to be my fianc¨¦e. In death, she remains my lost wife. A hundred years from now, we will share the same grave.¡± ¡°I am alive now, not just to scrape by.¡± She clenched her fists tightly, rainwater streaming down her gaunt cheeks, uttering each word with resolute finality. ¡°But rather¡ªto¡± Captain Song Yuhang slightly lifted her head: ¡°Avenge her.¡± ¡°No matter who that person is.¡± From the corner of her eye, Lin Ge¡¯s body stiffened slightly. He turned around,ughing sarcastically. ¡°If you truly had that capability, she wouldn¡¯t have died.¡± After he left, Song Yuhang¡¯s clenched fist finally rxed. She squatted down again, threw the flowers brought by Lin Ge far away, cleaned the area in front of the tombstone, and ced her own bunch there, heavy with her love. Song Yuhang¡¯s hand traced the words on the tombstone, her eyes suddenly warming. ¡ªStand up for the living, speak for the dead. Indeed, she had chosen these words as the epitaph. ¡°Do you know? Today, the city¡¯s police department had a homicide case and called me in as a consultant. Their forensic team couldn¡¯t make out anything at the scene, and it made me think of you,¡± Song Yuhang murmured to herself. ¡°You know, you always spoke for the deceased before, keeping your own feelings tightly held, never telling me when you were sick or when you folded those thousand paper cranes. I only found out when you couldn¡¯t hide it anymore.¡± Song Yuhang spoke, sniffling, leaning against the tombstone. ¡°All I wish for now is a time machine, to take me back to when we first met. I promise I won¡¯t oppose you at every turn, won¡¯t wait outside your door to confront you physically.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll listen to everything you say, you¡­ can youe back?¡± The rain was pouring heavily, and Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t tell if it was the rain or tears blurring her vision. She didn¡¯t know how long she had been sitting there, but by the time someone gently shook her awake, half of her body had gone numb. Cemetery caretaker: ¡°Miss, Miss, it¡¯s pouring. Don¡¯t sit out here anymore.¡± Song Yuhang looked up, and the sky hadpletely darkened. The person was holding an umbre for her, with a shlight in his hand. Song Yuhang stood up,pletely soaked through, looking like a drowned rat. She wiped the rain off her face. ¡°Thank you.¡± Saying so, she was about to walk away. The cemetery caretaker asked in wonder, ¡°Who is the person buried here, that youe every day regardless of wind and rain?¡± Song Yuhang turned back, offering a slight smile. ¡°My wife.¡± As soon as she got back into the car, before she even had a chance to dry her hair, the mobile phone tossed on the passenger seat started ringing. Picking it up, she saw it was a message from Xue Rui. ¡°Source of the corpse found, the deceased is Wang Qiang, General Manager of Haoran Industrial Transportation Co., Ltd., has a history of drug abuse.¡± Below was a long list of Wang Qiang¡¯s social rtionships. Song Yuhang scrolled down, her fingers suddenly stopping, staring at a familiar face in shock, unable to speak. Mistress¡ªPei Jinhong. Her again. Song Yuhang clenched her teeth in anger. Chapter 113-1 Chapter 113-1 Pursuit and Capture ¡°Master, once this money is taken out, Jingtai¡¯s entire existing fund chain willpletely break¡­¡± Faced with the butler¡¯s earnest persuasion, Lin Youyuan only trembled as he handed over the signed document. ¡°No need to persuade me further, go ahead and do it.¡± Butler Lin fell silent, and after a long moment, he let out a deep sigh and took the document out. In the dark room, dressed in a nightgown, he sat alone in a wheelchair facing the window, watching the heavy rain pour outside. In his hand, he caressed a somewhat rusty pistol, his eyes filled with aplex emotion. ¡°Old Song, ah, he has finallye back, hasn¡¯t he?¡± (LP:What?! He knows Song Yuhang¡¯s father?! Is her father involved with that case afterall?!)
Around 7 or 8 in the evening, it¡¯s the perfect time for people to unwind after dinner. The teahouse buzzes with lively conversations. The servers, dressed in traditional attire with a white towel draped over one shoulder and a gray cloth apron tied around their waist, respectfully ce a pot of tea on the nanmu table. ¡°Sir, here¡¯s some top-quality Bi Luo Chun tea (green tea) for you to enjoy.¡± As the server is about to warm the cup, they¡¯re stopped with a gesture. ¡°Thank you, no need. I¡¯ll call you if I need anything else.¡± The waiter paused, meeting the elderly man¡¯s gaze. Although his temples were streaked with white, his eyes held an indescribable majesty. The young man¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and after bowing deeply, he retreated, not forgetting to close the private room¡¯s door behind him. Through a carved wooden window, the melodious voice of a Daomadan (a female warrior role in Peking Opera) from downstairs reached its climax, singing, ¡°Many heroines have also made their contributions, fighting for the country and ying enemies. Through generations, heroines emerge. In what ways are these women inferior to men¡­¡± As the sound of ppers intensified at the most stirring part of the performance, A woman entered the room, removing the hood of her raincoat to reveal a beautiful face. ¡°You¡¯ve arrived,¡± greeted the elderly man. Without saying a word, the woman snatched the tea from his warm cup and drained it in one gulp, then wiped the water droplets from the corner of her lips with the back of her hand. ¡°Pour me another, pour me another. I¡¯m thirsty.¡± Feng Jianguo shook his head helplessly. To drink from the warm cup, how crude indeed, showing none of the demeanor expected of ady from a wealthy family. But perhaps this was for the better. It was precisely because Lin Yan had experiences from the lower strata of society and had mingled with all sorts of people, her adaptability was extremely high, making her the perfect candidate for undercover work. He poured her another cup of fine tea and pushed it towards her. ¡°Hard work.¡± Lin Yan tugged at the corner of her mouth, shaking her head with a scornfulugh. She took the cup of fine tea, gulped it down in one go without savouring the taste. ¡°Enough small talk. It¡¯s not easying out here. Wang Qiang is dead, and I didn¡¯t get to see the Supreme Lord.¡± Feng Jianguo nodded indifferently, ¡°I know.¡± The discovery of a corpse at the construction site had hit the news, a homicide under the jurisdiction of the city bureau. ¡°I¡¯ll push this down. If the investigation leads to you¡­¡± Lin Yan popped a peanut into her mouth. ¡°No need to bother, your people won¡¯t be able to get anything out of me.¡± A slight smile appeared on Feng Jianguo¡¯s lips as he poured himself some tea. Suddenly, as if remembering something, Lin Yan stared at Feng Jianguo¡¯s hand holding the teapot, her voice turning cold. ¡°Was it your arrangement to have Song Yuhang take people to the Huange Nightclub?¡± ¡°Cough, cough¡­¡± The person drinking tea across from her suddenly choked and waved his hands repeatedly. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me. Themand center issued the order, and as soon as it reached me, I immediately called them back.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s face showed an indescribable expression, and even the peanuts didn¡¯t taste good anymore. ¡°You didn¡¯t want to see her?¡± The old man was quite nosy. Lin Yan gritted her teeth, ¡°Is it time for a meeting now?¡± Damn it, she almost couldn¡¯t maintain herposure, nearly ruining all her previous efforts. Feng Jianguo understood, suppressing the teasing smile at the corner of his mouth. ¡°It¡¯s a misunderstanding that turned out to be a test, I guess.¡± She had thought that once she faked her death, the mastermind behind the scenes wouldy low for a while, and Song Yuhang would be safer. But who knew she woulde out of hiding herself, insisting on jumping into the fire pit. At that moment, Lin Yan experienced a mix of emotions ¨C frustration, urgency, relief, sorrow, and the joy akin to a young girl¡¯s first crush. She steadied herself and drank herst cup of tea for the day, suppressing the blush on her face. ¡°Alright, I¡¯vee to share some important information with you. There¡¯s a shipment of goods worth¡­¡± Lin Yan¡¯s finger dipped in tea, traced the figure ¡°two hundred million¡± on the table. ¡°And, a buyer has already been found.¡±
At the hotpot restaurant where the Technical Investigation Team usually dined together. The air conditioning was turned up high, and the pot simmered with spicy oil, yet hardly anyone had an appetite. ¡°Captain Song, the city bureau has already formed a special task force for this case, and they¡¯re not letting us continue with it.¡± Zheng Chengrui said, still handing over the information he had gathered from the internalwork from his bag. Song Yuhang held the thin sheet of paper, feeling somewhat grateful. ¡°Thank you.¡± Duan Cheng also put down his chopsticks and said, ¡°Today, during the autopsy, I was there holding the equipment. Although my skills are not perfect, I can still tell if a person was burned alive before death or if the body was burned after death.¡± ¡°The fatal injury on the deceased, Wang Qiang, was a knife wound to the heart. It was a one-stroke kill, and it was from the back heart. This indicates that the assant is a very strong individual, most likely a tall, big, and ruthless man.¡± ¡°However¡­¡± He hesitated, seeming afraid to continue. A smile appeared on the corners of Song Yuhang¡¯s lips, encouraging him with a look. ¡°You¡¯re correct, that¡¯s a significant improvement. After all, it¡¯s all spection. It¡¯s fine to speak boldly.¡± ¡°If onecks strength, a forensic expert or doctor with a thorough understanding of human anatomy and the positions of the organs can also deliver a fatal blow.¡± The faint smile at the corner of Song Yuhang¡¯s lipspletely vanished. Fang Xinforted her: ¡°The whole city bureau is working together on this case. We will definitely get to the bottom of it.¡± How could Song Yuhang bear to tell them that among the colleagues they trust at the city bureau, there is an invisible mole monitoring their every move? That¡¯s why her transfer and demotion might not necessarily be a bad thing. She could only hint at it subtly. ¡°Thank you all, I¡¯ll be leaving now. Don¡¯t tell anyone you¡¯ve seen me here. I¡¯ve already picked up the tab for today, so feel free to enjoy your meal.¡± She nced at Duan Cheng. He understood, picking up his coat to stand. ¡°Captain Song, allow me to walk you out.¡± As they left the private room, Song Yuhang made it clear she didn¡¯t want Duan Cheng to keep escorting her and turned to look into his eyes. ¡°I won¡¯t be here for a while, so the three of you should stick together. Fang Xin is a girl and a civilian staff, so take good care of her, and Old Zheng as well.¡± Song Yuhang remembered how Old Zheng would always be panting during missions, which brought a smile to her face. Duan Cheng nodded but was puzzled. ¡°Why? Isn¡¯t the city bureau very safe?¡± Song Yuhang didn¡¯t want to borate, gave his shoulder a pat, and left. ¡°Call me if you need anything, see you next time.¡±
Following the address given by Zheng Chengrui, Song Yuhang had already checked two ces with no luck. This was the third. Right upon entering, she was stopped by the security guard at the door. ¡°Hey, who are you, and what do you want?¡± Song Yuhang blinked innocently, handing over a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes. ¡°Looking for someone, Pei Jinhong, does she live here?¡± The security guard epted the cigarette but still looked at her somewhat guardedly. Song Yuhang smiled and said, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s nothing. Thisdy owes my brother a lot of money. Once we get the money back, we won¡¯t forget your hard work.¡± As she spoke, she took the initiative to light his cigarette for him. The security guard seemed pleased. ¡°The one who moved in a few days ago?¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Right, right, have you seen her?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ve seen her, lives in Building 5, Unit 1, Apartment 1808.¡± Despite getting the satisfactory answer she sought, her demeanor remained calm and unhurried, with a cheerful smile, she said, ¡°Thank you for your help, master.¡± ¡°I¡¯m telling you this because you¡¯re a woman. For men, we generally don¡¯t let them visit female residents.¡± The security guard poked his head out from the guardhouse, taking the lighter from her hand. ¡°Alright, but don¡¯t say I told you this, okay?¡± Song Yuhang nodded vigorously: ¡°Of course, of course.¡± Once she entered the elevator, Song Yuhang put on a peaked cap and a mask. Reaching the 18th floor, the corridor was empty except for cleaning tools and a trolley. After a moment¡¯s thought, she walked over, pushed the trolley, and made her way straight to door 1808, lightly knocking on the door. A blinking red light from a miniature camera on the door caught her eye, but thankfully, she was in disguise. Without making a sound, Song Yuhang pressed the doorbell, ¡°Miss, Miss, are you there?¡± The janitor came out of the bathroom to find the cleaning tools gone and cursed angrily. ¡°Hey, which son of a turtle even steals a broom?!¡± It was raining today, and the reflective floor at the door couldn¡¯t help but reveal traces ofing and going, indicating someone lived there. But after knocking for so long with no response, she might not be home. Song Yuhang took a step back, sizing up the electronic lock with its built-in rm. She figured the moment she tried to tamper with it, property management and security would be up here in a blink. She checked her watch and didn¡¯t know who was cursing at her, then sneezed. After a somewhat lengthy dy, Song Yuhang once again pushed the cart back to the lift entrance and slipped inside, pressing the button for the basement level. The elusive cleaner returned to the lift area, only to see the cleaning equipment still in ce, untouched. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief, muttering, ¡°How bizarre, am I seeing ghosts?¡± Descending to the basement parking level, which was also under surveince, Song Yuhang followed the signs directing her to the parking spaces for Building 5. Finally, in a corner on the ground, she spotted quite a nasty scrape of white paint, hastily marked with a few Arabic numerals: 180. The half of the ¡°8¡± was obscured by the rear tire of a white sedan. This must be Pei Jinhong¡¯s parking spot. Song Yuhang surveyed the car, noting that it was neither too high-profile nor too shabby¡ªit suited her identity and status well. No one was home, and the car hadn¡¯t been used; this indicated that the errand she was on was shrouded in mystery, one she didn¡¯t want others to know about, and the destination likely wasn¡¯t far. Whether taking public transport or a taxi, both carried the risk of being captured by surveince cameras. Walking was the only option to blend into the vast crowd without drawing attention. Pulling out her phone, Song Yuhang unlocked it and zeroed in on a few locations before quickly making her departure.
Before the song ¡¶Hua Mn¡· finished, with the opera singers on stage passionately continuing their performance, Lin Yan had already left the teahouse, donning her raincoat and hood again. She purposely chose a different route to return along the long street, the deep alleys reflecting the silhouette of the person following her in the puddles on the ground. Lin Yan nced back, without showing any reaction, and turned into a side alley. The person behind her hurriedly followed into the alley too. As Lin Yan quickened her pace, so did the person behind her. As she slowed her pace, the figure shadowed her, neither too close nor too distant¡ªclearly, she was being followed. Lin Yan¡¯s lips curled into a cold smirk. In a swift motion, she ducked into an alleyway, pressing herself against the wall. She watched as the pursuer nced left and right, seemingly hesitating, before decisivelying her way. She lifted her hand, tossing her raincoat into a trash bin to lighten her load, and then stepped into the puddle, beginning to run swiftly. Seeing the sound of the follower¡¯s footsteps fading, she was about to burst out of the alley, where several taxis were parked across the street. Getting into one meant escape. A sh of joy appeared in Lin Yan¡¯s eyes as she hurried over, only for her expression to freeze, stunned on the spot. Song Yuhang tossed her cigarette away, standing up from under the streetlight. She didn¡¯t bother with an umbre, letting the light rain fall on her face. Chapter 113-2 Chapter 113-2 Pursuit and Capture Yo, Miss Pei, we meet again. Damn, its really a small world when you meet your enemies. Lin Yan rolled her eyes, almost fainting on the spot. Footsteps approached from behind, and Song Yuhang blocked the way ahead again, ring fiercely with a hostile expression on her face. A wolf in front and a tiger behind. Lin Yan gritted her teeth and took a few steps back, forcing a smile that didnt reach her eyes. Oh, who the f*ck are you? No sooner had her words fallen than she suddenly turned around, as slippery as an eel, and darted off faster than a rabbit. Song Yuhangs face changed, and she broke into a run to follow. Dont run, stop! The person chasing Lin Yan behind heard the noise. He watched as a dark figure darted into one of the buildings right in front of him. With a swift motion, he pulled out a switchde and followed into the building. This was a typical tube-shaped building found in the urban viges, connected from east to west, essible from north to south, hiding a variety of mahjong parlors, restaurants, dance halls, massage shops, and households awaiting relocation. Grinding her teeth, Song Yuhang followed to the buildings base, looked up just in time to see Lin Yan pushing aside a toy car of a small child blocking the way. The child burst into wails, but she swiftly jumped over someones washing basin and dashed away, desperate to escape. Shes quite agile, isnt she? Song Yuhang was so annoyed she felt itchy in her teeth. Watching her run upstairs, she also sprinted below. Noticing that the stairwell of the building ahead was connected to this one, she dashed up, nning to intercept her from the front. Lin Yan nced over, no sign of the person below she must be waiting to intercept her up ahead, while the pursuer behind her was still relentlessly chasing. Biting down, suppressing the taste of blood in her throat, she ran up to the third floor and lifted the curtain of a mahjong parlor, tumbling inside. Yo, where did this womane from, throwing herself into ourps? Hurry up, its your turn, are you going to y or not? ying, ying, Pong. Pure Suit, self-draw, I win!Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">1 Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0"> Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The mahjong parlor was bustling with noise, shrouded in smoke, filled with men and women, both old and young. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Lin Yan, holding her nose, squeezed through the crowd, thankful that the throng gave her a moment to catch her breath. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The man following her plunged in after her, everyone exchanging looks, all eyes on the knife in his hands. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">All was quiet for a moment, then the sound of shuffling mahjong tiles resumed. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Come on,e on, keep going, ce your bets, ce your bets! Who will lose, who will win, make your final call! Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Out of the corner of her eye, Lin Yan caught a glimpse of a ck coat darting into the crowd. The man with the knife, without drawing attention to himself, followed suit. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">As Lin Yan walked, she pushed through the crowd, constantly looking back. Though the tube-shaped building was small, it concealed a unique world. All the shops were connected to each other; passing a mahjong parlor, lifting a curtain, she entered a foot therapy shop. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Calling it a shop would be generous; it was more like a small family workshop. The cramped room was divided with poor-quality pink gauze curtains, and from the bamboo mats came the ambiguous whispers of men and women. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Yo, my dear~ be gentle. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Ow, ow, thats the spot, put some elbow grease into it. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Oy, Lordy, am I massaging you, or are you going to give me a full-body massage, huh? Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">A womansughter, as light as barbells, rang out. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Lin Yan felt a chill run down her spine, stumbling forward. She pushed open a wood door stered with old newspapers, and ran straight into a mans chest. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The man was wearing a mask, and she didnt recognize him. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Lin Yan stepped back several paces, watching in horror as he raised a knife, its cold light shing by. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">She dodged to the side, awkwardly knocking over a tea table. The knife struck the wooden door, shredding the newspapers. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Whos that?! The man and woman, previously engrossed in their massage, finally snapped back to reality when they saw a disheveled woman tumble into the curtains. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The masseuse let out a piercing scream. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The man, armed with a knife, lunged forward. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Lin Yan kicked him in the knee with little force, failing to knock him down. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The man paused, and Lin Yan, seizing the moment, grabbed the clothes that had fallen to the ground and flung them at him, covering his face. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">When he was busy trying to lift the smelly clothes off his head, Lin Yan with a swift move, leaped onto the table. She then used her shoulder to break through the ss window, tumbling into the hallway outside. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The man finally got rid of the foul-smelling clothes, cursing loudly with the knife in hand. When he climbed up to look through the window, all he saw on the ground were shattered ss pieces and a few drops of blood. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">He couldnt help but swear several times: Damn it. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Then, he turned and rushed out of the room door. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The man and woman sitting on the bed looked at each other, still in shock, wondering, What just happened? Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Lin Yan, clutching her shoulder, hobbled forward, her breathing as heavy as a bellows. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Song Yuhang had already reached the fourth floor. ncing downstairs, she happened to see her entering a dance hall. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Turning her head, she descended the stairs and slipped in as well. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Inside the dance hall, the music was deafening, and the lights were dim, so no one noticed her injured and disheveled appearance. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Lin Yan pushed through the crowd, made her way to the back door, and pushed open the heavy fire-retardant door, stepping onto the fire escape. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Leaning against the wall, she closed her eyes slightly and paused for a moment, continuously swallowing saliva. Her chest heaved up and down, and her face was pale. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">After a few deep breaths, the taste of rust in her throat gradually faded away. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Lin Yan stepped down and emerged from the darkness, blocking the only sliver of light in the stairwell. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Song Yuhang pressed on step by step. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Miss Pei, why do you run away as soon as you see me? Where are you going? Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Or is it that you know youve done something guilty, and you dare not face the police, or maybe Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">She stared at her face, which looked extremely simr to Lin Yans, the smile on her lips carrying a hint of danger and deep meaning. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Is there some unspeakable secret? Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Lin Yan had already gone downstairs, but she was forced back step by step. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">To run even at her peak, she could only tie with her, let alone now, in this frail body and with injuries. If she could fight, she would have already taken action against that man. Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0">If she didnt flee, facing her gaze, her voice, her entire being, she would inevitably feel her heart waver.Pure Suit – It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A “pure” hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it’s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw – In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere “self-draw.” This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer’s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets." aria-describedby="qtip-0"> But, the situation at hand wasnt the time for romance. The assassin who was chasing her was still on the road; she hadntpletely escaped the pursuit. Staying here would only drag her into danger as well. Lin Yan chuckled dryly twice: Secrets? Im just a person who runs a small business, how could I have any secrets? Then why are you running? Song Yuhang pressed forward, towering over her, looking down. Lin Yan shrank back and climbed another step. Of course, you look so fierce and terrifying. The police were chasing me; how could I not run? Fierce and terrifying? Song Yuhang touched her face. Normally, people wouldpliment her on her good looks or her valor. It was the first time she had heard this description, and she was somewhat puzzled. However, there was no point in wasting words with a human trafficker. This woman in front of her was involved in a murder case and was a dangerous person. Song Yuhang was about to reach behind her waist for handcuffs: Thats right. If you havent done anything guilty, why would you be afraid of the policeing to your door? Come with me Before she could finish saying to the station, Lin Yan caught a glimpse from the corner of her eye of a pair of ck shoes slowly stepping down from upstairs. It was the man who had just been chasing her. The knife he carried reflected a cold light through the iron railings of the stairway. Lin Yans pupils shrank, and she grabbed Song Yuhangs cor and closed her eyes, pressing forward, trapping her remaining words in her throat. Standing taller, her entire weight bore down on her due to inertia. Lin Yan cupped her face, Song Yuhangs lips were as cold as ice. This familiar touch almost instantly made her spine tingle, and she nearly lost her bnce, posing a risk of both of them falling. In a sh, Song Yuhangs instinctive reaction was to wrap her arms around her waist, turn around, and lean her against the wall to stabilize their posture. The man chasing her, hearing the noise and rushing down with a knife, thought he was pursuing Lin Yan but instead witnessed this deeply entangled and sorrowful scene. Song Yuhang was wearing a duckbill cap, a tuft of short hair behind her ears, towering over the average female, making it difficult to distinguish her gender from the back. The corridor was dimly lit, the face of the person in her arms was unclear, and the two were embracing tightly, kissing as if they couldnt bear to part. The deafening background music of the dance hall red out, probably from the passionate men and women who had run out from inside. The man slowly put down the knife in his hand and walked towards them step by step. Lin Yans heart beat like a drum, hugging Song Yuhangs neck, maintaining this posture, and she didnt dare to take a breath. After a brief moment, like being shocked by electricity, Song Yuhang finally saw clearly who the face in front of her really was. Although she looked simr, in the end, she wasnt her. A wave of guilt towards Lin Yan suddenly surged in her heart, and she subconsciously raised her hand to push her away. The man had already walked behind them, casting an inquisitive look. Song Yuhang naturally noticed it too. She felt the warning signs of danger rising, her hairs standing on end. Unaware of the danger, Lin Yan clung to her again, grabbing the back of her clothes. A pleading look, filled with tears, appeared in her eyes, and at the same time, she timidly stuck out her tongue. If what happened just now was merely a shock, then now it was like a fierce fire instantly burning all reason to ashes. After Lin Yan left, she never got close to anyone again. Yet here she is, facing a face so simr to hers, the shimmer in those eyes and the expression begging for joy from Lin Yan were identical. Every move and frown of Pei Jinhong tugged at her most vulnerable nerves. Especially because they were too close, toe to toe, belly to belly, breathing in sync, lips and teeth intertwined. Strangely enough, though it was meant to avoid danger, she felt an unprecedented sense of security in her arms. Lin Yan, hugging her neck, closed her eyes slightly, fearing she might notice something, but in reality, her eyes were brimming with tears, and her limbs went soft. To have the chance to be close to her once more was good enough. Heaven knows how much she missed her. In a moment of passing by, Lin Yans feigned feelings turned sincere. She tiptoed slightly, offering herself up entirely. Summer clothes are thin, soft rubbing against soft, and her movements exposed the hem. Song Yuhangs cold belt buckle pressed against her waist, bringing a shiver to her soul. Their breathing was somewhat chaotic. Song Yuhang didnt know she was injured, only feeling that she couldnt let her continue her reckless behavior any longer. After a brief moment of distraction, she gripped her shoulders, inch by inch separating them. Perhaps due to the pain, Lin Yans face turned deathly pale, a muffled groan escaping her throat, which in others ears, didnt sound quite right. The man hurriedly averted his gaze, seemingly somewhat speechless, and quickly descended the stairs with the knife in hand. With the crisis averted, Lin Yan slightly squinted her eyes, catching a glimpse of him disappearing into the stairwell with the corner of her eyes, and finally let out a big sigh of relief,pletely releasing her, breathing slightly heavily. Before she could speak, Song Yuhang raised her right hand high, her palm cutting through the air towards her. Lin Yan turned her head away and closed her eyes, smiling mournfully, waiting for the p to fall. But the sharp p never came after a long while. Song Yuhangs eyes reddened. She looked up at her mockingly, Hit me, why arent you hitting me now? Song Yuhang held her cor and pinned her against the wall, growling, Dont think I dont dare to hit you. I am, I just She just couldnt bring herself to do it. The fleeting moment of tenderness and engagement on Pei Jinhongs face made her feel as if it was Lin Yan kissing her, and that sensation felt all too real. She was haunted in her dreams; her eyes brimmed with tears. It turns out, she wasnt the only one secretly heartbroken. Seeing her like this, Lin Yan felt both heartache and relief, and for some reason, a bit amused too. Song Yuhang had kept herself pure for her, and also lost her mind in madness for her. The dignified captain of the criminal investigation team, always mature and restrained, probably never imagined that one day she would be forcibly kissed by a drug dealer. Thinking about it, Lin Yan really let out a mockingugh, with tears in the corners of her eyes. Hawhy pretend to be so serious? You obviously enjoyed it just now, didnt you? As she spoke, she brushed away her hand and straightened her clothes. Goodbye, oh, no, never see you again, I take my leave. Lin Yan nned to walk past her to leave. But then, a sharp snap sound came to her ears. Song Yuhang pulled her back, tucked the keys into her right pocket, and jingled the handcuffs that connected her left hand to hers. Ive finally caught the suspect; how could I let her go? By the end, her words carried a bite of deep-seated hatred: Dont you agree, Miss Pei?
Chapter 114 Chapter 114 Contact Lin Yan yanked on the iron chain, but her strength was too slight; Song Yuhang stood unmovable. She cursed loudly in frustration, trying to push her away with her left hand, yet she was pulled into her embrace, Song Yuhang holding her wrist. That person just now, wanted to kill you, right? Lin Yan breathed heavily, Knowing that and you still wont let me go? Song Yuhang, unperturbed, took a few steps forward, pulling on the iron chain, forcing Lin Yan to follow suit. Youd be much safer with me. Pah! Lin Yan spat disdainfully, cursing inwardly, always a bad omen when around her. The two of them, hand in hand, with the keys in Song Yuhangs right pocket, could only walk side by side, shoulder to shoulder. Lin Yan, with a cunning gleam in her eye, spoke softly. Look, walking out like this in front of so many people, isnt it a bit improper? A person needs face as a tree needs bark. Let me go, and I will still follow you willingly. Lin Yan slightly raised her right wrist, smiling at her in a ttering manner. Song Yuhangs lips slightly curved up: I think youre right, so lets do this Saying so, she grabbed her hand and stuffed it into her own jacket pocket. Lin Yan stumbled, nearly biting her own tongue off. She ground her teeth fiercely: Song, Yu, Hang. For some reason, whether it was her tone, her demeanor, or the way she moved, there was always a shadow of Lin Yan about her. This sense of familiaritypelled her to want to do something beyond the ordinary towards her, like now, grabbing her hand and stuffing it into her own pocket. Yet, when she came back to her senses, she was again overwhelmed by a surge of guilt from head to toe. Song Yuhangs eyes carried a hint of sorrow as she let go of her wrist, intending to take off her jacket to cover the handcuffs. Lin Yan nced at her movement, a spark of inspiration hit herher chance had arrived! Just as the key was taken out from the pocket, Lin Yan made a direct grab for it. Song Yuhang quickly clenched the key within her palm and reflexively blocked her attempt. She hadnt expected that Pei Jinhong would actually not be able to dodge it, especially since it was just a simple straight punch. The frail woman in front of her bent down, coughing awkwardly a few times, and then was pulled backward by inertia, hitting her waist against the railing. She slightly tilted her head back, her ck hair forming an arc, her forehead covered in cold sweat. Song Yuhangs pupils shrank, and she was also pulled over by the chain. However, she quickly wrapped her arm around her waist and pulled her towards her to prevent her from falling down. Lin Yan felt dizzy and disoriented for a moment. When she regained her senses, her head was resting against her shoulder, and her left hand was pressed against her softness. Song Yuhang also realized the impropriety, coughed twice, and let go of her: Dont move around. You cant beat me. Lets go. As she spoke, she quickly let go of her hand as if she had encountered some ferocious beast. Her face turned somewhat red, and she wiped her hand on her pants over and over again. Seeing her actions, Lin Yan immediately became furious, feeling like her lungs were about to explode from anger. What do you mean, am I a dirty thing??? Song Yuhang answered while dragging her forward. No. Did I make you feel disgusted? No. Then why do you despise me so much? I Song Yuhang was choked up for a moment, herplex and contradictory emotions probably unspeakable to others. As they talked, they had walked outside. The rain had stopped, and the streetmps reflected a pair of long figures in the puddle. She stared at the silhouette that resembled Lin Yan, and spoke indifferently. I already have someone in my heart, so I cant get close to anyone else. Lin Yan slightly curved her lips but then forcefully suppressed that curve, turning her head and coldly said, How old-fashioned. Who would only like one person in their whole life? The world is so big, why hang oneself on a single tree. Song Yuhang trudged through the water, her head bowed, murmuring softly, Yes. Lin Yan didnt catch it: What? She lifted her head and repeated loudly, Yes! The two were close, startling Lin Yan. Are you crazy? Why the hell are you suddenly so loud, what yes? Song Yuhang slightly smiled, There must be such people. Lin Yan shook her head andughed contemptuously, I dont believe it. Who do you think there is? She grew up in an environment full of deception and treachery, where her father exemplified what it meant to be fickle-hearted and to change loyalties as one pleases. Both Lin Yan and Pei Jinhong probably felt cold and disgusted towards phrases like together forever, just the two of us. However, Song Yuhangs tone carried a hint of cheerfulness, as if she had aplished something remarkable. Yes, me. When I see her again, I can tell her that Ive always loved her, always waited for her, and never changed. Though, I dont know when Ill be able to see her again. Song Yuhang thought about this, her nose tingling slightly with emotion. Then, she suddenly snapped back to reality, wondering why she was sharing so much about her romantic life with a suspect. Sheughed at herself mockingly, only to notice the other persons gaze firmly fixed on her face, a glimmer of moisture shining in her eyes. Just as she was about to take a closer look, Lin Yan turned her face away with a scornfulugh. I think you must be sick, and not just a little, she said, even though her words were harsh. Despite saying so, there was always a sour yet sweet warmth swirling in her heart. Fearing that she might burst into tears if she kept looking at her, Lin Yan promptly turned her face away, using curse words to mask the true feelings of warmth inside. Song Yuhang also shook her head, probably feeling that there was no point in talking to her, stopped speaking, and walked to the roadside to hail a taxi. She opened the door and gestured for her to get in first. Lin Yan didnt move, knowing if she decided to go with her tonight, although Feng Jianguo would bail her out, it would mean all her efforts in her undercover work would be wasted. She pushed her a few times, gasping for breath. Let me go, and Ill give you money. Song Yuhang held her in control and sneered. Can money buy back a life? As they struggled, the driver, having grown impatient, drove off. Then, a green taxi stopped beside them. Song Yuhang pushed her into the car and locked the door. Driver, to the City Public Security Bureau. Ugh! Lin Yan struggled, but was quickly silenced and pressed down into the seat as Song Yuhang grabbed her neck and growled lowly. Dont move, I dont want to be rough with you. Lin Yan looked up in panic, her heart skipping a beat. She was too familiar with that kind of look, the sharp and threatening gaze she used to see in the eyes of criminal suspects every time. Song Yuhang might be soft-hearted towards her, but she wouldnt abandon her principles for her, not even in the past. Lin Yans eyes darted around; no, she had to think of a way to escape. She couldnt call for backup because if Liu Zhi and the others saw her with Song Yuhang, she would be doomed. She calmed down and nodded desperately. Seeing her no longer struggling, Song Yuhang finally let go of her. The car moved forward, the road somewhat bumpy. Song Yuhangs coat covered both their wrists, and she nced outside. Master, this doesnt seem to be the way to the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau. The driver, wearing sunsses, didnt turn around. Theres construction ahead; we need to take a long detour. Illuminated by the dim car lights, Lin Yan looked outside and saw several construction road signs blocking the way. The signs read, Vehicles detour. The driver reversed and turned, entering a smaller path. Song Yuhang silently straightened her back, observing the road conditions. Lin Yan poked her palm with a finger. Song Yuhang looked over. The other person was making faces. Guess, is it to kill me this time, or to kill you? She spoke with her lips. Song Yuhang also moved her mouth silently: Well know once we get off the car. In the end, thinking she might be scared, she added another line. Dont be afraid, I wont let anything happen to you. Lin Yan rolled her eyes, secretly seething with anger. Damn Song Yuhang, is she this gentle, considerate, and understanding towards everyone?! Of course, she didnt know that if it werent for her having a face very simr to Lin Yans, Song Yuhang wouldnt bother with her at all. As the taxi gradually veered off the main road, under the cover of the dark night and howling wind, there were no pedestrians in sight. Song Yuhang leaned forward, Master, just drop us here, well walk the rest of the way. The driver nced at her through the rearview mirror and responded, Its still a long way off. With some difficulty, she reached into her pocket and handed over some money. Please, its trouble, but we wont be riding further. The driver nced at the road, realizing they were close to the destination. He slowly pulled over to the side of the road and stopped the car, saying, Alright. As he unbuckled his seat belt and was giving Song Yuhang change, their wrists crossed. Suddenly, the driver grabbed her tightly and pulled out a fruit knife from his coat pocket, stabbing directly towards her chest. Song Yuhang, with one hand handcuffed to Lin Yan, found her only free right hand seized by someone. The situation couldnt be more dangerous. In a split second, she yelled out loudly. Raise your hands! Lin Yan hadnt understood what was happening before everything went dark. All she heard was a loud ng. She raised her right hand high, the iron chain firmly caught the de, and she threw herself into Song Yuhangs arms, face down on her thighs. Sh*t. Lin Yan blurted out a curse from the back of her throat: Why the hell did you start fighting just like that?! Song Yuhang ignored her, pulling on the iron chain to fling the de away, smashing it against the car window. Get up! This time, Lin Yan didnt wait to act and quickly slid down from her seat. Song Yuhang lifted her right foot and delivered a flying kick to the chest, falling onto the seat. The driver was kicked down onto the steering wheel, hitting his head hard. She went to pry open the right side door: Lets go! Lin Yan headed to open the left side: This way! Due to inertia, the two were pulled back together again, crashing into each other, facing each other in bewilderment. Which way is it?!!! Lin Yan roared. A slight smile appeared on Song Yuhangs lips, but her gaze caught the driver pulling out a ck object from his pocket. And that knife aimed straight at her chest was clearly meant for her. Song Yuhangs expression turned stern, the smile freezing on her face. With her right hand, she embraced her, using her back as a human cushion, and with her in her arms, they rolled and scrambled out of the car. The twonded in the roadside bushes, getting sshed with rain and mud, while bullets following them hit the car door, sparking and banging loudly. The driver, gun in hand, chased after them. Song Yuhang helped her off the ground, and the two of them limped towards the forest. Lin Yan spat out a few mouthfuls of grass roots, Ptui, ptui, but before she could speak, she was pushed by someone and hidden behind a banyan tree. Song Yuhang took out a key from her pocket, looked at it, and quickly unlocked her handcuffs, speaking hurriedly and anxiously as she did. The person is after me and wont harm you. You need to run, find a nearby police station and turn yourself in. I dont know why the person chasing you wants to kill you, but right now, probably only the police can ensure your safety. The sound of rain in the forest mixed with loud gunshots, and footsteps were already nearby. Why set me free? You know I wont Wont turn myself in. Song Yuhang smiled, picked up a coat that had fallen to the ground, and draped it over her shoulders. Without any hesitation, she got up, pulled a mechanical stick from behind her waist, and snapped it straight, ready to face the oing battle. Because this is my own issue, it has nothing to do with you. Even if shes a suspect, she shouldnt bring others down with her, costing them their lives. Lin Yan understood her implied meaning. ncing at the coat on her shoulder still warm, her eyes then fell on the mechanical stick she was holding, a slight movement in her throat. How could she not know, a person who only fought with fists, when had she also started to wield sticks and batons? Seeing her staring at her without moving, Song Yuhang turned her head back. The rain had wet her hair, trickling down her cheeks and tightly sticking the shirt to her body, further highlighting her beautiful lines and wildness. She growled, Lets go! Lin Yan engraved her every look into her marrow, leaning on the tree to stand up. Fingers clutching the jacket, she lifted her eyes to look at her, lips trembling, her face pale, yet she remained silent. After a moment of eye contact. She decisively turned around, limping towards the opposite direction. Song Yuhang then took up her mechanical stick and threw herself at the enemy.
Chapter 115 Chapter 115 Content Warning: Graphic Violence Please be advised that the following chapter contains scenes of intense violence, including physical assault and brutal confrontations. The depiction may be disturbing and unsettling for some readers. Reader discretion is advised. If you find such content distressing or triggering, it is rmended to skip this chapter or proceed with caution.
Fight She hadnt run far before the sounds of a fight echoed behind her. Lin Yan stopped in her tracks, leaning against a tree to catch her breath, and pulled out her phone from her pocket, wiping away the rainwater, nning to call for help. But who could she call? People from the Huange Nightclub? Dont joke, why would a drug dealer risk their life to save a cop? To keep her undercover operationpletely secret, she hadnt saved anyones contact information, including Feng Jianguos. At this moment, she could only consider calling the police. Lin Yan turned in a circle in the woods, the dense trees blocking out the daylight, making it impossible to discern direction, let alone any distinctivendmarks. Even if she called the police, they couldnt find this ce quickly. More importantly, there was a rat in the police department. Showing her face was basically the same as exposing herself to that person, thereby leaking information. It would only mean an early death for her and Song Yuhang. No, she couldnt call the police. Lin Yan clutched her phone tightly, her body soaked through, mumbling determinedly to herself. Think of a solution, think of a solution Before she finished speaking, a loud gunshot broke the silence of the night. Lin Yans heart skipped a beat, and she hastily turned around, dropping her phone to the ground. Song Yuhang! The sound of rain drowned out her slightly tearful cry. Song Yuhang climbed out of a pile of fallen leaves. The gunshot hit a tree next to her, scattering wood chips. Taking advantage of the momentary confusion of the man in ck, she picked up a leaf with sand, and with a swift movement, kicked him in the knee. The man stumbled forward like a dog eating sh*t. Song Yuhang grabbed the hand holding the gun and pulled it towards her chest, quickly disarming him. Then, with a clean and precise strike, she smashed her elbow forcefully against his head. The man spat out a mouthful of blood on the spot. Song Yuhang continued to strike with her mechanical stick, repeatedly jabbing the tip into his abdomen, forcing him back. Leaves fell one after another as the mans back pressed against a tree. With a thud, he fell to his knees, spitting out blood, and tightly embraced her waist, trying to throw her to the ground. From the current situation, Song Yuhang seemed to have the upper hand. Lin Yan steadied her mind, feeling that she couldnt dy any longer. She was about to pick up her phone and risk exposure to contact Jingzhe when suddenly, she froze. Footsteps rustled in the heavy rain, very close to her. She gently parted the bushes in front of her, and her pupils shrank instantly. Two burly men in raincoats, holding guns, were searching for something in the jungle. At this time, at this point, with weapons in hand, it wasnt hard to guess what they were up to. She could still handle one person, but what about two, or three? Lin Yan looked back and clenched her phone tightly. Song Yuhang, danger was looming. What to do? Those two people hadnt noticed her yet. As long as she stepped lightly and moved silently, she could avoid the deadly danger by sneaking past them. But What about Song Yuhang? After finally meeting again, is this the end for her? Lin Yan suddenly clenched her lips, feeling as if a dull knife was being sharpened in her heart. After a moment, she seemed to make a significant decision. She wiped off the rainwater from her phone and desperately pressed the dial button, only to realize that the screen had malfunctioned due to being soaked in the rain for too long. Lin Yan cursed inwardly: F*ck! Seeing those two people approaching in this direction, about to discover Song Yuhang, Lin Yan acted without thinking. She quickly stood up and threw the useless phone, like a piece of scrap metal, at their feet. Then, she turned around and ran in the opposite direction of Song Yuhang. Her slender and agile figure moved like a nimble deer in the forest, immediately catching the attention of the two men. The men in ck quickly followed, their guns sparking in the rainy night. Lin Yan leapt off the ground as if weightless, the bullet shattering the earth beneath her feet. She plunged headfirst into the thicket of bushes, branches and vines striking her face and causing pain. Fortunately, the terrain was sloping downhill, allowing her to roll and crawl away, or else she wouldnt have outrun the two strong adult men chasing her. Song Yuhang heard the gunshot from the woods, momentarily dazed. Then, her opponentnded a punch squarely on her jaw. She staggered backward, spitting out a bloody saliva and wiping her lip. Her eyes gleamed with determination as she wielded her mechanical stick and lunged forward. She had to end this fight quickly and rush to see what was happening. Pei Jinhong was an important witness; she couldnt die. She made up her mind and attacked with merciless force. The two men behind Lin Yan were like ghosts, shadowing her every move. Lin Yan couldnt remember how far she had run. She fell and struggled to get up, covered in mud. All she knew was that she was getting farther and farther away from Song Yuhang but getting closer and closer to death. Her heart thumped violently inside her chest, as if it might leap out of her throat at any moment, and the taste of blood in her mouth grew increasingly intense. Perhaps noticing her exhaustion from the relentless running, those two no longer fired their guns, instead closing in step by step, ying with her like a cat with a mouse. Lin Yan spat out the sand in her mouth with a ptui and, hearing footsteps close by, scrambled up from the ground and stumbled forward. Those two exchanged a nce, the one on the left making a gesture, and the one on the right immediately disappeared into the woods to start encircling from another direction. They decided it was time to close the. And Lin Yan knew nothing of this. The prolonged running rapidly depleted her strength, and the cold only exacerbated this state. She could hear her own heavy breathing, her limbs gradually bing powerless. Perhaps the rain was too heavy, as it felt slightly painful hitting her body. Lin Yan leaned on a tree, asionally kneeling and then struggling to get up and keep running, her vision starting to blur. She thought to herself that she was never a great person, having chosen Song Yuhang between justice and principle. Although she bore a heavy mission and had promised Feng Jianguo to never give up until the goal was reached. It seemed she was going to go back on her word after all. Blurry thoughts crossed her mind as she fell once again into the mud and water, too weak to even lift a finger. Is this the end? Lin Yans hand reached into a pile of leaves, finding a stone which she clenched in her palm, the friction painful, using this pain to keep her mind alert. Before she could fully regain her senses, a sharp pain struck her waist. She was kicked over, a darkness came before her eyes, and she spat out a mouthful of blood-stained saliva. The man in ck grabbed her hair and lifted her up. I thought you were supposed to be tough His words cut off abruptly, as if he had seen something unbelievable, fear rising in his eyes. A ghost? A ghost! His slightly shrill, distorted voice was especially terrifying in the rainy night forest. Lin Yan curled her lips and smiled. The tear mole at the corner of her eye became even more vibrant as it was washed by the rain. Seizing the opportunity while he was distracted, she lifted the stone in her right hand and fiercely smashed it towards his eye, not his head. Hitting the back of the head wouldnt be enough to kill him, but striking the eye would render him powerless in an instant. It was a consideration born out of her forensic instinct. Lin Yan indeed achieved speed, uracy, and ruthlessness,pensating for herck of strength. The man let out a miserable scream, covering his face and stepping back, blood trickling through his fingers. Lin Yan threw away the stone, got up, and started to run, but she collided with a solid human wall. The other ck-d person arrived just in time, delivering a solid p that sent her sprawling to the ground. Whats the rush? Id like to see who the hell dares to act in this world He grabbed her hair, and one hand mped her jaw tightly, twisting her face, and he too was taken aback. Its so simr, especially the eyes. Lin Yan has a pair of unforgettable, affectionate eyes that no one else could imitate. The man in ck was stunned, and he reached out to tear at her cheeks, but all he found were real muscles and bones, with no disguise mask or anything of the sort. And the skin under his grasp was warm and delicate, feeling the flow of blood, not that of a dead person. The man whose eye Lin Yan had injured staggered over, pointing at her face and yelling. If shes not a ghost, what is she? Shes been long dead! How can there be someone in the world who looks so much like her! These two not only knew her but had also seen her before. Saying such things indicated they had seen her dead. Lin Yans heart sank like falling into an icy cave. Those wanting to kill Song Yuhang were people familiar with her, or to say, familiar with her. She stared intently at the mans face in front of her, trying to discern any clues. However, she had met too many people, and for the moment, she couldnt remember who he was. Her straightforward and probing gaze, which revealed a hint of murderous intent, ironically triggered the displeasure of the other person. The ck-d man holding her raised his hand and delivered a clean and decisive p, causing Lin Yans head to turn slightly to the side. Her cheek swelled slightly, with a bloodstain forming at the corner of her lips. Lin Yan coughed out the blood phlegm from her throat. The man in ck, still gripping her hair, pressed the gun against her forehead. Whoever it is, shes in cahoots with that woman, so shes an enemy. Kill her. The man who had been injured in the eye hesitated. What if, what if shes really What if they killed the wrong person? If Lin Yan didnt die but they identally killed her, he thought of the imminent wrath of Lin Ge. The two men exchanged nces, both unsure of what to do. The man holding her hair ran his fingers across her cheek, repeatedly touching the tear mole, as if confirming something. After a while, he clenched his lips and said. Search her. It was well-known that Lin Yan had been shot, not much of a secret. The man who had been injured in the eye smirked. Youre something else. Leaning against the tree, Lin Yan contemptuously curled her lip. She thought they had some new tricks up their sleeves. Throughout history, it had always been the same: subjecting women in dire situations to humiliation, aiming topletely destroy their dignity and psyche. Unfortunately, she was Lin Yan, and she wouldnt fall for that. Even if she was humiliated here, she would find every means to bite their throats, drink their blood, and eat their flesh. If they thought they could force her into submission with such filthy and despicable methods, they werepletely mistaken. Tell me, who are you?! the man squeezed her chin, his voice filled with malice. Lin Yan slightly turned her head, refusing to answer. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the treetops behind them swaying without any wind. A huge weight lifted off Lin Yans heart. She was still alive, she hade. As for why she hid and didnte out, she probably had the same questions in her mind. Well, better to let her see things clearly and give up hope. Lin Yan didnt answer, and when he twisted her chin again, she fiercely spat at him. The man pped her hard, causing Lin Yans vision to darken, followed by the sound of tearing fabric. Her thin summer clothes were roughly ripped open, revealing the transparent straps and the tattoo on her shoulder but no scars. A Manjushage flower
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  1. A Manjushage flower also known as a red spider lily, and resurrection lily (which is fitting with Lin Yan).
Chapter 116-1 Chapter 116-1 Physical Evidence When she spoke, her voice lifted slightly at the end, hinting at a coquettish tone. There she sat, her dark hair draping over her snowy shoulders, a contrast of ck and white. Her lips curved into a smile, her gaze tranquil and serene. Song Yuhang was momentarily taken aback, feeling that she shouldnt belong to the world of drug dealers or middlemen. None of those identities suited her. She was meant to be a spirit of the forest, the most beautiful thing in the world. Instinctively reaching out to embrace her, she then thought better of it. Instead, she adjusted the garment that had slipped down her arm. When her gaze fell upon the vibrant Manjushaka, Song Yuhang recoiled as if burned, and took a step back, squatting in front of her. Come on, Ill carry you. The fleeting struggle in Song Yuhangs eyes did not escape her notice, leaving Lin Yan feeling an indescribable mix of emotions. After all, they were just two strangers tied together by fate and an assassination attempt. As Pei Jinhong, herment was indeed abrupt and overstepping bounds. Lin Yan regretted immediately, No, I can walk on my own. Before she could finish, Song Yuhang had already scooped up her legs, forcing her to lean forward onto her back, whereupon she was effortlessly lifted up. The sudden sense of weightlessness caught her off guard, causing her instinctively to wrap her arms around her neck. This was Lin Yans instinctive reaction every time she had carried her in the past. Coming back to her senses, Lin Yans face flushed with a racing heart. She wanted to let go but felt it was too deliberate and also not safe. Song Yuhang seemed to notice something, letting out a softugh. Hold tight, the road is slippery in the rain. Dont fall. Before Lin Yan could recover, she took a big step over a steep slope. Lin Yan was jolted so hard that she felt dizzy, forcing her to lean back in and cling tightly to her neck, gritting her teeth by her ear. Song, Yu, Hang. For some reason, as soon as she climbed up, Song Yuhang had a sense of familiarity, as if this scene had been rehearsed thousands of times in her dreams. It was imprinted in her heart and haunted her dreams, and there was a sense of belonging as if all was finally in ce. Her back was her everything. While she struggled and restrained herself with unbearable thoughts, Lin Yan called her own name by her ear, like a sword piercing straight to the heart, her limbs going weak with the sudden warmth. She nearly stumbled, had to extend a hand to steady herself against a tree trunk, breathing slightly heavily. Behave yourself. It was a statementced with warning and threat. Lin Yan wasnt scared at all, snorted lightly, and boldly wrapped her arms around the others neck, shifting a bit to lie morefortably. Hurry up, its almost dawn. She might feelfortable now, but it subjected the other to restless difort. Originally, she hadnt thought in that direction, but a light word from Lin Yan evoked deep-seated desires within. Especially with every step she took, her softness brushed against her back. The clothes, already drenched by the heavy rain, seemed even thinner, and with each movement, it felt like carrying a lively, jumping rabbit. And this rabbit was not very well-behaved; it whispered in her ear one moment, pinched her face the next, tugged at her hair another. Song Yuhangs mind was filled with this rabbit and the vividly beautiful Manjushaka, her gaze gradually heating up. When she pressed up again, she finally stopped, running out of patience, and put her down with a low growl. F*ck it, walk by yourself!!! The action was somewhat blunt and forceful, making Lin Yan startled. She had not seen her for a long time, and the rare chance to be alone together made her act a bit demurely, which triggered a thunderous rage from her. She had never treated her like this before, even swearing at her!!! Lin Yan felt angry, sad, and aggrieved all at once. Pouting, she grabbed a handful of wild grass and threw it at her. Just go if youre going to go, f*ck off! Though she said this, her eyes clearly shimmered with tears. Song Yuhang turned to leave but hardly took two steps before she resignedly turned back and crouched in front of her. Get on. Her tone left no room for argument. Lin Yan, leaning on a tree, tried several times to get up and walk on her own but couldnt manage, grinding her teeth in frustration. F*ck off, crying crocodile tears, all fake. Song Yuhang proceeded to do as she had done before, attempting to bend her legs back. Lin Yan retreated, and the two of them struggled against each other, neither willing to give in. In the end, she was slightly weaker and got caught in a critical position, lifted upwards. Lin Yan felt dizzy and had no choice but to hug her neck. Without a word, Song Yuhang carried the person and walked forward. On the other hand, Lin Yan, once again lying on her back, felt a sweet and sour feeling in her heart that no matter who she was or in what identity she appeared in front of her, she would not ignore her. Why do you, a police officer, bother toe out and save me? We are not on the same path, and we do not n together. Talking seemed good; at least it could alleviate some of the awkwardness and divert attention. Song Yuhang thought for a moment: Because I am a police officer, I would go to rescue any Chinese citizen in danger. Even if it was a suspect, only thew could determine his or her life or death. Lin Yan sneered: Then after saving me, you could just leave me there, right? Why bother being so nice to me, carrying me on your back and all. The question was indeed sharp. Logically, she should have just left Lin Yan there, handcuffed her to control the situation until her colleagues arrived to handle it. But she didnt do that. She softened her heart and even abandoned her principles as a police officer for a moment. Song Yuhang remained silent. Lin Yan pushed further, Say something. Why are you silent? Could it be that you are so nice to me because you Before she could finish saying like me, Song Yuhang, as if she had anticipated what she would say, cut her off. I dont know if someone else is following us. Its dangerous to stay here. Then you could call the police and have them take me away. My phone is out of battery. This slightly pale and weak exnation made Lin Yan giggle, her fingernail gently scraping past her earlobe. Officer Song, youre quite the character, really an interesting person. When the praised person didnt show much joy but instead tightened her lips further,her expression became increasingly stiff. Yet, even so, it couldnt hide the ears turning gradually red. She fiercely said, You shut up. The person on her back didnt make any more noise this time, choosing to remain silent. After a long wait without a response, Song Yuhang started to feel a bit soft-hearted again. She thought: Was she being too harsh? Could it be, as she said, that she had be too intimidating? After all, they were just a few insignificant questions. Why did she need to lose her temper so much? Having understood the situation, Song Yuhang cleared her throat and spoke, My phone really is out of battery. What about yours? Were deep in the woods, and I dont know how long it will take to get back to the roadside. Carrying her, she turned around, breathing slightly heavily, and looked up at the density of the tree canopy to determine the direction. Lin Yan didnt answer, honestly staying on her back. As the woods grew deeper, the sky seemed darker. Then, another thunderp, and a dense shower of rain fell again. Damn this typhoon weather. Song Yuhang cursed under her breath as she hoisted her up a bit. Hey, Im talking to you. As she moved, Lin Yans head slightly tilted to one side, her arm fell, and her hot breath brushed against her neck, feeling unusually scorching. Song Yuhang was startled and quickly sat her down against a tree, reaching out to touch her forehead, and immediately thought to herself that this was not good. She had a fever. In the middle of nowhere, and it was raining. She couldnt keep getting drenched like this. Looking at her pale lips yet cheeks flushed with an unhealthy rosiness, Song Yuhang gritted her teeth and lifted her on her back again. Ill find us a ce to take shelter from the rain first. Dont sleep, wake up, talk to me. As she ran through the forest, she frequently turned back to check on her situation. Lin Yans head rested in the crook of her neck, burning hot. Song Yuhang was frantic with worry, quickening her pace and running forward. After passing through a pine forest, the view suddenly opened up. There was a wooden house across the river. But there was no bridge, or perhaps there was one, but it might be far away. The rain was getting heavier, and she couldnt afford to dy any longer. Song Yuhang looked at the swift stream in front of her, gritted her teeth, and hoisted her up a bit. Can you hear me? Were going to cross the river. The water is very fast, hold on tight to me. Lin Yan didnt speak; it was as if a fire was burning in her throat, scorching her insides and clouding her mind. However, she faintly heard Song Yuhang saying something, so she tightened her hold on her a bit more. Although it was a small gesture, it greatly relieved Song Yuhang. She carefully stepped into the water from a lower spot, advancing towards the opposite bank with one foot deep and one foot shallow. The stones were slippery and covered with moss. Combined with the swollen river from the rain, branches and debris asionally floated down from upstream. Walking was extremely difficult for Song Yuhang, especially as she had to pay attention to protecting her. She swallowed water several times, yet still steadfastly carried her on her back. In a daze, Lin Yan felt as if she was drifting in the deep sea again, engulfed by a simr silence and suffocation. The only source of warmth came from the person in front of her. Lin Yan couldnt help but clutch tightly at her clothes, confused, murmuring with conviction, as tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes. Song Yuhang, Yuhang After a strenuous effort to reach the opposite shore, she set her down and reached out to touch her forehead. But what she heard was her murmuring something upon closer listen, it was her name, which shocked her deeply. She shook her shoulders. What did you say?! What did you call me?! Lin Yan, is that you, Lin Yan?! Say it again, call me again! At her almost persistent request, Lin Yan slowly opened her eyes. When she clearly saw her face, her expression reverted to the usual coldness and wariness, backing away. What what do you want? She was feverishly confused, slurring her words, yet still firmly remembered to disguise herself. The more people who knew her identity, the more people would be in danger. Song Yuhang could no longer care about much else and scooped the person up in her arms. Lin Yan struggled, biting her tongue against her teeth to keep her mind clear. What are you What are you doing? Shut up! With anger, Song Yuhang kicked open the big door of the cabin, and the smell of aged, rotting wood hit them in the face. Fortunately, the inside was dry, and there was a small bed just big enough for one person to lie on, probably a temporary residence for forest rangers during patrols. She put her on it, and, in this position with nowhere to hide, she lifted her chin, forcing her to look at her. Word by word, gritting her teeth, she asked, Who exactly are you? What did you just call me? Lin Yan, delirious from the fever, could only shake her head. Holding her face, Song Yuhangs eyes gradually reddened, her fingers gently touching the teardrop mole by her eye, confirming it was real. Her palm brushed over her long eyshes; those affectionate eyes were also real. Her lips quivering, body shaking uncontrobly, she resembled a mad person who had lost all reason, desperately seeking an answer. Thus, she gritted her teeth and tore open her clothes. With a crisp Rip, Lin Yans sanity abruptly returned. Tears rolled down from the corner of her eyes as she pushed her away, hugging her own shoulders. No dont I am not not
Chapter 116-2 Chapter 116-2 Physical Evidence Her lips quivering, body shaking uncontrobly, she resembled a mad person who had lost all reason, desperately seeking an answer. Thus, she gritted her teeth and tore open her clothes. With a crisp Rip, Lin Yans sanity abruptly returned. Tears rolled down from the corner of her eyes as she pushed her away, hugging her own shoulders. No dont I am not not A sh of lightning illuminated her tear-streaked face and eyes through the window. Seeing her in disarray, tears threatening to fall, she too felt like a culprit tonight. Song Yuhangs heart ached as if being cut by knives, weakly dropping her fingertips, her voice hoarse. Im sorry for the intrusion. She averted her gaze from the sight of her wet hair and clothes clinging tightly to her body. However, I think it might be better for you to take off your wet clothes. Theres a nket here, clean. Ill go outside to find something to start a fire you should take them off yourself. She said, reaching for a slightly damp nket on the bed to hand to her. Lin Yan shrank back, the terrified expression on her face causing Song Yuhang another pang of heartache. Song Yuhang ced the nket beside her and got up to leave the room, looking around for any usable firewood. After she had finished gathering and stood at the door in the rain for a while, waiting until the rustling sounds inside had settled, she then knocked on the door as a sign before pushing it open and entering. Lin Yan curled up with her knees hugged to her chest under a nket, her wet clothesid out beside her. Song Yuhang walked over to tend to the brazier. Fortunately, some of the firewood behind the room was still dry. She quickly managed to create sparks using friction, cing dry grass among the kindling. Before long, the mes roared to life. Lin Yan watched as she took her clothes, setting up a makeshift rack with sticks beside the brazier to dry them. She swallowed, but ultimately said nothing. After finishing these tasks, Song Yuhang fiddled with the embers, not looking up. Get some sleep, youre still feverish. How could Lin Yan dare to sleep? Afraid that she might talk in her sleep again and arouse her suspicion. Despite being so tired that she could hardly keep her eyes open, let alone continue to suffer from a high fever. The room, small as a sparrow butplete in every detail, also had an iron kettle for boiling water. Lin Yan watched hazily as Song Yuhang went out and returned to set something over the fire. Shortly, the sound of boiling water gently filled the room. Cradled by these earthly noises and watching the firelight blurring her vision, Lin Yan finally drifted off into a deep sleep. Song Yuhang got up, straightened Lin Yan, and tucked the nket around her snugly. As the water boiled, she took it out to cool in the creek water. After blowing on it to cool it down, she gently raised Lin Yan up and fed her the water in small sips. Swallowing the warm flow of water, Lin Yan felt a relief from the parched irritation in her throat, her body warming up considerably. She drank a little too eagerly, coughing a few times, with droplets slipping from the corner of her lips. Song Yuhang used the back of her hand to wipe them away and carefullyid Lin Yan down after setting the water jug aside. Sleep. She heard her whispering gently beside her ear. Lin Yan wanted to respond, but she was so weak she couldnt even lift her fingers. Blearily opening her eyes, Lin Yan saw Song Yuhang gently cing a wet cloth on her forehead. It was cool andfortable. Unable to resist the exhaustion any longer, Lin Yan waspletely engulfed by darkness and fell into a deep sleep. After Lin Yan had fallen asleep, Song Yuhang didnt rest either. The rain-dampened jungle was cold and wet; she had to make sure the fire didnt go out throughout the night to keep the room warm. She also went out periodically to rinse the cloth and reapply it to Lin Yans forehead to reduce her temperature. By thetter part of the night, Lin Yans face had lost its flush, and her temperature gradually returned to normal. Only then did Song Yuhang let herself rx, sitting down beside the bed, rubbing her nose and sneezing. Observing her sound sleep, she felt somewhat embarrassed as she lifted her arms to remove her clothes and ced them by the fire to dry, sitting on the ground in just a ck tank top and crossing her legs. In reality, Lin Yan wasnt sleeping as soundly as it seemed. Firstly, she wasing in and out of sleep; secondly, the rapid rainstorm outside kept waking her; thirdly, she had been half-asleep and half-awake while cleaning her wounds earlier. She struggled not to speak, unsure of what to say, so she simply chose to continue sleeping. However, she was suddenly awakened by her sneeze and then saw her undressing and sitting down with her back to her, revealing her long, muscr arms and the perfect lines of her shoulders and neck. Lin Yan couldnt help but linger on the sight for a few moments longer than necessary. Song Yuhang, unaware of Lin Yans awakened state, took a shiny ring out of the pocket of the clothes she had just removed. She had taken it off to avoid losing it during a fight. Fingering the diamond ring, Song Yuhang was lost in thought about Lin Yan and Pei Jinhong, fluctuating between the memory of Lin Yan smiling at her and Pei Jinhongs cold, hostile expressions. Her reason and emotions were being torn apart, leaving her mind inplete chaos. Lin Yan was dead. Song Yuhang had seen her body with her own eyes; there could be no mistake. However, Pei Jinhong appeared, a person whose appearance and temperament were strikingly simr to hers, except for the color of her hair. The teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of her eye, the scars on her body, Lin Yan had them, and so did she. Could there really be such a coincidence in the world? Song Yuhang buried her head in her arms, doubting for the first time. Lin Yan was lying down, but she started to be restless ever since she took out that diamond ring. Rustling sounds came from behind. She woke up. Song Yuhang still didnt move, lifted her head from her arms, caressing the ring, with a slight smile and reddened eyes. Lin Yan turned her head to look at her, her voice hoarse. Are you married? Hm. Song Yuhang snapped back to reality, inserting the ring into her ring finger. Lin Yan felt a pang of heartache, struggling to keep her voice from sounding choked and jealous. Then, your husband? Song Yuhang shook her head: I dont have a husband. Then She caressed the diamond ring, smiling. Its my wife. A bitter taste suddenly surged in Lin Yans heart, rushing to her eyes. She was thankful she didnt turn her head back to speak, which allowed her to conceal this moment of vulnerability. She quickly raised her hand to wipe the corner of her eye and sniffled, asking like a stranger. I didnt expect you to be gay. Where is your wife then? The smile on Song Yuhangs lips turned bitter. Shes gone. Lin Yan turned away, burying her face in the musty-smelling nket. Song Yuhang turned her face towards her back. You look a lot like her. Lin Yanughed coldly while tears fell. She didnt turn around. Is that so? No wonder youve been so nice to me. But remember this, my name is Pei Jinhong, not someones substitute. Alright, Ive got it. But can you face me, look into my eyes, and say that again? Song Yuhangs voice was calm but carried an edge. She was stubborn, needing an answer and vowing not to give up until she got one. Lin Yan knew her character better than anyone, especially when it came to herself. She showed great obstinacy, even to the point of being somewhat paranoid. Whether it was back when she was pursuing her or even now. She sat up, wrapped in a nket, her ck hair draping over her shoulders, her expression returning to its usual sternness. She looked at Song Yuhang as if she were looking at an archenemy, a nemesis, apetitor, even with a hint of camaraderie that friends might share. But there was absolutely no love, not even the slightest bit. She didnt even frown, unlike Song Yuhang, who hadnt spoken yet but already had tearful eyes. She didnt repeat her words; she simply said, Today, you saved me, and I saved you. Life for life, were even. Next time we meet, youll have your stance, and Ill have my persistence. We Lin Yan paused slightly, then looked directly into her eyes. Are enemies. But thats not enough. She had to be even more ruthless, destroying all her love and faith. There are many brothers in the nightclub who have seen you. I guess youve been looking for me all along. Its nothing more than wanting to know about those brothers. Yes, they came to me, asking me to help them sell the kidnapped children to Southeast Asia I agreed, so in a way, you your wifes death is also rted to me. There was only a momentary pause. Lin Yan blinked her eyes, forcing back the tears, revealing no ws. The enemy is right in front of you. Dont you want revenge? Wont you regret saving me? Dont you want to extract more information from my mouth? A rapid barrage of questions made Song Yuhang tightly clench her fist, her eyes bursting with anger, bloodshot and teeth grinding. The diamond ring in her hand caused pain in her palm, but it couldntpare to the one percent of the pain in her heart. For a moment, Lin Yan almost had the illusion that she would throw herself at her and twist her own neck, but after a few breaths, she held back. Song Yuhang released her grip, leaving a bloody mark on her palm. Youre right. The reason Im not doing anything to you right now is because you saved me. Ive always been clear about debts and grudges. Until we meet again She paused briefly, her tone gradually growing colder. I will not hold back any longer. As the two conversed, the day had already brightly dawned outside, the fire had died, and anything that could bring warmth had vanished. Lin Yan felt as if she had been in an unreal dream; now awakened, she had to return to that cutthroat world of deception and thin ice. She no longer avoided it, lifted the nket, got out of bed, and started picking up her clothes to dress, all in front of her. The scars from a previous gunshot wound and the marks she herself had made with a knife had disappeared without a trace. Lin Yan let her see clearly, even deliberately dressing somewhat slowly, taking a good while to slide her arms through the sleeves, her fingers clumsily tying the buttons. Barefoot on the floor, her ck hair draped over her shoulders, she carried a demeanor of openness, yet her entire being emitted anguid and seductive aura. It was Song Yuhang who first turned her face away. Lin Yan smiled lightly: Had enough? Song Yuhang stood up and put on her coat, diligently extinguishing the fire with sand and stones. Not as pretty as my wife. The previously tense atmosphere shattered instantly. Lin Yans mouth twitched, almost letting slip a curse. Lets go. This time, the two maintained their distance without any more intimate contact, except for when Song Yuhang briefly took her hand to help her over a dirt hill. Despite achieving the oue she wanted, neither of them seemed happy, remaining silent on the way back. Song Yuhang escorted her to the roadside and gged down a returning bus. As the bus door opened, Lin Yan boarded, giving a faint nod without intending to sit together. Goodbye, Officer Song. Song Yuhang said nothing, hands in her pockets, as she watched her gradually disappear into the distance, eventually vanishing from sight. It was only after the car hadpletely turned the corner that she opened her palm, revealing a piece of fabric she had been clutching tightly. It was carefully cut from the clothes she had dried for her, still stained with ring blood traces. Lin Yan was unaware. Collecting physical evidence is an instinct for every detective.
LP: I hope Yuhang learns the truth and then help Yanyan in secret
Chapter 117-1 Chapter 117-1 Deal After taking the next bus back to the city, Song Yuhang found a public telephone booth near the bus station, nced around, picked up the receiver, and dialed a number. One hourter. In a fast-food restaurant, where customers were scattered about, Song Yuhang returned home first, hastily freshened up, and then came out to wait for her. Even so, exhaustion lingered on her face, not to mention the bruising and swelling on her nose and the wound on her forehead. Fang Xin was slightly surprised at the sight of her. Captain Song Its okay,e and sit down. Song Yuhang motioned for her toe over and instructed the waiter to bring the food. The two of them chatted casually while eating, and as the customers in the restaurant began to leave and the servers retreated to the back to rest. Song Yuhang finally took out two transparent PVC bags from her pocket and ced them on the table, pushing them over to Fang Xin as she spoke in a low voice. I dont know who else to turn to. After giving it a lot of thought, I realized that only you can help me. Please verify if the DNA on this piece of cloth matches the DNA from this strand of hair. The strand of brown hair naturally belonged to Lin Yan. Fang Xin was dumbfounded. This is Advertisement Song Yuhang shook her head, looking extremely haggard, with dark circles under her eyes and cracked lips. Fang Xin couldnt bear to press further. Alright, Ill do it secretly after work today, but the results wont be avable for at least three days. A glint of gratitude filled Song Yuhangs eyes. Thank you, thank you Whats there to thank me for? Sister Lin is also my friend. Her death is a mystery, and were all feeling terrible. If theres anything I can help with, please dont hesitate to ask. Avoiding any more mention of the topic, as bringing it up inevitably made Song Yuhangs eyes well up, the waiter came to clear the table, and Fang Xin discreetly tucked the samples into her own bag. Song Yuhang wiped the corner of her eye. Lets leave it at that for today. Thank you for everything. Fang Xin checked the time and got up. Alright, its almost my lunch break. Ill head back now. She took a couple of steps, then turned back to look at Song Yuhang. Captain Song, I think you should still go to the hospital. Song Yuhang smiled and shook her head. Its nothing, just a minor injury. You should get going and not bete. After Fang Xin left, Song Yuhang took out her wallet from her pocket and settled the bill. Without waiting for the server to return the change, she put on her hat and left.
She drove straight to the Lin residence. Upon hearing the news, Lin Youyuan, who was undergoing treatment, struggled to sit up, and the butler removed the venttor for him. Not not there Lin Youyuan gasped and trembled. Alright, alright, master, lie down, Ill go and talk, the butler reassured. This was Song Yuhangs first visit to the Lin familys old mansion. Thest time she came to pick up Lin Yan, she only nced at it from a distance. The resplendence of the mansion had left a deep impression on her. However, after more than half a year, it didnt resemble the bustling and lively scene she had imagined. The garden was overgrown with weeds due tock of maintenance, and the whole ce was destely quiet. Song Yuhang nced around, and the butler appeared. Miss Song, please leave. The master doesnt want to see you. I have something important to consult with him. Please inform him again. If its not possible, then Ill have to She took a step forward, raised her chin slightly, and looked down at him. Ill force my way in. Butler Lin sighed deeply, feeling helpless. Why do you have to do this? A smirk yed on Song Yuhangs lips as she started to act stubborn and petnt. I was just about to call him Dad. Uncle Lin wouldnt refuse to see me, would he? Its just a brief meeting, consider it me fulfilling my filial duty to Lin Yan. As she spoke, she took out a prepared gift from the car and handed it to the butler. Employing both soft and hard tactics, along with throwing tantrums and making jokes, she didnt even know where she had learned these. Butler Lin felt both exasperated and intimidated, and dare not ept anything from her, knowing that it would go against Lin Youyuans wishes. epting her gifts would only affirm her status as a daughter-inw of the Lin family. No, its not true! Daughter-inw? Why does it feel even more bizarre? As the two continued their back-and-forth, the butler couldnt bear it any longer and eximed, Alright, alright, Ill go and inform him again. Whether he sees you or not is up to him. When he returned to the room, Lin Youyuan had already risen from his bed, leaning against the headboard and observing everything that had just happened through the French windows. Master Butler Lin softly pushed the door open and entered. Lin Youyuan closed his eyes for a moment, then lifted the corners of his lips slightly. He looked incredibly gaunt, with sunken cheeks, drooping skin, and rxed muscles. I thought she wouldnte. I observed that she genuinely cares for Miss. Good? Whats so good about it? Lin Youyuan said, then started coughing violently, covering his mouth with a handkerchief. Cough, let her in and ask her to wait for me in the reception room. Yes. Butler Lin bowed slightly, went out to escort the visitor, and when he returned to assist Lin Youyuan to get up, he was stopped by a wave of his hand. Lin Youyuan looked towards the wardrobe. Pick a well-fitting suit for me.
/// WARNING DISGUSTING LIN GE BEHAVIOUR In a dim basement, a few girls knelt in a small room. Lin Ge raised each of their chins to carefully inspect them, while the person by his side nodded and bowed. Master Lin, ording to your instructions, what do you think of the selection? Advertisement He raised the chin of thest girl with his slender fingers, and her unremarkable face met his gaze. He withdrew his hand disinterestedly. Dont call me that, not yet. But it wont be long, it wont be long. After after death, it will all be yours. He ambiguously brushed off that name. Lin Ge smiled lightly, took off his gloves and tossed them onto the table, then casually signaled for one of the girls toe over. Alright, its you. You can handle the others as you wish. Okay, okay. The mans face revealed a grin like that of a sly fox, and he roughly shoved the girls out of the room. Beforeing, they had been taught how to behave when meeting him. The girl, knowing her ce, crawled over and used her teeth to unzip his pants. Lin Ge tilted his head slightly, his hands tightly clenched into fists on the table. The girl put in great effort, but she became increasingly terrified, as she realized When he felt tears falling on himself, Lin Ge grabbed the girl by the hair and forced her to lift her head. Useless. He said coldly, tears welled up in his eyes, somewhat simr to Lin Yans, as she cried and begged him. Young master, please, no, please Before she finished speaking, she was choked, lifted off the ground by her neck. The girl struggled in vain in mid-air, her face gradually turning pale. After a while, she lowered her arms and her head leaned to the side limply. Lin Ge pulled her by the hair towards the depths of the basement. After verifying his fingerprints, he entered a door leading to a ce like a hidden paradise, filled with all sorts of medical equipment and dissection tools. It was a small but well-equipped biologicalboratory. Before long, there was a new specimen added to the disy case.
Song Yuhang sat and waited for a while, then Lin Youyuan was brought in by the butler to take the main seat and went straight to the point. Whats the matter? During Lin Yans funeral, Song Yuhangs wounds had not healed, so she was bedridden and did not have the chance to say goodbye to her for thest time, nor did she see Lin Youyuan. This was their first meeting after her death. Lin Youyuan had aged significantly, perhaps to avoid the wind, he wore a simple duckbill cap, his eyebrows were frosted white, and his beard was a little scruffy. He was dressed in arge suit, and even though his appearance was well-kept, there was still a hint of a child wearing adult clothes. At that time, Song Yuhang did not yet know that this incongruity stemmed from Lin Youyuans serious illness and emaciated figure. She cleared her throat, stood up to show respect and presented the gift. This is a health supplement I brought for you. Lin Youyuan nced at it and sneered, Take her and the stuff she brought and throw them out. Before the words had even finished, several burly men burst into the room ready to drag her away. Song Yuhang dodged and pushed the nearest bodyguard behind her, causing the man to stagger back three or four steps. Regarding Lin Yans death, I have some insight. Would you like to hear it? Lin Youyuan coughed a few times, covering his mouth with a handkerchief. He looked up at her, squinting slightly, as if assessing her intentions. After a while, he suddenly furrowed his brow and moved his finger. The nearest bodyguard suddenlyunched forward, his elbow striking her in the back, causing her to bend over. The others rushed in and pinned her down in front of Lin Youyuan. The old man poked her forehead with the tip of his cane, emitting a phlegmy sound from his throat, panting heavily with gritted teeth. What right do you have to mention her in front of me? If it werent for you, she wouldnt have died! Song Yuhang lifted her head, neither evading nor avoiding, allowing the cane to redden her forehead. Yes, I owe her a life, so I must find the real culprit for her and not let her die in vain. Even if it costs your life? Song Yuhang curled the corner of her lips and smiled briefly. Advertisement Then consider it as returning my life to her. Lin Youyuan started coughing violently, fiercely swinging his cane towards her head. Returning her wont bring Lin Yan back! As the strong wind hit, Song Yuhang closed her eyes, slightly tilting her head, allowing herself to be at the mercy of others. This was what she should endure. She was fully prepared but before the cane could fall, she raised her head only to find the bodyguards had disappeared, leaving only Butler Lin gently patting his back to ease his difort. It seemed like he hadnt stopped coughing since he entered the room. Song Yuhang was puzzled, You Lin Youyuan waved his hand and gestured for Butler Lin to leave as well. Master Lin Youyuan covered his mouth with the handkerchief and coughed hard a couple of times before catching his breath. Its okay, you may go.
LP: The males of the Lin family are really <( _)>
Chapter 117-2 Chapter 117-2 Deal Master Lin Youyuan covered his mouth with the handkerchief and coughed hard a couple of times before catching his breath. Its okay, you may go. After the others left, Lin Youyuan did not let her get up; it was Song Yuhang who stood up on her own, saw a pot on the table, and poured a cup of hot water for him. Lin Youyuan did not take it, nestled in the wheelchair he coughed once, his eye sockets sunken, his cloudy eyes looking towards her. Talk about your thoughts. Ive said it, dont get angry. Lin Youyuan snorted coldly, without responding. Song Yuhang began to speak for herself, and the more she spoke, the uglier his facial expression became. Especially when it came to saying, Advertisement For so many years, Lin Yan has been investigating cases privately, and has always been hindered by some unknown forces in the dark. I think this force muste from you. I have also doubted whether she is your biological daughter, or to put it another way, whether you, for some unspeakable purpose, would harm your own child. Lin Youyuans lips trembled, his chest heaved up and down due to emotional agitation, and his hand tightly gripped the armrest of the wheelchair. Song Yuhang did not stop, and poured out all her spections in one breath. As for why you so vigorously prevent her from investigating Chunans case, I think there must also be a connection with you. Since everything started from this, I came today because I want to know the truth of that year, after all She paused for a moment: You are a party involved, arent you? If she hadnt asked, Lin Youyuan wouldnt want to recall the day of the father-daughter estrangement again. In the night of June, it was pouring rain. Lin Yan came homepletely soaked, kneeling in front of him. Father, I want to apply for the police academy and be a police officer. He picked up the teacup and smashed it over, shards of porcin grazed her eye and eyebrow, and bright red blood slowly seeped out. Get lost! Ive already filled out your application for youstudy finance at a business school and be a CEO in the future, whats wrong with that? Lin Yan raised her eyes, coldly mocking him, Beingzy and unproductive all your life like you, except for making a few dirty money? Lin Youyuan tapped his cane heavily on the ground, making a thud sound. Dont think I dont know what you want to do, want to avenge your friend? He sneered, trampling ruthlessly on the girls self-esteem. Stop dreaming. Look at yourself, who can you beat? What you wear, what you eat, what you use, which one is not bought with the dirty money you despise? If you look down on the Lin family and the Lins money so much, then just leave. Leave this ce and nevere back. Young Lin Yan suddenly had teary eyes. She was treated coldly at the police station, and when she returned home, she was mocked by her father. What she wanted was nothing more than to find out the truth for her friend. Lin Yan knew that once she walked out of this door, no one would recognize her, no one would give her face. Everyone was kind to her, close to her, fawning over her, all because of Lin Youyuan. At that time, she was alone, she had nothing, she was nothing. Even though she hated the halo and shackles this family brought her, she still had to bow her head to this father. The first time she opened her mouth to call him Dad, was also the first time she knelt down to beg him. Dad, Dad, I was wrong, please, help me. They wont tell me how Chunan died. I just want to find out the truth for her. She has been to our house, youve seen her. She was just eighteen, she was a good student, she could have gone to Tsinghua or Peking University. She was so excellent, so kind, she shouldnt have died so unjustly Lin Yan kowtowed, kneeling in front of him, sobbing uncontrobly. You know many people, dont you? Can you help me? Im only asking for this one thing, just this one thing. She crawled over on her knees, clinging to his legs. That was the closest moment between father and daughter. Seeing her crying so hard, Lin Youyuan trembled, actually wanting to pat her head. Just then, someone gently pushed the door open, looking stunned at everything happening before their eyes, and called out, Uncle Lin. The hand that was about to touch Lin Yans head fell again. He nodded slightly, Geer is back. Then he turned a stern face to Lin Yan, pushing her away with his crutch. You should go. I cant help you with this matter. Lin Yan fell to the ground and couldnt get up for a while. It was Lin Ge who quickly walked over to help her up: What happened, whats going on? Lin Youyuan pointed with his crutch: You ask her, why on earth would she want to go to the police academy instead of a prestigious university. Lin Yan curled her lip, feeling disheartened, brushed off Lin Ges hand, and turned to leave. I will make my own decisions, and I wont ask for your help again. I give you two choices, one, honestly follow my arrangement and go to the finance university; two, if you walk out of this door today, you will have nothing to do with the Lin family anymore. Seeing this situation, Lin Ge panicked and tried to pull at her clothes. Say something! Seeing that she didnt respond, Lin Ge pleaded with Lin Youyuan, Uncle, no matter what Yanyan did wrong, she is still our family. Lets talk things out nicely, if theres any issue, we can discuss it slowly, dont drive her away. Looking at the sincerity and anxiety on his nephews face, a hint of relief finally appeared on Lin Youyuans lips. You dont need to worry, you just came back from America and are still dealing with jetg, go rest. Lin Youyuan was perfect in every way, an altruistic entrepreneur to the outside world, a good uncle who took care of histe brothers widow and nephews, but he was not a good father to her. Lin Yan scoffed, clenching her fists. Lin Ge, this matter has nothing to do with you, get lost. Advertisement She turned around to face the sharp gaze of the middle-aged man. I am determined to walk out of this door today! Alright, alright. Lin Youyuan couldnt help but apud her courage. He quickly instructed someone to draft an agreement and handed it to her. Sign it, write your name, stamp your handprint, and everything of the Lin family will have nothing to do with you from then on. Apart from this name, you will have nothing else. Of course, youre an adult now, whether to change your name or not is your own choice. Signing her name meant that Lin Youyuan would never give her a penny again. She would have to figure out how to pay for her four years of university tuition, living expenses, study abroad costs, and daily expenses. At that time, her eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. Lin Yan clenched her teeth, her eyes red. Lin Youyuan looked at her, full of resentment like a raging beast, yet holding herself back. He said indifferently. Also, your watch, the Green Ghost worth ny thousand yuan, the gift I gave you on your birthdayst year. The sneakers on your feet, thetest model, bought on Childrens Day. And the clothes on your body, which child your age wears Armani haute couture? Its all Lin familys money, take them off before you leave. Its no wonder theyre father and daughter, both knowing how to provoke each other to the maximum extent. Lin Yan only made one final request. Give me the application form, Ill fill it out myself. Lin Youyuan waved his hand, and the butler handed over the documents, as ifpleting some kind of handover ceremony. Lin Yan signed the documents hurriedly, the sharp tip of the pen tearing through the paper, and then she lifted the paper and pen, fiercely smashing the wristwatch off her wrist and shattering it at his feet. Give it back to you! Lin Yan! Lin Ge rushed over and stopped her from taking off her coat. Apologize to Uncle Lin, and this matter will be over. Listen to me! What does it have to do with you! Lin Yan forcefully pushed him away, took off her coat and threw it on the ground. Her ck hair scattered, and she walked outside barefoot, wearing only a thin vest, getting drenched in pouring rain. In her hand, she clenched the application form. She turned her head onest time and asked him, who was above her. Am I your biological child? Dad, did you ever love me? Compared to the desperate questioning, this calmness was even more chilling. After a while, Lin Yan shook her head and smiled, as if mocking her own sentimentality. In that moment, he saw her mothers shadow in her. The girl stood in the rain with her hair loose, delicate and frail. When she was brought back, she was a short little girl, but now she had grown almost as tall as him, with her features developed, her appearance radiant and exquisite. A thunderbolt tore through the sky, and only then did he realize. His daughter had grown up, no longer under his control and coercion. She even had the courage to break free from the cage, even if it meant breaking her wings. Lin Yan took step by step, never looking back, and walked towards her unknown future. Lin Youyuan wanted to chase after her, stumbled and took two steps, falling to the ground along with his crutch. Of course, this was something that theter Lin Yan did not know. What she didnt know was that the agreement to sever ties was not signed or stamped, which meant it had no legal effect. She was still a member of the Lin family, and Lin Youyuan was still her father. When the old man tremblingly took out this well-preserved document, Song Yuhang couldnt help but be moved. You still kept it. I kept it. In fact, all these years, I have been waiting for her toe back and take this agreement, but she She can nevere back again. Song Yuhangs eyes turned slightly red. She squatted down and held the old mans rough hand, feeling genuine sympathy for this elderly person in his twilight years for the first time. In a way, they were the ones who could truly empathize with each other. What happened next? Song Yuhang asked, wanting to know more about her past. Afterwards Lin Youyuan smiled faintly and ced the yellowed paper on the table. Its not easy to get into the police academy. Her physical fitness wouldnt pass the test, so she switched to medical school. After hearing so much, Song Yuhang still had a trace of doubt. Why did you try so hard to stop her from applying to the police academy? Whats wrong with being a police officer? As she asked this, the smile on the old mans lips gradually disappeared, revealing a hint of nostalgia for the past. He gently touched his green ring finger and fell silent.
Advertisement After Song Yuhang left, Butler Lin came in again. Master, everything is ready. Part of the money has been transferred to overseas ounts, and the rest has beenpletelyundered. Lin Youyuan coughed a few times, with specks of blood on his handkerchief. Trembling, he handed over the agreement to him. Keep it safe. Wait until everything settles down, and then give it back to her. Master Butler Lin couldnt bear it. Why dont you tell Miss Song the truth? Lin Youyuans coughing became more intense. Didnt you hear what she said? She was in dangerst night This is Someone cough cough doesnt want to let them go Butler Lin became anxious, patting his back to help him breathe, and quickly pushed him back to the ward, connecting him to a respirator. It took a while for him to regain his strength. Lin Youyuan trembled as he raised his hand. Go, go and call Lin Ge. I have something to tell him.
LP: Still a sh*tty father!
Chapter 118 Chapter 118 Disappointment Young Master, Master Lin is requesting your presence. The LCD disy on theboratory ceiling showed the face of Lin Ges attendant. Lin Ge rinsed his blood-stained hands under the faucet. Whats the matter? The screen flickered twice, showing a weak signal. The attendant continued, They say theres an important matter to discuss with you. Lin Ge shook off the water droplets from his hands, wiped them clean with a towel, and headed out. What does that old guy want now? Lets go, lets go see. Theboratory door swung open, and a strong stench of blood hit them. The attendant remained unfazed, as if oblivious to the mess on the floor, knowing someone would clean up soon. He handed over a new suit jacket as usual. Once Lin Ge put it on, he then handed over a jar of hand cream. The artists hands were always slender and fair, even when stained with invisible blood. Lin Ge applied the hand cream methodically, taking his time. Once everything was in order, the attendant produced a bottle of perfume and gave a slight bow. Young Master, please forgive me. Lin Ge opened his suit jacket, a mist sprayed over him, and the smell of blood vanishedpletely. He ran his fingers through his hair, whistled cheerfully, and strode forward energetically. Lets go, lets meet my dear uncle. When Lin Ge arrived, the doctor was still examining Lin Youyuan. He waited outside for a good half hour before the doctor emerged with the medical records in hand. Advertisement Lin Ge grabbed his arm. How is he? The elderly and experienced family doctor shook his head and let out a long sigh. Prepare for the funeral as soon as possible, Young Master. My condolences. Lin Ge took a step back abruptly as the doctor walked away. Butler Lin came out to greet him, his eyes also red with tears. Young Master, pleasee in. The Master is calling for you. Lin Geposed himself, smoothing out the wrinkles on his suit jacket. Okay. Due to chemotherapy, he had lost all his hair and had to wear a warm wool cap. In the midst of the scorching summer, the air conditioning inside the room was set to 28 degrees, slightly stuffy. Due to theck of venttion, the room was filled with the distinct smell of a patients excretions. Lin Youyuany nestled in bed, a urine bag hanging by his side. The nket covered himpletely, with only the back of his hand exposed for the IV drip, the skin marked with injection bruises, veins nearly indiscernible. Upon seeing Lin Ge, he made a slight movement of his eyes, signaling Butler Lin to adjust the bed slightly. Wanting to sit up, he was gently restrained by Lin Ge, a hint of tenderness in his eyes as they reddened silently. Uncle Lin, dont strain yourself. Whatever you want to say, I can hear you. Lin Youyuan lifted his weak fingers and pointed to the documents on the bedside table. Butler Lin fetched them for him. Due to his venttor, speaking was not convenient for him, so Butler Lin ryed his message. Young Master, Jingtai Group is on the verge of bankruptcy, and you are aware of the asset liquidation Lin Ge nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed, clenching the fabric on his knee with a hint of sadness. Im sorry, Uncle. Its my fault, I couldnt turn the tide. Butler Lin sneered inwardly, thinking to himself. Not only did you fail to turn the tide, but you also added fuel to the fire. Lin Youyuan waved his hand, signaling not to talk about these matters. He still insisted on speaking, so the butler had to help him up, propping him with a pillow behind his back and removing the oxygen mask. Lin Youyuan spoke a few words but needed to pause to catch his breath, as if he could run out of air at any moment. After the asset liquidation some of the money cough has been frozen some will be used used for employeeyoffs Trembling, Lin Youyuan grabbed Lin Ges hand, speaking with great seriousness. I I have set aside a portion for you and your mother and theres a subsidiary overseas under your mothers name it will be yours in the future Use this money to live a good life with Jingru. As Lin Ge listened to the first part, a hint of sorrow remained on his face. However, when he heard his mothers name being mentioned, he pressed his lips together, masking any expression. Their hands still sped together, but he no longer felt any warmth. When he had just entered the room, he felt a bit warm, but now he was shivering all over. Lin Ge asked hoarsely, Uncle, why are you so good to me, so good to my mother is it because He found it almost difficult to articte what he had witnessed many years ago, the scene where the two people who had treated him with profound kindness had destroyed his brief childhood himself, plunging him into an abyss of guilt and shame, a fate from which he could never escape. Lin Youyuan started coughing, conveniently interrupting his words, gripping his hand even tighter, almost causing pain, tears welling up in his cloudy eyes. Cough Its my fault towards your father He was already gone when you were born I promised him if we ever had children we must take care of each other As he spoke, he grabbed the folder from the bedside and stuffed it into his hand, not closing his mouth properly, causing two ne tickets and severalrge checks to fall out. Take these take them go to Canada Lin Ge had always been a person with strong self-control, able to conceal all emotions very well. But at this moment, if it werent for Butler Lin still present, he would almost have rushed up and immediately twisted his neck. Why?! Why should he go to Canada, giving up everything he had worked so hard for in China! Why had he been sent to the United States for studies under the guise of it being for his own good, not knowing what he had experienced alone in a foreignnd?! After finallypleting his studies with confidence and anticipation of returning to China to join the core researchboratory at Jingtai to further develop research projects, Lin Youyuan issued an order sending him to a remote branch as a manager, a positionpletely unrted to his expertise, and clearly a demotion. Unable to ept this, he had no choice but to resign and, with the help of friends, opened his own dental clinic, much to Lin Youyuans fury. Lin Youyuan, in his anger, not only used him of being ungrateful but even his mother, whom he had always respected, called him a white-eyed wolf. Like Lin Yan in the past, Lin Youyuan was the kind of parent who wanted to control everyones lives with his authoritarian decisions. The difference was that Lin Yan chose to break away, while he chose to endure silently. Why should he be bullied by everyone just because he had always been a timid and obedient student who followed orders from a young age? Lin Ge gritted his teeth, perhaps realizing that his expression was too fierce at the moment. He softened his demeanor, grasped Lin Youyuans hand again, and spoke tactfully but with an assertive tone. Uncle Lin, Im sorry, I cant do it. Since youve treated me like family, how could I abandon Jingtai and go abroad at this moment? I will stay here and face life and death with Jingtai. Please rest early. There are still matters at thepany. Ill head back first. With that, he withdrew his hand from Lin Youyuans grasp, got up, and left without looking back. Lin Youyuan leant against the head of the bed, coughing violently. The butler patted his back to ease his difort, then lifted the medicine up for him to drink. After a while of frantic movements, he gradually calmed down. When he unfolded the handkerchief covering his mouth, it was all soaked in blood. Butler Lin threw the handkerchief into the water basin next to the bed and helped him lie down to rest. Master, please get some sleep. However, Lin Youyuan suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes. The bewildered look vanished, reced by a glint of determination. Through gritted teeth, he spoke each word deliberately. Did you see? He wants to kill me. Butler Lins face showed a touch of sorrow. Master Lin Youyuans lips trembled. Let hime, I have something to say to him.
Lin Ge returned to his own home, and the attendant approached him, Young Master Before he could finish speaking, Lin Ge had already pushed him aside. Wheres my mother?! Young Master! The attendant hurried after him. Lin Ge pushed open the door of the bedroom, where several family doctors were gathered around the sickbed, working to save the patient, with medical instruments beeping incessantly. Mother Liny in bed, still retaining a shred of consciousness. Upon seeing her son, a hint of relief appeared in her eyes. Before she could even smile, Lin Ge coldly gestured with his hand. Advertisement Everyone, get out. The doctors turned to look at him, exchanging nces. Lin Ges expression remained devoid of emotion. Are you all deaf? Get out, let her die! Mother Linsplexion suddenly turned ashen, and the readings on the medical equipment plummeted rapidly, nearing a critical low. Under his forcefulmand, the doctors reluctantly set down their syringes and departed one by one. Lin Ge signaled to his attendant with a nce, nodding slightly to indicate he would handle the situation, before closing the door behind them. Mother Lins expression shifted from relief to terror. As Lin Ge approached the bedside step by step, she let out a muffled plea for help. Uh uh Her breathsbored like a bellows. Lin Ge removed the oxygen mask from Mother Lin, easing her pain. Mom, youve endured so many years, it hasnt been easy. Youve worked hard too. As he spoke, his eyes reddened silently, a tender expression gracing his face. Gently, he pulled out the IV needle from the back of her hand, causing a ssh of blood. Mother Lin couldnt even groan in pain anymore, her cloudy eyes filled with tears, shaking her head desperately. Lin Ge intended to remove the electrodes attached to her body to maintain her vital signs. Mom, before you pass away, I have a question I want to ask you His hand paused, and Mother Lin seemed to glimpse a glimmer of hope, noddingboriously to indicate he could speak. Whose son am I really? How exactly did my father die? As he spoke, he caressed his mothers face, wiping away her tears. Finally, he grasped her neck, a look of madness crossing his face, gritting his teeth. Speak! What is the truth between you and Uncle Lin, why did you get involved with him?! He raised his voice, roaring at her. As if to confirm something, with his roar, the readings on the life support monitor plummeted rapidly, sinking to the lowest point. Amidst a series of urgent and prolonged beeping sounds, before he could react, Mother Lins head had already tilted to the side, her eyes still open, bloodshot with bulging eyeballs. He recoiled as if shocked, gently patting her face. Mom? Mom? Receiving no response, he looked at his own hands in disbelief, his face filled with panic and confusion. No it wasnt I didnt use force Mom! Mom!!! Ahhhh! He copsed, kneeling beside the bed, lifting her already cold hand to his face, weeping bitterly.
After Lin Ge left, the Lin residence weed another unfamiliar visitor. As soon as he entered, he intended to remove his hat to salute, but Lin Youyuan, sitting on the bed, looking much better than before due to the medicine, waved his hand to stop him. The things are prepared, take them. It was still the same folder, but this time it only contained checks. The housekeeper picked it up and handed it to Feng Jianguo. As Feng Jianguo held the weighty millions in his hands, he visibly faltered, his lips pressed tightly together. He knew that once he took this money, the Lins Estate would copse. However, Lin Youyuan smiled as if unconcerned, coughing into his handkerchief. Take it. Anyway, when the mission is over, your police force wont actually allow this money to fall into the hands of criminals. It belongs to Lin Yan. The old fox truly lived up to his reputation. Feng Jianguo, feeling helpless, said, Wont you consider supporting grassroots development after all the hard work and effort weve put in? Cough cough Over these years Ive supported too little Lin Youyuan coughed a few times, covering his mouth with a handkerchief. He set it down and gazed at the once dynamic young man before him, now aging with silver hair at his temples, feeling a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. Once this matter is resolved, I can finally rest easy. Feng Jianguo was slightly moved, but unsure of what to say or how to advise. His throat moved slightly, but no words came out. I must remind you, that Supreme Lord He is cunning and devious not easily dealt with Speaking of this person, Lin Youyuan clenched the sheets, gritting his teeth. You must eradicate himpletely. He is full of evil, if you can take him down on the spot, do it. Do not give him a chance to survive otherwise, the consequences will be endless. Others may not know that the elderly man in front of them, in his waning years battling illness, was a prominent figure in the tumultuous era of the 1960s, feared by both sides of thew. But Feng Jianguo understood well. Lin Youyuans leg was the masterpiece of that Supreme Lord. Stepping back, feet together, Feng Jianguo saluted with military precision, showing the gravity of the situation. Yes, I guarantee the mission will bepleted. Lin Youyuan waved his hand, seeming utterly exhausted. As Feng Jianguo was about to turn and leave, he paused and asked, Why me? Lin Youyuan smiled but remained silent. He knew he could never forget that day in 1982 when Lin Yan was kidnapped. Everyone, including himself, was in a frenzy as they desperately fought against the criminals. Despite sessfully rescuing the hostage, Lin Cheng was tortured to death amidst the chaos, and everyones priority had been to save him. Only this young and inexperienced criminal detective, probably newly hired, still with a hint of greenness, a stubble of green on his chin, was the first to rush in, draping his own clothes over her, carrying Lin Yan out. Tears streamed down his face as he ran, crying uncontrobly like a lost child. It was the most primitive form of reverence andpassion for life, a look that had also appeared on the faces of old friends. From that moment on, he engraved the name of this young detective in his heart, subtly supporting him as he grew stronger, climbing step by step to heights unreachable to ordinary people. This time was no different. He chose to believe in him, in that inexperienced young police officer from years ago, who still carried a fervent and pure heart. May this hope not be in vain. After he left, Lin Youyuan tremblingly turned sideways and retrieved a yellowed ck and white photo from the bedside drawer. It was a group picture, with both men and women. One of the boys looked a lot like Song Yuhang. His rough hand caressed the figures in the photo, tears suddenly rolling down his face. Old buddy, well meet again.
To avoid drawing attention, Lin Yan went straight home from the underground parking lot. Upon entering, he went to take a shower first. After showering, he looked at the bloodstained clothes on the floor with a furrowed brow and lifted them with two fingers to examine. There was a cut at the hem. Even though what she did appeared natural, the cut looked like it could have been identally torn. But Lin Yan still saw through the ruse. She gave a self-deprecating smile, picked up a bottle of alcohol, poured it on the clothes, and threw a match on it. The mes roared, engulfing the evidence. Advertisement Song Yuhang, this time you are destined for disappointment.
Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau. Technical Investigation Department Laboratory. Xiaofang, where is Sample 03? The one that was just sent over yesterday. Fang Xin looked up from the microscope. Isnt it right there? Its in the cabbeled with a number. I cant find it. Can youe help me look? A colleagues anxious voice came through. Fang Xin, feeling resigned, replied, Alright, alright, Iming. She temporarily ced the test tube she held into the rack before rushing over to assist. As she left, someone swiftly passed by her workstation, the whole process taking less than three seconds. Returning, Fang Xin found the test tube still intact in ce, breathing a sigh of relief before continuing her work. Her other colleagues are getting ready to leave work. Fan Xin, were leaving. Arent you leaving yet? Without lifting her head, she replied, Not yet, Ill head backter. See you tomorrow. Her colleague yawned, giving her a pat on the shoulder. See you tomorrow.
LP: This chapter is just *whooosh* SO MANY REVELATIONS, IM JUST MIND BLOWNED!
Chapter 119-1 Chapter 119-1 Inquiry Fang Xin endured the whole night, and as soon as she obtained the appraisal results, she immediately sought out Song Yuhang. She left in a hurry, only locking herputer without shutting it down. Someone passing by her desk nced at it unintentionally, then paused, looked around to see no one was watching, turned back, tapped the keyboard, and copied a document into their USB drive. Captain Song Fang Xin, clutching the thin piece of paper, hesitated to speak. Song Yuhang, on the other hand, smiled as usual andforted her in turn. Its okay, no matter what the result is, I can handle it. Okay. Fang Xin clenched her teeth and handed over the appraisal report. The person iming indifference hurriedly snatched it, quickly opened it, and smoothed out the creases of the paper. Her gaze fell to the appraisal opinion at the very bottom, and suddenly, she was shaken, her face turning pale. Upon appraisal, the DNA sequence simrity between Sample No.1 and Sample No.2 is 0, indicating no kinship rtion. How could this be Song Yuhang bit down hard on her teeth, her hands trembling, gradually crumpling the paper, her eyes slowly reddening. Advertisement Reserved Ad Space Layout Captain Song, just hold off on panicking for now. Watching her teeter on the verge of copse, Fang Xin licked her lips and began to exin. DNA identification is only rtively urate, not absolutely so. Moreover, the uracy of the sample collection process, the temperature and humidity of the environment, and the methods of testing all significantly influence the results Having said so much, its unclear whom she was trying tofort, before she added onest sentence. Dont lose heart. Song Yuhang was, of course, aware that DNA evidence isnt conclusive proof. Modern criminal investigations dont rely solely on DNA results to convict. But for her at the moment, this appraisal result was irond evidence, and it was her only hope in identifying Pei Jinhongs true identity. She buried her head in the steering wheel and sniffed, waving her hand to signal that no constion was needed. After a good while, she raised her head, revealing an awkward smile. Thank you for the trouble. No worries at all, Captain Song, please take good care of yourself. Ill head back to work now. Seeing her like this, Fang Xin felt a pang of distress too and didnt dare to stay longer, leaving her space to be alone. She opened the car door, stepped out, and bid her farewell. Song Yuhang nodded, watching her enter the precincts main doors. Then, she reached for the cigarette pack thrown on the dashboard, tremblingly lit one to calm her nerves but ended up punching the steering wheel, tears falling down.
Ive got someone who wants to buy my stuff, came a hoarse voice through the receiver. He clenched his phone tighter at once. Cant you just stop? Havent I turned a blind eye enough all these years?! His voice was already lowering into a growl by the end. A sinisterugh emitted from the other end of the line. Not enough, still not enough. How could making money ever be enough? This is a deal worth two hundred million. Two hundred million. A sudden chill ran down the spine of the man on the other end of the call. Arent you afraid this is a trap? One cannot catch a wolf without risking the bait, the man on the phone chuckled nonchntly, stroking a parrots feathers and feeding it a sunflower seed. Why tell me something so important? he gritted his teeth. Naturally, because Id like your help. The man snorted coldly, on the verge of hanging up the phone. I have nothing to do with you anymore. Thats not necessarily, Kuba was holding the phone for him while the old man freed his hand to scratch the parrots chin. The mans pet, imbued with a sense of spirituality, mimicked with repetition, Not necessarily, not necessarily, not necessarily Laughing, the man said, Ha, see? Even animals understand the principle of repaying kindness. What on earth are you trying to say?! His tone grew colder, increasingly impatient. I have a meeting this afternoon; I dont have time to waste on your nonsensical talk. The old man calmly reached for a handful of sunflower seeds to feed his pet, his voice smooth yet carrying an edge of sharpness. Still in meetings, better to retire now. Once you do, who will even remember you? Look how long youve been in this position. Wouldnt it be better to give it onest shot before retiring? Maybe you could even climb higher. Dont you dare! came the furious, hushed response from the other end. The elder felt a wave of boredom and threw the melon seeds into the dish. Look at you, turning down money and glory thats been handed to you on a silver tter. To be honest, Im tired of Southeast Asia, this damp and sweltering ce. This time, all I want is enough money to emigrate and enjoy my retirement. The rest of the goods, the people, I could give to you. With one fell swoop, we could take down the criminal gang thats been threading through Southeast Asia, threatening border security, trafficking drugs into the country, and dealing in human trafficking. It would be a major achievement. Think it over, my old chum. As he spoke, he affectionately stroked the parrots head, feeding it a melon seed and watched as it mimicked, Old chum, old chum, old chum The sharp, eerie voice echoed far through the empty factory, sending chills down ones spine for no reason. The breathing on the other end paused abruptly, followed by a bang as the call was disconnected. Kuba removed the satellite phone from his ear. Boss, why did you tell him that? Arent you afraid he might betray us? Hmph, at this age, when one is practically one foot in the grave, what do you think is most important to a person like that, do you know? Kuba honestly shook his head, I dont understand. Though a big fellow, brimming with muscle, his mind was cluttered with nothing but schemes involving women and drugs. Such matters were beyond him, even headache-inducing at times. The Supreme Lord, precisely because of his simplicity yet unwavering loyalty, had taken him under his wing. Advertisement Reserved Ad Space Layout Child, its all about saving face, the Supreme Lord, with a parrot perched on his shoulder and leaning on his cane, shakily stood up and patted his shoulder. People who have always been in the limelight, experiencing a sudden fall from grace, the shock and disparity thates with it perhaps only death could fill that void. Kuba supported him, saying, Supreme Lord, I still dont understand. A trace of a smile appeared on the corners of the elderly mans lips. Not understanding is good, not understanding is good. If you did understand, that would be dangerous.
The work at the grassroots police station was much quieter than she had imagined, at leastpared to before. When there were no street disputes, after she finished her patrol duties, she could go off shift on time. Song Yuhang drove first to the Ji familys ce to visit her mom and Xiaowei. She had thought Ji Jingxing wouldnt be back at this time, but to her surprise, it was she who opened the door. Howe youre Howe youre home so early? Ji Jingxing took the gift she bought for Xiaowei from her hands. Why are you buying things again, given the sry now She stopped mid-sentence, swallowing her words back. Ji Jingxing knew this was a sensitive topic for Song Yuhang, so she quickly switched gears. You probably dont know yet, but Ive resigned from thew firm. Im going to be an independentwyer now, so please take good care of me. Probably noticing her downcast mood, she deliberately cracked some yful jokes to cheer her up. Mother Song also peeked out from the kitchen, smiling at her with a glint of hope in her eyes. Yuhang, you came just in time. I made braised pork. Stay for dinner. Song Yuhang couldnt bear to go against her mothers wishes and reluctantly agreed. Alright. Xiaowei, hearing the noise from the living room, also poked her head out from the bedroom and called out, Auntie. Song Yuhang was overjoyed and was about to rush over to embrace her when she slipped back inside and locked the door. Ji Jingxingughed. Shes willing to call out to people now, which is much better than before. Lets take it slow and not pressure her. Presumably, her decision to quit her job and be an independentwyer was also for the sake of taking better care of the child. Song Yuhang felt moved in her heart. Sister-inw has worked hard. Soon, the dishes were served on the table. Inside the house, the warm yellow light was on, and the table was set with four dishes and a soup, steaming warmly, with the family sitting together in harmony. Yuhang, try this. And this one, the crispy yellow croaker, bought fresh from the market this morning. Its very fresh. Song Yuhang suddenly stopped using her chopsticks, staring nkly at the mountainous pile of rice in her bowl, murmuring to herself. Yellow croaker, she liked to eat it, and the braised pork too. Yuhang Mother Song looked at her worriedly. Suddenly, Song Yuhang stood up and walked to the kitchen, taking out an empty bowl and a pair of chopsticks, cing them beside herself. The whole room exchanged puzzled looks as she divided the food in her bowl with another, for someone who wasnt there. Mother Songs heart ached immensely; she put down her chopsticks, her eyes brimming with tears. Yuhang Song Yuhang looked up, lifted her rice bowl, and smiled. Mom, its okay, lets eat, or the dishes will get cold. Intending tofort her mother, she was instead the one offering constion. Mother Song, taken aback, was at a loss for what to do next. Ji Jingxing deftly eased the tension, yfully poking her arm. Its fine, Mom, lets eat. Yuhang, you too, eat more. Xiaowei, try this. Song Yuhang mechanically shoved rice into her mouth, asionally adding dishes to the empty bowl beside her, her gaze persistently dim and lifeless. Advertisement Reserved Ad Space Layout She only lifted her head to offer a smile when called upon. That smile, too, was hollow and void of meaning. After dinner, Song Yuhang wanted to clean up the dishes, but was stopped by Mother Song. You donte back often, go and y with Xiaowei for a bit. Ji Jingxing also echoed on the side: Exactly, exactly. Xiaowei has missed her auntie, hasnt she, Xiaowei? Xiaowei shyly burrowed into her embrace. When they sat down, she then gently stroked the childs head, softly saying. Xiaowei, be good and go y with your blocks in the room for a while. Mom and your auntie need to talk. Song Yuhang sat at a distance from her, on an isted single-seater sofa, which she had noticed the moment she entered. She observed that Song Yuhang would asionally caress the ring on her finger and get lost in thought. Like right now. Ji Jingxing felt a bit worried. Throughout the process of taking Xiaowei for treatment, she had been in contact with many psychologists and had also self-studied this area extensively. She could tell that Song Yuhangs current state was actually very poor.
Chapter 119-2 Chapter 119-2 Inquiry Like right now. Ji Jingxing felt a bit worried. Throughout the process of taking Xiaowei for treatment, she had been in contact with many psychologists and had also self-studied this area extensively. She could tell that Song Yuhangs current state was actually very poor. She hesitated before speaking, Yuhang, have you ever thought about meeting new people? Song Yuhang shook her head, No. Well how about going on a trip to change your mood? Song Yuhang smiled slightly. Busy, no time. Ji Jingxing gritted her teeth and decided toy it all out. Dont you think your current state is very dangerous? How about this, Ill arrange for you to meet a friend this weekend? Listen to their advice, maybe it will help you in your current situation. Even though she spoke in a veiled manner, Song Yuhang still understood. Her eyes darted towards her, then shook her head. Advertisement No, sister-inw, I dont want to meet anyone, except for you guys. With that, she picked up her bag and headed towards the door. Mom, Im going back now. Goodbye, sister-inw, goodbye Xiaowei. Mother Song came out of the kitchen, Dont leave so soon, stay a little longer, okay? Before she could finish her sentence, she had already mmed the door shut with a loud bang. Mother Song and Ji Jingxing exchanged a nce, sighing deeply. Sigh, who knows when these days will ever end. If only I had known I wouldnt have stopped her back then. Ji Jingxing walked over and held her hand,forting her. Mom, take care of yourself. Look at me, Ive been through so much, and everything will get better. You still have Xiaowei, I still have hope, but Yuhang really has nothing left. Mother Song choked up, and Ji Jingxing hugged her, gently patting her back. Its okay, Mom. Look, Yuhang finally came, and youre already crying like this. Next time, she might not dare toe.
Song Yuhang left her home without a destination in mind, aimlessly driving around the streets. Unconsciously, she found herself standing in front of the Huange Nightclub. The windshield wipers scraped against the ss, and she peered through the mist to see a few familiar cars parked outside the nightclub. As she opened the car door, she confirmed the familiarity of the people there. Xue Rui and two other inclothes police officers, probably here to inquire about the Wang Qiang case. After some consideration, Song Yuhang pushed open the car door and stepped out. Xue Rui, she called out his name from a distance. Xue Rui turned around, his eyes lighting up. Captain Song, what are you doing here? Oh, its raining so heavily. Did you forget your umbre? He asked, and then turned to ask a colleague for an umbre to offer her. Song Yuhang politely declined, Just passing by. Are you here to investigate a case? Xue Rui nodded, looking somewhat troubled, scratching his head. Its still the same case of the murder and burning, no leads. A faint smile appeared on Song Yuhangs lips. How ironic, I also find this case intriguing. Should we work together on this? Xue Rui was delighted to have someone to bounce ideas off. Lets go, what are we waiting for? Lets go inside.
Who are you? Show your membership card. Police, investigating a case. Get your boss out here, Xue Rui stated, directly shing his credentials. At the door, someone had already reported the situation to Pei Jinhong. She was drinking with a client, leaning slightly on the sofa, with a well-behaved young girl kneeling at her feet massaging her legs. The man beside her had his arm around her shoulder, appearing drunk. Who? Shes not avable! As soon as the words were spoken, Xue Rui and his team barged in. The waiters naturally couldnt stop them, nor did they have a reason to. Stopping them would only show guilt. Song Yuhang immediately noticed her lounging on the leather sofa, being attended to by the young and beautiful girl, with a man hugging her waist affectionately. It was all too ring. Pei Jinhong, being a seasoned professional in sensual situations, remained unfazed by the scene before her. Not only did she stand her ground, but she also fed a grape into the mans mouth. Her delicate fingertips caressed his lips gently back and forth, causing those watching to blush and feel their hearts race. Xue Rui cleared his throat, but before he could speak, the person beside him coldly stated, The police are here to inquire, so bystanders should step aside. Lin Yan withdrew her hand impatiently, still wearing her ck veil hat, which added a touch of mystery and allure. Oh, such authority, she remarked. Last time, you used us of concealing drugs. Whats the charge this time? The events at the Huange Nightclub fromst time were still vivid in her memory. Song Yuhang pressed her lips together tightly, choosing not to speak. Seeing her reaction, Xue Rui continued. Its rted to a murder case, so its best for everyone else to step aside. Advertisement Liu Zhi whispered to Pei Jinhong as he poured her a drink. Sister Hong, should we Lin Yan tapped her finger lightly on the rim of the ss. No need. Just do as I say and avoid any unnecessaryplications. With Liu Zhi blocking most of the view, their conversation and movements were kept discreet. Song Yuhang furrowed her brow, Cant we just have an open conversation about this? Well, look at you. Lin Yan cheekily wiped a hand across Liu Zhis smooth, toned chest, not quite finished enjoying the moment before retracting her hand. Do we need to discuss bedroom talk openly here as well? The people in the room let out a mixture of subdued chuckles. Song Yuhangsplexion darkened even more. Lin Yan finally sat up straight, Alright, everyone, leave for now. Well y another day. The man reluctantly got up, wanting to kiss her again. Lin Yan plucked a grape from the fruit bowl on the table and ced it in his mouth, her eyes seductive. Wait for me tonight. Of course, my darling. For some reason, despite the rainy weather, the air conditioning was turned up high. Xue Rui stood next to Song Yuhang and shivered uncontrobly. As everyone filed out of the room, he rubbed his nose, sat face-to-face, and began working. Song Yuhang stood three steps away from him, positioned in the shadow of the sofa behind him, directly facing Lin Yan. Lin Yan was well aware that she was being observed, but upon seeing Xue Rui and the inclothes officers, she felt a sense of reassurance. If they truly suspected her, she would have been sitting in the interrogation room at the police station by now, rather than theming to see her in person. The difference between inquiry and interrogating is substantial. While Liu Zhi may not have beenpletely meticulous, the burning of the body had destroyed most of the evidence. They couldnt find a breakthrough, and the alibi of not being present can always be fabricated. Lin Yans background as a forensic scientist made her adept at handling police questioning, ensuring that no detail was overlooked. That night, I was singing at the Huangju KTV. I stayed there until nearly dawn. Dont believe me? Check the surveince footage. Its not like I have the ability to bribe every business in Jiangcheng City. Lin Yan stated with a hint of disdain, followed by a mocking smile. Song Yuhang listened in, feeling almostpelled to apud her. Xue Rui awkwardly set down his pen, having already conducted an investigation beforeing. Everything she mentioned matched up with the store surveince footage. He nced back at Song Yuhang. Captain Song, is there anything else to add? Song Yuhang shook her head, her sharp gaze still fixed on her, a slight smile on her lips. I must say, Miss Pei, your eloquence and ability to think on your feet are truly outstanding. Lin Yan swirled the liquid in her highball ss, her ck dress slightly askew, revealing a bare shoulder. Her loose high heels dangled from her ankles. It added a certain allure to her snow-white ankles, which were just as captivating as she was. Song Yuhang kept her eyes on her, only listening to what she had to say. Your praise is too kind. Since youre already here, and everyone made the effort toe, would you like to try some of our drinks and moisten your throats? She suggested, setting down her ss and preparing to pour wine into another empty ss. The person behind the sofa stirred. Song Yuhang lifted the ss of red wine she hadnt finished and took a sip, the faint lipstick mark on the rim disappearing. The smile at the corner of Lin Yans lips gradually cooled. Song Yuhang raised her eyes to look at her, a smile hiding a sharp edge. Miss Pei, do you know what it means to be too smart for your own good? In her mind, achieving such precision in handling a murder case without a single slip meant that only someone whom she had crossed paths with before, the owner of another ring on her hand, could have done it. Lin Yans heart skipped a beat, her smile fading as she slightly lowered her eyes, feigning a look of shock. I dont understand what Officer Song is saying. Xue Rui watched from the side, sensing a strange atmosphere between the two. Song Yuhangs behavior was unusual, especially drinking from a ss previously used by a suspected criminal during working hours, a thought he would never have entertained before. Xue Rui licked his lips, casting a careful nce at Pei Jinhong. The room was dimly lit, and she wore a ck veil hat, making her face difficult to see clearly. However, the exposed half of her chin seemed familiar to him. Advertisement Before he could ponder further, Song Yuhang stood up. Lets go. Xue Rui and the others quickly followed suit. Arent we going to continue questioning? Were done. There was no point in continuing; if Lin Yan wanted to distance herselfpletely from the case, she could certainly achieve it. If it wasnt Lin Yan, then it was Someone else was pulling the strings behind her. Song Yuhangs gaze turned cold, pausing in her steps. Thank you for today. Xue Rui scratched his head. Its nothing. We didnt get any answers anyway. After bidding farewell, they each got into their respective cars and drove off in different directions.
Chapter 120 Chapter 120 Old friend ording to reliable intelligence, there will be a trade of goods worth two hundred million in ten days, and your mission is he bent his fingers into a joint and lightly tapped the map. Find out the location of the trade. Lin Yan frowned, Last time I came out of the teahouse, someone was chasing me. They already have suspicions, so such a sensitive secret cannot be told to me. Feng Jianguo shrugged, Precisely because its sensitive, it needs a nail to be deeply inserted, a fatal blow. Lin Yan still felt something was off. Who can afford such a huge sum of two hundred million? As expected of the meticulous forensic doctor, she hit the nail on the head in one shot. Feng Jianguo remained unfazed. If we could know that, would we still need an undercover? Those who can afford such a big sum are most likely involved in the underworld, so its a perfect opportunity to catch them all in one go. Lin Yan tapped her forehead with her finger, Time is running out, let me think carefully. At present, the highest-level figures she can contact are Kuba and Tiger. As for the Supreme Lord above them, she hasnt even met them in person. Since this is a core secret, maybe even Tiger is unaware of it. To get the information, she may need to start with Kuba. Feng Jianguo pulled out a ck and white photo from the file bag and ced it on the desk. Ill give you this opportunity. Advertisement This is Lin Yans pupils contracted. Feng Jianguo nodded slowly, Indeed, its the Supreme Lord.
On a rainy night, the Qingshan Vi seemed to be veiled in a light mist, silently standing there. Song Yuhang parked the car to the side and slowly rolled down the window, turned her head to look at it, as if she could still see the past when the lights were bright, and remember the good times. After Lin Yans death, there were only two ces where her heart could truly calm down. One was in front of her tombstone. The second was here. On many sleepless nights tossing and turning, she either stood in front of her tombstone all night or smoked under the streetlight. She used to not be a person who loved smoking and drinking, but now she almost smoked a pack a day. Song Yuhang reclined the seat slightly, looked up at the rain sshing on the eaves of the vi, dripping down, quickly forming puddles at the entrance. In that reflection, it seemed like a pair of people standing side by side. She smiled slightly, extinguishing the cigarette butt in the ashtray. Since returning from the danger in the suburbs, she hadnt slept well for two days in a row. At this moment, after drinking a bit, drowsiness finally surged up. Song Yuhang leaned against the seat, turned her head to look at their former home, thinking of her, gradually falling asleep. She dreamt of Lin Yan as she wished, dreaming of their uing wedding, dressed in a white wedding gown. When Father Lin handed her over to her with her hand, a sudden fire engulfed everything. Song Yuhang slept uneasily, turning her head slightly, her face pale, sweat beading on her forehead. She murmured, Lin Yan dont! Tears suddenly streamed down her cheeks. She fell into a vast deep sea, the scene shifted, and the world turned gray. She watched her younger self push open the study door, rubbing her eyes, Dad, who are you talking to? The middle-aged man with a scruffy beard lifted her onto hisp, kissing her cheek. Yuhang, call him Uncle Lin. Is this your daughter? The man sitting across from her father, simr in age, gently ruffled her hair. The little girl was slightly shy, tugging at her clothes and meeting the eyes of the stranger. That face she had seen it before! Song Yuhang desperately wanted to make some noise: Dad, Uncle Lin, whats going on here?! But she felt like she was standing inside a transparent ss dome, watching everything happening outside with her eyes wide open, yet unable to speak or move. Song Yuhang heard the little girl sweetly call out, Uncle Lin. Then she was set down from the mansp. Okay, you have kindergarten tomorrow, time to go to sleep, sweetie. The little girl didnt dare to defy her fathers wishes and reluctantly walked out. She watched as the girl stood outside the door, pressed her eyes against the crack in the door, perked up her ears to eavesdrop. Supreme Lord Seven dayster Some blurry words floated into her ears. The girls mother walked over, leading her towards the bedroom. Why are you not sleeping again? Getting up in the middle of the night, be careful your dad scolds you. The girl made a face, He wont scold me, he even introduced me to a new uncle. Song Yuhang opened her mouth, Mom! Mom! Its me! Im here! She pounded on the invisible ssyer, bubbles popping from her mouth, but ultimately, no one responded. Song Yuhang closed her eyes, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Suddenly turning her head, in a daze, she heard a series of bang, bang, crackle sounds. Thinking it was gunfire, she instinctively reached for the mechanical stick on the passengers side. Who?! The street cleaner outside the car window was startled. I thought no one was here, could you move a bit, youre blocking the road. Song Yuhang opened her eyes to a faint eastern dawn filtering through the windshield, the rain had stopped. Oh had she really slept that long? She awkwardly smiled at the cleaner outside and released the mechanical stick. Sorry, Ill move right now. As she drove back on the road, her mind was incredibly clear, subconscious memories of events that had already happened but gradually been forgotten resurfaced. So, she had met Lin Youyuan before. So, her father and Lin Yans father were old friends. And, who was this Supreme Lord they mentioned? It seems that to find the answer, she must go to that ce. Entering the bustling city area, Song Yuhang nced at the small ads on the roadside poles and randomly chose a ce that issued fake documents, making a call. Advertisement Half an hourter. City Library. After showing her identification and stating her purpose, the administrator yawned. Quite early of you to be here first. Just for work, Ill stay here and not take anything out. Song Yuhang obediently took out her phone and ced it on the counter. Impatiently, the administrator waved her hand, indicating for her to proceed. Song Yuhang nodded, tucked the fake press pass into her pocket, pretended to take out a notebook, and walked inside. The citys public library, thergest and most well-stocked ce in Jiangcheng, was previously the Jiangcheng City Archives. After all documents were electronically archived after 2000, it gradually declined. The city government then converted it into a library for citizens to read, learn, and pass the time. However, most of the people who came here were just checking in and having coffee; only a few were seriously reading books. As the library had just opened in the early morning, there was nobody around. As Song Yuhang walked in, the distinctive smell of books ink entered her nostrils. She followed the index, scanning the shelves filled with rare books and ancient manuscripts, where she could find many things not avable on the intr. Such as old newspapers from forty years ago. If she searched on the intr, there would surely be some response from the other side, so she decided to take a different approach. The library was quiterge, with three floors. After wandering along the corridors for a while, she finally found the stairs and, following the administrators instructions, managed to reach the reading room on the third floor. There was a registration desk at the entrance, and she handed over her identification. Hello, I would like to look for some old magazines and newspapers. The staff looked up at her face, then checked her identification, tossing the small booklet to the side without returning it. Go in, its thest corner on the sixth row,. Song Yuhang nced at her fake pass, Then The staff was immersed in ying cards on theputer, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Registerter, no time now,e backter to pick it up. Alright. Song Yuhang obediently walked in and found the bookshelf as directed, squatting down to search for what she needed. She was specifically looking for copies of the Legal Daily. Her purpose was very clear. Quickly, she sorted through the pile of old books and newspapers and brought a stack to a nearby seat, opening her notebook to start transcribing. In 1994, the Fenyang Wharf dismemberment case a pin-sized camera hidden in the pens tip flickered. Continuing to flip through, she skipped over some irrelevant cases and dates until she reached 1978. Her pupils suddenly contracted as arge headline read: The Binhai Province police recently cracked a major drug trafficking case, seizing 20.3 kg of heroin on the spot, along with 5 vehicles and arresting 14 co-conspirators, and fatally shooting the drug lord Supreme Lord. With this, the transnational criminal organization spanning China and Myanmar has all been captured.
Lin Yan leaned on the desk, holding a ss of red wine in her hand, staying up all night, pondering over what Feng Jianguo had saidst night. The Supreme Lord isnt dead?! The old man shook his head, Supreme Lord is just a term used by the Hong Kong underworld, it doesnt refer to a specific person. So, the old Supreme Lord who died in a police crackdown several years ago, and the one alive now, is a different Supreme Lord?! Yes, back then I was just a young police officer and did not have the qualifications to participate in such a battle. I only heard from my seniors that the battle was extremely fierce, with heavy losses on the police side, so it was not widely reported. After that, the border was peaceful for a long time, and drug traffickers disappeared. Who knew that now - He paused, clenching his teeth. They have returned, bringing new types of drugs like Drunken Dream. If these are widely promoted, the consequences would be unimaginable. Border security is hanging by a thread, and I dont know how many families will be destroyed A gust of wind passed by, shaking the candle me and casting a golden light on the old mans face. Lin Yan fell silent, and after a while, she finally spoke. Whoever can create Drunken Dream must be a chemistry expert. Do you have any suspects? Feng Jianguo sighed, I wish we did. The Supreme Lord is elusive, and the one who handles things for him is Kuba. He then showed a photo. Lin Yan nced at it, And theres also Tiger, another enforcer responsible for coordinating with buyers and confirming trade locations. She picked up a photo and ced it in the center. The photo only showed a ck silhouette, no visible face. So far, we know Kuba, the Supreme Lords trusted aide, Tiger, the enforcer for the drug group, me, Pei Jinhong, responsible for receiving shipments and finding suitable buyers. The Supreme Lord, the leader of the group, unknown; the mastermind behind drug production, unknown; the person responsible for transporting drugs, unknown; the production location of Drunken Dream, unknown; trade locations, unknown. Lin Yan mmed down her pen, We dont know anything, and were just running in circles! Dont worry, even though we dont know all this, weve received information that in three days, the Supreme Lord will arrive to meet this mysterious buyer. It will be your chance to infiltrate the core management of the criminal group.
The Supreme Lord is already dead, then who could it be? Who could it be? Song Yuhang muttered, flipping through the newspaper quickly. She noticed that the detailed report had been cut outpletely. She managed to capture a photo with the pinhole camera before someone tapped her on the shoulder. Is this your ID? Song Yuhang turned around to see the same administrator holding her fake pass, looking displeased. Why isnt it showing up in the system? Advertisement Song Yuhang awkwardly chuckled, casually closing her notebook without a trace, and pocketed the pen with the pinhole camera. Really? Let me see. She took it from the administrators hand and pretended to examine it closely, Thats impossible. The administrator also seemed puzzled, as she didnt seem like a criminal. Suddenly, Song Yuhangs eyes lit up as she pointed outside the window, Whats that over there? The administrator instinctively turned around, and she took the opportunity to grab her bag and run, leaping over the table and leaving behind two footprints. Sorry! Hey, dont run! The administrator staggered out, pushing aside the chairs and tables to chase after her. However, the person had already disappeared at the end of the corridor, leaving the administrator muttering to herself, What a lunatic! After obtaining the valuable information, Song Yuhang returned home and immediately started developing the photos. She pinned them on her whiteboard and stepped back to examine the clues. Some unclear things were gradually bing clearer to her. She knew she had to revisit the logistics park where she had discovered the drug factoryst time, hoping to find new leads. Song Yuhang opened a packet of instant noodles, didnt bother with a bowl, poured hot water directly into the bag, used a stic container, quickly stirred with chopsticks, finished a few mouthfuls, grabbed her keys, and left the house.
LP: So the buyer is Lin Youyuan huh?
Chapter 121-1 Chapter 121-1 Doom Three dayster. Early in the morning, as the director walked into the office, he saw that Song Yuhang was not at her desk, furrowing his brow slightly. Where is Song Yuhang? A colleague, munching on a vegetable bun, looked up from hisputer and said, Oh, she clocked in and said she had something to attend to at home, so she took half a day off. This is uneptable. Alwayste, leaving early, and taking random days off. Does she think our workce is a tourist spot? Laughter filled the room as they discussed Song Yuhangs behavior. After all, she used to be a leader in the city bureau, so maybe she was just here to experience life and would eventually go back. The directors face went through various shades of red and white, but after a while, he turned and went to make a phone call. When Song Yuhang received a call from Feng Jianguo, she was in the warehouse moving goods. She wiped the sweat off her forehead with a towel, wiped her hands on her pants, then answered the call, slightly out of breath. Hello, whats up? She immediately heard his hoarse and angry roar over the phone. Where the hell are you? Comint calls are flooding in here. Get your ass back to work! Song Yuhang held the phone slightly away from her ear. Suddenly, she felt a heavy p on her back. What the hell are you doing?! Not working properly and beingzy! Be careful, you might not get paid today! Song Yuhang quickly hung up the phone and bowed her head, nodding. Yes, yes, Ill get to work, right away. Feng Jianguo listened to the busy tone on the phone and was stunned: After spending a few months at the grassroots level, this person had be so bold that they dared to hang up on the director. He quickly ced the handset back on the phone, then there was a knock on the door. Director Feng, everything is ready. Feng Jianguo rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit unsettled by the unexpected incident this morning. However, with things already in motion, he had to carry on. Alright, lets proceed ording to the n.
The warehouse where she was currently working was located in the same logistics park where drugs were discoveredst time. Not long after, as Feng Jianguo had suspected, everything appeared normal. Normal logistics vehicles wereing and going, transporting ordinary goods. What Song Yuhang had seen that night seemed like a bizarre dream. Even the workers had changed their uniforms. In these three days, she had managed to get a job here as a regr loader and unloader through abor servicepany, paying a high price. She earned a daily wage of fifty yuan, with two meals provided, working from 9 am to 10 pm, with a one-hour break at noon. There were both men and women in the workshop, most with dark and rough faces, calloused hands, and scars from being scratched by goods. Song Yuhang ckened her face and mingled with the crowd, not looking out of ce. She quickly bonded with the migrant workers. One of the supervisors had been here for three years and was considered a veteran, but he couldnt exin what goods were transported here in the past. When pushed for more details, he would be annoyed. Why ask so many questions? As long as we can earn money, its good enough! Not to mention the somewhat mysterious inner workshop that remained locked, with no one entering it. Perched on a container, wearing a safety helmet, holding a half-eaten pickled vegetable bun, Song Yuhang observed the orderly operation of the entire logistics park, with vehiclesing in to unload cargo from time to time. These trucks probably make a trip every two hours, and when she finished work at 10 pm, it was thest shift of the night. Song Yuhang looked at the shadow cast by the sun beneath her feet, roughly estimating the time. As her gaze shifted, she noticed the back door of the logistics park opening, and a few small cars sliding in. The guard quickly closed the door. Standing high up, she quickly bent down. Several people got out of the car, nced around, and the supervisor she was familiar with approached them, leading them into the workshop. Song Yuhang rolled off the container, adjusted her safety helmet, forgot about eating the bun, and watched as the group passed in front of her. A man in desert camouge vest asked, Is the cargo ready? The supervisor nodded and answered, All set, all set. Loading is in progress, it will definitely be ready to be shipped out tonight. The group swaggered into the workshop, and the shield door came down, blocking all visibility. Song Yuhang stuffed the bun into her mouth, realizing there would definitely be some significant activityter that night.
Sister Hong. Liu Zhi walked in and handed her a piece of paper. Lin Yan unfolded it and a slight smile appeared at the corner of her lips. She lit up a lighter and burned the paper. If you knew she was a spy, why didnt you kill her? Liu Zhi lit a cigarette for her in the glow of the me, the red lips lightly brushing against it, revealing pearly white teeth. Lin Yan blew a smoke ring. No rush, your older brother just died, and she followed soon after. How do you think others would see it? But Liu Zhi hesitated. Lin Yan took a few puffs and then extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray, a hint of determination in her eyes. Find a few skilled individuals. Were going on a trip tonight. Got it. Liu Zhi nodded and hurried out to make preparations.
Young Master, the Supreme Lord is meeting with buyers tonight. Would you like to join? Lin Ge was engrossed in the perfect ketone body in front of him. He used a surgical knife to open her facial bones, peeled off the skin with a tearing sound, and two eyeballs fell to the ground. He examined it as if it were a piece of art, holding the skull and looking at it. I wont go. Its boring to see a bunch of old things almost in the grave talking about business full of the stench of money. The assistant received the response, but as he turned to leave, he was called back. By the way, has the person who almost killed Song Yuhangst time returned? The assistant shook his head, No, most likely they have met an unfortunate end. Lin Ge furrowed his brow, slightly annoyed, and tossed the artwork in his hand into a solution, emitting a sizzling sound, filling theboratory with a pungent smell. Damn it. The assistant hesitated briefly before speaking. Shes very skilled and alert. Lin Ge sneered as he washed the blood off his hands. If she wasnt skilled and alert, how could she be the captain of the criminal investigation team? Whats our next step? We wait. Waiting for an opportunity topletely kill her. The attendant looked up in surprise. He regained hisposure. Lets go down. His emotions always seemed so erratic, sometimes calm, sometimes manic. The attendant looked at the blood-stained mess on the floor, his face turning pale. Yes.
Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Stay a while longer. The woman, disheveled, sat up from the bed. The man pulled up his pants. I have something to do tonight; Ille back to see youter. Whats the rush? Why are you in such a hurry? The woman reached out, embracing his waist, her nails grazing his chest. The man lifted her face, sharing an intimate moment, their lips locked in a secret conversation. Its important, a big shot ising. Be obedient. After a rustling sound, the man left the house dressed and tucked a gun into his waistband. With no one around in the alley, he hurried out, got into a ck car, and disappeared into the street. Almost at the same time, Liu Zhi pushed open the door. Sister Hong, theyve set off. A small pistol wasid out in front of Lin Yan. She wiped it with a cloth, blowing away the dust. Lets go too, to meet the Supreme Lord. In the afternoon, the supervisor assigned some people to unload the goods. Song Yuhang also approached with a sheepish look on her face, pulling the person to a corner and handing over a pack of good cigarettes. Boss, my younger brother is still in school, and my parents got injured early on and cant work. Give me a chance to earn money; you are like my second parents. The supervisor saw the cigarette, Soft Chunghwa, not bad, quite ssy. Seeing a woman hanging around here all day with a dirty and tired face, he felt a bit sympathetic. Okay, you cane too. Work hard, there will be pay for you. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Boss. Song Yuhang nodded and bowed, respectfully seeing the person off. Once they were gone, her expression turned cold and stern again. She finally entered the workshop as she wished, wearing a safety helmet and a mask, working alongside other specially chosen individuals. She noticed that these people had more experience in the industry, and a few even had some martial arts skills. If she moved slowly, she would attract fierce res from them, and then a whip harshly struck her body. What are you looking at? Get back to work! The supervisor hurried over and handed a cigarette to the man who had struck her. Calm down, calm down, the neer doesnt know any better. Even neers can be arranged to work inside? The man gave her a menacing look. As they spoke, the workshop door opened again, and the camouge-d man from the morning walked in with two or three others. The man who had struck her quickly slid down from the container, stood up straight, and bowed. Hello, Brother Tiger. Song Yuhang and the others, with their heads down, mumbled, Hello, Brother Tiger. Carefully peering at his face hidden under the safety helmet, Song Yuhang felt a shock in her heart. She had seen his name in the newspaper: Tiger! A once-famous drug dealer in Southeast Asia, a retired special forces soldier, and an international mixed martial arts champion. Such a prominent figure was just ackey. How deep did the waters behind this go? Tiger, cigar in hand, casually walked over and used a knife to puncture open a cardboard box, revealing bottled liquids inside. He was very pleased. Not bad. Keep working; by seven oclock, everything should be loaded onto the trucks and ready to go with me. Several trucks were already parked at the logistics parks entrance, ready and waiting. The crowd acknowledged with a grunt and went back to work, focusing on their tasks.
Chapter 121-2 Chapter 121-2 Doom Not bad. Keep working; by seven oclock, everything should be loaded onto the trucks and ready to go with me. Several trucks were already parked at the logistics parks entrance, ready and waiting. The crowd acknowledged with a grunt and went back to work, focusing on their tasks. Song Yuhang followed the supervisor and asked, Whos that? He looks pretty impressive. The supervisor turned around and whispered, Dont be nosy, just get back to work. Okay. Song Yuhang lifted a cardboard box effortlessly, carried it out to the truck, then returned. When no one was looking, she used a small knife to slit open a corner of the box. It contained drinks. Could it be that this group of people was really involved in legitimate business now? She was skeptical and decided to follow them at night to see for herself. Work ended early today, and they finished everything before seven oclock. The supervisor paid them for the days work. Song Yuhang held onto the crumpled banknotes absentmindedly. Alright, lets call it a day here, and finish work early. Advertisement What about dinner? someone protested. The supervisor exploded in anger, F*ck your mother, were finishing early and still paying you for the whole days work. Your ancestors must have umted enough virtue, and you still want dinner? Get lost! The group grumbled as they made their way out, but Song Yuhang stayed in ce, lost in thought. Someone identally bumped into her. Arent you leaving yet? Oh, not in a hurry, just need to use the restroom. Can you hold this for me? she said loudly, seemingly urgent and not minding much. She handed over the money and slipped out of the queue while no one was paying attention. Hey, what a fool! The person held the money, delighted, nced around to make sure no one was watching, then stuffed the money into their pocket and quickly left thepound, paying no more attention to her. Song Yuhang sessfully slipped away to a spot near the usual restroom area, dressed in work clothes and a safety helmet, and no one paid her any mind as they passed by. The ce was not far from the back gate, and she heard voices nearby. Song Yuhang pressed against the wall, sneaking closer. Nightfall had descended, providing the best camouge. The shutters of the bungalow were half-closed, with several tables set up outside. A few burly men she had seen in the afternoon were sitting together, drinking and smoking. There were peanuts, beer, and a few bottles of the drinks she had seen in the workshop on the table. Tiger wasnt there. Song Yuhang furrowed her brows and observed as the men excitedly picked up one of the bottles, opened it, took a swig, and passed it around, their faces flushed abnormally. She understood then that certainly wasnt ordinary drinks inside those bottles. She turned away and took out her phone from her pocket, quickly typing out a message and sending it. The time hase, lets go. The group of men, done with their revelry, flipped the table and retrieved weapons from the bungalow. She saw a burly man with a left green dragon and a right white tiger tattoo even carrying an AK over his shoulder. Song Yuhang clenched her teeth, cursing, Damn it, they have heavy firepower too. You guys go ahead, I need to go relieve myself. Its always you whoes back thetest,zy like a cow, peeing and pooping a lot. Hurry up and get back! Someone angrily scolded. A man in a jacket broke away from the group and ran towards the restroom in the nearby woods. Song Yuhang held a brick in her hand and quietly followed. Advertisement Before long, the man returned, still wearing the same clothes and a duckbill cap. The same person who spoke to him earlier flicked his cigarette away. Finally back, lets go, drive, dont keep Tiger, the Supreme Lord, and the others waiting too long. Yes. His deliberately deep voice sounded somewhat strange. The man wanted to look at him a bit more, but he had climbed into the drivers seat and obediently started the truck. The man grumbled as he walked to the small car in front, waving his hand, Lets go!
Master, everything is ready, Lin Youyuan sat on the bed, holding a bowl and drinking medicine. He managed to maintain a calm andposed demeanor, as if he were savoring a fine tea. Despite the medicines repulsive bitterness, he swallowed every drop without hesitation and then handed the bowl to the butler. Once everything is ready, lets set off. The butler seemed somewhat uneasy, Perhaps I should apany you, just in case the subordinates need some guidance A faint smile appeared at the corner of Lin Youyuans mouth, his spirits seemingly improved today. Its precisely the subordinates who should handle it. Just wait, its not yet the time for us to step in. The butlers heart skipped a beat, and after a slight bow, he prepared to leave. Yes. Lin Youyuan called him back as he was about to depart. Any news from Lin Ge? There hasnt been much activity, he hasnt left the house for several days, the butler mentioned Lin Ge, with a lingering uncertainty. If you already know, why not Could it be that merely relying on past rtionships is enough to tolerate him to this extent? Lin Youyuan was not one to be easily swayed. The old mans beard twitched slightly, a sigh escaping from his lips, I am old, let the young ones handle the affairs of the young. (LP: This is why you suck)
In the outskirts of the city, at a remote breeding farm. A wooden fence surrounds a secluded hilltop. The car lights shed three times, and someone emerged with a shlight to open the wooden gate, allowing the trucks to enter one by one. Advertisement After the delivery trucks went in, several cars approached slowly and were stopped at the entrance. A person took off their sunsses, revealing an unremarkable face. Despite the surrounding armed bandits looking fierce, the person remained unfazed, holding a ck leather briefcase in hand. Oh, is this how you treat esteemed guests? Boss Long? The lead guard nced him up and down, while the people with Boss Long kept a watchful eye on the guards. With a signal from the guard, the group rushed forward, snatching the briefcase from him and pinning him down on the car to search his body. The otherckeys followed suit, and when one of Boss Longs men resisted and tried to reach for a gun at his back, a bullet quickly sent him to the afterlife. After the inspection, the guard tossed the briefcase back to him, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips. Go inside, the Supreme Lord will be with you shortly. The fallenckeyy at his feet, the intimidation of the situation having stripped Boss Long of his former swagger. His face pale, he meekly held onto the briefcase. Yes yes, of course. With that, he was pushed inside by several guards, and the gate closed behind him. Song Yuhang drove the car to the designated location. Before even turning off the engine, someone urged her, Get out, go over there and wait, dont wander around. She jumped out of the car and obediently followed a few armedckeys inside, observing her surroundings as she walked. It seemed to be a pig farm, with the air filled with the stench of swill. The seemingly simple wooden fence was actually wrapped in wire, with sandbags stacked every few steps, and a few burly men armed with guns sitting around. Not far away stood a watchtower. Song Yuhang had excellent eyesight and could immediately spot the patrolling figure atop it. upying the high ground, the sniper rifle in their hands could cover the entire farm, leaving no movement unnoticed by the sharp-eyed marksman. This was clearly a small military fortress. Song Yuhang felt a pang of rm as she was pushed into a wooden house. Alongside her were the others who had arrived in different cars, and they exchanged nces with each other. The person who brought them in closed the door, unslung the gun from their back, and chambered a round. Song Yuhang uttered a quick not good! and acted preemptively, leaping up with a hook punch that sent the person stumbling back two steps. Seeing the situation turn sour, theirpanion hurriedly removed a gun from their back, pulled back the bolt, but before they could prepare to fire, Song Yuhang grabbed the person by their cor and flung them towards the other, causing both to fall together. The thug standing behind her aimed the dark muzzle of the gun at her and pulled the trigger. Bang, bang, crack! A series of loud gunshots rang out, and the sniper on the tower aimed their scope over, only to see the small house curling a sneer on their lips in contempt. F*ck, just killing a few pigs, why make such a big fuss. Song Yuhang pushed the dead body aside, got up, picked up the gun, while the people who came with her were in shock, their faces pale, crying. Please please dont kill me! I dont know anything, Im just a driver! The unexpected event happened too quickly. When the person fired the gun, Song Yuhang was already alert, quickly dodging behind the two fallen individuals, with blood sttering. Taking advantage of the opponents momentary confusion, she found a knife on one of the deceased and viciously flung it, hitting right on the forehead. Whether in quick reactions orbat abilities, she acted seamlessly and decisively, without hesitation. Song Yuhang helped up the few innocent people. Quick, we need to leave. Theyre going to silence us! But, but there are so many people outside. How do we escape? Song Yuhang nced at the bodies on the ground. Change your clothes, head southeast. There are fewer guards in that direction. With that, she took the lead in pulling off the jacket of the man she had just shot. The others nced at each other, gritted their teeth, and crawled over to help. Before long, the wooden door opened. Through the snipers scope, the three people walked out as usual, shrouded in the dark night, making it impossible to see if there were any bloodstains on their clothes. Whispering softly, Song Yuhang said, Just keep going straight, dont look back. Turning back would mean getting shot on the spot. It wasnt until the group walked out of the snipers view, reaching the back of the house and crouching under the eaves. The oppressive feeling that made ones scalp prickle finally dissipated. Song Yuhang breathed a sigh of relief, pointing to the darkness of the night. Do you see the gap over there? Dont stand up, crawl forward and slip out, and youll be safe. Hurry, lets go. The two individuals expressed profound gratitude: Thank you, thank you. After bidding her farewell, they followed themand and crawled away. Advertisement As one of them was about to squeeze through the wire fence, he nced back and saw that Song Yuhang had already vanished into the night. A ruthless gleam shed in his eyes as he patted hispanions shoulder. Thepanion snapped back to attention, Quick Before the word go could be fully spoken, warm blood sprayed from the mans neck. He retracted the dagger, wiped away the bloodstains from his clothes, shoved the person into the bushes, and pressed the miniature mic on his cor. Report, theres a cop who infiltrated. If Song Yuhang were a ruthless criminal who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals, then this mission would undoubtedly seed. Unfortunately, she was a police officer, unable to raise a butchers knife against unarmed civilians, which meant that tonight she was destined to face this ordeal. For some unknown reason, Lin Yan, who was on standby on the perimeter, suddenly felt a sharp pain in her heart, almost making it hard for her to catch her breath. She had to slightly bend down, holding onto the car door. Sister Hong Liu Zhi wanted to help her but hesitated. Lin Yan waved her hand, taking a few deep breaths to calm the palpitations. Its nothing. As she saw the lightsing up the mountain road, she raised her hand. The people have arrived, order the brothers to prepare.
LP: My only hope is that Yuhang and Yanyan stays alive until the end ( _ )
Chapter 122-1 Chapter 122-1 STRONG CONTENT WARNING: The following chapter contains scenes of violence, blood, and intense emotions. Reader discretion is advised. Sea of mes As they watched the Hummer stop at the entrance of the breeding farm, Liu Zhi was about to rush out, but Lin Yan grabbed him back. Sister Hong he lowered his voice, full of confusion. Leaning against the dirt slope, Lin Yan held a cigarette in her hand, gently flicking the ash off. No rush. Adding flowers on brocade goes unnoticed, and sending charcoal in snowy weather shows deep friendship. Going out at this time will only make you look suspicious, Lin Yan advised. Liu Zhi still had a hint of doubt, But what if what Chen Fang said is false? She casually blew a smoke ring, Then lets consider it as us witnessing some excitement. In their conversation, Kuba had already jumped out of the car. The guard, upon seeing his face, immediately slung his gun over his back and respectfully opened the wooden gate. Advertisement Second Master, please. Kuba got back into the first Hummer again, slowly driving through the gate. Song Yuhang lowered her head and, with others, carried away the wooden fence. Inadvertently, she nced at the dark ss, reflecting the scarred face of an old man, appearing quite terrifying in the night. Was this the infamous drug lord, the Supreme Lord known for cunning and treachery, who had terrified countless people in the Golden Triangle region? Surprised, Song Yuhang discreetly brushed her coat button as she watched the departing Hummer, casually noting down its license te number. After getting the person inside, she took the opportunity when others werent paying attention, picked up an AK and followed behind the patrol team. Luckily, these bandits were all dressed simrly in desert camouge, with ck face masks covering up to their noses, leaving only their eyes visible. Without careful observation, one couldnt tell that she had long switched ces like a fox bing a prince. These individuals operated in a militarized manner, with shifts and clear responsibilities. Many of them had broad shoulders, sturdy physiques, t noses, and exuded a fierce aura, looking like well-trained fighters. Not far away, a group of shirtless teenagers, gathered to y dice in front of a small bungalow. Judging by their appearance, they were no more than fourteen or fifteen years old, or even younger. Many of them had strange and exotic tattoos on their bodies and faces, standing on tables and chairs with beer and other beverages close at hand, the drinks topped with U.S. dors. It was unclear who had lost the bet again, but money was swiftly swept away, prompting the loser to curse loudly in anguage she couldntprehend. Several others pounced on him, knocking him to the ground and brutally kicking his face. The patrol leader shouted loudly in Burmese, causing the group of kids to step back, still grumbling as they spat on the ground. The thick phlegmnded near Song Yuhangs feet. She tightened her grip on the gun, almost tempted to shoot these people right there. However, she knew that the most crucial task of this mission was not killing or saving these misguided children. It was to bring back every single detail of what she had witnessed and captured on film today. In the future, all of these would be crucial pieces of evidence to determine life and death in the courtroom. Song Yuhang quietly exhaled a turbid breath, calming her emotions and continuing to move forward. After roughly circling the entire camp, she had a rough estimate in her mind, but she was also secretly shocked. The campprised around fifty individuals, not including the sharpshooter stationed on the watchtower brought in by the Supreme Lord. Over half of them were young adults, with a dozen or so child soldiers. Advertisement The sheer magnitude of the armed forces in thend of Jiangcheng City, hidden in the deep mountains and dense forests, raised the question of who had given them the authority. The person who could make Kuba and the Supreme Lorde personally must have a significant background. As the night grew darker, the vignce in the camp became even stricter, pervaded by a tense atmosphere hinting at an imminent battle. Song Yuhang knew that every minute and second she dyed would reduce her chances of safely getting out of there. However, as she looked at everything before her the organized criminal syndicate, the stacked boxes of new drugs, the looming drug lord and mysterious buyers a sense of duty made her hesitate. She was unsure if there would be another opportunity like this, or if someone else would risk their life to intrude again. Whether their crimes would be exposed to the world depended on what she could obtain this night. With a determined grit, Song Yuhang gritted her teeth and quickly muttered something in rudimentary Burmese to the thugs in front of her, indicating she needed to use the restroom. With that, she broke away from the group.
Supreme Lord. The warehouse door swung open, casting a beam of light inside, and Boss Long, who had been resting on a gas drum, also stood up. Supported by his entourage, the elderly man slowly walked in, leaning on a cane. He was well into his senior years,pletely bald, wearing dark sses. He was not tall, even a bit diminutive, yet no one present dared to look down on him. Boss Long, noticing the scars covering his bald head like centipedes, felt a shiver down his spine, his hands trembling. After swallowing hard, he finally regained his voice. This is a fifty million deposit check. I want to inspect the goods. Apanied by several of his men, they surrounded Boss Long in the middle, their guns already taken away. The individuals he brought along were now flexing their fists, eyeing everyone with a predatory re. Kuba assisted him to sit on the other side while Tiger stood guard at the door with his gun. Another attendant brought in a birdcage from outside and ced it beside him. Song Yuhang gently lifted the tiles on the roof. The Supreme Lord twisted some snacks in his palm to feed his beloved pet, his face even wearing a slight smile. Lower your weapons, this is our esteemed guest. Come, bring the goods for Boss Long to taste. The guns that had been confiscated were returned to their owners, and Boss Longs followers looked at him skeptically, then at the boss before reluctantly picking them up with his approval. During the interval of receiving the goods, the Supreme Lord continued to feed the parrot. Advertisement Boss Longs business is booming in Singapore, so why did he think ofing to the maind? Business here is not as easy. Seeing him rx, Boss Long finally sat down. Well, economies everywhere are in a downturn. Wealth and prosperity are sought amid risks. Both parties had already investigated each other beforeing, much like how Boss Long knew the Supreme Lord was a ruthless drug lord with no hesitation in killing, while the Supreme Lord knew he was a Chinese from Singapore, the legal representative of thergest private enterprise in the country. The Supreme Lord was selling this batch of goods to him, knowing that he could resell it at double the price, making it a win-win and highly profitable deal. These were pieces of information that both sides were already aware of before the meeting. Observing his fluent responses without surprise, the Supreme Lord picked up a straw and stirred the water in the birdcages feeding box, luring the beloved pet over to drink. Many years ago, I did business with your father, the Supreme Lord snorted coldly. Seeing the parrot refusing to drink, he angrily tossed the straw into the birdcage. Did hepensate me with twenty million? How is he doing now? Boss Long opened a nearby box, revealing a neatly stacked pile of US dors. To be honest, my father passed away ten years ago. Ive heard some rumors about that incident, which was caused by some irresponsible brothers within the family. I have taken care of them. This money is for the Supreme Lord as a form of apology. There was no business deal ten years ago; this was all a deception. However, if he were to publicly point out the Supreme Lords mistake, he feared he might not leave here alive today. The old mans lips curled into a slight smile as he took the handkerchief that Kuba handed him and wiped his hands. Lets inspect the goods. Several cardboard boxes were brought in one by one. Song Yuhang squinted slightly, watching as the Supreme Lords men opened the first box. Boss Long sneered, showing a hint of disdain. What is this? Coca-C? Dont joke around, Im not a convenience store vendor As soon as the words fell, a child around ten years old walked in. At Kubasmand, he picked up a bottle of drink, unscrewed the cap, and gulped it down. After a while, a smile yed at the corner of his lips, and his face flushed. He panted heavily, slightly agitated, and tugged at his clothes. With a wave of Kubas hand, two big, burly men swung their fists and charged forward. A brutal punch hit the childs chest, causing a visible copse of the chest cavity. The child staggered back a few steps but did not fall. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he firmly twisted one of the mens wrists, raised his knee into the mans stomach, causing him to hastily retreat, stumbling into a cardboard box and falling to the ground. The child swiftly advanced, his eyes bloodshot, viciously roaring as he attempted to bite the mans throat with incredible strength. Anotherckey picked up a steel rod as thick as a thumb from the ground and smashed it towards the childs head. The child did not dodge, hesitating for a moment as fresh blood oozed from his scalp, dropping one by one onto the floor. Boss Long widened his eyes as he watched everything unfold before him. Just when he thought the child was dead, the child stood up, blood covering his face, and with a roar, he staggered towards the burly man. Seemingly possessing inexhaustible energy,pletely oblivious to pain. Boss Long was shocked, witnessing the child overpowering the burly man, copsing at his feet. The child, with bloodstained white teeth, was inches away. Boss Long recoiled, tumbling off the oil drum. A gunshot pierced the air. Kuba blew the smoke from the barrel of the gun and said, Take him away. The limp child and the two heavily injured strong men were carried out, and the blood on the ground was quickly cleaned up, as if it had just been a nightmare. Everything disappeared without a trace. Boss Long swallowed hard, being helped up from the ground, while the old man burst into heartyughter, his smile tinged with a hint of madness and triumph. Did you see that? This is Drunken Dream No.1, capable of extreme excitement, madness, tirelessness, maintaining vigorous energy and a desire to attack forever, and even He paused meaningfully, an enhancement in certain abilities in that area, perfect for those wealthy big bosses. Song Yuhangs chest heaved up and down as emotions surged within her, unconsciously picking at the dust on the tile with her nails. She gritted her teeth tightly, almost unable to restrain the urge to rush in and take them down, until she tasted a hint of blood on her tongue. Advertisement Her Adams apple bobbed as she closed her eyes and managed to push back the difficult-to-control restlessness.
Five minutes ago. In the bushes outside the breeding farm, a group of people silently approached. A calm and methodical voice came through the radio channel: Surround the entire factory premises. When the gunshots ring out, charge in and capture the Supreme Lord alive. Yes, first team in position. Second team in position. Third team in position. Fourth team in position. The vantage point has been secured. A dark figure climbed stealthily around the blind spot in the snipers field of view, ascended the tower, tapped the sniper on the shoulder, and as the criminal turned around to shoot, they were knocked unconscious with a swift hand strike. A cloth was stuffed into their mouth, and handcuffs were ced on them, chaining them to the railing.
Chapter 122-2 Chapter 122-2 STRONG CONTENT WARNING: The following chapter contains scenes of violence, blood, and intense emotions. Reader discretion is advised. Sea of mes Boss Long swallowed his saliva twice, first with fear in his eyes as he watched everything unfold before him. After hearing what was said, he swallowed again, this time with an excited gleam on his face, as if he saw piles of banknotes right in front of him, almost unable to contain his anticipation. This is fifty million. Take it, and when can you provide me with the follow-up goods? An assistant brought over a suitcase, which Kuba opened for the Supreme Lord to inspect. Sure enough, the checks were checks, and the cash was cash, exuding that distinct scent of banknotes. The Supreme Lord was very pleased. He picked up a stack, licked his finger, counted the money, then threw a pile of dors into the box. Kuba closed the suitcase and stood by his side. Boss Long values honesty, and so do we. The remaining goods will be delivered in seven days at Before he could finish her sentence, footsteps were heard outside the warehouse. Advertisement Song Yuhangs pupils dted as she saw someone run over and whisper something in Tigers ear. Tiger took down his AK from his back, loaded the bullets, and kicked open the warehouse door. Uh-oh! It seems like weve been discovered! Song Yuhangs mind sounded the rm, and in one swift motion, she climbed down from the roof and ran down. Upon hearing the sound of tiles breaking on the roof, Kuba reacted swiftly, grabbing the submachine gun from apanion nearby and firing a burst towards the ceiling. Song Yuhang leaped up just in time as the spot where she stood was pierced by bullets, sending tiles flying. Before she could catch her breath, the decrepit beams sumbed to the weight, emitting a creaking sound, and under another wave of gunfire, they finally copsed. She managed to grab a piece of tile only to fall heavily, her head covered in dust. In the weightless descent, someone aimed a gun at her. Song Yuhang grabbed the AK she had picked up earlier from behind, opened her eyes amidst the dust, used her waist as support, quickly pulled the trigger, and unleashed a series of shots. Kuba helped up the Supreme Lord, dodged to the side, and rolled on the ground while shielding his head with his hands. Several henchmen fell to the ground from being shot, while Song Yuhang tumbled into a pile of oil drums, too focused on shooting to make any protective moves. Shended on her back, the pain causing her vision to darken. A few empty oil drums rolled down, and Song Yuhang dodged to the side. Bullets hit the oil drums, sparking as they flew. She got up and sprinted madly towards the exit. The surrounding police officers, unsure who fired the first shot, exchanged nces, the gunshots serving as a signal. Someone had already dashed out. The criminals behind the wooden fence turned around and, facing the approaching SWAT team, lifted their hands and fired a burst of bullets. Blood sttered on the grass, the SWAT member fell to the ground, the gun in their hand dropping, blood trickling from the corner of their mouth, eyes staring nkly into death. The sound of the gunshot seemed to flip a switch, as more criminals emerged from the bungalows, rooftops, and behind sandbags, throwing everything into chaos. Lin Yan suddenly sprang up from the grass nest, checking her watch. It wasnt time yet. What on earth was going on? Amidst the nearby gunshots and the flickering firelight, she gritted her teeth and gestured with a wave. Charge! Advertisement A little further away, on the slightly tter slope of the opposite hill, several policemand vehicles were parked. Feng Jianguo took the binocrs from someone elses hands and observed the battle. Several special police officers walked briskly over, escorting individuals who were tied up. Director Feng, we found him in the forest behind the farm, knocked unconscious. The bound individual nodded repeatedly, indicating for them to untie him. Feng Jianguo took one look at his face, and cold sweat covered him. His appearance here who could the inside man in the farm be?!
Kill her! someone shouted loudly in multiplenguages, and immediately Song Yuhang was blocked by several henchmen, who fired without hesitation. Song Yuhang rolled sideways onto the ground, with bullets hitting the concrete floor, almost grazing her body. She took refuge behind the oil drums, breathing heavily, calcting how to escape. Her fingers felt the oily grease on the drum, realizing it wasntpletely empty, a n forming in her mind. Another group of assants nked her. Song Yuhang picked up the gun and fought bitterly, alone among the vicious and dangerous criminals. In a nce, she saw Kuba helping the Supreme Lord make his escape, a surge of adrenaline building up within her. With a loud shout, she stood up, taking aim and firing the gun. Dont leave, save your life! Kuba pushed the Supreme Lord towards Tiger. Take the Supreme Lord and go first! With that, he turned around, and the barrel of the gun spewed out mes, a burst of bullets shooting towards her. Song Yuhang maneuvered through the hail of bullets, her body adorned with unknown injuries, her camouge suit soaked, but she felt no pain. She leaped and hid behind the oil drum. The ensuing bullets pierced the drum, causing crude oil to trickle onto the ground. Footsteps approached in a chaotic manner. Song Yuhang sat back against the oil drum, threw the empty magazine on the ground, and retrieved a photo from her shirt pocket. Her blood-stained hand gently caressed the face in the photo, a faint smile on her lips. She carefully ced the photo back close to her heart, while with one hand, she pulled out a lighter from her pants pocket and lit it with a click. In her heart, she silently counted: 1, 2, 3 Kuba ran towards the direction where she was hiding, stepping on the slippery liquid beneath his feet. The entire warehouse was filled with a pungent smell of crude oil. Advertisement He suddenly felt something was amiss, halted his steps, and called out to hispanions, F*ck, back out quickly! It was toote. Song Yuhang silently recited, raised her hand, and viciously flung the lighter out, a glint of fire reflecting in her pupils as a golden hue tinted her brows and eyes. In the instant the explosion-generated huge wave overturned everything, Song Yuhang thought to herself: Its okay to let it go like this. However, this thought was fleeting, even though she deeply wished to reunite with her fiance in death. But she couldnt die yet. The evidence had not been sent out, and if she were to die, it should be after delivering the evidence to the authorities. She needed to reveal all this evil to the world, including the uing transaction in seven days, brewing with conspiracy, power, money, and desire Lin Yan and Chu Nans grievances had not been avenged. She couldnt die. It wasnt all over yet. Song Yuhang exerted herst ounce of strength, flipping inside an empty iron barrel as the mes approached, allowing the fire to engulf everything.
Supreme Lord, are you okay?! Lin Yan arrived with her men when the battle hade to an end. The ground was littered with bodies, most dressed in desert camouge, with heavy casualties. The police had temporarily retreated. Liu Zhi dug out Tiger and Supreme Lord from the pile of corpses. Tiger spat out the sand in his mouth, got up, and pointed a gun at his head, cursing loudly. F*ck, why did you alle so quickly?! If we hadnte, Tiger, who has roamed Southeast Asia and conquered all challengers, would have fallen here tonight. Lin Yan emerged from the sea of blood and corpses, her shapely figure enveloped in a tight ck leather outfit. Her shoulder-length ck hair was tied back into a sleek ponytail, exuding a fierce and dangerous beauty. She held a small pistol in her hand, loaded with bullets, aimed at him and pulled the trigger. However, it wasnt him who died but a young policeman next to him who had intended to harm the Supreme Lord. As the mes extinguished, Song Yuhang narrowly escaped and crawled to the warehouse door in a daze, hearing a gunshot in the distance. She nced up hastily, only to see a familiar figure coldly and mercilessly pulling the trigger towards her formerpanion, throwing the body into the bushes as if it were a discarded piece of trash. Dont A tear slid down her eye, her fingers futilely wing at the ground as her weak cries were drowned out by the sound of gunfire. Upon hearing movement, Lin Yan turned around. Theres a survivor. With that, she walked over, grabbed her by the hair, and lifted her face, shaking it abruptly, herplexion turning ghastly pale. How could it be her? Song Yuhang was a mess, covered in dirt and blood. Despite narrowly escaping by hiding in an iron barrel during the explosion, her hands and feet were badly burnt by the sudden surge of heat in the warehouse. Her flesh was charred, unrecognizable, no longer human. Despite being in a sorry state, her eyes remained bright, shimmering with tears. She used to love her eyes warm as amber, calm as the vast ocean, with a hidden warmth flowing beneath the iceberg, alwaysposed and full of love and vitality. But now, all that remained was silence and deep-seated hatred. Lin Yans hand, gripping her hair, began to tremble. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth, wishing to devour her flesh, drink her blood, unable to quell the hatred burning in her heart. You you killed him I Ill kill you! As the words fell, she was hit on the temple with the butt of a gun, causing Song Yuhang to turn her head, ears ringing as she spat out a mouthful of blood. The gun in Tigers hand was loaded, aimed at her head, gritting his teeth in hatred. Its her, suddenly barged in, alone killed over twenty of our best men, even Second Master Before he could finish, Song Yuhang slowly closed her eyes. Advertisement Lin Yan grabbed the gun barrel, Hold on. Song Yuhang looked up in confusion, her lips quivering, but she saw Lin Yan smile coldly once again. Her hand, like a snake, touched Song Yuhangs cheek, caressing it back and forth. Finally, she gently pinched her chin, forcing her to look up and smile gracefully. She is called Song Yuhang, the former captain of the Criminal Investigation Detachment in Jiangcheng City, quite skilled. Its not surprising at all that she took down over twenty of you. Even if she dies here, the cops wille back for the body. Once todays events are exposed, it might be Lin Yans cold gaze fell on the miniature camera hidden in her cor button. Today, whether its her, Kuba, or the Supreme Lord, they have all shown their faces. Once the video spreads, their wanted posters will circte worldwide. The Chinese police will inevitably join forces with military personnel from various countries tounch a manhunt. There will be no escaping even if they sprout wings. Tiger finally figured out the situation, his back drenched in cold sweat, Are you saying she has something on her? Lin Yan nodded, using the gun to smack her face. Thats right. If shes going to die, shell have to tell us where the thing is before dying.
LP: Yanyan buying time, also Yuhang, you better recover, you idiot!
Chapter 123 Chapter 123 Torture Where is the thing hidden?! Lin Yan angrily grabbed her cor and roared menacingly. Song Yuhang was shaken by her actions, although her face was so familiar and captivating, it also sent shivers down her spine. She gently raised the corners of her lips, her eyes shining like stars: Come closer, I Ill tell you. When Lin Yan leaned in, she was spat on the face with a mouthful of blood. She slightly turned her head, closed her eyes, her lips trembling, struggling to conceal her inner grief. But this expression onlysted for a moment. Brother Tiger and Liu Zhi are watching, she couldnt afford to be soft, she couldnt. Being soft-hearted will kill her and Song Yuhang. Lin Yan raised her hand and fiercely pped, Damn, motherf***er, hit her! Several people rushed forward, punching and kicking Song Yuhang. She couldnt bear to watch any longer and walked towards the Supreme Lord. Supreme Lord, are you okay, we arrivedte. Supreme Lord, being older, was pulled out of the ruins, sat aside and breathed heavily for a while. He squinted his eyes, looking at her as if a sick, but still fierce lion was observing its prey, ready to pounce and snap her throat if she made any suspicious move. Lin Yan remained calm, allowing him to gaze at her, even though she felt a bit numb, especially when he removed his sunsses, revealing a face covered in scars from head to face, with white opacity in his eyes, a copsed nose bridge, and skin on his neck scarred from burns. He was nothing short of monstrous. The figure before her was aplete devil. Lin Yan knew well that to deal with a devil, she had to be one herself. The Supreme Lord looked at the cunning and sly gleam in the eyes of the young woman before him. Something seemed to stir within him, as he subtly curved his lips. Advertisement How did you find your way here? Theres a woman under mymand named Chen Fang, Brother Wangs mistress, involved with other Lin Yan paused, nearly letting slip the word men, but seamlessly continued. Shes unclear about things, that person is one of Supreme Lords people from the camp. In the afternoon, my brothers and I saw hering out from Chen Fangs ce and then met with the inclothes police. My brothers felt something was off, they came back and told me, so I brought my men here. It was by chance that we encountered Supreme Lord here too. The story was crafted with extreme precision and without any leaks, whether it was the timing, the characters, or the clothes on Song Yuhang. As for the real traitor, whether they were captured or died in the melee, no one cared anymore. The Supreme Lord chuckled, Well done. For some reason, Lin Yan had the feeling that he was seeing through her, which instinctively made her feel in danger and she couldnt let her guard down for a moment. To receive praise from Supreme Lord is an honor, Jinhong hopes for your continued care in the future. With that statement, she showed loyalty and ambition, proving herself to be a clever person. The Supreme Lord narrowed his eyes, stood up with the support of his cane, and Lin Yan helped him up. Just then, Liu Zhi came in to report. Sister Hong, she still refuses to confess, if we continue to torture her, Im afraid Lin Yan nced over there, and Song Yuhang knelt on the ground with injuries all over her body. Tigers elbow struck her head, causing Song Yuhang to copse, coughing up blood from her mouth and nose. In that moment, she desperately wanted to pounce and tear Tigers throat apart, but she couldnt. Lin Yan walked over and used the sole of her military boot to press against Song Yuhangs face. Speak, you waste of space. How much money can you make as a cop in a month? Less than three thousand, right? Just hand over the thing, and forget three thousand, I can make sure you live the rest of your life without worries. Her shoe sole carried a mixture of dirt and the scent of blood, looking down on her from above. Song Yuhang smiled weakly, raising her hand to touch Lin Yans foot, leaving blood stains on her pants. She said slowly, Even if I die I wont tell you. Tiger wiped his nose and flexed his muscles. Ive been with so many women, but Ive never tasted a police officer. Let me handle it. Lin Yan suddenly gritted her teeth, her foot still on her head, body unmoving. Impatient, Tiger reached out to pull her away, ring at Song Yuhangs face before speaking. Useless, dealing with this kind of person, this method will only push her to suicide, wont get anything out of her. The Supreme Lord limped over with a cane, casting a nce at Lin Yan. What did you just say, whats her name? The news of Song Yuhang taking people to Huange Nightclub couldnt escape these people. Lin Yan released her foot, Her name is Song Yuhang, she brought people to wreck my ce. Surnamed Song, huh, the old man spoke with a touch of nostalgia in his eyes and said, I had a friend with the surname Song who passed away many years ago. Song Yuhang suddenly looked up, gritting her teeth, and a deep-seated hatred shed in her eyes, letting out a furious roar through clenched teeth. Lin Yan kicked her in the shoulder, What are you yelling for, shut up! The Supreme Lord chuckled, Search her, if you dont find anything, kill her. Throw the body off the cliff to feed the dogs. We cant waste time here. A few people grabbed Song Yuhang by the hair, pulling her up and pushing her back, while Tiger flexed his wrist, making a cracking sound with his clenched fist. Advertisement Hey, I didnt expect a cop to meet this fate. Let me handle it. As soon as the words fell, Lin Yans gun was pressed against his temple, and she coldly said, I have a score to settle with her. Ill take care of it. Song Yuhangs hands were tied, hanging high on the door frame, and she smiled wryly. It doesnt matter who does it, I wont talk. Hurry up and do it, make it quick and easy for everyone. Lin Yan turned around and delivered a p, causing her to turn her head, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Worthless trash, shut your mouth, its not that easy to die. As Tiger was about to make a move, the men brought by Lin Yan aimed their guns at him, watching him like hawks. He swallowed hard and grumbled as he backed down. Whip. Lin Yan reached out, and Liu Zhi handed her a thick, jet-ck leather whip. Without a word, she raised her hand andshed out directly. They could hear a dull thud from the other side, followed by a suppressed groan from Song Yuhang. Even Tiger felt a sense of sympathy: Damn, this woman is quite vicious. Another whip struck her shoulder, breaking the skin. Lin Yan grabbed her cor and roared, Where is it?! Song Yuhang turned her head, her lips against her ear, slightly gasping from the pain, You youll never find out. You better kill me, because if I survive I will repay you twofold. Hot breath drilled into her ear, causing Lin Yans hand holding the whip to tremble slightly. She then fiercely whipped Song Yuhangs face, causing the corner of her eye to quickly swell up. If the beatings continued like this, she really might die. Lin Yan gritted her teeth, grabbed her cor, and lowered her voice to shout, Is living so bad? Why do you seek death?! As soon as these words were spoken, Song Yuhang, who had been hanging her head, suddenly lifted her head and locked her gaze onto Lin Yans eyes like a sharp needle. Lin Yan was momentarily taken aback by this gaze, staggered back a step, and the wind on the mountainside at night started to pick up. The two silently locked eyes, just like before. Song Yuhang looked at her, then nced at the busy criminal gang behind her Supreme Lord, Tiger, Liu Zhi She curled her lips and smiled, no longer the cold, mocking, disdainful smile, but back to the day they first met, extending her hand with a gentle and warm smile on her face. That day, she said, Hello, Im Song Yuhang. Now, she said, Hurry leave the main force will arrive soon kill me, then you can escape, go! Lin Yan was shaken all over, looking at her in disbelief. Just then, there came the voice of the little minions behind her. Supreme Lord, we found Second Master, hes still alive! Kuba was dragged out of the ruins by several people, and in the distance, the sound of sirens could be faintly heard from the mountains. Kill me! Kill me! I wont talk! Song Yuhang roared, gasping heavily, and then whispered with her voice lowered. Lets go! Lin Yan, holding the whip, hesitated to act, a hint of water shimmering in her eyes. Tiger stepped forward and kicked the person over. Perhaps the movement was too intense, the mini camera stuck in the clothing finally fell off and dropped out from the hem. Advertisement Song Yuhangs pupils constricted, but Lin Yan had already picked up the mini camera and held it up in front of her, saying, What is this, and you said you didnt have it?! F*ck! In the blink of an eye, no one expected that even when she was tied up with her hands behind her back, Song Yuhang still had some fight left in her. She suddenly leaned forward, causing the rope to creak. When Lin Yan came back to her senses, her finger suddenly hurt, as it was already enveloped in Song Yuhangs warm mouth. Song Yuhang was truly impressive. When it came to being ruthless, neither of them were inferior to the other. With a nimble tongue, she rolled the camera out from Lin Yans fingertips, then mercilessly retaliated against her. Lin Yan winced in pain, let out a light groan, and quickly let go. Sister Hong, are you okay! When she pulled out her fingertips, they were already dripping with blood. Song Yuhangs throat moved slightly, and right in front of them, she swallowed down the camera. A smug smile appeared at the corner of her lips as she looked at their pale faces, and then she reallyughed out loud. Hahaha Want it? Kill me? Do you have the time to dissect a corpse? Damn it! Ill shoot you to pieces and see if you can still talk tough! Tigers anger red, he grabbed the AK behind him, bullets loaded, and pressed the trigger aiming at her. However, faster than him was the handgun in Lin Yans hand, and after a loud bang, smoke emerged from the muzzle. The shot hit its mark right on target, fatal, and Song Yuhangs head drooped down, blood quickly spreading on her clothes. Her face was pale as paper, lifeless. The Supreme Lord seemed surprised that she had directly shot and killed the head of the criminal investigation team, an important figure in the police force, raising an eyebrow slightly. Lin Yans face remained cold as she holstered the gun. I said, I have a vendetta with her, only I can take her life. Faint gunshots could be heard from the entrance of the factory area, and Liu Zhis men were running over in a disordered manner. Supreme Lord, Sister Hong, quick, lets go, were surrounded! Tiger quickly helped the Supreme Lord up, while the rest of the remaining soldiers lifted Kuba. Lin Yan followed Liu Zhi at the front, leading the way, as the group moved through the deep mountain forests one step at a time. Until the end, she didnt dare to look back, afraid that seeing Song Yuhangs dying expression would make her cry uncontrobly on the spot. Lin Yan moved through the dense forest, branches scratching her cheeks. She didnt know how long they had been running until they finally stopped because she fell. Sister Hong! Liu Zhi noticed that she didnt catch up and went back to help her up, only to see a glimmer of tears in her eyes. He had never seen her show such a heart-wrenching expression before. However, it was just for a moment. Lin Yan wiped away the unnecessary tears from the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand, saying, Its nothing, just twisted my foot, it hurts a bit, lets go. Liu Zhi was skeptical, Sister Hong Before he could finish his sentence, she had already gotten up on her own and staggered ahead. Liu Zhi stopped thinking about anything else and quickly caught up with her.
They ran not far when the gunfire gradually died down. The sound of cars could be heard on the mountain road, but it wasnt arge force, just two small police cars. It was the main force of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, led by Feng Jianguo and his trusted aides. Duan Cheng was the first to open the car door and ran out with a medical kit, followed closely by Fang Xin and Zheng Chengrui. Feng Jianguo got out of the other car but couldnt keep up with the young ones due to hisck of physical stamina, panting heavily with a beer belly. Hey, slow down, my old bones cant keep up with you guys. The young policeman who was killed by Lin Yan in the bushes climbed up, took off his bulletproof vest, rubbed the sore spots where he was struck, grinning in pain. It was Xue Rui. Director Feng. Director Feng. Director Feng. Several bodies climbed up from the ground, with some unable to get up due to minor injuries from bullet grazes. Fang Xin quickly went over to help the wounded and lead them out. Captain Song, Captain Song, wake up. Duan Cheng found her at the warehouse door, patting her face gently. Song Yuhang had her head hanging down, unconscious. He checked her breathing, which was still there, and took a syringe from the medical kit. After disinfecting her skin, he gently injected it into her arm. Song Yuhang groaned in pain, coughed up a mouthful of blood upon opening her eyes. Herplexion was pale, and although she was not in danger of losing her life, she was still quite seriously injured. Where is it? Feng Jianguo walked over and asked her. She weakly gestured for them to put her down, and Xue Rui cut the rope binding her hands with a knife. Song Yuhang, now freed, knelt to the ground from exhaustion, pointing to her throat, No choice, swallowed it. The others looked at each other with expressions of constipation. Duan Cheng smirked as he cracked his knuckles, making a loud sound. Let me handle this. Several people silently stood up and turned away, causing Song Yuhang to feel a tingling sensation on her scalp. Wait Before she could finish her sentence, he had already punched her in the stomach. She hadnt eaten much that day, coupled with the intense fighting and existing injuries, made her already ufortable. Song Yuhang bent over, feeling a surge of nausea, Vomit Duan Cheng put on gloves, picked up the mini camera, washed it clean with mineral water, and then put it into an evidence bag. Song Yuhang pointed at his nose but struggled to form aplete sentence for a while. Youre youre really ruthless! Who who taught you this?! Of course, the one who taught her was none other than the renowned former forensic doctor from the Technical Investigation Department. Fang Xin couldnt help but burst intoughter and went over to help her up. Lets go, Captain Song, well take you to the hospital. Just a moment. Song Yuhang hesitated for a moment, pulled out a steel te from her inner clothing, and threw it on the ground. It was palm-sized, with visible traces of bullets on it. As for the blood, it was simply pigs blood that she had concealed in her clothes beforehand. She had made preparations for all eventualities beforeing, including preparing for the unlikely chance of surviving. In her imagination, even if she didnt die today, she would have to shed ayer of skin, but she didnt expect to still be conscious enough to see herpanions. Without that hidden steel te, Pei Jinhong, no, it should be Lin Yan now, that shot wouldnt have pierced her heart and taken her life. Her gun muzzle was three inches off target, and the bullet would cleverly lodge between her ribs. As long as she received timely medical treatment, she still had a chance of survival. Advertisement Lin Yan gave her the hope of life but left death to herself. This journey ahead would be treacherous, like walking on thin ice. While waiting for other colleagues to clean up the battlefield, Song Yuhang didnt rush to the hospital. She asked Duan Cheng for a cigarette and squatted at the edge of the cliff smoking. The former Bureau Director walked up to her and handed her a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes. Are you wondering why I let her do all this? Song Yuhang shook her head and didnt respond. She smoked a cheap five-yuan pack of cigarettes, blew out smoke rings, and gazed into the distance. That question isnt actually important. If it were me, I would have done the same. Im just thinking The young head of the Criminal Investigation Team stood up, hands in her pockets, looking at the rising sun before her, the vast rivers and mountains, the magnificent and tumultuous scene, her eyes filled with boundless loneliness. She shot me, thinking I was dead. How difficult must it be for her? I cant tell her Im still alive, just as she cant tell me.
Duan Cheng and Xue Rui helped the other injured colleagues to the car, chatting casually as they walked. Wasnt this supposed to be a top-secret mission? I was lying on the ground just now, listening to the gunfire at the entrance, and it sounded pretty intense. I even thought arge force wasing. Ha, theres norge force, just firecrackers, Duan Cheng chuckled as he pulled out a string of firecrackers from behind his waist. These are leftovers from Chinese New Year, didnt finish setting them off. Xue Rui: As the two conversed, the car lights on the mountain road suddenly brightened, and sharp horns sounded as therge force really arrived. Song Yuhang tossed the cigarette and slumped down. This time truly fainting, not pretending.
Chapter 124-1 Nail ¡°Captain Song, Captain Song!¡± In a daze, someone was calling her name by her ear, but Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t hear it clearly. ¡°A police officer is injured! Stretcher! Stretcher!¡± Several medical personnel ran over, lifted her onto the ambnce, shoved a tube into her mouth, and started performing chestpressions on her. Amid the onlookers, the ambnce with shing lights and ring sirens sped away. The city¡¯s anti-drug task force also arrived to help clean up the battlefield and loaded the unconscious criminals onto police cars. With that, the armed forces hiding in the deep mountains and forests on the outskirts of Jiangcheng City werepletely wiped out. As soon as Feng Jianguo returned to the city bureau, a call came in from the provincial office. Shortly after, key leaders from the municipalmittee gathered to discuss the next steps. In the city center hospital. One by one, critical condition notices wereing out from the operating room. If it weren¡¯t for Ji Jingxing firmly supporting Mother Song, she would have almost copsed on the ground. Advertisements Finally, the lights in the operating room went out. The doctor took off his mask and walked out, his face grim. ¡°Multiple organ failure, along with a severe infection, to the ICU.¡± This meant she would not be able to walk for a long time, but fortunately, she still had her life. Mother Song cried tears of joy, and together with Ji Jingxing, they pushed the hospital bed towards the intensive care unit. Fang Xin and Duan Cheng were by their side, and after they had settled the patient, Zheng Chengrui patted his friend¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll go to the restroom, call me when you leave.¡± Duan Cheng wasforting Mother Song while crouched on the floor, whispering to himself, ¡°Quick in, quick out, we still have to go back to the office for the meeting.¡± Fang Xin nced in the direction of Zheng Chengrui walking away. He disappeared at the end of the corridor without any abnormalities. ¡°Hello?¡± The man took out another card from his pocket, inserted it into the phone, and made a call. ¡°She¡¯s not dead yet, but she¡¯s severely injured.¡± There was a slight pause on the other end, with a hint of resentment in the voice. ¡°She¡¯s really lucky.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t this good then? There won¡¯t be any more interference.¡± The man on the phone understood his meaning. ¡°Have you gone soft? It¡¯s gone this far, there¡¯s no turning back.¡± The man remained silent. He continued, ¡°Kill her, and our great feud will be avenged.¡± Advertisements The sound of flushing water came from outside the restroom, signaling someone¡¯s arrival. The man hung up the phone, pulled out the SIM card, threw it into the toilet, and left after a gushing sound of water. Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau. Operation meeting room. ¡°In summary¡­¡± before Xue Rui could finish speaking, the sudden knock on the door interrupted him. A group of high-ranking police officers in uniforms escorted a middle-aged man into the room. He also adorned a silver olive branch on his shoulder, and his rank was no less than that of Feng Jianguo. The scene resembled an arrest of a criminal suspect, Xue Rui took a step back. The group of people closed the door behind them, and the leading police officer walked to the front with a solemn expression, speaking in a deep voice. ¡°Hu Senji, Deputy Director of the Anti-Drug Bureau of the Binhai Provincial Public Security Bureau, following orders from the senior leadership of the provincial public security bureau, is forming the 7.15 Special Task Force to take over all drug enforcement and anti-drug work at the city bureau following the armed conflictst night.¡± Seated below were members from the City Criminal Investigation Division and leaders from the Anti-Drug Division, all exchanging nces. What does this mean? Are they all being excluded from this case? More importantly, the establishment of such a significant task force was not disclosed in advance to the two main leaders at the city bureau. Feng Jianguo remained calm, while the Deputy Director couldn¡¯t sit still. ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this? This is a case within our jurisdiction and should be handled jointly by the city bureau and the provincial headquarters.¡± Director Hu coldly snorted, ¡°It¡¯s such a significant incident in your jurisdiction. Without holding anyone responsible, it¡¯s all about bncing gains and losses. Don¡¯t push your luck and overstep boundaries.¡± His words were a bit harsh, causing the Deputy Director to m his hand on the table, ¡°You¡­¡± The sly old fox Feng Jianguo stood up, still smiling, with a friendly expression on his face. ¡°Hey, look, the incident just happenedst night, and Director Hu came all the way here in less than four hours. It¡¯s really hard work andborious.¡± ¡°Please sit down first, Xiaoxue, get a cup of tea. We were discussing this case and wanted to hear the opinions of the leaders from the province as well.¡± Advertisements Everyone present was shrewd, how could they not hear Feng Jianguo subtly criticizing them, suggesting they were more cunning than dogs. As for the following words, they were just polite gestures. After all, he was also a leader. It wouldn¡¯t be appropriate to kick him out in front of so many people. Hu Senji adjusted his tie and reluctantly swallowed his anger, taking the empty seat beside Feng Jianguo. Once seated, Feng Jianguo began. He sped his hands together, gazing at him with a peaceful expression. ¡°A few years ago, I met Director Hu during a meeting at the provincial headquarters. At that time, he was responsible for part of the anti-drug work following Director Zhao. He still exudes charm, unlike me, already halfway to the grave.¡± Hu Senji was a few years younger than him and had recently been promoted to Deputy Director, showing respect to the elder. He almost choked, cursing inwardly: that sly old fox, truly cunning. ¡°Ahem¡­¡± Hu Senji cleared his throat, cing a hand to his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s discuss the case. We can catch up once the case is resolved.¡± Feng Jianguo raised his hand, ¡°Xiaoxue, continue.¡± When the enemy doesn¡¯t move, I don¡¯t move. When the chief doesn¡¯t move, subordinates naturally dare not move. Xue Rui, once again with a stiff scalp, stepped up to the tform. ¡°Last night, we destroyed an armed stronghold on the outskirts of Jiangcheng City, seizing arge quantity of new drugs, arresting dozens of criminals, impounding five vehicles involved in the case, and twenty-one individuals died in shes with the police¡­¡± Speaking in front of so many people, he was actually a bit nervous, as he had only recently taken office. However, recalling everything that happenedst night and seeing the hopeful look in Feng Jianguo¡¯s eyes below the stage, Xue Rui took a deep breath and began to speak confidently. While he was reporting to the leaders of the City Bureau and the Provincial Headquarters, several police cars drove out of the City Bureau gate, speeding through the streets and heading straight to the front of the Huange Nightclub. The car doors opened, and armed police officers jumped out, forcefully breaking into the nightclub. They pulled out several individuals involved in the case ¨C some in waiter uniforms, others in smart suits, and even some women dressed provocatively ¨C all handcuffed and escorted into police cars. The grand entrance of the Huange Nightclub was sealed with a banner, officially closed for business. Onlookers in the crowd pointed and whispered. Advertisements ¡°What¡¯s going on? It was running normally, how did it suddenly get shut down?¡± ¡°Sigh, must have done something wrong, look at themotion, it must be serious.¡± ¡°Good that it¡¯s closed, must have been up to no good. I¡¯ve heard they weren¡¯t in legitimate business anyway.¡± ¡°Shh, keep your voice down. To operate here for so long, who knows what¡¯s going on behind the scenes¡­¡± Rumors spread like wildfire. In the City Bureau interrogation room, urgent questioning of the surviving criminals was also underway. People in the corridors were all serious-faced and hurried. After Xue Rui summarized the general situation, the entire operations meeting room fell silent. Even though Hu Senji had heard some rumors before arriving, when he saw those images, he still swallowed hard. The video brought back by Song Yuhang at the risk of her life became the most direct evidence exposing the crime. This evidence forced the entire public security forces in Jiangcheng City, and even the entire Binhai Province, to mobilize. The momentum was unstoppable. Feng Jianguo not only copied this evidence to the Provincial Headquarters, but also to others, although he couldn¡¯t reveal it yet. The sly old fox fiddled with the pen in his hand. ¡°Through the investigation, we learned that the drug traffickers will conduct a two-billion deal with a mysterious buyer in seven days. The drug lord, Supeme Lord, spanning China, Myanmar, and Thand, will also be involved.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, Hu Senji mmed the table. ¡°That will be the perfect opportunity for us to capture them all! I will take full responsibility for coordinating the operation on the ground¡­¡± Feng Jianguo interrupted him, ¡°Hu, you¡¯ve seen it too. The drug trafficking organization is well-organized, heavily armed, and has arge number of members. The forces from the Special, Criminal, and Drug Control departments alone may not be enough.¡± ¡°I will request to deploy the Armed Police operational forces to join the battle.¡± The sly old fox remained calm, ¡°The procedures areplex, it may take some time to arrange.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Hu Senji was taken aback, thinking to himself: ¡°Damn it, you¡¯re a high-ranking Public Security Bureau Director, mobilizing the Armed Police Support Team within your jurisdiction is just a matter of signing a document.¡± Advertisements Before he could speak again, a steady voice interjected. ¡°In urgent situations, I have discussed with the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security and the Armed Police forces. I will take on this responsibility.¡± The crowd stood up one after another, ¡°Director Zhao.¡± ¡°Director Zhao.¡± ¡°Director Zhao.¡± ¡­¡­ The old man¡¯s face bore the marks of years passed, with white hair and a slightly disheveled tie. He wore a snow-white high-quality dress shirt under a navy blue police uniform, devoid of any speck of dust. A silver olive branch emblem adorned his shoulder epaulettes, encircling the national emblem halfway. Apanied by several senior police officers from the Provincial Headquarters, he walked in and headed straight to the main seat. Feng Jianguo respectfully moved aside to make way for him. He sat down, hands sped together, lips pressed tightly, and gazed at the room full of people before making a solemn announcement. ¡°Starting now, the 7.15 case is under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Public Security, directly managed by the Provincial Headquarters. All other units are to assist the Provincial Drug Control Bureau in solving the case, with the aim topletely crush the criminal gang and restore peace to our country¡¯s southwestern border!¡± Chapter 124-2 Chapter 124-2 Nail After a day and night of escape, they found themselves still in Jiangcheng City where checkpoints were set up on highways, airports, train stations, and bus depots, but no one suspected they were still within the city. This was considered the most dangerous yet safest ce. The group led by the Supreme Lord arrived near the coastal pier where someone picked them up and hid them in a fishing vige. Lin Yan was surprised to find insiders even near the pier and secretly noted the surroundings for future reference. As soon as they were safe, Tiger and the others pointed their guns at her. Liu Zhi was the first to load his bullets, and together with the brothers Lin Yan brought, they shouted. What are you doing? What are you doing?! Put down the guns! You first! Both sides were at a stalemate, with Lin Yan sitting in one corner of the abandoned construction site, while Supreme Lord was sitting on the other side, eyeing her. Advertisement A slight smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Whats the Supreme Lord up to? Not much, just felt like you guys arrived a bit too quickly, the Supreme Lord shrugged, and Tiger took a step back but still held the gun. Bring her in, Lin Yan was prepared, even remembering to bring Chen Fang during the escape. The woman was thrown to the ground like a broken sack. The match lit up, and Liu Zhi offered her a cigarette. The fire danced in the corner of the womans eyes and brows, her face stern with all previous fragility swept away. Tell us, what have you done? he demanded. Yes, yes, Ill tell you Sister Hong Sister Hong Please dont kill me! Im willing to do anything for you, anything! Chen Fang knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face, repeatedly bowing her head with a resounding thud. As she cried and confessed, she revealed every detail of her acquaintance with the undercover informant from the police. Lin Yan listened while smoking, calm and indifferent, as if not interested in what she was saying or whether it was beneficial to her. She sat there, emitting an aura that could rival the Supreme Lords. In the presence of these seasoned individuals, lying would be easily detected, but telling the truth would not. Chen Fang did indeed know the undercover informant, but she was unaware of his true identity. She believed he was like Wang Qiang, working for Supreme Lord, driven by money, fame, and even drugs. She willingly offered herself. This physical rtionship hadsted for quite some time, and she disclosed every detail without missing a word. Of course, the condition was that she wanted to stay alive. After Wang Qiangs death, Lin Yan secretly approached her and repeatedly yed the video of his death in front of her. She even took her to see the burning site and forcefully pushed her head into the rainwater. To this day, she still remembers the nauseating and muddy taste, causing Chen Fang to shudder and not dare to look up at her. However, in the end, Lin Yan helped her up, held her face, and looked directly into her eyes. Do you want to live? Do you want freedom? If you do, listen to me. Once this is over, I will send you out of Jiangcheng and you must never return. These are all the facts that Chen Fang knows. What she doesnt know is that the undercover informant she knew was eventually apprehended by Song Yuhang in a twist of fate, while she disguised and blended in. Everyone present had seen Song Yuhang before; her unforgettable face made it hard not to remember her. Advertisement So, when Chen Fang hesitated slightly upon mentioning his physical features, she cautiously lifted her gaze to look at her. Lin Yans heart skipped a beat. Oh no, she didnt know what to say, there was no time to coordinate their stories, and most importantly, she shouldnt implicate herself. Calcting in her mind, with the corner of her eye catching the Supreme Lord observing her, she quietly reached for her gun, preparing to incapacitate first and then decide. However, Chen Fang, being a physically weak ordinary woman, might not survive. In this moment of hesitation, Liu Zhi kicked her shoulder, sending her tumbling to the ground, filled with indignation. Damn shameless woman! Destroying the rtionship between Sister Hong and Brother Wang, colluding with the cops, almost ruining everything! The tense atmosphere dissipated, and Lin Yans hand loosened on the gun holster, tapping the ash from her cigarette. Thats the situation. Supreme Lord, any more questions? I dont believe it, Supreme Lord. This woman is full of tricks. Last time she took away a batch of our goods too. She must have some ulterior motives for helping us! Tiger interjected before Supreme Lord could speak. Ulterior motives? Lin Yan smirked, lifting the corner of her lip and shifting to cross her legs. I do have them. You Tiger was enraged, but before he could take a step forward, Liu Zhis gun was already pointed at his forehead. After being the perennial second for so long, I also want to taste the feeling of being the big boss. Supreme Lord, I think you can understand that. Lin Yan said, gesturing with her cigarette towards Tiger. This dog of a MAN, when he came to the maind, he was making a fuss in the nightclub, bullying my brothers, and sometimes even disrespecting me. Last time, he humiliated a singer, who ended up dead in the private room. Damn it, even when you beat a dog, you have to consider its owner. Lin Yan was speaking the truth, and Tigers face turned red. He disregarded the gun pointed at his forehead and cursed angrily. You! What kind of scum are you, a pimp of a thousand men? I not only want to kill your men but also want to see you under me, struggling for breath, begging for mercy Before he could finish speaking, a gunshot pierced the silence. Tigers trousers were empty, and a chill ran down his spine. He lowered his head and broke out in a cold sweat. Lin Yan blew away the gun smoke, Watch your mouth, I suggest you understand the situation now. The bullet hit his belt buckle, springing it open, and the metal part fell to the ground. Advertisement The room was dark with no lights on, in such close proximity, in the dark environment, hitting the target with full uracy was not easy. A slight deviation, and the bullet could have pierced his abdomen, leaving him unable to stand there boasting loudly. Tiger swallowed hard, his legs starting to tremble, his face turning from pale to green. Quickly pulling up his pants, he dared not curse out loud anymore. Liu Zhi then holstered his gun and stood back behind her. As an employee of the Huange Nightclub, Tiger always acted arrogantly when he visited. At this moment, the people Lin Yan brought with her all had a hint of anger on their faces, especially after hearing his words. But perhaps due to strict discipline, despite the anger, no one spoke up, waiting for Lin Yan to give orders. Supreme Lord chuckled and pped for her, alternating between pping and not, Indeed, Sister Hong, impressive. You make even this old man admire. Lin Yan also smiled and tossed her cigarette butt. Supreme Lord, no need for courtesy. Its just that some people under mymand are really unbearable. Supreme Lord nced at Tiger, saying, Youll give an exnation when you go back. Tigers heart trembled, feeling a chill run down his spine, his face filled with fear, Supreme Lord Get out and go patrol! No one expected him to suddenly explode like that. The fierce intensity of his outburst shook everyone present. In his murky eyes, there seemed to be a glint of light that could devour people. Tiger knew that the Supreme Lord truly harbored murderous intentions towards him. His scalp tingled, and not daring to stay any longer, he grabbed his gun and left. Lin Yan pointed at the trembling Chen Fang on the ground. This person is still under mymand. Now that things havee to this, let me handle it myself. Supreme Lord nodded in agreement. With a subtle nce from Lin Yan, two burly men walked in from outside, forcefully dragging Chen Fang and escorting her out.
Downtown Hospitals Intensive Care Ward. Rainwater washed against the ss windows. The woman lying in bed sat up, lifting her oxygen mask, gazing at the silhouette standing by the window. How is Lin Yan? Thetest update is that she sessfully infiltrated the enemy. And the person I subdued? Hes a double agent and has been detained. Song Yuhang didnt seem surprised by this oue, Interrogate him thoroughly. We must extract more information. She lowered her gaze, pondered for a moment, and raised the current priority, The location for the exchange? Feng Jianguo shook his head, The Supreme Lord wont reveal such vital information until the veryst moment. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth, knowing that holding out until thest moment meant she would inevitably be drawn into the war, facing dual pressures from the criminal syndicate and the police. No, before the final showdown, I must bring her back. Feng Jianguo turned around, bathed in darkness as a lightning bolt shed through the night sky, briefly illuminating the room. Her codename is Nail, yours is Dagger. Do you understand what this signifies? Song Yuhang paused, crumpling the bedsheet in her hand. Even if we kill the Supreme Lord and dismantle this major transnational crime syndicate, saving countless lives, if she If she Her eyes suddenly reddened, clenching her teeth. That is not what my heart desires. What can we do then? Should we let unarmed civilians handle these matters when well-trained, experienced police officers dont? The familiarity of these words was striking. She had also told this to Lin Yan. For some reason, she suddenly felt some regret, regretting her past self for being so righteous and taking sacrifice and dedication as lifes essence. Only when it came to her closest person did she fully understand that kind of grief. Lin Yan Lin Yan, you are still so naive. Advertisement Werent you always a loner? Werent you always dismissive? Werent you always indifferent to the life and death of others? How could you recklessly throw yourself into this for just a few words from her? From the moment we put on our police uniforms, it signifies that although we are flesh and blood, we carry the stability and future of this region, even the entire country and nation on our shoulders. If there is bloodshed all the time, sacrifices every day, should we not do anything? Letting darkness engulf the world? Song Yuhang got off the bed, sat at the edge, and together they watched the dark night outside, heavy rain pouring down. What you said, I understand, but let me ask you, would you want your granddaughter to pursue this path in the future? Feng Jianguo was taken aback, his brows furrowing, after a moment, he sighed and said, I wouldnt want that, but its precisely because of this that I must eliminate the darkness, clear obstacles, and restore light for them. Not for her, but for them. A faint smile crept onto Song Yuhangs lips. Youre right, a nail for the de, a de for the nail. I also wish to wee my beloved girl back home in the light.
Chapter 125-1 Chapter 125-1 Loyalty It iste at night, and the exhausted criminals finally found a moment to catch their breath. Most of them leaned against the wall and fell asleep, while a few who were still yawning continued their patrol. When the clock hands pointed to three, Lin Yan opened her eyes in the darkness. She quietly got up, carefully controlling her footsteps to make no sound, and gently pushed open the wooden door. Two armed criminals were patrolling the corridor towards her room. Lin Yan shrunk back and hid in the darkness behind the door panel as the two men walked past with heavy steps. In a swift move, she pulled her mask over her face and darted out like an agile cat. The two patrolling criminals turned around. Did you see something just now? Thepanion, who was asked the question, yawned and shook his head. Advertisement Lets go, stop looking around. This ce is either filled with wild cats or mice. Lets quickly finish this round and go back to rest. Their footsteps gradually faded away. Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief quietly, descended down the stairs, and encountered a tall soldiering towards her. Probably on a night shift, he rubbed his eyes and in an instant, aimed his gun at her, ready to shout. Swiftly, Lin Yan flew up, skillfully wielding her dagger, lightly grazing his neck. The soldiers imminent scream was stifled in his throat as a thin line of blood sprayed out. Gentlyying the man down, she dragged him into the storage room next to the staircase, stripped his clothes to clean up the blood stains on the floor. Quickly turning back, she pushed open the ss window in the hallway, revealing an endless wilderness outside. Taking advantage of the height of the second floor, Lin Yan leaped down. By the time the two patrolling soldiers arrived, the corridor was already empty. Originally thinking that jumping from this height would be easy, it turned out to be a bit difficult. Fortunately, the ground below was even and soft mud. Gasping for breath, Lin Yan climbed up from the ground and limped towards her intended direction. Wake up, wake up. When Lin Yan found Chen Fang in the trash heap, herplexion was pale, her body covered in wounds, and she was barely holding on. Lin Yan tapped her face, but there was no response. She then bent down to listen to her heartbeat, felt her pulse on the neck, gritted her teeth, undid her clothes, and started performing chestpressions. After thirty standardpressions, she gently lifted Chen Fangs chin and gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. After repeating this several times, she finally heard a faint heartbeat. Feeling relieved, Lin Yans body went limp, and she slumped to the ground. Chen Fang coughed softly and slowly opened her eyes. In one nce, she saw Lin Yan sitting nearby, breathing heavily, with her warmth still lingering on her lips. Feeling confused, she asked, Why did you save me? Lin Yan stood up, reached out her hand towards her. I promised you I would give you freedom. You you are not Sister Hong Who are you really? Chen Fang looked at her warily, keeping her distance. Who I am, does it matter? Lin Yans lips curved in a slight mocking smile. Advertisement I could go and expose you to the Supreme Lord. You can try. Is my knife quicker, or are you faster at running? She yed with the dagger that had just been used to kill someone, still stained with spattered blood, sending shivers down ones spine. Chen Fang instinctively recoiled, grabbed her wrist, and stood up. Joining the Supreme Lord was also a death sentence, so she might as well listen to the woman in front of her. At least, she didnt want to kill her; otherwise, she wouldnt have saved her. Lin Yan was briefly taken aback but then helped her walk in the direction away from the abandoned construction site until they reached a ce illuminated by streetlights on the main road. Standing in the darkness, she handed over the dagger, along with the bus ticket and some change. Keep walking on this main road; theres a bus back to Jiangcheng. Once there, head straight to the train station to leave this ce. Clutching these items, Chen Fangs lips trembled. Arent you leaving? Lin Yan shook her head. I have to stay. Her mission was not yetplete, not time to leave yet, even though deep down, she longed to escape this ce and return to the light, back to Song Yuhangs side. Thoughts of Song Yuhang led Lin Yan to recall the bullet she had fired at her. Would she hate her, me her? Hate her for killing her colleague in front of her, hate her for mercilessly torturing her, hate her for associating with fugitives, hate her for sending herself down the path of destruction. Lin Yans heart was pierced by a knife called guilt, leaving her vulnerable in front of Chen Fang, a rarity for her. She knew this shouldnt be, so she smiled faintly, wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, preparing to walk away. Go quickly, dont look back. Strangely, Pei Jinhong had not been kind to her before, and now Lin Yan wasnt necessarily cruel to her either. Chen Fang didnt even know her real name, but in this moment, in the wilderness, in a situation where they depended on each other, a strange sense of mutual understanding arose between them. Are you really noting with me? Lin Yan turned around, waved her hand, and walked away. Advertisement No, take care on your journey. Chen Fang held onto the items Lin Yan had given her. Is there anything I can help with? Such as passing on a message, or going to the hospital to check if Song Yuhang is still alive? Lin Yan paused for a moment. It was indeed a good idea. However, after a moment, she shook her head slightly and said in a deep voice, Its not necessary. The more you know, the more dangerous it is. Remember, no matter who asks, whether its the police or the Supreme Lords men, you havent seen me tonight, and you cant continue living using the name Chen Fang in the future. After saying this, Lin Yan didnt wait for her to respond, turned around, waved her hand, and walked away. Her slender ck figure disappeared into the night. In the direction she departed, the sky was still dark, but a hint of dawn broke through the mist. Chen Fang inexplicably felt the vastness of the world; she felt as insignificant as an ant, yet a sense of unyielding courage like that of a young hero never returning and the heartbreaking sorrow akin to Jing Ke sacrificing himself against Qin warrior, causing her eyes to burn.Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">1 Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">She gritted her teeth, clutching the items Lin Yan had given her, and without ncing back, ran in the opposite direction.
Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The full-scale operation at the City Bureau has been taken over by the provincial Anti-Drug Bureau, so I wont be able to help you much then. Feng Jianguo nced at the time; it was time for him to leave and he put on a wide-brimmed hat as he got up. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Its all up to you now. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Song Yuhang stood up to see him off, but was gently pushed back. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Youre the patient here, focus on recovering properly. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Feng Jianguos words carried a double meaning, and Song Yuhang understood. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Got it, I promise toplete the mission! Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The old man smiled, not the usual kindly smile, but one filled with genuine hope from within. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Its not about promising toplete the mission, but promising toe back alive! Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Song Yuhang was momentarily surprised, a hint of a smile appearing on her lips as she raised her right hand to her temple. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Yes, I promise toe back alive! Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Lin Yans code name was Nail, responsible for gathering intelligence deep behind enemy lines, while her code name was Dagger, tasked with delivering a fatal blow unexpectedly when everyone else is unable to act. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Song Yuhang thought to herself and silently added another goal: to bring back her fiance.
Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">While Song Yuhang and Feng Jianguo were plotting, another secret meeting was taking ce in the abandoned factory at the seaside dock. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Kuba sat in a chair, wrapped in bandages, with only his eyes still shining brightly, filled with hatred. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">This time, I must personally kill her, kill that woman. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The Supreme Lord absentmindedly tapped his knee with his finger, closing his eyes to rx. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">There will be an opportunity. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The man sitting beside him chuckled, seemingly disdainful. Kuba was displeased by thisughter. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">You Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The Supreme Lord waved his hand, cutting off his words. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The deal is nearingpletion, lets not cause internal rifts. Once its done, well take the money and head to Canada together, where no one will be able to catch us. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The mans tone remained cold, as if unconcerned about how much money they would get or where they would go. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">After causing such a bigmotion, the police are not fools; the uing transaction in a few days will undoubtedly face numerous difficulties. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">A hint of calcted smile ying on the Supreme Lords lips. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The more chaotic, the better. Chaos allows for deception. By the way, about that batch of goods Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The man stood up, showing no interest in staying any longer. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Its been prepared a long time ago. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Advertisement Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The Supreme Lord nodded, Indeed, if this n seeds, it will be a great achievement for Mr. Lin as well. Escort our guest out. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The group apanied him as they walked out. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">After they left, the Supreme Lord closed his eyes again to rest, his fingers tapping on his knees asionally. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">Kuba, discontented, said, Sir, hes so unruly. Why not if we were to do without him, we could find another partner. Anyway, the form Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">For some reason, the Supreme Lords eyebrows twitched slightly. Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0">The centipede may die but not stiffen; after all, Mr. Lin is still the young master of the prestigious Lin family. The majority of the port area belongs to the Lin family, and there will be a need for him at times.Jing Ke (died 227 BC) was a youxia during thete Warring States period of Ancient China. As a retainer of Crown Prince Dan of the Yan state, he was infamous for his failed assassination attempt on King Zheng of the Qin state." aria-describedby="qtip-0"> Meanwhile, Lin Yan walked to a secluded spot, took out her phone from her pocket. Only two people knew this phone number, and it had software installed to prevent eavesdropping. She quickly typed on the keyboard, edited the message, and sent it. When the delivered icon appeared on the screen, Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief and hurried back. Near the abandoned factory, the headlights of a car approached. Lin Yan instinctively rolled into the darkness, hiding behind a sack. As the factory gate swung open, a group of thugs surrounded a tall, handsome young man as he walked out. The dim light reflected on his fair side profile, and a pair of metal-rimmed sses sat on his nose.
Chapter 125-2 Chapter 125-2 Loyalty She quickly typed on the keyboard, edited the message, and sent it. When the delivered icon appeared on the screen, Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief and hurried back. Near the abandoned factory, the headlights of a car approached. Lin Yan instinctively rolled into the darkness, hiding behind a sack. As the factory gate swung open, a group of thugs surrounded a tall, handsome young man as he walked out. The dim light reflected on his fair side profile, and a pair of metal-rimmed sses sat on his nose. This face, she would recognize even if it turned to ashes. Lin Ge! The word brother rolled in her throat, almost about to blurt out, but she clenched it back in her palm. Whats going on? Is he being held hostage? Why is he here? What is he here to do? What is his rtionship with the Supreme Lord? In that instant, Lin Yans mind was filled with countless thoughts, each one rted to him. She tightly clenched her palm, restraining herself from making any noise to avoid rming them. Master Lin, please. She saw Tiger personally open the car door for him, and Lin Ge sat expressionlessly. As the vehicle glided away, Lin Yan feltpletely drained, leaning against the back of the sack. For some reason, not long after the car drove off, Lin Ge suddenly turned his head, his expression indescribable, seeming a bit puzzled and a bit sad. Looking out through the car window, the factory entrance was quiet, with only a few patrolling henchmen. Driver: Young Master, whats wrong? Lin Ge turned his face and collected himself, Nothing, just keep driving. Although he wasnt certain, and there were no familiar figures at the factory entrance, in that moment he truly felt Lin Yan was nearby. He could almost hear the impatient voice of the girl calling out to him. Brother. Shortly after Lin Ge left, the Supreme Lord suddenly opened his eyes, a spark of intelligence shing through them. Go, go see what Pei Jinhong is up to. Several henchmen, armed with guns, quickly walked out upon receiving the order. Kuba was injured and temporarily unable to move, so he could only slightly move his neck to look towards the Supreme Lord. Boss, do you suspect Aunt Hong This person, have you met her before? What do you think of her? the Supreme Lord did not directly respond to him but diverted the conversation. Kuba thought for a moment, She is brave and resourceful, a talented individual. The Supreme Lord smiled but remained silent, leaning back in his rattan chair. Lets wait and see, see how much of a surprise this Aunt Hong can bring us. The group of people were stopped by the staff from the Huange Nightclub as they approached Lin Yans room. What are you doing?! Sister Hong is resting, nobody is allowed in without her permission! The Supreme Lord ordered us to see Aunt Hong! The two groups were at a standoff, guns pointed at each others faces, voices raised and faces flushed. Everyone is here, if Aunt Hong isnt here, who else could be a spy? Move aside! The leader of the henchmen fired a shot into the ground, sessfully intimidating the others. Taking advantage of their momentary shock, he swiftly darted out of the confrontation and lifted his foot to kick the door. The wooden door creaked open. Lin Yan appeared at the doorway wearing a white shirt that reached mid-thigh. Her ck hair fell on her shoulders, the cor slightly disheveled, clearly pulled open. There were faint red marks on her fair skin, and her slender yet shapely figure exuded a mature womans charm. Her straight legs firmly nted on the ground, she exuded a variety of alluring qualities from head to toe. The onlookers at the door swallowed nervously. Lin Yan showed some impatience, Whats the matter? Liu Zhi grasped her waist, his expression grim, If theres nothing, then leave. The minions then dispersed with trepidation. Liu Zhi mmed the door shut and turned around, grabbing the person firmly and pressing him against the door, lowering his voice in a growl. Where did you just go?! When I came to your room, there was no one inside! The rope from the window Lin Yan climbed in through still hung on the window sill, serving as irrefutable evidence. She acted ruthlessly, kneeing him in the groin while simultaneously elbowing him in the temple. Although her strength may not have been considerable, her movements were rapid and precise, using the hardest part of the body to strike the most vulnerable spot. Caught off guard, Liu Zhi winced in pain, seeing stars, stumbling back a few steps before stumbling over a chair. The patrolling soldier outside rolled his eyes. Damn, with all thismotion, I might just want to find a woman for some fun too. Enough, with what youre like, take a look in the mirror while youre taking a leak. Do you think Aunt Hong would go for you? A wave ofughter echoed down the corridor. The fight in the room continued. In terms of strength, he had a significant advantage over Lin Yan, but when it came to fighting skills,bat experience, and reaction speed, Lin Yan was far superior to him. For the time being, neither could overpower the other. Especially as Lin Yan fought back while being pressed onto the bed, gripping his neck tightly, she could still counterattack fiercely. With a swift Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique, she flipped him over, caught his hand, kicked him away, and knocked over the table. Gasping for breath, Liu Zhi wanted to get up again, but the dark gun barrel was already pointed at his forehead. With a click, the bullet was chambered. Lin Yan swallowed hard, suppressing the taste of blood in her throat, and regted her breathing. You lost. Liu Zhi slowly closed his eyes, but didnt hear the gunshot. When he opened his eyes, he saw Lin Yan cing the gun on the bedside table. Youre not going to kill me? There was a hint of surprise in his eyes. You didnt report me just now, so were even. Lin Yan shakily struck a match, lit a cigarette, coughed violently a few times, and started to feel a bit better. I can go now. Its toote. She sat on the edge of the bed, smoking, looking down at him. Once that time has passed, if you cant catch me in the act, the Supreme Lord, being suspicious by nature, might not believe you. It could end up with you being unable to catch any foxes and just causing trouble for yourself. Clutching his teeth, Liu Zhis eyes were a bit red. What what were you really doing? Did you betray us? As he asked this question, Lin Yans mind wandered for a moment. During her time as an undercover agent, she had witnessed bloodshed, death, conspiracies, power struggles, money, and drugs. She had also indulged in everything thates with being a leader in the criminal underworld. The support of her subordinates, the thrill of life and death decisions, immersed in the world of luxury and debauchery. In many moments the flickering neon lights, tossing a stack of cash into the air, being addressed as Sister Hong, pointing a gun at someones head, raising her arms and calling forth a tidal wave. She suddenly understood why that undercover police officer had eventually be a double agent. Everyone has desires, and she was no exception. Perhaps the reason why Lin Yan could portray Pei Jinhong so convincingly was because fundamentally, they were the same kind of people, equally ruthless, equally cunning, equally deceitful, and unpredictable. What sets Lin Yan apart is that an invisible thread is tied to her, with the other end held by a woman named Song Yuhang. This adds a baseline beyond desire. Chen Chunan made her understand love, while Song Yuhang taught her how to love. It was this tiny sliver of love that kept her stumbling along in the muddy path. Lin Yan smiled and reached out her hand towards him. Youll understand this question in the future. The most important thing for a person is not loyalty to others, but never betraying their own heart. Is it worth it to do so? Its worth it. No regrets? Lin Yan shook her head. No regrets. Liu Zhi watched as the cigarette in her fingertips dimmed, resembling his own love that had extinguished before it could even ignite. He gritted his teeth, still unwilling to give up, and asked her once again. What exactly is it for? Lin Yan looked into the distance at the faint glimmer of dawn shining through the window. Do you have a ce you particrly want to go back to? Liu Zhi was puzzled by her question, thought for a moment, and then said, Yes, I want to go back home. Casually, Lin Yan looked at the hint of stubble on his chin and asked. How old are you? Misunderstanding her intention, Liu Zhi scratched his head. It seemed like they had forgotten they were just fighting for their lives moments ago, and now they were sitting down, opening up their hearts. He wasnt a smart person; otherwise, he wouldnt have followed Wang Qiang for so many years as just a small-time thug. His fondness for Pei Jinhong was simply because she was beautiful and attractive. During his years of wandering around as a hired muscle, he never mentioned his age to anyone. After a moment of confusion, Liu Zhi still answered. Im twenty, Ill be able to get married in two years. Lin Yan chuckled, flicked the cigarette butt into the ashtray; she indeed seemed a bit youngerpared to him. Youre still a child, when everything is over, go back home. However, that would have to wait until after the trial or before serving a sentence before there was a chance to see family. She hoped that they all would have the chance to go back home one day.
Chapter 99.1 Awakening ¡°Hurry, notify the blood bank to prepare four units of red blood cells!¡± ¡°Is the defibritor ready?¡± The sound of the instruments charging filled the emergency room. The doctor pressed on the chest of the young woman. ¡°Charging 200J, chargingplete, clear!¡± The woman¡¯s body jerked, her face already pale from blood loss. The defibritor shifted to the other side as a mixture of blood and fluid seeped from the corner of her lips. ¡°Adrenaline, we need more!¡± The medical waste bin on the ground was filled with around ten used empty adrenaline syringes. But the values on the electrocardiogram did not rise, instead dropping below the low value. ¡°Blood, we need blood!¡± A nurse rushed in with a blood warmer, handing the blood to the doctor. Before it could even be hooked up, the electrocardiogram had already be a t line. The situation was chaotic in the other resuscitation room as well. Lin Youyuan was being pushed in by the butler from the corridor, his face covered in ayer of frost and coughing incessantly. Feng Jianguo saw him at a nce and couldn¡¯t help but turn his head away. Advertisements The old man covered his mouth with a handkerchief, coughing, and clenched the blood-stained side into his palm, speaking in a low voice. ¡°How is she?¡± Feng Jianguo remained silent with a furrowed brow. Lin Yan¡¯s copse was too sudden. Excessive blood loss, physical and mental exhaustion, as well as hypothermia, hypoxia, wound infections, Guiin-Barr¨¦ syndrome¡­ Everyone rushed to get Song Yuhang onto the ambnce, but when they turned back to look, she was already lying lightly on the ground. The on-site first aid couldn¡¯t save her autonomous breathing and heartbeat, and by the time she was taken to the hospital, she had already stopped breathing. Perhaps due to the cold, Lin Youyuan coughed violently again, and the butler patted his back: ¡°Take care of yourself, sir, and miss, may you have good fortune¡­¡± As if to confirm his words, the lights in the emergency room went out. The doctor took off his mask and ran out, saying, ¡°Who is Lin Yan¡¯s family? Come in and see her for thest time.¡± Lin Youyuan suddenly leaned forward, the sound of coughing never-ending. ¡°Master Lin!¡± The butler quickly grabbed him, tears in his eyes. Lin Youyuan waved his hand, and through the gap in his shoulder, he made eye contact with Feng Jianguo. He stood up slowly, ¡°I¡¯ll go in, youe in too, and no one else should follow. The Jiangcheng City Bureau must give me an exnation for this.¡± They thought it was going to be an investigation, and everyone in the hallway fell silent, feeling suffocated by the oppressive atmosphere. The head of the Criminal Investigation Team suffered a severe brain injury and is in a deepa, still undergoing treatment. The head of the Technical Investigation Department, also the heir to a deeply rooted family business, has already been pronounced dead. Feng Jianguo put on a wide-brimmed hat and followed the doctor into the room with long strides: ¡°She died to save someone, it¡¯s what she should do.¡± By the time Lin Ge rushed to the hospital, a white sheet had already covered her face. The equipment in the emergency room has been removed, and she is lying there quietly. Lin Youyuan did not sit in a wheelchair. He was supported and limped out, with bloodshot eyes. He passed by Lin Ge and was helped into a wheelchair by the butler. ¡°Go and see your sister.¡± Lin Ge took two steps forward, suddenly stopped, his movements slowed down, seeming incredulous. His outstretched hand retracted, tightly clenched into a fist. Advertisements He stood in such suffocating silence for a long time, no one knew what he was thinking. After a long silence, he finally gritted his teeth and took steps towards the bed. Each step felt like stepping on a knife edge. His clenched fist finally rxed and grabbed the white cloth. Lin Ge closed his eyes, trembling as he slowly opened it. After a long time, he covered his face, knelt beside the bed, and his shoulders shook violently. The days that followed were a nightmare for Ji Jingxing. Mother Song was seriously ill in bed, Song Yuhang was in aa with brain damage, and Xiaowei had developed severe PTSD from the electric shock. She quit her job, and spent each day exhaustedly running between home, children¡¯s hospital, and the downtown hospital, also having to deal with asional police interrogations. ¡°Do you know him?¡± There were two photos of men on the table, one fat and one thin. She remained silent. The investigator asked, ¡°Did you have any festivals?¡± ¡°What about the child? Can she answer our questions and identify the suspect-¡° Ji Jingxing suddenly raised her head, her eyes red, and raised her voice, asking, ¡°My husband is a deceased police martyr, my sister is a criminal police officer, and is currently lying in a hospital bed unconscious. I am awyer, my daughter is only seven years old, and is still a good student at school. Our whole family arew-abiding citizens, where would we have met such heinous criminals? You tell me!¡± The portrait of the deceased husband hung quietly in the living room. Xiaowei, as if not hearing her mother¡¯s voice, sat by the window, hugging a doll in her arms, watching the sunset. Since waking up in the hospital that day, she has been like this, unwilling to speak, unwilling to see strangers, especially strange men. Ji Jingxing was heartbroken to the point of not being able to bear it, her tears had long since dried up. The investigator apologized and stood up, ¡°Sorry for disturbing you.¡± Ji Jingxing didn¡¯t send them off, but when they reached the door, she asked, ¡°Lin Yan¡ª¡± There had long been rumors in the bureau about the rtionship between Song Yuhang and Lin Yan, so he didn¡¯t avoid the topic. ¡°The memorial service for Forensic Doctor Lin will be held at the funeral home in Jiangcheng City next January.¡± Ji Jingxing covered her face with her hand and sniffed, ¡°I understand, thank you.¡± ¡°Director Feng, we¡¯ve caught someone.¡± ¡°Close the interrogation room, I will personally question him.¡± Advertisements Feng Jianguo entered the interrogation room alone, without allowing anyone to apany him. The iron door was locked, and the person sitting across from him trembled. After several days of life on the run, he was no longer as fat as in the photo. Feng Jianguo locked his eagle-like gaze onto the man. Even though he was old, he was still strong, and the white hair at his temples added to his dignity. The olive branch and four-pointed star on the epaulettes refracted a cold light in the bleak light. The fat man knew he was a high-ranking official, cowering in his chair, head bowed, silent. He hadn¡¯t showered in days, covered in sweat and emitting a foul odor, with bloodstains and a swollen nose and face. When the police found him, he was crouched under a bridge drinking the filthy water from the river. Feng Jianguo remained calm: ¡°Yourpanion is dead, killed with a gunshot.¡± When he mentioned hispanion, the fat man trembled and clutched his head, remembering the scene of his brain sttering: ¡°Don¡¯t kill me, don¡¯t kill me, I don¡¯t know anything¡­¡± ¡°Facing a tiger for its skin means certain death.¡± Feng Jianguo poured a cup of hot water for him and pushed it to his side. ¡°Do you want to live?¡± In the steam, he looked at the old man¡¯s determined face, then at the disposable paper cup on the table, and tremblingly raised it to take a sip, then burst into tears. God knows how many days it had been since hest drank boiled water. ¡°I want to live, I want to live.¡± The man cried, his face covered in snot and tears: ¡°I¡¯m so hungry, I want to eat something. They¡¯ve been chasing me, someone wants to kill me¡ª¡± Feng Jianguo gestured towards the camera, and someone entered. He gave a few instructions, and soon the person came back in with a bag from KFC. Feng Jianguo ced it in front of him: ¡°Eat, and then tell me everything you know. I guarantee that you will stayfortably in the detention center with food and drink until the court¡¯s verdict.¡± The man looked at him, then quickly tore open the bag and wolfed down a chicken leg, licking his fingers clean of the oil. Feng Jianguo waited for him to finish eating, while skimming the foam off his tea cup. The fat man devoured the whole bucket, leaving nothing behind. He let out a satisfied burp and rubbed his belly. ¡°Is there more?¡± ¡°Yes, but first, you need to confess. We¡¯ll have roasted chicken from the cafeteria tonight, and I¡¯ll have someone deliver it to you.¡± ¡°If I had known that you police treat prisoners so humanely, I would have surrendered long ago¡­¡± The fat man thought about his deceasedpanion and his days on the run, still filled with fear and trepidation. ¡°Enough nonsense. If you don¡¯t cooperate, there are countless ways we can secretly torture you.¡± Feng Jianguo picked up his teacup, took a sip, and went straight to the point. ¡°Why did you kidnap the child?¡± Advertisements The fat man rubbed his hands and smiled, ¡°We needed money, owed gambling debts.¡± ¡°Who promised to give you fifty thousand dors?¡± When asked this question, the fat man became evasive again, ¡°I don¡¯t know, he never appeared in person, always sent his subordinates to meet at night.¡± ¡°Any distinctive features?¡± The old chief dipped his finger in saliva, opened his notebook, and made a record. ¡°Every time hees, he¡¯s wearing a face mask, so I can¡¯t see his face clearly. But he¡¯s dressed very well, with shiny leather shoes. The boss behind him must be a rich and powerful person.¡± ording to the rules on the street, when hiring someone to do a job, you usually have to pay a deposit first. These two kidnappers didn¡¯t receive any money before they started, which is not very logical. Feng Jianguo paused and said, ¡°If you lie to me, I will release you immediately.¡± ¡°Wait, wait, wait¡ª¡± the fat man got excited and licked his lips. ¡°I really haven¡¯t seen what that person looks like. He didn¡¯t pay a deposit, but he gave me this¡­¡± The fat man, wearing handcuffs, held out two fingers and rubbed them together. In the middle of the winter, he wore a short-sleeved shirt and shivered from the cold, with track marks on his arm. Feng Jianguo frowned and understood. ¡°Give me a detailed physical description.¡± ¡°Male, about 1.7 meters tall, single eyelid, always wears a suit and leather shoes, wears an unnamed watch, and has a thumb-sized birthmark on his right wrist.¡± As if afraid that Feng Jianguo would actually let him go, the fat man spat out the information like pouring beans from a bamboo tube. One afternoon, the blunt-speaking man felt dry and parched, craving for a fix. Yawning, he weakly leaned back on the chair. ¡°I said, leader, have you finished asking?¡± Feng Jianguo looked up at him and said, ¡°Where have all the kidnapped children been sold to by you guys?¡± The fat man carefully considered his expression and said, ¡°How about you give me a little of this again?¡± He extended two fingers and rubbed them together. Feng Jianguo smiled, and the fat man¡¯s heart sank back into his stomach. He thought to himself, ¡°This leader has a good temper. If I had known the station was this amodating, I would have surrendered a long time ago.¡± Before he could enjoy his relief for too long, a cup of hot tea was poured over his head, causing the fat man to cry out in pain. Feng Jianguo straightened his uniform and stood up. ¡°You son of a b*tch, why did you have to mess with someone you shouldn¡¯t have? You¡¯ve stirred up trouble for yourself. Let me tell you, I have absolute authority over the entire Jiangcheng City Bureau. Today, I¡¯m going to make sure you pay with your life, and no one will know about it.¡± As Feng Jianguo spoke, he slowly approached the fat man, his imposing figure casting a shadow on the floor. Advertisements The fat man sat on the interrogation chair, constantly shrinking back, reaching for the gun holster at his lower back, trembling all over, crying and howling. ¡°No, no, I¡¯ll talk, I¡¯ll talk, don¡¯t kill me, don¡¯t kill me¡­¡± Feng Jianguo looked disdainfully at the yellow liquid seeping out from under the chair, pinched his nose and took a step back. ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°They sell to various ces, mostly remote mountainous areas, but the best sales are in Southeast Asia, there¡¯s a risk in smuggling, but you can make a lot of money.¡± ¡°Who did you meet with?¡± The fat man was afraid that he would pull out his gun, and rushed to answer, ¡°Hong Yi, it¡¯s Hong Yi!¡± Feng Jianguo raised his eyebrows and carefully noted the physical characteristics of the ¡°Hong Yi¡± he mentioned. ¡°Where can I find her? How do we meet?¡± ¡°At the Huange Nightclub, no secret signals for the meeting, she has connections, only does business with acquaintances, both smuggling and acting as a broker.¡± After the fat man spilled everything in detail, Feng Jianguo felt ufortable and uneasy, his hand instinctively reaching for his lower back. He felt a jarring sensation and pulled out a pink toy gun. ¡°Sorry, I brought the wrong thing. It¡¯s meant for my granddaughter.¡± LP: No way¡­ no way! Chapter 99.2 Awakening ¡°Sorry, I brought the wrong thing. It¡¯s meant for my granddaughter.¡± The fat man¡¯s vision went dark, and he nearly passed out from shock; he truly was cunning and sly. Feng Jianguo walked out with a notebook tucked under his arm. His expression was stern as he ordered, ¡°Take him to thepulsory rehabilitation center. No one is permitted to meet or interrogate him without my handwritten signature, not even if the governores. Do you understand?!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The crowd raised their hands to their temples and responded in unison. The Deputy Captain of the Criminal Investigation Team, Xue Rui, temporarily took over Song Yuhang¡¯s duties to oversee the escort, tucking his gun into its holster in preparation to depart. A colleague nudged his arm and said, ¡°We¡¯ve never seen Director Feng this angry before, locking the door and interrogating someone by himself. If this were happening in our Supervision and Comints Department, someone would have stepped in long ago.¡± Another colleague, also arming himself, replied, ¡°It can¡¯t be helped, who would have expected something to involve Captain Song and¡­ let¡¯s not mention Forensic Doctor Lin for now. Have you heard? Director Zhao is about to retire, and among the popr candidates for his position in the various municipal cities is Director Feng. Our Jiangcheng City Bureau has the highest homicide case clearance rate in the province this year, all thanks to Captain Song¡¯s genuine hard work and life-threatening efforts.¡± ¡°If Director Feng gets promoted, who knows¡­¡± He paused midsentence, implying more. ¡°But just at this crucial juncture, Director Zhao¡¯s favorite pupil, the face of our city bureau, gets into trouble. How could he not be furious?¡± Xue Rui frowned and cut the conversation short: ¡°Enough, let¡¯s not talk about this anymore. The mission is the priority, let¡¯s move out.¡± The colleagues looked at each other, touched their noses, feeling somewhat embarrassed, and hurriedly followed. Advertisements Thest winter snow of 2009 had ceased. When the first tender shoots emerged from the withered green nt on the windowsill, Mother Song was discharged from the hospital after her recovery. Ji Jingxing drove her and Xiaowei back home, passing by therge screen at the city center square. While waiting for the traffic light, Mother Song stared out the window and spaced out. ¡°The report has learned that Lin Yan, the daughter of Jingtai Group¡¯s CEO, tragically sacrificed her life at the young age of 33 while on duty to save the life of a colleague. The memorial service is scheduled to take ce this afternoon at 2 pm at the Jiangcheng City Funeral Home. Not only will business figures attend, but police representatives will also be present¡­¡± Subsequently, a senior executive from Jingtai was interviewed and confirmed the news. Some informants, who preferred to remain anonymous, also spoke with the media. They mentioned how beautiful Lin Yan was, how stunningly talented, and how exceptionally gifted she was in the field of forensic science¡­ It¡¯s hard to imagine that just a year ago, she was denounced across the inte as a ¡°heartless forensic doctor,¡± a ¡°callous surgeon,¡± a fickle and promiscuous ¡°heartbreaker,¡± with funeral wreathsid at the courthouse door. In the blink of an eye, she became a ¡°martyr¡± who everyone spoke highly of. It is only when you¡¯re gone that people start to miss you. How truly ironic the ways of the world are. Mother Song turned her face and said, ¡°Jingxing¡­¡± Ji Jingxing understood, turning the steering wheel to the left and merging into the flow of traffic. Jiangcheng City Funeral Home. ¡°Sorry, without an invitation, entry is prohibited.¡± The Lin family¡¯s bodyguards stood at the door, dressed in ck suits with white flowers pinned to their chests, politely declining their request to offer condolences. The entire venue was under strict control that day; not only were the Lin family¡¯s people on guard, but a significant police presence was also arranged. Mother Song¡¯s silver hair was disheveled by the wind, her eyes reddened slightly. She opened her mouth as if to say something but ultimately swallowed her words. Ji Jingxing supported her as they left: ¡°Let¡¯s go, Mom.¡± Xiaowei was holding her grandmother¡¯s hand, not as smiley as before. Her eyes were filled with pure innocence and a stark cruelty. ¡°What happened to Auntie Lin?¡± Mother Song stroked her head affectionately, ¡°Like your aunt, she has fallen asleep.¡± Back at home, Ji Jingxing was busy packing their things. ¡°Mom, why don¡¯t you move in with us? It¡¯ll give herpany, and I¡¯ll feel more at ease. I can also take better care of you, so I won¡¯t have to keep running back and forth.¡± Advertisements Mother Song, as if she hadn¡¯t heard, walked shakily into Song Yuhang¡¯s room, took a photo frame out of the drawer, and wiped the dust from its surface with her hand. It was a picture taken by Song Yuhang, of a snowy night where Lin Yan stood under the streemp in the courtyard, blowing snow all around, her smile blooming like flowers. ¡°A perfectly healthy child, gone just like that. Everyone has a human heart; how devastated her parents must be¡­¡± As Mother Song murmured, she staggered out, cing the photo frame beside Song Yuhang¡¯s brother. Ji Jingxing came out of the kitchen to see her lighting three sticks of incense. ¡°Mom, this isn¡¯t right¡­¡± The olddy took a jade bracelet from her sleeve. Judging by the color and texture, it matched the one on her wrist, a pair. She slowly ced it in front of the photo frame. ¡°This bracelet was given to me by my mother when I married Yichen¡¯s father. I intended to give one to you and save the other for Yuhang when she got married. There¡¯s nothing inappropriate about it.¡± ¡°Yanyan was¡­ a member of the Song family.¡± Ji Jingxing felt a pang of heartache hearing this, and forced a smile: ¡°Mom¡ª¡± Mother Song came back to reality: ¡°Oh, what did you just say?¡± Since she was discharged from the hospital, her spirits had not been what they once were; she moved slowly and had also begun to go deaf. Ji Jingxing¡¯s eyes warmed: ¡°I was saying that you should move in and live with us.¡± Mother Song waved her hands: ¡°No, no, that won¡¯t do. I can still get around, and if I moved in, the inws would have opinions.¡± Ji Jingxing¡¯s parents had been unhappy about her insistence on giving birth to the posthumous child years ago, and since then, they had seldom visited their granddaughter, with even the care for Ji Jingxing herself dwindling. After the Song family¡¯s incident, Ji Jingxing¡¯s parents did visit once or twice, suggesting she take the child and return home. Mother Song was aware of this, and naturally, she didn¡¯t want to be a burden to her any longer. ¡°Mom, do you not consider me a part of the Song family?¡± Ji Jingxing softened her voice, pleading, ¡°Look at Xiaowei¡­¡± Following her gaze, the child sat on the sofa ying with building blocks, indifferent to everything happening around when she did not want to speak. She didn¡¯tugh anymore, wasn¡¯t lively, and wasn¡¯t easy to embrace anymore. Even Ji Jingxing had to be careful and gentle when she wanted to hold or get close to her. ¡°With Xiaowei like this, how can she take a ne? How can I be at ease taking her back to the Ji family¡¯s home? You¡¯ve watched her grow up from a baby; even if not for my sake, for the child¡¯s sake, please move in and live with us.¡± Ji Jingxing, of course, understood her thoughts, strong for so long, she finally seemed a bit broken, choking up with emotion. ¡°What burden or not, even if it¡¯s a burden, stay with me. Let¡¯s keep each otherpany.¡± Tears welled up in Mother Song¡¯s cloudy eyes, and mother and daughter hugged and wept bitterly together. ¡°Good child, Mom will stay with you.¡± Advertisements Song Yuhang had a long dream. In the dream, she found herself floating in the deep sea, a ce so dark she couldn¡¯t see her own hands when she reached out. Someone parted the darkness and swam towards her, gently lifting her body. Her fingers reached through her soft hair and grasped at nothing. Song Yuhang felt a twinge of anxiety: ¡°Who are you?¡± The woman turned her head and whispered in her ear, ¡°My name is Lin Yan.¡± Lin Yan, Lin Yan, Yanyan¡­ She pondered over this name, and suddenly her vision brightened: My fiancee. She excitedly grabbed the other person¡¯s arm, babbling incessantly: ¡°Lin Yan, Yanyan, I bought a ring. Can I give it to you now? I want to take wedding photos with you, the kind where we¡¯re wearing police uniforms. And I¡¯ve got my eye on a set of apartments in the city center. If you like it, I¡¯ll pay the deposit. And let¡¯s adopt a child, someone sweet and smart like Xiaowei, well-behaved and obedient¡­¡± No matter what she said, the woman just smiled, slowly pulling her upwards as they swam. Daylight broke through. Lin Yan released her hand: ¡°Song Yuhang.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± She was still too excited to extricate herself. The woman tugged at her cor, pulling her close, and nted a kiss on her forehead. Along with her words, tears also fell. ¡°I¡¯m leaving, goodbye.¡± Song Yuhang was startled, ¡°Where are you going? Weren¡¯t youing for me?¡± As she spoke, Lin Yan¡¯s body had already sunk into a bright white light, bing more and more transparent. ¡°Lin Yan?!¡± She cried out in rm, reaching out to grasp, but found only emptiness, stumbling forward. ¡°Lin Yan¡­¡± Song Yuhang, with a tube in her throat, struggled to articte, as a thin sweat formed on her forehead. After a long silence, the brain waves finally showed fluctuations, and all the vital signs were steadily rising. Ji Jingxing watched her eyelids flutter, her fingers feebly clutching at the bedsheet, she wept for joy and rushed out to call the doctor. A throng of medical staff surged into the narrow single patient room as a lengthy tube was slowly removed from her throat. Song Yuhang awoke. Advertisements Havingin in bed for over a month, her hair had grown long, hanging down to obscure her eyes, her lips chapped and pale from prolonged dehydration. Those light brown eyes had lost their luster, bloodshot, staring nkly at the ceiling. ¡°Yuhang¡­¡± Mother Song, holding her hand, cried tears of joy, repeatedly calling her name. Ji Jingxing, holding Xiaowei, covered her mouth with her hand: ¡°Xiaowei, call her auntie.¡± Xiaowei¡¯s face timidly emerged: ¡°Auntie¡­¡± Under the continuous calls of her family, Song Yuhang¡¯s unfocused gaze finally found direction. Looking at Mother Song¡¯s face, she slightly bent her lips, causing the cracked skin to start bleeding. The doctor was also deeply moved: ¡°This is wonderful, it¡¯s simply a miracle in the history of medicine. It¡¯s fortunate she didn¡¯t spend too much time under the sea and that cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered promptly, otherwise the degree of brain damage could have been severe.¡± Mother Song moistened a cotton swab to moisten her lips. Song Yuhang turned her head, as if she wanted to speak. Her mother understood and leaned in close. Song Yuhang¡¯s voice was hoarse, and she couldn¡¯t speak yet. She barely lifted her finger and started to write with a stroke in her palm. ¡°Lin Yan.¡± Tears welled up in Mother Song¡¯s eyes. Ji Jingxing helped her to the side: ¡°Mom, go back and rest. I¡¯ll keep watch tonight.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s pleading gaze turned to her again, her lips trembling, tears swirling in her eyes. Ji Jingxing tucked her hands under the nket, not daring to look again. She turned her back to pour her some water, forcing a smile as she did so. ¡°Lin Yan is also injured and can¡¯t get out of bed for now. She said that once she¡¯s better, she¡¯lle to see you.¡± In her impression, Ji Jingxing never lied or deceived. A smile suddenly appeared on Song Yuhang¡¯s lips. Her body was wrapped in bandages, including her chin. The smile looked utterly stiff but also foolish and silly. Yet she seemed inexplicably happy, a kind of happiness that even an observer could feel. Unable to hold back anymore, Mother Song turned around and took Xiaowei out of the room. Sitting down on the bench outside, Xiaowei leaned against her knees: ¡°Grandma, why are you crying?¡± Song Yuhang had her fill ofughter, then seemed to remember something, bing somewhat anxious. She opened her mouth, trying to speak but only uttering a ¡°heh heh¡± without making any coherent words. Ji Jingxing supported her: ¡°What¡¯s wrong, are you feeling ufortable somewhere?¡± Advertisements Song Yuhang wrote on the bedsheet: Ring. Her entire fortune, the betrothal gift she had not yet had the chance to give, couldn¡¯t just be lost like this. Ji Jingxing turned back and fetched it for her from the drawer in the bedside table. It had been taken from her pocket during the emergency rescue by the medical staff. She had hidden it deeply, not satisfied with just locking the zipper pocket inside her jacket close to her chest, she had also sewn it shut with crooked and twisted stitches. The medical staff had to cut for a long time before they managed to open it, and when they handed the ring box to the family, it was still wet. The blood had seeped into the velvet and could not be washed out. Ji Jingxing ced it beside her hand, and Song Yuhang immediately grasped it tightly in her palm, her lips curving into a smile, and stars suddenly lit up in her dull eyes. Seeing this, Ji Jingxing felt a profound sadness, she helped her adjust the covers: ¡°Sleep now.¡± If she stayed any longer, she would not be able to bear it. Song Yuhang closed her eyes contentedly, allowing sleepiness to engulf her. She thought, she wille, Lin Yan will definitelye to see her. At that time, she would slip the ring onto her ring finger. She would never be able to escape in this lifetime. But until her injuries healed and she was able to walk, Lin Yan never came again. LP: NO I WON¡¯T BELIEVE IT ?(?Òæ??) Chapter 100.1 Search Ever since she regained consciousness, from initially only being able to move her fingers and writing on the bedsheet, to finally being able to speak aloud. Song Yuhang would ask every day, ¡°Where is Lin Yan?¡± Ji Jingxing forced a smile, passing her the warm soup in her hand: ¡°Drink this up, get your strength back, and then you can go see her.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s hand, wrapped in gauze, trembled as she lifted the bowl and gulped down the soup. Because she drank too hastily, it stained her lips and she kept coughing. Ji Jingxing patted her back, taking the soup bowl from her hand: ¡°Get some sleep, the doctor said you need to rest more.¡± Song Yuhangy down and subconsciously reached under her pillow for her mobile phone, only to grasp at air. It was then that she realized her phone was gone. ¡°Sister, may I use your phone?¡± She wanted to call Lin Yan. Ji Jingxing understood what she wanted to do. Her heart ached, but she still had to feignposure. Advertisements ¡°You forgot, Lin Yan is also hospitalized. Mobile phones are not allowed in the ICU.¡± Isn¡¯t that just like her current situation? Song Yuhang nodded with effort, and then, thinking of the ICU, she couldn¡¯t help but worry a bit more anxiously. ¡°How is she¡­ how is she doing?¡± ¡°Very¡­ very well,¡± Ji Jingxing turned her head away, busying herself with tidying up the bowls and utensils. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, if she can walk, she¡¯ll definitelye to see you.¡± Song Yuhang nodded with a trace of determination in her eyes. ¡°I have to get better faster and go see her. Sister, you don¡¯t know, she¡­ she hates staying in hospitals the most, and what she detests most is getting injections and taking medicine.¡± Ji Jingxing dared not continue the conversation, her eyes already slightly moist. ¡°Well then, visiting hours are almost up, I should go back now. I¡¯lle to see you again in the afternoon.¡± ¡°Okay, thanks for your hard work, sister-inw. Oh and, Xiaowei¡ª¡± She had also heard about Xiaowei¡¯s illness, which worried her somewhat. Mentioning the child, Ji Jingxing¡¯s eyes felt warm; she wasforting Song Yuhang and also consoling herself. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything will be fine. The doctor said that with gradual care, patience, andpanionship, things will get better.¡± Song Yuhang clenched her fists, thinking to herself that she must recover quickly. She wanted to see Lin Yan, to be with her, to hug her, kiss her, and, to propose to her again. As for Xiaowei, she also had to catch the criminal suspect still on the run, to bring him to justice and give Xiaowei the closure she deserved. And then there was the matter of that USB drive. As the thoughts blurred in her mind, the doctor came in again to change her IV drip. Her body had not yet recovered, and under the influence of the medication, she finally couldn¡¯t resist the drowsiness and fell asleep once more. The ring box was still tightly gripped in her hand, not leaving it for a moment. During the days of recovery, Song Yuhang diligently followed the doctor¡¯s orders, cooperated with the treatment, tried hard to eat, and actively participated in rehabilitation. It was a monthter that she was transferred from the ICU to a regr ward. Advertisements Even the doctors marveled at the speed of her recovery. Only Song Yuhang knew how much she longed to see that person, almost to the point of going mad with longing. Ji Jingxing made the bed for her and helped her down from the wheelchair. ¡°Come, be careful.¡± Song Yuhang waved her hand, shifting herself and sitting down on the bed in two steps. ¡°Sis, I want to see her.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no rush, wait until you¡¯re discharged from the hospital.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± Song Yuhang started to argue, but she was interrupted midway as Mother Song walked in with Xiaowei, carrying a lunch box in her hand. ¡°Come, Yuhang, it¡¯s time to eat, chestnut braised chicken, your favorite.¡± The topic was thus deftly and seamlessly changed. During the meal, she noticed that the bracelet was missing from Mother Song¡¯s right wrist and asked, ¡°Mom, where¡¯s your bracelet? The one Grandma gave you.¡± Mother Song touched her bare wrist and paused, exchanging a silent look with Ji Jingxing. They decided to keep the truth from her for the moment and responded with a smile. ¡°I intended to save it for your wedding day to give it to you, but now it seems I will have to give it to Yanyan.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes brightened as she smiled and held onto the lunch box, ¡°Mom, have you seen her?¡± One lie begets countless others to keep it whole. Mother Song nodded: ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve seen her. She isn¡¯t recovering as quickly as you, but she¡¯s much better now.¡± The person immersed in excitement didn¡¯t notice how forced her mother and sister-inw¡¯s smiles were. Song Yuhang stuffed food into her mouth, her eyes slightly damp: ¡°Mom, is there more? I want another bowl.¡± ¡°Yes, there is plenty more, eat up.¡± Advertisements Mother Song turned her back to serve her more rice, quietly wiping away a tear. While Song Yuhang was eating, Xiaowei¡¯s gaze drifted to the television set nearby. She reached out to grab the remote control to turn on the TV but was quickly stopped as Ji Jingxing snatched it away from her. ¡°Xiaowei, your aunt is still eating. She needs to rest more and shouldn¡¯t be disturbed. If you want to watch TV, we can do it at home.¡± She was afraid that the news about Lin Yan might be on. The child, not understanding the situation, only knew that her desire had not been fulfilled. Her lips pouted, and she burst into tears. Ji Jingxing quickly went to soothe her. Due to her illness, Xiaowei¡¯s emotions were always tumultuous, swinging from good to bad without notice. She did not speak but just kept crying, throwing and pounding her cloth doll she held in her hands. Song Yuhang put down her bowl and attempted to embrace her, ¡°Xiaowei¡ª¡± Before she could finish, she was abruptly pushed down onto the bed. The push struck right on her wound. Even though it was an unintentional mistake, Song Yuhang¡¯s forehead still broke out inrge beads of sweat from the pain. Seeing her injured, the pressure of the past few days suddenly surged into Ji Jingxing¡¯s heart, anxious and angry. For the first time, she pped Xiaowei across the face, her eyes reddening as she shouted, ¡°Ji Weiyi, behave yourself! How could you hit your aunt? Do you even know who saved your life? To save you, Lin¡ª¡± A silence so profound ensued that the drop of a needle could be heard. Song Yuhang was also looking at her. Ji Jingxing, gasping for breath, found herself unable to continue. Tears swirled in Xiaowei¡¯s eyes as she threw the cloth doll onto her, then turned and ran away. Seeing the child cry, Ji Jingxing¡¯s heart was equally torn, as ifcerated by a thousand knives. ¡°Xiaowei!¡± She lifted her foot and chased after her immediately. Mother Song also sighed deeply, her face streaked with tears. Song Yuhang held her mother¡¯s hand, feeling extremely upset: ¡°Mom, has Xiaowei been like this ever since she came back?¡± Mother Song wiped away her tears: ¡°This is actually better. In the first few days after she returned, she wouldn¡¯t eat or drink, and she would cry at the slightest touch. It¡¯s as if¡­ she¡¯s be apletely different person.¡± Advertisements Song Yuhang¡¯s heart ached unbearably, and she pulled her mother into an embrace: ¡°Mom, you and sister-inw have had a hard time these days. Don¡¯t worry, Xiaowei will definitely get better.¡± ¡°Yuhang, right now the greatest hope for Mom is that you can live well, no matter what happens.¡± Hearing these words, Song Yuhang felt a pang in her heart, but seeing her mother¡¯s tear-stained face, she still tenderly handed over a tissue. ¡°I will, Mom.¡± ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t disturb your rest any longer. I¡¯m going to see how Jingxing and Xiaowei are doing.¡± Song Yuhang nodded, watching as her mother tidied up the bowls and chopsticks and walked out with a shaky gait. In the afternoon, when the nurse came in to change the dressings, Song Yuhang was still preupied with the morning¡¯s scene where Ji Jingxing snatched the remote control from Xiaowei¡¯s hands, as well as her mother¡¯s ambiguous words. Ji Jingxing was not one to hit children; what could have made her lose control? And her mother, why did she speak so? And each time Lin Yan was brought up, the topic was always quickly covered up with something else. Song Yuhang was not obtuse; it was just that she instinctively trusted them. Moreover, having spent days unconscious in the ICU, she hadn¡¯t had the chance to think too much. Now that she thought about it, the more frightened she became, feeling a chill rising instantly from the soles of her feet. Unconsciously fiddling with the ring box in her palm, she looked towards the nurse who was changing her dressings. ¡°Excuse me, may I use your phone to call my family? I need to ask them to bring me some things.¡± Having been in the hospital for over two months, all the faces were familiar. The nurse readily lent her phone. ¡°Thank you,¡± Song Yuhang nodded in gratitude, quickly dialing a long string of numbers. She knew them by heart. However, after the lengthy dial tone, what followed was the cold system prompt. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service.¡± Not in service, not in service, what does that mean? Was it discontinued? Advertisements Song Yuhang felt her heart sinking, her eyes reddening almost instantly. ¡°Miss, miss¡­¡± Still lost in her thoughts, the nurse gently urged her. Song Yuhang came back to her senses and handed the smartphone back. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Seeing her look so forlorn, the nurse was worried: ¡°Are you feeling unwell somewhere? I¡¯ll go call the doctor¡­¡± Song Yuhang lifted her head, her eyes red, and managed a bitter smile: ¡°No, I¡¯d like to watch some TV.¡± The nurse went over to the bedside table, feeling around for the remote control: ¡°Huh, where¡¯s the remote? It was still here yesterday when we cleaned the ward.¡± ¡°Never mind then,¡± Song Yuhangy back down, turned over, burying her head in the pillow, quietly wiping away tears. Lin Yan, each time we recover in the past, we would lose touch temporarily, and this time will be the same as before. You¡¯ll reappear before me, right? LP: XIAOWEI!!!! ( ;¡ä ¨C `;) Chapter 100.2 Search A few days passed, and under Song Yuhang¡¯s incessant questioning, Ji Jingxing was almost at her wits¡¯ end when Duan Cheng and the others came to visit her, bringing gifts. ¡°Captain Song, we heard you¡¯ve recovered a lot, and we¡¯re here on behalf of the Jiangcheng City Bureau to see how you¡¯re doing.¡± Even the young man who never minced words has learned to speak courteously. Song Yuhang¡¯s hand slipped from Ji Jingxing¡¯s sleeve. She had just gained enough strength to walk on her own, and with a faltering gait, she staggered over to him, clutching his arm as if she had found a savior. ¡°Tell me, where is Lin Yan?¡± Fang Xin took a step forward, wanting to help her sit down: ¡°Captain Song¡­¡± Advertisements Song Yuhang brushed the person aside and intensified her tone: ¡°Where the hell is Lin Yan?!¡± ¡°Captain Song, Sister Lin she¡­¡± Fang Xin¡¯s words were not yet finished when she was violently interrupted. ¡°Duan Cheng, I want you to tell me!¡± She still clung to his sleeve, with an urgent look in her eyes that slowly began to brim with tears. ¡°Where the hell is Lin Yan, tell me, where did she go¡­¡± By the end, her voice had be hoarse. Duan Cheng looked at her face, his lips quivering, unable to speak, his fists clenched tightly. Ji Jingxing came over to pull her away: ¡°Yuhang, it¡¯s time for your medicine.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t take it! Duan Cheng, say something!¡± Song Yuhang shook his arm: ¡°Huh? Lin Yan was so good to you, always letting you carry the equipment instead of anyone else, just to give you a chance to learn. She might have openly shown disgust towards you, but in private, she has told me more than once that you would definitely be a good forensic doctor. Tell me, tell me, where did she go?¡± Her voice was hoarse, her eyes red-rimmed, her body swaying as if she might copse at any moment. How could he bear to tell her the cruel truth when she looked like this? Duan Cheng, a grown man, finally couldn¡¯t help but cover his face with his hands and cry silently under such earnest gaze. Song Yuhang stumbled a few steps, let go of his arm, and then went to grab Fang Xin. ¡°Fang Xin, Fang Xin, he won¡¯t tell me, you tell me. Wasn¡¯t Lin Yan still teaching you beauty tips that day? Didn¡¯t we agree on a trip to the inds together? You tell me, please, I¡¯ll find her, and we¡¯ll all go together, okay, please?¡± She was like a child, stubbornly pursuing the answer, grabbing onto the shoulders in front of her, shaking them hard. Fang Xin didn¡¯t respond and just turned away, sniffling. Advertisements Song Yuhang turned her gaze to Zheng Chengrui: ¡°Old Zheng, Old Zheng, I¡¯m begging you, please, they won¡¯t tell me, but you can, right? I know Lin Yan did you wrong before, I apologize on her behalf, I apologize¡­¡± As she spoke, she was about to kneel and kowtow to him but was promptly supported and steadied by several hands. ¡°Captain Song, Captain Song, don¡¯t do this, please don¡¯t¡­¡± Behind those sses, tears glimmered as Zheng Chengrui choked up, ¡°It¡¯s not that we don¡¯t want to tell you; it¡¯s just, it¡¯s¡­¡± They still couldn¡¯te to terms with the devastating news that Lin Yan had passed away; otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t have waited until today to visit her. Song Yuhang was stunned as she turned to look at everyone in the room, and that was when she noticed that they were all crying. What were they crying for? All she wanted to know was where Lin Yan had gone. She directed herst plea for help towards Ji Jingxing, her voice hoarse as she called out, ¡°Sister, I know you¡¯ve never liked Lin Yan much, but for the sake of her having saved you and Mom, please tell me, where has she gone?¡± When Song Yuhang spoke those words, every syble was steeped in tears of blood, and even Duan Cheng, standing beside her, could feel the chilling despair emanating from her. How could Ji Jingxing bear to witness such a pleading look, such a humbled plea? She turned her back, wiping away tears with the back of her hand. Song Yuhang understood then; she realized that no one here would tell her the answer. From their eyes, she read the deep sadness, as well as the pity and sympathy. She staggered back two steps, her body swaying, and knocked over the IV stand. Advertisements Ji Jingxing came forward to support her, but her hand was briskly pushed away. Song Yuhang, mustering strength from who knows where, pushed them aside and stood up, stumbling and rushing out the door. ¡°Yuhang!¡± Having been in bed for so long, her knees hadn¡¯t adjusted to such vigorous movement. She had only just run out the door when she fell to the ground. It hurts. All my insides are twisting in pain. Song Yuhang¡¯s fall brought tears to her eyes. Clenching her teeth, her eyes reddening, her hands trembling, she propped herself up from the ground, inch by inch, getting back up. She went on to grab every medical staff member passing by. ¡°Have you seen Lin Yan? She¡¯s tall, very pretty.¡± If someone asked who she was, Song Yuhang would curve her lips into a smile, her eyes still brimming with tears, yet her smile so sincerely happy. ¡°She¡­ She¡¯s my fianc¨¦e.¡± ¡°We¡¯re about to get married, but I can¡¯t find her. Have you seen her?¡± In the hallway, the crowd around her whispered and pointed: She must be crazy. ¡°Yuhang!¡± Ji Jingxing caught up from behind, calling her name with a voice hoarse from exertion. Advertisements Song Yuhang pushed through the crowd and dashed out, starting to knock on every ward¡¯s door, repeating the same question. ¡°Have you seen Lin Yan?¡± ¡°Have you seen my fianc¨¦e?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t find her. She¡¯s tall and very beautiful.¡± ¡­¡­ ¡°Crazy!¡± Someone shoved her out, medical staff tried to grab her, Ji Jingxing chased after her, and Duan Cheng and the others encircled her. Song Yuhang struggled, tearing and fighting back, kicking and hitting, roaring with all her might. A medical staff member, holding a syringe, attempted to inject her, but she suddenlyshed out, biting down hard on their wrist, imitating Lin Yan. The doctor, pained by the bite, dropped the syringe, and Song Yuhang seized the opportunity to push him away, scrambling out of the encirclement. She looked aplete mess, her hair disheveled, her eyes bloodshot, wearing a patient¡¯s uniform. She ran a few steps but, due tock of strength, copsed to the ground. Biting back the pain, she got up and continued running forward. She had to find Lin Yan, to locate her, to find her¡ªthis thought had never been so intense. She wanted to marry her and never be apart again. That afternoon, Song Yuhang had asked all the medical staff on each floor, knocked on every ward in the surgery department, but still couldn¡¯t find the person she was looking for. Ji Jingxing watched her standing at the entrance of the morgue, as the setting sun stretched her shadow long and far. Advertisements In the end, she didn¡¯t have the courage to push open that door. ¡°Yuhang, let¡¯s go home.¡± The corridor hade to an end. Song Yuhang turned around and numbly shuffled back the way she hade, muttering to herself with conviction. ¡°She promised me, she¡¯d live well, she¡¯d live well, she definitely isn¡¯t here, definitely not¡­¡± Ji Jingxing, afraid to agitate her further, didn¡¯t dare to follow. ¡°Yuhang, where do you want to go?¡± ¡°To¡­ to her ce.¡± LP: Pain Chapter 101.1 Broken The familiar nursery outside the vi had grown over with weeds due to neglect. Song Yuhang verified her fingerprint, and with a ¡°beep,¡± the iron gate slid open. She leaned on the door, moving falteringly inside, thinking she would see her sitting in the courtyard, but to her dismay, there was no one. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she aimlessly drifted around the yard, muttering to herself. ¡°Lin Yan, Yanyan,e out, stop hiding from me¡­¡± her voice hoarse, she pushed open the ss doors of the hall. The window decals they had put up before leaving were still there, lending the house a cheerfulness it no longer held. But the fresh flowers in the vase had withered away, slumped over, emitting an aura of death. The once bright and shiny furniture was now covered with ayer of dust. At the doorway, two pairs of couple¡¯s slippers were still ced on the shoe rack. Advertisements Song Yuhang pulled open the wardrobe, rummaging through the mountain of clothes: ¡°Lin Yan, stop hiding, this game isn¡¯t fun at all¡­¡± The vast wardrobe was eerily quiet, her clothes all hung up neatly, as if nobody had touched them. Staggering, Song Yuhang dashed out, scurried through the kitchen, bathroom, shower room, gym, and even herboratory to search. The air still carried traces of her scent, but she was nowhere to be found. Song Yuhang was on the verge of breaking down in this prolonged search, tears streaming down her face without her realizing as she hunted around. She fell once again at the foot of the stairs, clenched her teeth, and climbed toward the second floor, as if clinging to herst shred of hope. ¡°You¡¯re such a mess;st time, a guy ran up and down these stairs carrying me naked.¡± ¡°me me? Wait till I get better and give it a try.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a bathroom upstairs.¡± ¡°But I want to go downstairs.¡± As she climbed, she seemed to see the towering figure of the police officer carrying the petite woman past her. Song Yuhang curved her lips into a smile, reaching out to capture the image, but it vanished again. Lin Yan¡¯s bedroom door was just a stone¡¯s throw away. She came to a halt, as if stricken with a case of stage fright. Pulling a ring box from her pants pocket, she hesitated, pondering the right gesture and expression to present it to her. Song Yuhang wiped away her tears with her sleeve and tried to muster a smile, clutching the tiny ring box, talking to herself. ¡°Lin Yan, Yanyan¡­ marry me¡­ No, that¡¯s not right. Do I kneel first, or do I say it and then kneel¡­¡± ¡°Will she like it? Or will she find it too cheap¡­¡± Song Yuhang looked down at the cuff of her hospital gown and had an epiphany. ¡°Is this all too rushed?¡± She hesitated, smoothing down her hair, trying to tidy up her disheveled clothes. ¡°Why did I evene here dressed like this¡­ I should go back, take a shower, and change my clothes¡­¡± Advertisements Song Yuhang murmured to herself. A draft breezed through, and with a gentle ¡°creak,¡± it nudged the utched door open. Her heart almost leapt into her throat. Without looking, she closed her eyes, hands presenting the ring box,pletely forgetting the script she had prepared earlier. ¡°Lin¡­ Lin Yan¡­ to marry¡­ No, not that, I want to marry you¡­ that¡¯s not it either¡­ Marry¡­ marry me¡­¡± Her tongue seemed to be in knots, leaving her proposal all jumbled and reversed. With her eyes shut, Song Yuhang¡¯s heart pounded like a drum, waiting for an answer. But she waited and waited until her legs went numb, with only the wind howling in the hallway. Tears began to fall before she even opened her eyes. ¡°I know I don¡¯t have much money, can¡¯t give you the fanciest diamond ring, and I¡¯m just a humble cop, so I can¡¯t provide you with avish life. But I¡¯ll work hard, really hard. I¡¯ll give you all my earnings, my savings, the deed to my house, my housing fund, my social security card¡­ you can have it all.¡± ¡°I can also give you a ton of love, the most attentive kind, with all I have, an iparable love.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need anything in return, and I don¡¯t want you to feel pressured. All I want is for you to understand that I¡¯m willing to do this wholeheartedly.¡± These words should have been shared with her a long time ago, but now they could only be poured into the emptiness. Taking a step forward, Song Yuhang stretched out her arms: ¡°Lin Yan, if you¡¯re willing, could you give me a hug?¡± No one answered her. The wind slipped into her embrace, bringing a chill with it. Song Yuhang managed a forced smile, ¡°It¡¯s okay, you¡­ don¡¯t hide¡­ I cane and hug you instead.¡± She took another step forward, her toes bumping into something solid. Overwhelmed with joy, she reached out eagerly, tumbling into softness. Excitedly, she flung back the covers: ¡°Lin Yan¡ª¡± Advertisements Her smile suddenly froze on her face. Like she was out of her mind, she flipped the bedding upside down. Sheets, duvet covers, pillows all fell to the floor¡ªstill no sign. Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes reddened as she checked under the bed: ¡°Lin Yan, don¡¯t hide anymore¡­¡± Still nothing. Her lips trembling, heartbroken, she quickly scrambled up and yanked open her wardrobe. ¡°Stop hiding, stop hiding, I won¡¯t propose anymore, I¡¯ve dropped it¡­ can youe out, please?¡± The spacious room was tidy, with actually not many ces to hide. Song Yuhang gave it a quick once-over, when a breeze caused the door to rattle, she stumbled out in a rush. ¡°Lin Yan!¡± The corridor was deserted. She then ran to her study, her favorite ce, and pushed the door open with excitement, only to be met with emptiness again. On the desky a paper crane, not yet folded perfectly, left unsigned. Song Yuhang carefully picked it up and cradled it in her arms. ¡°It¡¯s folded by you, right? You must still be here, right?¡± Looking at the blue paper crane, she pped her forehead and dashed out the door. ¡°That¡¯s right, the attic, the attic, she must be there.¡± This is Lin Yan¡¯s secret base, always locked up. Song Yuhang didn¡¯t have the key, so she desperately mmed her shoulder against the wooden door. Dust fell from above, turning her jet-ck hair a dusty gray. Advertisements Her shoulder ached fiercely, quickly wearing raw to the point where the thin fabric soaked up a trace of blood. Song Yuhang¡¯s strength drained away, and she copsed to the ground, clenching her teeth in heart-wrenching pain. ¡°Fine, you won¡¯te out, will you? Then I, I will just¡­¡± She looked around, then got up from the ground. ¡°I¡¯ll throw away all your favorite clothes, and your makeup, pour out the booze from your cab, and your origami cranes¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t want¡­ don¡¯t want them anymore?¡± Song Yuhang, receiving no reply, started to throw a tantrum like a child denied a beloved toy, irrationally wrecking havoc in her house. She messed up her room, tossing clothes from the walk-in closet onto the floor, pulling out expensive red wines from the liquor cab to drink and spill as she choked and coughed. Tears streaming down, she slumped against the cupboard, looking at the chaos on the floor: ¡°Don¡¯t you want¡­ even me anymore?¡± That night, she lost count of how many times she ran up and down the stairs, how many bottles of red wine she opened, how many tears she shed. Until atst, taking a sledgehammer to smash open the attic door, it was still devoid of anyone. Exhausted, she just clutched a wine bottle andy down on the cold floor, falling asleep. The next morning, Song Yuhang woke up with a headache, and seeing the mess all around, she was filled with regret again. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry, Yanyan, I gotta clean this up quick, otherwise she¡¯ll be upset if she sees this mess¡­¡± She muttered to herself while picking up clothes scattered near the doorway, only to be caught off-guard as a pair of leather shoes stepped on them, making them impossible to pick up. Following the line of the crisply pressed trousers upward, her smile froze on her face. The person in front stood in a suit and leather shoes, uniform neat, with a prosecutor¡¯s badge on the chest, and held out an ID towards her. ¡°Jiangcheng City People¡¯s Procuratorate. Byw, we are sealing the assets of the deceased Lin Yan, who was the forensic doctor at Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau¡¯s Technical Investigation Division. Please do not interfere with our official duties.¡± Song Yuhang was stunned, watching his mouth open and close, she couldn¡¯t make out a word he said. She only heard ¡°the deceased.¡± She sprang to her feet and grabbing the officer¡¯s cor she yelled, ¡°Deceased?! What do you mean ¡®deceased¡¯? Spit it out, what the f*ck are you talking about?!¡± Advertisements Her hair was a mess, and she reeked of alcohol¡ªno one could recognize her as the once spirited and vigorous Song Yuhang, Captain Song. When she became aggressive, a few bailiffs rushed over to restrain her. Song Yuhang watched with wide eyes as they inventoried Lin Yan¡¯s possessions, carrying things out of the house. Her designer handbags, luxury clothes, expensive high heels, the cer-stored red wine¡­ Even some small items. A vase that was identally knocked over, the candlestick bought together, decorative pieces, the tablecloth yanked into disarray, and the shoe rack pulled down¡ªcouple¡¯s slippers lying on the floor, their fluffy bunny ears getting trampled and dirtied. Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes were wide with fury, she screamed hysterically, ¡°Don¡¯t touch it, don¡¯t touch it! Stop, just stop!¡± The bailiffs nearly couldn¡¯t hold her back, and amidst the chaos, it was unclear who kicked her. Song Yuhang¡¯s knees buckled, and with a thud, she fell to the ground, struggling as she rained down punches. LP: Depression ????(? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ? Chapter 101.2 Broken Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes were wide with fury, she screamed hysterically, ¡°Don¡¯t touch it, don¡¯t touch it! Stop, just stop!¡± The bailiffs nearly couldn¡¯t hold her back, and amidst the chaos, it was unclear who kicked her. Song Yuhang¡¯s knees buckled, and with a thud, she fell to the ground, struggling as she rained down punches. Several staff members went up the stairs again, carrying furniture, Lin Yan¡¯s fitness equipment, tables, chairs¡­ With just one nce, she saw the person walking at the back holding a few ss bottles in their hands. The bottles were filled to the brim with her origami cranes, and they were cautiously trying to go downstairs. Song Yuhang, fueled by some unknown strength, gritted her teeth and struggled to climb up. She kicked, stomped, tore, and bit, breaking through the encirclement and rushed forward, clenching her fist and delivering a punch. ¡°I told you not to touch it!¡± The staff member was caught off guard and blood spurted from his nose. He screamed at the top of his lungs, ¡°Madman, madman! Why are you just standing there? Throw this crazy woman out!¡± Advertisements Several imposing bailiffs again came up to grapple with her. Song Yuhang wrested the ss bottle from his grip, clutching it tightly, unmoved by the others¡¯ punches and kicks. No matter how they tried to snatch it away, she wouldn¡¯t let go. In the end, she was thrown out, bottle and all. She hit the steps outside, bruised and battered, the ss bottle shattering on the road, and the colorful origami cranes scattered everywhere. This was Lin Yan¡¯s dream, Lin Yan¡¯s hope, her fervor for forensic science, and her reverence for the deceased. It was also her pure, albeit battered, heart¡ªclean and innocent. Now, this hearty on the street, broken in the mud. Song Yuhang had gone mad; she lunged forward, using her hands to scoop and her sleeves to gather, meticulously picking up her dust-covered dreams one by one. The bottle was shattered, no longer capable of holding them; so she stuffed them into her pockets, bulging out the pockets of her clothes, her trouser pockets filled to the brim as well. As Song Yuhang wept, she continued to collect them. When there was no more room, she carefully cradled them in the palms of her hands. She crawled on her knees, the cranes falling as she moved. Somended in the nursery, caked with mud. She picked them up, blew them clean, scraped off the clinging earth, and tenderly tucked them close to her chest. A car drove by, kicking up dust that obscured her view, and the cranes in her hands were once again scattered by the wind. While Song Yuhang frantically scrambled to pick them up, a hand had already begun to do it for her. Looking up with surprise and delight, she eximed, ¡°Lin Yan, you¡¯re back¡ª¡± Her smile gradually froze on her face. Jingzhe was d in a suit of ck, donning a peaked cap that concealed his ostentatiously red hair. From behind, he fished out a familiar object and handed it to her. Just one sentence brought her to tears. ¡°The youngdy¡¯s belongings; returning them to their rightful owner.¡± The repaired mechanical stick, after enduring a harsh battle, was marred and no longer retained its original shape; its tip was bent, the freshly applied paint had ked off, and dark red stains ¨C bloodstains ¨C were visible on it. Song Yuhang didn¡¯t reach out to take it; she clenched her teeth, eyes reddening, her voice took on a chilling tone, ¡°What do you mean by ¡®belongings¡¯? Make yourself clear.¡± Advertisements Jingzhe had the face of a mixed-race individual but was not inclined to smile, nor was he fond of talking. His usually expressionless face, however, now slightly lowered his gaze and furrowed his brows. Song Yuhang read a trace of sadness in his expression. ¡°Speak up! What do you mean by ¡®belongings¡¯?¡± She emphasized the word ¡°belongings¡± heavily, her heart bleeding as the words left her mouth. Jingzhe extended the stick further toward her: ¡°I followed her instructions, sending the person to the hospital and when I turned back, everything was over; on the bridge, only this remained.¡± ¡°By the time I got to the hospital, the resuscitation had ended too¡­¡± Song Yuhang had survived, but Lin Yan sumbed to her grave injuries despite efforts to save her. Jingzhe paused briefly, but Song Yuhang had already pounced on him, clutching his shoulder tightly. Her eyes were filled with bloodshot veins: ¡°You¡¯re lying! You¡¯re talking nonsense! She promised me she would live on, live well!¡± Jingzhe brushed off her hands and stepped back. ¡°I¡¯ve seen her, in the morgue.¡± His words struck Song Yuhang like a bolt of lightning; she staggered back two steps, her vision darkened, and just as she was about to say something, rage surged up within her. Coughing violently, tears streamed down her face. She pressed her lips, specks of blood sttering onto her hospital garment. Jingzhe seemed to showpassion, feigning support for her: ¡°You need to go to the hospital.¡± Song Yuhang waved him off, pushing him away as she shook her head, struggling on her own. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it, I don¡¯t believe it, you are all deceiving me, deceiving me¡­¡± Jingzhe said, ¡°Miss has saved my life, and I obey her alone, I wouldn¡¯t deceive you.¡± Song Yuhang wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, shook her head, andughed, but herughter soon turned into crying. ¡°Hehe¡­ Hahaha¡­ I don¡¯t believe it¡­ I don¡¯t believe¡­ I don¡¯t trust anyone¡­ unless shees to me in person and tells me she doesn¡¯t want to live¡­ She promised me she wouldn¡¯t seek death lightly¡­ She promised me she would marry me¡­¡± Advertisements Seeing her in this state, Jingzhe knew that further words were useless. He gently ced the mechanical stick beside her and nodded before he left. ¡°Miss talked to me a long time ago, saying that she had fallen in love with someone, a woman named Song Yuhang.¡± ¡°She said that her only purpose in life was revenge, and she didn¡¯t know how long she could live, so she didn¡¯t dare to give her heart away.¡± ¡°Miss Song, I think she¡­ truly liked you a lot.¡± ¡°If you need anything in the future, Jingzhe will be at your beck and call.¡± After Jingzhe left, she sat there alone, not knowing how long it had been until a kind passerby offered her a tissue. ¡°Miss, are you alright?¡± Only then did she realize that she had been crying the whole time. ¡°No, I¡¯m fine.¡± Song Yuhang forced a smile, but tears welled up again. She got up unsteadily, lifted the hem of her clothing and gathered all the origami cranes that had fallen on the ground. Limping and looking utterly forlorn, she started heading home. Without a mobile phone and not having brought any money with her, she couldn¡¯t hail a taxi. She walked from daylight into night, from the suburbs to the city center, still wearing the thin patient¡¯s gown she had on when she left the hospital. In the biting early spring weather, she was shivering from the cold wind, herplexion deathly pale, her lips a shade of blue and purple. By the time she walked home, her feet had developed blisters. Mother Song, with her heart aching, weed her into the warm room, nearly in tears, ¡°Where did you run off to? If I couldn¡¯t find you, I would have had to call the police.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s tears had long been dried by the wind, and she managed a smile: ¡°Mom, get me a ss jar.¡± Mother Song didn¡¯t understand what she meant by looking at the big bunch of origami cranes but still fetched the item for her. Song Yuhang began to ce them into the jar one by one: ¡°One thousand, one thousand and one, one thousand and two¡­¡± Not until all the paper cranes from her entire body were ced inside did her tears suddenly start rolling down. ¡°It¡¯s done, but there are still so many missing. When Lin Yanes back, she will definitely me me for not taking good care of her stuff.¡± ¡°Yuhang¡­¡± Mother Song seemed to want tofort her. Advertisements Yet she stood up as if nothing had happened. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m going to take a shower.¡± Saying this, she staggered towards the bathroom. She turned on the shower, turned the bath heater up to its highest setting, and the dirty water began rolling down from her head, with a pale red trace of blood seeping out from the tiles at Song Yuhang¡¯s feet. Trembling, she hugged herself tightly, and in the quiet, sealed space, she finally allowed herself to burst into unrestrained sobs. Mother Song heard from outside, her heart wrenching as if cut by knives. That bath took a very long time, untilte at night, until her skin pruned up, until the wounds that had been rubbed raw swelled, revealing the raw flesh beneath. Wearing slippers, Song Yuhang walked out, not expecting that both Mother Song and Ji Jingxing were still awake. They sat on the living room sofa waiting for her. Head bowed, Song Yuhang walked over: ¡°Sis, I¡¯ll sleep in my brother¡¯s room.¡± Mother Song patted the spot next to her: ¡°Yuhang,e sit.¡± Ji Jingxing also mustered a smile: ¡°Yeah, Xiaowei has gone to sleep, let¡¯s have a chat.¡± Song Yuhang remained still, looking at their faces filled with cautiousness and nervousness, and bitter-smiled: ¡°Sister, back when my brother¡­ did you ever think of going with him?¡± Ji Jingxing nodded and then shook her head: ¡°I thought about it, but there¡¯s Xiaowei, and there are my parents, Mom, you, I couldn¡¯t do that.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that the point, I feel the same.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes grew hot, and tears fell involuntarily again. On her way home today, there were countless moments when she wanted to step into the raging traffic, but remembering the words she had advised Lin Yan, she held back. Her life was exchanged with another¡¯s life; if she really had done such a thing, and they had met in theherworld, Lin Yan would probably leap up and p her hard across the face, spit flying onto her face as she cursed her for being a coward, a good-for-nothing, and swore to never associate with her even in death. Trembling, Mother Song stood up, took her daughter¡¯s hand, and pressed her to sit down on the couch, her eyes brimming with hot tears. ¡°Mom knows, Yanyan is a good child¡­ If she has a spirit in heaven, she would definitely want you to live well, healthy and safe.¡± Advertisements Song Yuhang¡¯s voice choked up, and she threw herself into her mother¡¯s arms: ¡°Mom, I¡¯m alive, but I feel like I¡¯ve already died.¡± ¡°Mom knows, Mom knows, everything will be alright, ah, everything will be alright¡­¡± Mother Song, with tears streaming down her face, also pulled Ji Jingxing, who had teary eyes, into her embrace, gently patting their backs. ¡°Whether it¡¯s you, Jingxing, or Xiaowei¡­ It will all be alright, everything will pass, ah¡­¡± In her mother¡¯s embrace, she finally felt a trace of long-missed warmth. She knew that even for these family members who loved her, for the behind-the-scenes mastermind who had yet to surface, she should live well. However, her heart seemed to have a huge hole, whistling with the wind, causing her internal organs to ache. And this pain would apany her for a lifetime. Song Yuhang knew that she would never be alright again, never. After locking herself in the dark room for three days and nights without eating or drinking, Song Yuhang used her mother¡¯s phone to call Jingzhe. Her voice hoarse on the other end of the phone, she said: ¡°If she is alive, I want to see her; if she is dead, I want to see her body. Wherever she is buried, I need to find her.¡± LP: Despair ????(? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ? Chapter 102.1 Wife In the cemetery. Two people knocked out the night patrol guard and slipped in under the cover of darkness. Song Yuhang held a shovel in her hand, turning over the soil with each dig, revealing the reinforced concrete inner coffin below. She was gasping for air, staring at the photo on the tombstone and began to space out. Jingzhe spoke up, ¡°Or¡­ perhaps we should just let it be, after all.¡± After all, it¡¯s a disrespectful act; the dead should be revered. Song Yuhang clenched her teeth, her eyes red as she snatched a bottle from his hand and began to pour the liquid over it. ¡°If Lin Yan mes anyone, let it be me. Once the case is closed, after I take care of my mom in her old age and see her off, I¡¯ll go down and keep herpany.¡± At this moment, she still clung to thest sliver of hope that it wasn¡¯t her in that coffin. Maybe Lin Yan was just feigning death, hiding away, or perhaps there were a variety ofpelling reasons she couldn¡¯te out to see her. The strong acid rapidly corroded the concrete, emitting a faint ¡°sizzling¡± sound, followed by a pungent vtile odor; after which several cracks split open on the sturdy concrete surface. Advertisements With one swing of her shovel, Song Yuhang caused chunks of stone to crumble. Jingzhe, seeing her like this, could only shake his head and sigh, joining her in her efforts. Soon, the pitch-ck coffin was exposed before their eyes. Jingzhe took a wrench to pry open the bolts sealing the coffin while Song Yuhang¡¯s shovel dropped to the ground. She unsteadily caressed the coffin. She was the one who said they needed to open the coffin for an examination, and she was also the one who hesitated, not daring to face the reality. Jingzhe pulled out a cigarette from his pack, illuminated his lighter, and sparked it up: ¡°I¡¯ll keep watch over there.¡± Saying this, he walked off to the side, making space for her. Song Yuhang¡¯s palm caressed the cold coffin, still covered with rough, moist soil and lime granules, the scent of aged, decayed wood mingled with a faint odor of rot. With the gentleness of touching a lover, she leaned her forehead against the coffin, eyes reddening, murmuring to herself. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lin Yan, so sorry, forgive my selfishness¡­¡± ¡°After the case is cracked and the murderer caught, a hundred years down the line, when our mother passes, I will join you down there, don¡¯t be afraid, don¡¯t fear.¡± ¡°Very soon, wait for me, I won¡¯t let you be alone.¡± Song Yuhang sobbed, her forehead rubbing against the coffin, leaving a red mark, tears falling steadily into the soil. She bit down on her teeth and, amidst the piercing heartache, shoved the coffin lid open. This time she didn¡¯t close her eyes; she wanted to see her clearly, engraving every detail into the marrow of her bones¡ªletting the memories and hatred surge up, repeatedly honing them until they grew deeper and became the force that sustained her will to go on. In this process, her heart was tortured over and over again. She felt as if she had been through a gruesome ordeal, torn apart limb by limb and reduced to ashes in the end. She knelt down, covering her lips, her nails digging into her flesh. Despite her desperate efforts to suppress her crying, the nearby Jingzhe still heard her faint whimpering, like that of a young beast. He extinguished his cigarette, gazing at the moon in the sky, and let out a long sigh. If only she had known, why bother opening the coffin? Nevertheless, he still had to remind her that it was almost time for the shift change of the patrolling officers. Jingzhe ced his index finger on his lips and let out a whistle. In the cold winter, the rate of decay of the corpse would be rtively slower, but even so, that once unforgettable face had be unrecognizable. Song Yuhang reached out her hand, wanting to touch her, but she couldn¡¯t bear it and pulled it back, gritting her teeth and trembling all over. The whistle from Jingzhe brought back what little sanity she had left. Song Yuhang sniffed and lifted her clothes, revealing arge scar on her shoulder that resembled a bowl, now ckened with unidentifiedrvae wriggling inside. It was the scar left from the gunshot wound Lin Yan had sufferedst time, a unique mark that belonged to her alone. Advertisements Song Yuhang let go and copsed to the ground. She couldn¡¯t cry anymore; her entire mind was numbed. The world around her seemed to spin, round and round, and only one thought dominated her mind: Lin Yan is dead? Lin Yan is dead? Lin Yan is really gone. Her fianc¨¦e¡­ was no more. Song Yuhang muttered to herself as memories shed through her mind like a carousel, recounting every daily interaction from when she first met her to when they fell in love. Jingzhe approached, ¡°We need to leave.¡± Song Yuhang was still lost in her own world, alternating between crying andughing. Jingzhe¡¯s tone became more insistent, ¡°Miss Song!¡± Song Yuhang snapped back to reality, wiped away her tears, and looked at the still-open coffin, ¡°Give me a few more minutes.¡± As she spoke, she got up from the ground, crawled on her knees to her side, pulled out a ring box from her pocket, took out a shiny diamond ring, gently lifted her hand, and slowly slid it on. Jingzhe watched her as she did this, while tears streamed down her face, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Yanyan. I didn¡¯t propose to you earlier; now I¡¯m disturbing your peace again. But I really miss you, I miss you so, so much. When you¡¯re down there, don¡¯t be afraid of being alone. With this ring, you belong to me. If the Lord of the Underworld asks who you are, just say you¡¯re Lin Yan, Song Yuhang¡¯s wife. Wait for me, just wait for me toe find you. In our next life, we¡¯ll be together again.¡± Song Yuhang, clutching her cold wrist, struggled to fit the ring over her swollen knuckles, sobbing uncontrobly. ¡°Miss Song¡­¡± Jingzhe nced at his watch, urging her. Song Yuhang nodded, holding her cold, pale hand to her lips and kissed it, ¡°I love you, Lin Yan.¡± Based only on this scene, the act of opening a coffin in the dead of night to kiss a corpse inexplicably gives one goosebumps. Yet, to Jingzhe, who knows the full story, it seemed like a twisted form of romance. But they really didn¡¯t have much time left; they had to restore the scene to its original state, at the very least to ensure the young miss could rest in peace. Song Yuhang stood up, making way as Jingzhe slowly closed the lid of the coffin. Her Lin Yan had ultimately drifted far away from her, to another ce free of sickness and pain¡ªhoping that there she could fare well. But no, how could she? She was such a person, socking in a sense of security and so afraid of loneliness. But never mind, Lin Yan, I will help you fulfill the desires you left upleted. Don¡¯t be scared, just hold on, wait for me. Very soon, very soon I wille to be with you. I hope by then you can still remember me, but even if you¡¯ve forgotten, it¡¯s alright. I will make you fall in love with me again, I swear. After leaving the cemetery, Song Yuhang headed to Qingshan Vi. The entrance was sealed, and the electronic fingerprint lock had been removed. With difficulty, she mbered up the gate and vaulted over from the top. Her movements were clumsy, and distracted as she was, her grip failed her. She fell down from the top, crashing to the ground, seeing stars. Advertisements Shey on the cold ground for a while before slowly getting up and limping towards the house. Pushing open the ss door of the hall, she found the room had been emptied out. She tried a switch on the wall light, but it didn¡¯t turn on¡ªthe electricity and water had been cut off. In the dimness, she dragged herself to where the couch used to be and sat down in the dark, hugging her knees. ¡°Assaulting the police is out of the question, but I did meet a crazed woman who hit someone and still¡ª¡± ¡°Ugh, don¡¯t even bring it up. Early in the morning, setting out, and I run into two lunatics who practically threw themselves at my car like they had a death wish.¡± ¡°If he can¡¯t afford a diamond ring, I¡¯ll give you one.¡± ¡°In the eyes of Forensic Doctor Lin, I wouldn¡¯t want even a can tab.¡± ¡°The real Lin Yan died at the age of 6. The one who survived, what¡¯s left, is just a shell, a demon.¡± ¡°All I know is that standing before me now is myrade-in-arms, Song Yuhang, with whom I¡¯ve shared life and death.¡± ¡°Ouch, here we have someone quite up in years, not only devoid of a sex life but even acting all shy when ites to stripping for a check-up.¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with this Xiao¡¯er? She can still make you feel ecstatically blissful.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the name of this drink?¡± ¡°The future is long.¡± ¡°It must be pretty important to you, right? It¡¯s a pity if it got lost.¡± ¡°I carry it with me simply because it¡¯s handy to use, and it doesn¡¯t have any other significance, but now it does have one.¡± ¡°There was something I didn¡¯t have the courage to say just now.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°You are also my faith.¡± ¡°What about my fianc¨¦e?¡± ¡°She¡¯s alive, by your side.¡± ¡­¡­ Recalling the past, Song Yuhang smiled as the corners of her lips turned upwards, but as she smiled, she began to choke up and buried her head into the crook of her arm. Strangely enough, because of Lin Yan¡¯s personality, she had never once told her ¡°I love you.¡± The only direct response she ever gave to her marriage proposal was that one sentence: ¡°She¡¯s alive, by your side.¡± Yet, she still died, leaving her forever. Advertisements That deration of love became a farewell. Lin Yan, you liar, you big liar¡­ Muttering to herself, Song Yuhang¡¯s tears fell inrge drops to the ground. During those days of quarreling, she had doubted whether Lin Yan truly liked her, thinking if she did, she wouldn¡¯t go out and flirt with other men. She knew she shouldn¡¯t think like that, but she couldn¡¯t control her mind from wandering, to the extent that she acted out of line towards her that night. It turned out that it wasn¡¯t ack of love; Lin Yan had simply hidden all her affection deep within her heart. She was such a person ¨C obstinate, saying one thing but meaning the opposite, venomous in words but incredibly kind and warm at heart. As Song Yuhang reminisced about everything about her, regret interwoven with deep yearning, she bit down on her wrist, her sobs spreading through the dark room like the wails of a young animal. On the China-Myanmar border. A skiff glided silently across the river surface. Also on board were several burly men, as well as young girls brought from Northern Myanmar ¨C all to be delicacies for the high-rollers. A woman with strikingly red nails lifted their bamboo hats, looking over her ¡®goods¡¯ with satisfaction, figuring they would fetch a handsome price, her smile growing ever wider. The boatman turned his head and rattled off in the local dialect, ¡°The Chinese side has recently dered martialw; we can only smuggle across the border through the jungle now.¡± The woman nonchntly arched an eyebrow and replied in Burmese, ¡°Make it quick; don¡¯t want the buyers getting impatient.¡± The boatman nodded, steering the boat through a fork in the river where the current became calmer, slowing the boat down. The group knew they were approaching their destination and began to gather their belongings. The girls, with their hands tied, were roughly pulled to their feet. As the boatman maneuvered the skiff to shore and turned to help her disembark. The woman, peering into the pitch-ck jungle, muttered uneasily, ¡°Never been to this ce before.¡± As she spoke, she reached out andid her hand on his wrist. The boatman, with eyes respectfully downcast, gave a slight nod. By the moonlight, she saw the face beneath the conical hat¡ªthick eyebrows, big eyes¡ªa new face. A shock went through the woman¡¯s heart, and her gaze fell upon the calluses on the base of his thumb¡ªgun calluses! She leaned on him, feigning frailty, ¡°Oh my, it¡¯s so shaky, hold me, please.¡± The boatman wrapped his arm around her waist, and just as she touched the gun hidden behind her back, in the instant she pulled it out¡­ The boatman also made a move, attempting to subdue her with a standard counter-grapple, but the woman raised her hand and shot him. Advertisements The gunshot startled the birds in the forest, causing the boat to sway. The boatman fell backwards into the border river, and faint red blood stains spread and drifted away with the current. As her gun rang out, it seemed to activate several switches, and tongues of fire burst forth from the pitch-ck jungle. ¡°Dadadada¡ª¡± The sound of submachine guns was relentless, and the people on the boat began to fight back, but their firepower was no match for the dense opposing fire, leaving them suppressed. The girls screamed in terror. The woman quickly pulled someone in front of her as a shield against the bullets. When she turned her head, she saw that everyone who hade with her had either fallen on the boat or been shot and fallen into the river. She gritted her teeth and forcefully pushed the lifeless henchmen aside, then with a ¡°plop,¡± she jumped into the river herself. The people in the jungle holstered their guns and shouted, ¡°Chase!¡± The woman didn¡¯t know how long she drifted in the icy border river. It wasn¡¯t until she waspletely exhausted and the surroundings fell into silence that she realized the pursuers had vanished without a trace. She coughed a few times and, in a disheveled state, crawled onto the shore. Unexpectedly, as soon as she lifted her head, a cold gun barrel pressed against her forehead. With a cold gaze, she looked at these several tall and burly young men and asked in fluent Mandarin Chinese. ¡°Who sent you? The Myanmar military, Laos, or maybe¡ª¡± She paused for a brief moment: ¡°Chinese police?¡± The other party hit her with the butt of their gun: ¡°You don¡¯t need to know these things.¡± LP: No, no, no! I¡¯ll just pretend it¡¯s a conveniently realistic body double of Lin Yan! Chapter 102.2 Wife As the first rays of the dawn light hit the floor, Song Yuhang, who hadn¡¯t slept a wink all night, lifted her head from her arms. She carefully took out thest remaining lonely ring from the ring box and slowly slid it onto her ring finger. She whispered to the empty room, ¡°Lin Yan, can you see this? We¡­ got married.¡± In that silent space, only the sunlight touched the corners of her eyes and brows, bringing a trace of warmth to her chilled body. Song Yuhang cracked a small, strained smile, moved her stiff body, mbered up from the ground, and hobbled out the door with an unsteady gait. She headed straight to a mobile phone store, staring spellbound at the dazzling array of phones on disy. The enthusiastic clerk started the pitch: ¡°Miss, which phone would you like? We¡¯ve got this new model that just came out¡ª¡± The clerk went on and on, like a river of words, but her gaze was fixed on an old phone model tucked away at the back of the disy, identical to her old one. Song Yuhang pointed and said with a hoarse voice, ¡°I¡¯ll take that one.¡± The clerk¡¯s lips twisted in a slight pout, and she rolled her eyes secretly, thinking she¡¯dnded a big sale first thing in the morning. Turns out, it was just a broke customer pining for an outdated model from years ago. As Song Yuhang waited for the clerk to pack up the essories and hand them over, the clerk asked another question, ¡°Miss, do you need a new SIM card for your phone?¡± She pondered for a moment, ¡°I lost my old card. Can I report it and get a recement? I want my old number back.¡± Although the phone was lost and most of the photos and chat records were irretrievable, that number carried too many stories and deep sentiments for her. She still harbored a wild hope¡ªwhat if there existed parallel universes? What if, just what if, Lin Yan decided one day to call her? If she changed her number, Lin Yan would never be able to find her. A look of impatience crept across the clerk¡¯s face, and in response, Song Yuhang silently pulled out a few more red bills from her pocket andid them on the counter. The clerk¡¯s demeanor immediately brightened, ¡°Alright, your ID, please.¡± Half an hourter, Song Yuhang left with her new phone and headed straight to the city¡¯s Public Security Bureau in a cab. It was the start of the workday, and as soon as she showed up at the entrance, countless eyes were drawn to her, a whirlpool of gazes encircling her. ¡°Captain Song, no rush toe back to work before you¡¯re well.¡± ¡°Captain Song, you¡­ you¡¯re really okay, right?¡± ¡°Captain Song, we¡¯ve all heard¡­ sigh, take care and move on.¡± ¡­¡­ Facing the kindness of her colleagues, Song Yuhang had already be numb from the heartache. She just mechanically curved her lips into a smile, but that smile never reached her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m fine, I¡¯m fine, you guys go on with your work. Where¡¯s Director Feng?¡± ¡°Director Feng went out early for a meeting, hasn¡¯te back yet.¡± Song Yuhang nodded briefly, getting right to the point: ¡°The kidnapper who survived thest abduction of Xiaowei, have we caught him?¡± The crowd exchanged puzzled looks, Xue Rui opened his mouth as if to say something, but then hesitated. ¡°We¡¯ve caught him¡­¡± Song Yuhang cut him off: ¡°Where is he locked up?¡± A junior police officer spoke up, somewhat sheepishly: ¡°Director Feng is personally handling the interrogation, we¡¯ve been told not to discuss it.¡± Before the words were fully out of his mouth, and without knowing which nerve had been hit, she had already grabbed him by the cor and yanked him up. Bloodshot eyes betrayed Song Yuhang¡¯s agitation: ¡°What, I haven¡¯t been dismissed yet, and now you¡¯re treating me like a suspect?¡± Xue Rui attempted to defuse the tension: ¡°Captain Song, keep your cool, keep your cool. We get where you¡¯reing from, but Director Feng¡¯s order is clear¡­ Please, don¡¯t make this hard for us.¡± Releasing her grip, Song Yuhang shoved the officer aside: ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t make it hard for you, I¡¯ll investigate on my own.¡± With that, she strode out with determination. Xue Rui pped his forehead: ¡°Crap, we better report to Director Feng, pronto.¡± Walking from the office to the entrance of the City Bureau, Song Yuhang recalled the details of her contact with Fatty, as well as the ces in Jiangcheng City where people could be detained. A sh of memory revealed the needle marks on his arm, and Song Yuhang swung open the door of a taxi. ¡°Driver, to Jiangcheng City¡¯s Compulsory Drug Rehabilitation Center.¡± Upon arrival, she was stopped by the guardhouse, but she didn¡¯t hesitate to shove her ID right in the guard¡¯s face. That was a move straight out of Lin Yan¡¯s ybook. ¡°Captain Song Yuhang of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau¡¯s Criminal Investigation Division, open up. I¡¯m here to interrogate a prisoner.¡± The steel stamp on that ID wasn¡¯t a forgery, but the catch is you need written approval to interrogate prisoners. The prison guard protested, ¡°Captain Song, Captain Song, this isn¡¯t how it¡¯s done¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence, he was pushed aside. Song Yuhang charged straight in, and the guard hurried after her. She was a boss, after all, and he didn¡¯t want to cross her. ¡°Captain Song, Captain Song, please tell me which prisoner you want to interrogate. I¡¯ll go call them out for you. We can sort out the paperwork afterwards¡­¡± He was trying to buy some time, hoping the warden woulde to handle the situation, but Song Yuhang acted as if she hadn¡¯t heard a thing, barreling straight in, nearly sprinting from cell to cell, peering through the iron bars. The guard tried to block her way: ¡°Captain Song!¡± Song Yuhang ignored him as if he was air, annoyed, she shoved him aside. Stumbling back a few steps, the guard mmed into the railing and shrieked, ¡°Captain Song, Captain Song, if you keep this up, I¡¯m gonna call for backup!¡± Song Yuhang dashed past a metal gate, then doubled back, pulling at the iron bars. The guard thought she had finally calmed down, but to his shock, she came back, her eyes zeroing in on the keys hanging at his waist. ¡°Hand over the keys.¡± The guard clenched the key ring tightly and backed away: ¡°Captain Song, Captain Song, this isn¡¯t right, it¡¯s against¡­ against the rules.¡± Song Yuhang, furious, grabbed his cor and bellowed, ¡°My wife¡¯s already gone, I don¡¯t give a damn about your goddamn rules and regtions!!!¡± Seizing the moment while he was still in shock, Song Yuhang threw a punch, and the young guard covered his face. But she feigned another blow and snatched the key ring from his waist, rushed forward, unlocked the door, and before the main forces could arrive, she mmed it shut with a ¡°bang,¡± blocking the keyhole from inside. No matter how earth-shattering the knocking from outside grew, she ignored itpletely. This was a narrow single cell, surrounded by high walls, with only an iron window for venttion. The fat prisoner was asleep but sprang up at the noise, trembling and shrinking back, watching her as she advanced step by step, her towering figure blocking out the sunlight. ¡°You¡­ what are you doing? Aren¡¯t you¡­ aren¡¯t you a cop?¡± His voice was shrill with fear. Advertisements The room was so small that his back was pressed against the solid wall, leaving him with no room to retreat. Song Yuhang clenched her fists tightly. ¡°How can you still sleep? How the f*ck can you sleep peacefully? Can you actually sleep?¡± She gritted her teeth, each word dripping with blood, wishing she could tear him apart alive. ¡°Help¡­ Help me!¡± The fat man was wearing handcuffs and had no strength to resist. He cried and howled towards the door, trying to escape. Advertisements Song Yuhang kicked the guy to the ground and reached out, grabbing his neck with such force that the knuckles turned pale. ¡°Tell me, who sent you to kidnap Xiaowei? Tell me, who led us there?¡± During these past few days, she endured the pain and carefully reviewed the timeline. The habitual criminals involved in child trafficking that appeared before and after the Spring Festival, Lin Yan¡¯s scratched car¡ªsomeone knew she would change cars, so they tampered with the Audi she acquired, which indirectly caused her to plunge into the sea. Lin Yan risked her life to save her. Advertisements Not to mention Xiaowei¡¯s previous abduction, where she was forced to follow the other party¡¯s rhythm and yed around like a puppet. And as Ji Jingxing mentioned, someone set up a bulletproof steel door in the logging workshop with the intention of trapping them, including Lin Yan. And then there was the sniper who appearedter, taking out the skinny man among the kidnappers ahead of time because he was about to reveal the truth to her. Stepping back to consider all possibilities, even if that sniper hadn¡¯t managed to take them out, chasing with a tampered car would have been a certain death sentence. With such treacherous road conditions, freshlyden with snow and slick with ice¡ª Then, the only goal must be¡ª Song Yuhang shivered, not from the cold but with realization. This was a death trap set for her, yet Lin Yan, with her wit and ingenuity, had diffused it¡ªa dust explosion. But if time could rewind, she¡¯d rather she wasn¡¯t that clever, preferring they¡¯d just stayed put in the workshop, never venturing out. Grinding her teeth in frustrated anger, Song Yuhang knew that this puppet master, hell-bent on her demise, didn¡¯t hesitate to drag countless innocents into their deadly game. Her mom, her sister-inw, her niece, her¡­ Lin Yan. Heat welled up in Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes as she gripped his hand tighter, her voice tearing through the air as she bellowed, ¡°Speak! Who made you do this?!¡± The fat man struggled, his sizeable hands futilely wing at the floor, his face ashen, eyes rolling back as he gasped, ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­ cough¡­ cough cough¡­ save¡­ save me¡­¡± His gaze clung to the door, holding onto a sliver of hope. Song Yuhang was a cop, after all. She wouldn¡¯t kill him in his cell. ¡°Do you think that I won¡¯t really kill you?¡± She stood in the shadows, her lips curved into a cold smirk. The fat man looked into her eyes, filled with ruthlessness, despair, and resentment, which eventually transformed into a chilling desire for murder. Before he could scream in horror, she covered his mouth with a crumpled paper ball. She tore apart the books that prisoners usually used to learn writing in the prison, shredded them into pieces, and stered them on his face, then poured water over them. Advertisements ¡°Do you think that I won¡¯t really kill you?¡± Song Yuhang repeated in a low voice, tearing another piece of paper, wetting it with water, and pping it on his face. ¡°Do you know why? Because I want¡­¡± ¡°To slowly torture you.¡± ¡°Know what this is called?¡± she numbly tore off a piece of paper to cover his face, watching as the dampened paper contoured to his features. The fat man was gasping for air, unable to speak a word. ¡°This is called ¡®Water Cell Suffocation¡¯, a brutal torture that¡¯s been around for three thousand years. In ancient times, it was known as ¡®The Official Post Ascension¡¯; add ayer, and you rise nine ranks¡ªan immediate promotion and fortune. Isn¡¯t that what you wanted, money?¡± Song Yuhang murmured, a slow smile spreading across her face as she added another sheet: ¡°Here, take it, all for you!¡± Suddenly, her teeth gritted, she pped all the sheets of paper onto his face in one go and doused it with a whole cup of water. The quality of the paper was good, airtight, intensifying the loss of oxygen. The fat man was shaking violently, the paper thin as cicada wings fluttering with each of his breaths. He quickly became short of breath due tock of oxygen, his breathing asbored as if he was hauling on bellows, a mix of terror and the physiological reactions of one facing death. Soon enough, arge wet patch spread on his pants, a foul odor filling the air. Song Yuhang started tearing books again, the ripping sound prickling her ears. The fat man fell to his knees, struggling to lift a finger. Song Yuhang kicked him over, yanking the paper off his face: ¡°Talk!¡± As the paper was lifted, the fat man¡¯s face was a river of tears, crying for mercy: ¡°Ma¡¯am, I¡¯ll talk, I¡¯ll talk, just don¡¯t kill me, please!¡± Song Yuhang grabbed him by the cor and hauled him up: ¡°Out with it, who sent you to kidnap the kid?!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know him, I didn¡¯t recognize him, just doing a job for money¡­doing it for the cash!¡± ¡°What did he look like?¡± ¡°A guy, about 1.7 meters tall, skinny and tall, dressed sharp, sporting a watch that looked expensive, and a birthmark the size of a fingernail on his right wrist!¡± Panting heavily, the fat man spat it all out in one breath, even more cleanly than when he spilled the beans in front of Director Feng. ¡°Where can I find him?¡± ¡°At Huange Nightclub, that¡¯s where we always meet up!¡± ¡°After you took the children, where¡¯d you sell them?!¡± ¡°To Auntie Hong, somedy called Auntie Hong! Where she sells ¡¯em on, I¡¯ve got no clue.¡± Song Yuhang forcefully pushed him away, still filled with anger, and turned around to deliver a series of fierce kicks to his face. Thebat boots were studded with rivets and had thick soles. ¡°You f*cking human trafficker!¡± Advertisements The fat man let out a miserable scream as blood sprayed from his nose, crying for his parents. ¡°And you have the audacity to still call out for your f*cking parents! Shut the f*ck up!¡± Song Yuhang was about to make another move when she was tackled to the ground by the prison guards who burst in through the broken door. With a click, the handcuffs were fastened around her wrists. Song Yuhang didn¡¯t resist as she was marched out, escorted right into the squad car. But with eyes zing, she turned back to stare down the fat man, as if she could tear him limb from limb, her gaze unrelenting until he was out of sight. The fat man shivered, not from cold, curled himself into a ball hugging his head, thinking, ¡°F*ck, even prison isn¡¯t safe.¡± The iron door nged lightly. With a light cough, Feng Jianguo took a seat across from her, observing her as she hung her head in silence. ¡°Director Feng, she won¡¯t say a word no matter what I ask. What do you think¡­¡± What¡¯s there to think? Surely you can¡¯t resort to torture like she did with the suspect. With a simmering anger, Director Feng ordered, ¡°Everyone, out.¡± This was clearly his cue for a one-on-one interrogation. The officers exchanged nces, gathered their notebooks, and filed out. Only when everyone had cleared out did Director Feng speak up: ¡°Tell me, why did you run off to the rehab center?¡± Song Yuhangzily lifted her eyelids, her gaze drifting to the camera on the wall, and a mocking smile twisted her lips. Normally she would never wear such a smile; it was the kind of expression Lin Yan was notorious for. Director Feng felt a jolt of rm but kept hisposure as he went over to switch off the camera, plunging the surveince feed into darkness. ¡°Now can we talk?¡± Leaning forward, Song Yuhang said, ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing to say. I hit him to vent for Lin Yan. Today, Director Feng, by detaining me, you¡¯ve snagged yourself a mere prisoner. Release me, and I¡¯m willing to be your pawn at the front lines, to crack a case so big it¡¯ll make history¡ªachievements big enough tond you the promotion you¡¯re after.¡± Director Feng watched her silently, his light brown pupils filled with something unreadable. She was never the type to speak like this ordinarily, and she wouldn¡¯t even allow herself to contemte such questions. All her focus was on cracking the case, she was simple and pure-hearted. It was Lin Yan¡¯s presence that brought warmth to her, made her seem like a living, breathing ¡°person,¡± and it was Lin Yan¡¯s death thatplicated her, made her less ¡°human.¡± Director Feng quietly sighed to himself, uncertain whether he had made the right move or not. ¡°How do you know what I want? What if I really just aspire to uphold justice and righteousness? Even if you are the prot¨¦g¨¦ of Director Zhao and the face of our Jiangcheng City Bureau, mistakes must be met with punishment.¡± Song Yuhang cracked a smile, ¡°It was only when Inded the position of Criminal Investigation Captain that I understood everyone craves power and money; the only difference is the means they use to get it.¡± ¡°I aided your promotion; you provided me the chance to solve cases ¨C it¡¯s a fair trade.¡± It was as if he heard some private joke, lifting his teacup with a snort ofughter, then setting it down, his hands sped together as he quietly watched her. ¡°I could help you¡ª¡± Song Yuhang paused, taken aback. He continued, ¡°But not because I¡¯m looking to climb the ranks. I haven¡¯t stooped so low as to ride on others¡¯ coattails for a promotion. There¡¯s only one reason I¡¯d help you.¡± ¡°And that¡¯s to see criminals brought to justice, to have fairness and justice prevail.¡± A twinge hit Song Yuhang¡¯s nose, and tears quickly welled up in her eyes: ¡°Why? Haven¡¯t you always hated Lin Yan?¡± The old man puffed his beard and red, retorting, ¡°Who said I hated her?¡± Chapter 103 Shackles ¡°This¡­¡± Song Yuhang still hadn¡¯t snapped back to reality, staring nkly at him. Feng Jianguo gave a light cough, picking up his teacup to take a sip, masking the awkwardness. ¡°It¡¯s not that I hate her, but I can¡¯t exactly say I like her either. That reckless drive in Lin Yan to solve a case at all costs, throwing caution to the wind ¨C it¡¯s probably something every young detective has had at some point, right? But at my age, with so much to consider, that kind of recklessness just isn¡¯t suitable anymore.¡± Song Yuhang was silent; she understood. But the mention of Lin Yan inevitably soured her mood, her hand instinctively wiping away a tear, followed by a sniffle. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ve got a few questions I want to ask you.¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± ¡°Why seize Lin Yan¡¯s property?¡± ¡°She had debts in her name, her father was unwilling to take them on, and since she didn¡¯t have any other rtives, the creditors applied to the court for forced execution. The only choice left was to auction off the property to cover the debts.¡± After Lin Yan broke away from the Lin family, she had some assets of her own, some profitable and some not. Otherwise, how could she sustain hervish expenses? Song Yuhang nodded and asked, ¡°So, what¡¯s the n for dealing with that fat guy?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll wait for the court¡¯s decision,¡± Feng Jianguo replied, his expression unchanging. She clenched her teeth¡ªFeng Jianguo knew what she was thinking. Setting the teacup down on the table, it made a soft sound. ¡°There¡¯s no direct evidence linking him to the tampering with your vehicles. You know how it goes¡ªwith no concrete proof, the courts can at most get him on charges like kidnapping, child trafficking, or premeditated murder.¡± Advertisements Song Yuhang was practically grinding her teeth to bits: ¡°I know, and that¡¯s exactly why I must uncover the puppet master behind all this.¡± Feng Jianguo leisurely blew on his tea leaves, ¡°What¡¯s your n?¡± ¡°Has the car that plunged into the sea been salvaged?¡± ¡°It was pulled up the day before yesterday and parked in the lot for wrecked vehicles.¡± Song Yuhang took mental note of this, scrutinizing him. Observing his fingers around the teacup, her gaze hinted at a mix of inquisitiveness, thorough investigation, and a trace of distrust. ¡°What about the USB drive?¡± Feng Jianguo shook his head, ¡°He said he lost it while making his escape.¡± Song Yuhang also shook her head, ¡°That¡¯s impossible. I know you guys would¡¯ve looked for it. I still can¡¯t trust you.¡± ¡°At this point, do you even have anyone left you can trust?¡± Feng Jianguo shot back. Their gazes shed under the harsh white light, the silver olive branches on his epaulettes casting a cold gleam. When Lin Yan was investigating alone, she only ran into obstacles; her life wasn¡¯t in danger. But as soon as the two of them started digging together, their enemy began to up the ante, step by step. First, there was the death of Li Bin, then Li Yang¡¯s so-called ¡°idental¡± death, which felt more like a farce that had been carefully orchestrated. And what about that blue substance that kept popping up in the ¡°White Whale Case¡±? Not to mention the ambush they ran into on their way to the provincial capital; the assants used rubber bullets, standard police issue gear. Plus, the tiny mic they found behind the thin man¡¯s ear¡ªdid all this mean that someone was pulling the strings from the shadows? And that mole¡­ was right among them. If the person sitting opposite her, who had his fingers in the pie of every level of the Jiangcheng City police force, turned out to be the puppet master, she truly had nowhere to run. Song Yuhang shivered, but not from the cold. Feng Jianguo broke the silence, ¡°Yeah, if it were me, you wouldn¡¯t be sitting here right now.¡± Song Yuhang dug her fingernails deep into her palm, a desperate attempt to hang onto herposure. She knew that the mole could be anyone she hade across¡ªany janitor from the city bureau, the auntie who served food in the cafeteria, her subordinates, her superiors, her colleagues¡­ Every one of them wore a cloak of suspicion that couldn¡¯t simply be washed clean, including Feng Jianguo. Lin Yan¡¯s death had made her far more cautious. She probed like a snake in the grass, flicking its tongue secretly to sense the surroundings. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t kill me inside the city bureau.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. The best times to strike were when you were hospitalized, when you went looking for Lin Yan, and when you were so lost in grief that you wished for death.¡± But the other party had since retreated,ying down their arms quietly. Song Yuhang was taken aback as if a streak of light had cleaved through the chaos. Feng Jianguo lived up to his reputation as a veteran detective, pinpointing the crux from a heap of trivial details. ¡°Now, you should believe it wasn¡¯t me, right?¡± Life is like a vortex, and she and Lin Yan were just two solitary leaves caught up in it unwittingly. Back on the rooftop in Wuli Town, when she swore to Lin Yan to crack the ¡°Chunan Case¡± within her lifetime, she probably didn¡¯t envision being battered to oblivion by the raging waves it would stir up. Advertisements Uncertain whether it was the cold or hatred, Song Yuhang¡¯s teeth chattered together, making a ¡°ck-ck¡± sound. ¡°Who¡­ who is it, really?¡± Leaning in, Feng Jianguo confessed, ¡°I¡¯d like to know that myself.¡± In his seat of power, he answered to the higher-ups at the provincial department while hundreds of pairs of eyes watched his every move, aware that pulling one thread could unravel the whole. Song Yuhang loosened the grip that was digging her nails into her palm and gently caressed her own engagement ring. ¡°I¡¯ll investigate.¡± Feng Jianguo looked at her, but suddenly threw a seemingly irrelevant question. ¡°Married?¡± Song Yuhang responded with a faint ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°Whether it¡¯s Lin Yan¡¯s death, that case from fourteen years ago, or the mole, I must get to the bottom of the truth.¡± ¡°Think it through. If you don¡¯t investigate, I¡¯ll let you go; you can live out your days in peace. But if you do, not only will you face discipline, you¡¯ll be walking into a veritable hell¡ªconstant unrest from now on.¡± Song Yuhang once thought she understood Lin Yan enough, empathized deeply. Only now does she realize just how heavy the burden of a life feels¡ªso crushing, it leaves her gasping for breath every moment. Every time she thinks of it, her heart feels like it¡¯s being sliced apart, a pain that will shadow her all her life. This ring represents steadfast love, but also an eternal shackle. Even so, she simply lifts her head, with unwavering resolve, she deres, ¡°I¡¯m going to investigate.¡± A faint smile of approval surfaces in Feng Jianguo¡¯s eyes. The tea¡¯s gone cold; it¡¯s time for him to leave. ¡°The department will convene a meeting to discuss your case oue. Unless something unexpected happens, there will likely be a demotion and a job transfer. Get ready for it.¡± Song Yuhang nods: ¡°I have just one condition¡ªensure my family¡¯s safety.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take care of it personally.¡± Just as Feng Jianguo is about to turn and go, she holds him back. ¡°I want to know about this Aunt Hong¡¯s life story.¡± ¡°Pei Jinhong, female, thirty-four years old, of Chinese-Burmese descent, goes by the nickname ¡®Golden Pheasant,¡¯ known in the underworld as ¡®Aunt Hong.¡¯ She¡¯s the power behind the curtains at the Huange Nightclub, smuggling goods through the connections she¡¯s made there while also shippingbor to Southeast Asia under the guise of recruitment. In actuality, she¡¯s an unadulterated human trafficker.¡± ¡°This one¡¯s crafty and cunning; the cops have tried to nab her multiple times without any luck, choosing not to touch the nightclub for now, just to avoid spooking her.¡± There¡¯s a faded photo on the table. The woman in the picture has ck shoulder-length hair, pronounced cheekbones, a pointy chin, and narrow, phoenix tail-like eyes¡ªshe looks shrewd and somewhat harsh. Her face isn¡¯t stunning, but not unattractive either¡ªshe¡¯s the sort that¡¯d make you do a double-take if you saw her in a crowd. And there¡¯s a small ck mole right by her eyebrow. Such an unremarkable woman turns out to be a key broker who infiltrates maind China for criminal gangs, making connections between China and Myanmar. She had these details down pat, having memorized them over the past few days to the point where she could recite them with her eyes closed. The person across from her produced another ck and white photograph and ced it on the table; it depicted a man with a high nose bridge and deep-set eyes. The woman¡¯s face was wrapped in bandages, as was her neck, which made her voice particrly hoarse. Advertisements ¡°Wang Qiang, male, forty-five years old, a foreignpany executive, Pei Jinhong¡¯s lover, and also one of the covert shareholders of Huange Nightclub.¡± The person opposite her pulled out another photo from a thick stack and ced it in front of them. ¡°Li Li, male, thirty years old, an employee of Huange Nightclub, involved with one of Pei Jinhong¡¯s female singers.¡± As each photo wasid out on the table, the woman recognized and identified them one by one. ¡°Chen Fang, female, twenty-four years old, the lead singer at Huange Nightclub, who, after being promoted by Pei Jinhong, is determined to get into Wang Qiang¡¯s bed.¡± ¡°Wu Fei, female, twenty-eight years old, the singer involved with Li Li.¡± ¡°Qian Ming, male, thirty-six years old, an employee highly valued by Pei Jinhong.¡± ¡°Hu Jie, male, fifty years old, a janitor at the nightclub.¡± ¡­¡­ The person opposite set down thest photo. The man in the photo had only his back visible, wearing a ck short-sleeved athletic shirt that showed off his muscr arms, with a crew cut, standing in a jungle setting; it was clearly a candid shot. ¡°His name is Kuba; to this day, no one has seen his face. This photo was taken at great risk by one of our people.¡± ¡°ording to reliable informants, he¡¯s the one who meets with Pei Jinhong in northern Myanmar. However, due to Pei Jinhong¡¯s inherently cautious and suspicious nature, she frequently changes meeting spots, just like a cunning hare with multiple burrows, which is why we¡¯ve never been able to catch him red-handed.¡± ¡°This reliable informant is Qian Ming, right?¡± The woman with her hand wrapped in a bandage lightly tapped one of the photos spread out in front of her. ¡°That¡¯s correct, he¡¯s already dead.¡± The man flipped over the photo, his toneced with regret. ¡°Before his death, he didn¡¯t only send out this photo, but also this¡ª¡± He pulled out a transparent ss bottle from under the table. The blue liquid inside swayed as if it were something out of a dream. The bottle reflected the woman¡¯s only exposed eye, which was filled with an icy coldness in its pitch-ck pupil. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it before.¡± ¡°They call it ¡®Drunken Dream¡¯.¡± Living life in a drunken stupor, oblivious to the world; indeed¡­ indeed, it¡¯s a very fitting name. She ground her teeth, chewing up the fullness of her hatred. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s all the information we can provide you with. I must remind you that the ¡®Golden Pheasant¡¯ has aplicated socialwork with frequent personnel interactions, so there may be some inuracies in the information. From there on, it¡¯s all up to your ability to adapt to the situation and your own fortune.¡± ¡°Venturing alone into dangerous territory without any external support or assistance, and we haven¡¯t nted any new informants either, so don¡¯t trust anyone.¡± ¡°When necessary, don¡¯t even believe the information I¡¯ve given you unless I personally meet with you face-to-face.¡± ¡°Are you¡­ ready?¡± The woman unwrapped the bandage from her wrist, flexing her muscles and rotating her joints. One hand reached behind her head to untie the knot made by the doctor. Layers of bandages fell away, revealing a face somewhat unfamiliar yet identical to one in a photo on the desk. ¡°Do I have any other choice?¡± Advertisements She asked in the darkness. The man remained silent. In the end, as he turned to leave, he left her with a sentence. ¡°Go see her before you leave.¡± ¡°Captain Song, your family is here. Considering you¡¯re still recovering from your injuries, and given the justifiable reasons for your actions, the organization has decided to be lenient with you. Go home and wait for further notice.¡± The iron door opened, and Song Yuhang extended her hand. The officer processed her paperwork and unlocked her handcuffs. She hadn¡¯t slept all night, and her entireplexion was the pale gray of sleep deprivation. Her eyes were sunken, hair disheveled, as she walked forward in a daze. As Ji Jingxing saw hering out, she hurriedly supported her down the steps. Mother Song was also waiting outside and approached to meet them. Upon seeing her, Song Yuhang bowed her head and hoarsely called out, ¡°Mom¡ª¡± Tears immediately welled up in her eyes. Mother Song didn¡¯t say a word, knowing the turmoil in her daughter¡¯s heart, and caressed her head just like when she was a child. ¡°There, there, Mom knows everything. Let¡¯s go home.¡± On their way back, they passed by the supermarket where Song Yuhang had gone alone to buy groceries that day. Song Yuhang gazed out of the window and became lost in thought. ¡°Sis, stop the car for a moment. I¡¯ll buy some things. Let¡¯s have hot pot tonight.¡± Hot pot, a time-consuming affair, was something she usually disliked. Ji Jingxing just thought she had suddenly changed her preferences, but didn¡¯t realize that it was Lin Yan¡¯s favorite. As someone who, being a Southerner, preferred light vors, it was peculiar for her to also love hot pot so much. Seeing that Song Yuhang was in the mood for it, Ji Jingxing pulled over. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go together. It¡¯s also been a while since Mom went out for shopping.¡± Song Yuhang did not stop them. Together, they got out of the car, and as they entered the supermarket, the two others pushed the shopping cart into the aisles. With a turn, Song Yuhang disappeared. Parking lot. Security room. ¡°Hello, officer, I¡¯d like to check the surveince footage from January 25th,¡± Song Yuhang said, handing over her ID for the other party to examine before the guard tucked it into his jacket. The security guard¡¯s expression turned troubled: ¡°Unfortunately, that day there was a scheduled power outage for line maintenance, so the surveince wasn¡¯t running at all.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s expression suddenly became stern: ¡°Why would the maintenance not happen before or after, but specifically at that time?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that¡­¡± The security guard said, looking sheepish in fear she might get angry. ¡°The mall has regtions, we do maintenance on the 25th of each month. If you don¡¯t believe me, I can show you.¡± As he spoke, the guard took down a big stack of notices from the wall, licking his finger to count through them until he reached those from three months ago. ¡°Here, this notice is from the day before.¡± After handing over the documents to her, the security guard tapped away at theputer, pulling up the CCTV footage from that day. The screen waspletely dark. ¡°See, I really didn¡¯t deceive you.¡± Advertisements Song Yuhang clenched her teeth, about to say something, when her phone in her pocket started to vibrate. It was Ji Jingxing. She answered: ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I went to the restroom. Have you all finished shopping? If you¡¯re done, let¡¯s meet in the parking lot.¡± After handing over the documents to her, the security guard tapped away at theputer, pulling up the CCTV footage from that day. The screen waspletely dark. ¡°See, I really didn¡¯t deceive you.¡± Song Yuhang clenched her teeth, about to say something, when her phone in her pocket started to vibrate. It was Ji Jingxing. She answered: ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I went to the restroom. Have you all finished shopping? If you¡¯re done, let¡¯s meet in the parking lot.¡± After hanging up the phone, the security guard was also looking at her, probably wondering why the police have to be so secretive in an investigation. With an unchanged expression, Song Yuhang asked, ¡°That day, did anyone acting suspiciously leave a deep impression on you?¡± The security guard shook his head: ¡°There was a constant stream of people that day, I¡¯ve seen way too many.¡± ¡°Alright, thank you,¡± said Song Yuhang as she made her way out. It seemed like the lead to find the person who scratched her car had reached a dead end again. However, it was also very possible that the person was instigated by someone pulling strings from behind the scenes, just like the duo of the fat and thin brothers, so she hadn¡¯t held out too much hope. Now, the most crucial thing was to find time to go to Huange Nightclub and find this woman known as ¡°Aunt Hong.¡± LP: Was that¡­ Lin Yan?! ? ???? Chapter 104.1 Red Brocade Better to seize the day than pick the perfect one. It was she who suggested eating hot pot, yet she¡¯s also the one who¡¯s distracted. Song Yuhang quickly finished the rice in her bowl: ¡°I¡¯m full, going out for a bit.¡± Mother Song stood up, her voice filled with sorrow as she called her name: ¡°Yuhang, don¡¯t go again, don¡¯t¡­ you¡¯ve made us worry.¡± Song Yuhang turned back to look at them, the electric hot pot on the stove was still bubbling, steaming, and the aroma was wafting through the air. The freshly washed vegetablesy on the te, still dripping with water. Everything was so beautiful and serene. Lin Yan should be sitting here too, enjoying this warmth. But she¡¯s gone now, never again to taste the hot pot she loved so much. Advertisements Song Yuhang shook her head: ¡°Mom, I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t do it. I can promise you I won¡¯t harm myself and that I¡¯ll live well, but to be indifferent, to act as if nothing happened, I¡¯m sorry, I just can¡¯t do it.¡± After Song Yuhang left, Mother Song stared at the closed door for a long time, until Ji Jingxing picked up a pair of chopsticks and put some nched greens into her bowl. ¡°Mom, let her go. What else can we do? There¡¯s always something to look forward to in life.¡± Xiaowei bit on her chopsticks. Although she couldn¡¯t understand what they were saying, seeing her mother add vegetables to her grandmother¡¯s bowl and her grandmother crying, she too shared a piece of the meat from her bowl with her grandmother. She was still not much of a talker, but this sweet gesture was enough to turn Mother Song¡¯s tears intoughter. ¡°Good child, eat up. There¡¯s still so much food. Jingxing, you eat too.¡± ¡°Alright, Mom. Try this.¡± Huange Nightclub. Hidden in the bustling city is a two-story antique building with green tiles and flying eaves, magnificent and splendid. The walls are adorned with colorful lights and neon, almost brightening the entire street. The signboard, carved out of pear wood, hangs high at the front of the building. A few well-dressed, slick young men stand at the door; their faces powdered and hair slicked back. They spring forward to open the car doors as vehicles approach, bending slightly at the waist as they wee guests inside. Song Yuhang stands across the road, finishing a cigarette. After stubbing out the butt, she walks toward the club. Just as expected, someone stopped her. ¡°Hello, miss, please present your membership card,¡± said the well-dressed young man with a touch of aloofness. Song Yuhang responded, ¡°Do you need a membership card just to listen to music?¡± ¡°Yes, our club operates on a membership basis; you must have a card to enter.¡± It seems Feng Jianguo was right; this ce only caters to regrs. Song Yuhang looked up at the glittering sign and asked, ¡°How much to get in?¡± The young man sized her up, noting her in clothes andck of expensive jewelry. Even her messy hair, casually worn jacket, and undone booces screamed ¡°down and out.¡± Clearly a pauper, contempt flickered in the young man¡¯s eyes. ¡°You need to pay 100,000 yuan for a membership card, and there¡¯s a minimum charge once inside.¡± Advertisements Song Yuhang had thought at most it would cost 5,000 yuan, but the number thrown at her was astronomical. Is this f*cking ce a recreation club or a highway robbery? She shoved her hands into her pockets and felt her police badge, then let go. Forget it, can¡¯t tip them off. ¡°I¡¯m just going in to find someone, surely I don¡¯t need that much money for that.¡± She had intended it as a probe, but the young man grew wary the moment he heard she was there to find someone. With a quick nce, the other bouncers subtly surrounded her. ¡°If you¡¯re not going to spend, sorry, please leave.¡± Annoyed, Song Yuhang turned to walk away. The young men dispersed, and as she nced back, she suddenly spun around, shoved the man she had spoken with, and charged straight inside. She didn¡¯t even reach the doorway before being overpowered; outmatched, she was beaten until her nose was bruised and her face swollen, and then she was thrown out. Song Yuhangy in the middle of the street, vehicles honking as they passed by. Clutching her shoulder, she limped up, walked across to the other side of the road, and spotted a convenience store where she bought a pack of cigarettes and some baijiu (alcohol). The cigarettes were Marlboro, Lin Yan¡¯s usual brand. Shivering and with tears welling up in her eyes, Song Yuhang lit one, finding a bit of warmth in tasting something familiar to her. Hugging the wall as she walked, tears streaming down her face, she quickly found her way to the back door of the nightclub. A few people were standing guard there, looking at her with unfriendly expressions. She took a swig of baijiu, wiped her lips, then turned back, feeling the perimeter wall, wondering whether she could climb over it. A patrol car on the roadside eyed her, police lights shing. Song Yuhang¡¯s lips curled into a mocking smile; she let go of the wall and staggered forward, clutching the liquor bottle. The police car followed her for a few hundred meters, then drove off when they saw she wasn¡¯t doing anything unusual. There she was, walking aimlessly, with a pack of cigarettes in her pocket and a bottle of baijiu in her hand. Without realizing it, she had reached the gym where she usually practiced boxing. It was well past closing time and on a weekday evening, there weren¡¯t many people around; only a dim wall light was on in the venue. Advertisements Song Yuhang climbed onto the ring, stumbled over it, spilling baijiu all over herself, but she didn¡¯t care. She finished off the remaining liquor in the bottle in a few gulps and casually threw the bottle onto the ground. Her eyes fixed on the swaying punching bag; she got up, clenched her fists, andunched at it, throwing punches and kicks while letting out an angry roar from deep within her throat. The punching bag swayed, tirelessly bouncing back after each heavy punch. Like the bag, Song Yuhang seemed tireless, continuously unleashing her pain with punch after punch. The alcohol nearly drove her to madness. Soon, sweat had soaked her clothes through, and her ck hair, damp and sticky, clung to her forehead, dripping water down. She punched out, her arm trembling slightly, and droplets of water on the punching bag trickled down as well. Song Yuhang gasped for breath, her head bowed, tears dropping one by one onto the floor. Her fist rested against the punching bag without moving, and in the empty venue, only her heavy breathing and sobs could be heard. ¡°Over the years, you¡¯re the only friend she¡¯s ever brought before us and tacitly acknowledged.¡± ¡°The young miss once told me a long time ago that she had fallen in love with someone, a woman named Song Yuhang.¡± ¡°She said that her only purpose in living was for revenge, and she didn¡¯t know how long she would live, so she didn¡¯t dare to get emotionally involved.¡± ¡°The People¡¯s Procuratorate of Jiangcheng City, in ordance with thew, has sealed the assets under the name of Lin Yan, the deceased forensic doctor of the Municipal Public Security Bureau¡­¡± ¡°This is the young miss¡¯s personal belonging; it¡¯s being returned to its rightful owner.¡± ¡°Captain Song, please ept my condolences for your loss.¡± ¡­¡­ She remembered thest words Feng Jianguo said to her. ¡°After your vehicle plunged into the sea, Lin Yan jumped in after you, and we¡­ we couldn¡¯t stop her.¡± ¡°Actually, when she came up from the seabed, she was already in very bad shape. You know¡­ her illness meant she couldn¡¯t afford to get hurt. Before the ambnce arrived, she insisted on performing effective CPR on you for half an hour.¡± Feng Jianguo¡¯s eyes were still moist when he recalled that scene. As Lin Yan worked on resuscitation, every time she exerted force with her arms, the wound on her shoulder began to ooze blood. Advertisements In the bitter cold of early winter, she knelt on the icy, damp sand, shivering from the cold wind that turned her lips purple. It was only when the paramedics arrived that they learned she was in critical condition due to excessive blood loss, not solely from the cold. ¡°She refused to hand you over to anyone else. It wasn¡¯t until she saw your chest rise and fall, and felt the pulse in your carotid artery, that she handed you over to the doctors who arrived shortly after.¡± ¡°She herself, however¡­ never managed to stand up again.¡± In the darkness, someone leaned against the wall, peering through a crack in the door to see her punching the sandbag, until finally, strength failing, she knelt down, embracing the sandbag and sobbing uncontrobly. Her heart died along with her, and she had to use all her strength to tightly clench her fists, her fingernails sinking deep into her flesh. She bit her lower lip hard, tasting a hint of blood on her tongue, barely restraining herself from rushing in and embracing her with an impulse. In the past, there had been heart-wrenching moments of separation and farewell, but she had never seen her cry so heartbreakingly. In her impression, Song Yuhang had always been restrained, calm, and rational. Any hint of indulgence was reserved for moments of physical intimacy. Song Yuhang had a fierce temperament, always wanting to embed her deep into her bones. But as long as she showed the slightest hint of teary-eyed expression, she would soften andfort her. She rarely lost controlpletely, let alone in such a distressed and disheveled state as she was in now. The woman dared not look any longer; hastily, she averted her gaze, leaning against the wall, covering her lips as tears streamed down her face, crying andughing simultaneously. She bent over, stifling her sobs to prevent them from being heard. Unexpectedly, the noise inside ceased. Song Yuhang¡¯s voice called out, ¡°Lin Yan, is that you?!¡± Before she could push the door open, the woman turned on her heels and ran. By the time she stumbled out, there was not a soul outside the door. Like a cornered animal, she spun in circles on the spot. ¡°Lin Yan,e out! I just¡­ just now¡­ I clearly heard your voice¡­ It was you¡­ It was you crying, wasn¡¯t it?¡± The empty gymnasium offered no reply. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth and kept running until she reached the street, where traffic lights shed, vehicles streamed like a procession, and pedestrians jostled against each other. She reached out and tapped the shoulder of the girl in front of her: ¡°Lin¡ª¡± Advertisements ¡°What the hell?! Are you crazy?!¡± ¡°Sorry, I mistook you for someone else.¡± She had seen someone wearing the same dress as her and excitedly tapped the person¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Lin Yan!¡± This drew the angry re of the person¡¯s boyfriend: ¡°What do you want?! Looking for trouble?¡± ¡°Sorry, I got the wrong person.¡± She ran down the long street, across the overpass, past the zebra crossing, onto the sidewalk. She encountered many ¡°Lin Yans,¡± but none of them were the Lin Yan she was looking for. When she was shoved to the ground once again by someone¡¯s boyfriend, Song Yuhang smiled, and tears began to roll down her cheeks. She picked herself up; her clothes were torn, and she was covered in dirt. With indifference, she walked forward under the pointing fingers and whispering gazes of the passersby. This time, she didn¡¯t bother anyone else. She didn¡¯t know where to go and didn¡¯t want to just head home and worry her mother. As she walked, a bus stopped in front of her. Chapter 104.2 Red Brocade She didn¡¯t know where to go and didn¡¯t want to just head home and worry her mother. As she walked, a bus stopped in front of her. The terminal stop was the Qingshan Vi Complex. She hazily put in the money, climbed aboard, and found herself a seat to sit down. Thest bus heading to the suburbs at night waspletely empty. The driver stopped the bus at the terminal station and kindly reminded her, ¡°Miss, could it be that you¡¯ve taken the bus in the wrong direction? There are no more buses at this time. I¡¯ll be heading back, why not let me give you a lift¡ª¡± Song Yuhang refused his kindness, ¡°No need, thank you. I live here.¡± As she spoke, she jumped off the bus and walked up the long mountain road, oh how she hoped that after turning at the corner ahead, she would see the lights on in the vi. She was full of hope, but it was all in vain. Song Yuhang squatted down by the roadside, gazing at the pitch-ck room opposite. She took out a wrinkled pack of cigarettes from her pocket, smoothed it over, and drew out a slim cigarette, which she ced between her lips. With a flick, she ignited her lighter. Amid the curling smoke, the streetlight cast a warm glow, and the April bugs danced around her. Advertisements And like that, she squatted there, smoking through the night. What Song Yuhang didn¡¯t realize was that, not far away in a parked car, someone was silently watching her ¨C they watched the whole night through. Not until the dawn broke with a pale light did the cigarette butts pile up at Song Yuhang¡¯s feet. The driver urged, ¡°It¡¯s time for you to go.¡± The woman snapped back to reality, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Her words were extremely slow, her voice hoarse. As the car engine started, she couldn¡¯t stop turning her head back, looking at Song Yuhang¡¯s unruly eyebrows, her bloodshot eyes, the hand pinching a cigarette, her jet-ck hair ¨C all of her. Until Song Yuhang shrunk into a tiny dot that could no longer be seen. In this process, her heart was gradually tearing apart; that part of her belonging to the past was being definitively sealed and buried as the distance from Song Yuhang grew wider. The woman tilted her head back, tears slowly rolling down. In this world, Lin Yan is no more. Three dayster, at the border. A jeep weaved through the jungle. The nearby border river flowed gently, with the sound of bubbling water. It had rained the night before, softening the earth. The jeep sped by, sttering mud on the grass at the roadside. As the jeep rounded a bend, a woman tumbled out, snapping a swath of shrubbery with a crash. The terrain here dipped low, and the woman rolled to the side of the road, her head striking an oil palm tree. She slid down, desperately trying to w her way up, but ultimately just tore off a few dry vines, and with a crash, tumbled down. Dizzy and disoriented, she couldn¡¯t grasp anything and fell head-first into a puddle beside the border river. As the tide ebbed and flowed. Several fishing boats passed by. Kind-hearted vigers, casting theirs, found they couldn¡¯t pull them up. Turning over thes, they were instantly struck with horror. ¡°Quick, over here, there¡¯s someone!¡± Advertisements Several folks scurried and mbered into the shallow pit, lifting the person onto the boat. ¡°Miss, miss, wake up!¡± The woman furrowed her brow, coughed lightly a few times, expelling the umted water from her lungs, and slowly came to, her gaze still wary. ¡°Who¡­ who are you all?¡± ¡°We¡¯re fishermen from a nearby fishing vige.¡± Their Mandarin carried a hint of a southern ent. The woman let out a sigh of relief: ¡°Where is this?¡± ¡°You¡¯re in China now. Just past that border river channel up ahead is the little fishing vige.¡± Seeing the waterlogged woman¡¯s bruised and swollen face suggested she had suffered considerably. Noting her drenched state and the blood on her clothes, the fishermen couldn¡¯t bear it and brought out a wool nket to drape over her. The woman sat up and expressed her thanks. The boy who helped pull her aboard, unable to resist her beautiful eyes, blushed as he struck up a conversation: ¡°What¡¯s your name? How did you end up here?¡± The woman held the vigers¡¯ battered electric kettle lid and took a gentle sip of the hot water, a mysterious smile ying at the corners of her mouth. But she concealed it well. At least when she looked up to speak, she was the picture of a woman sold to Southeast Asia by her husband, trying to smuggle herself back home, only to identally fall into the water ¨C a portrait of misfortune. ¡°My name is Pei Jin¡­¡± She exchanged names with the boy. The middle-aged man poling at the bow stealthily nced back at her and signaled to someone nearby with his eyes. That person picked up the fishing and disappeared into the cabin. The woman knew that the whole world was searching for the ¡°Golden Pheasant,¡± and she didn¡¯t even need to make any extra moves; just releasing this piece of information would naturally bring people to her doorstep. All she had to do now was wait. The woman set aside the lid of the electric kettle andfortably narrowed her eyes, basking in the sunlight to her heart¡¯s content. The feeling of seeing the light of day again was truly wonderful. Advertisements If only you were here. ¡°Is Lin Yan really dead?!¡± The man asked hastily and bluntly. Lin Youyuan was nestled in a wheelchair, skinny as a rail, wearing a blue and white patient¡¯s gown that hung loosely on him. With an oxygen tube inserted in his nose and a respirator beside him, his voice was muffled and heavy as he spoke, his breathing asbored as if he were pulling at the bellows. ¡°Dead.¡± He uttered these two words lightly, then began to cough violently, shaking the IV stand so that it seemed it might topple over. The butler quickly patted his back to ease his breathing and put the oxygen mask on him. ¡°Master, please stay calm and don¡¯t get agitated.¡± The man took a step back, seemingly in disbelief. Lin Youyuan took a moment to catch his breath, then looked up at him. ¡°Weren¡¯t you already¡­ cough cough¡­ already aware?¡± Knowing it is one thing; seeing it with your own eyes is another. Without waiting for his response, Lin Youyuan¡¯s lips twisted into a mocking smile: ¡°Show the guest out.¡± ¡°Please.¡± Lin Youyuan¡¯s personal head butler maintained ample respect in his presence, bowing slightly as he gestured the invitation to leave. The man nced at him and strode away. Once he reached the hallway, he finally asked, ¡°What illness?¡± Lin Youyuan didn¡¯t intend to hide it from him; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have allowed the visit. Thus, the butler slightly bowed his head and said in a rough voice. ¡°Terminal lung cancer.¡± The man¡¯s body jolted violently, as if he had aged significantly at that moment, his lips trembling. ¡°No need to see me out. Go take care of your family¡¯s master.¡± Meanwhile. Advertisements Two sealed letters were delivered into the hands of Kuba and Wang Qiang at the same time. ¡°The Red Brocade has been found?!¡± The man suddenly sat up from a woman¡¯s embrace, bits of grape skin still clinging to his lips. The woman tried to wipe them off for him but was brushed aside. ¡°Give me the details, what¡¯s the situation?¡± Kuba passed over the note. The old man nced at the note and tossed it aside. ¡°She¡¯s just a broker; her death is of no consequence.¡± Kuba hesitated for a moment but chose to speak frankly. ¡°Even though she¡¯s just an ant, all our goods go through her. If she¡¯s dead, our sales might halve. Not to mention the beauties¡­¡± The old man snorted, cracking sunflower seeds and fed one to the parrot on his shoulder. ¡°In the end, it alles down to a woman¡¯s issues.¡± Kuba quickly stepped back, pressing his palms together to show his absolute loyalty. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare¡­¡± The old man continued to crack sunflower seeds, gazing straight ahead while the parrot on his shoulder peeked around curiously. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the border river has been quite restlesstely. She¡¯s been missing for so long, who knows¡­¡± Kuba¡¯s expression turned sharp: ¡°I will make the arrangements right away.¡± The old man put the sunflower seeds into the dish: ¡°What has Lin Ge been up totely?¡± Kuba scratched his head, seemingly perplexed: ¡°He hasn¡¯t been going out muchtely. The people I sent report that he¡­ he¡­¡± ¡°He what?¡± Kuba pped his forehead, having remembered. ¡°He¡¯s not drinking tea or eating, struck with grief!¡± Advertisements The old man, who was about to lift his teacup from the table, paused abruptly, setting it back down so that the lid of the teacup tipped over. ¡°Idiot.¡± ¡°Brother Wang, what should we do?¡± the servant asked tentatively, carefully observing his mood. The singer hadn¡¯t grasped the full story before she was roughly hustled out. Wang Qiang, dressed in a ck suit and vest, paced back and forth inside the room. An adversary of Pei Jinhong spoke in a mocking tone, ¡°Recently, things at the border river have been anything but peaceful. There was even an armed conflict the day Sister Hong came back. Who knows if it was the cops¡¯ doing. Sister Hong could have returned any other time, but she chose this moment¡ªit¡¯s just too coincidental.¡± This was an insinuation that Pei Jinhong might very well have defected to the cops. Wang Qiang abruptly stopped pacing, a cruel hardness spreading across his face. ¡°I¡¯ll go to pick her up myself. If she has indeed turned to the cops, then¡­¡± He lifted his hand and made a gesture indicating no mercy. LP: So Lin Yan is just ¡®the woman¡¯ now. At least she¡¯s still alive ?( ? )??( ? )? Chapter 105.1 Cross swords To avoid causing Ji Jingxing any trouble, Song Yuhang moved back to her own home. Xiaowei hadn¡¯t recovered yet, so Mother Song stayed there to take care of her. In this way, with Song Yuhang living by herself, it was much safer for all of them. As soon as Song Yuhang entered the door, she was stung by the sight of the photo frame ced next to her father¡¯s and brother¡¯s portraits. She put down her things and walked over, picking up the frame as if intending to smash it, but ultimately, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to do it. Her eyes slowly filled with tears, and she hugged it to her chest, rubbing her cheek against the cold face in the photo. After a long time, she carefully ced the photo frame back, properly aligned, and lit three sticks of incense for the smiling woman in the picture. Her gaze was then drawn to a bracelet ced in front of the incense table. Wasn¡¯t this her mother¡¯s? Song Yuhang picked it up, affectionately stroking it, a trace of a smile appearing at the corner of her mouth, before she slowly put it back in ce. During the three days waiting for notification, she wasn¡¯t idle at all; she tidied up her room and arranged her bedroom into a darkroom simr to that in Lin Yan¡¯s vi. She pushed the single bed to the farthest corner, freeing up a wall to nail a whiteboard for writing. She bought thick ckout curtains for the windows, which are helpful for developing photos in a dark, lightless environment and also provide her with a sense of security. Aside from the necessary desk, chairs, and wardrobe, she virtually emptied out her bedroom, leaving only a few stuffed animals that Lin Yan had once embraced on the bed. In such a dark environment, she would sit all day long, calling for takeout or casually nibbling on instant noodles when hungry¡ªmost of the time without appetite¡ªleaving the takeaway boxes untouched on the floor. The few pounds she had struggled to gain while in the hospital quickly disappeared again, and it was evident to the naked eye how much weight she had lost. Advertisements Whenever something came to Song Yuhang¡¯s mind, she¡¯d add a note to the whiteboard. After three days of organizing her thoughts, the timeline of her reasoning on the whiteboard had be clear. The series of cases all started with the ¡°1994 Fenyang Wharf Dismemberment¡± as the initial axis. Victim: Chen Chunan. Person of Interest: Lin Yan. Perpetrator: Unknown. The ¡°unknown¡± at that time possessed certain capabilities tomit the crime. Lin Yan also said that dismemberment isn¡¯t like ughtering chickens; it requires a certain physical strength and skilled technique. If ¡°he¡± were a psychopathic killer, it¡¯s strange that in fourteen years, the police never received any reports of simr cases. Song Yuhang stared at the photo without a face, lost in thought. What stopped him from continuing to kill? A psychopathic killer would not easily give up murdering as a means of deriving ¡°pleasure.¡± Unless he had somepelling reason, like starting a family, pursuing education, or being too busy with work? After all, living in this world, eating is a problem everyone must solve, even a murderer. Song Yuhang, holding a pen, rested her head against the whiteboard. So why would this person kill a high school student with simple social ties and no known grudges? Was it a spur-of-the-moment act or¡­? Silenced. A shiver ran down her spine. Song Yuhang gripped the pen tighter, this was the most usible exnation she coulde up with at the moment, and it also ounted for the various obstacles she and Lin Yan encounteredter during their investigation. Someone didn¡¯t want this case toe to light. And then there was the matter of the fall into the sea. The killer clearly had the USB drive but still ruthlessly pursued the kill, and ¡°he¡± only trapped Lin Yan, ¡°he¡± knew she would drive that car, so the target from the beginning to the end was just one. That was to have her dead. Advertisements Over the years, Song Yuhang has made countless enemies both openly and covertly; the number of people wanting her dead is countless, but few can y such a calcting game with human lives. Lin Yan is not a careless person; ¡°he¡± was able to tamper with the cars at Lin Yan¡¯s garage without detection, indicating that ¡°he¡± must at least be an acquaintance of Lin Yan¡¯s. Furthermore, the perpetrator was able to precisely and urately kidnap Mother Song, Xiaowei, and Ji Jingxing. Ji Jingxing was abducted during a call with her, a violent interaction, while Mother Song and Xiaowei ran into trouble during a busy temple fair. Their family knows thew well and has instilled the idea of not going with strangers in their children from a young age, so Xiaowei wouldn¡¯t easily go with an unknown person, and if someone were to make a move, a child¡¯s loud crying and struggle would inevitably draw public attention. ording to Fang Xin, a witness saw a man holding Xiaowei in his arms, with her holding a tanghulu (candied haw on a stick) in her hand. This means that Xiao Wei knew the person! Lin Yan knew him too. Maybe¡­ she knew him as well. Hesitating, Song Yuhang still wrote down a few names on the whiteboard and then circled them heavily with a red pen. By the time she finished writing, the ringtone of her cell phone echoed in the room. She rarely received calls during her break, so the sound of the ringtone always brought a hint of inexplicable excitement. By the time she fumbled to find her phone from under the bed, the caller had already hung up. Opening her phone, Song Yuhang saw it was a number from the city bureau, feeling a tinge of disappointment. She called back, only to be informed that she should go to the bureau to pack up her things; the notice for her job reassignment hade through. ¡°Alright, I got it,¡± Song Yuhang said after hanging up the phone,ughing at herself mockingly before getting up, taking her keys, and heading out the door. Once at the bureau, she first went to her office and picked up the official document with the red heading, not even having read it herself, yet the news of her demotion and transfer had already spread far and wide. Duan Cheng said to Song Yuhang, ¡°Captain Song, human traffickers are scum; I think what you did was right. If it were me, I¡¯d also want to give him a good kicking. Don¡¯t be upset, okay? Director Feng also said, the reassignment is just temporary. Who knows, maybe after some time in the grassroots, you¡¯ll be back.¡± Fang Xin also wanted to say something: ¡°Captain Song¡­¡± Song Yuhang, leaning on the door frame, turned around with a smile: ¡°I¡¯m fine. You all go ahead, let me pack up by myself for a while.¡± The others, holding back what they wanted to say, reluctantly filed out. As they walked away, Fang Xin pinched Duan Cheng, chiding him: ¡°It¡¯s all your fault, mentioning that which should not be mentioned.¡± The office wasn¡¯trge, and there wasn¡¯t much to pack. She only took a few books on criminal investigation, a fountain pen, two notebooks, and aptop. Looking around the room, it was as if she could still see the yful forensic doctor pushing her onto the couch, straddling her, and reaching out to loosen her tie. ¡°What would Officer Song prefer, being tied up, gagged, or blindfolded?¡± A wave of emotion welled up in Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes; what she really wanted to take with her were the memories. Advertisements Holding the cardboard box, she turned and walked out the door, still needing to stop by the Technical Investigation Office. Lin Yan¡¯s desk was actually cleaner than she had imagined, with the photo frame on the desk polished till it sparkled. Seeing her arrival, Duan Cheng put down his work and hurried over. ¡°Captain Song, we clean Sister Lin¡¯s desk every day, just thinking¡ª¡± It would be great if she coulde back. The corners of Song Yuhang¡¯s mouth lifted slightly, her smile tinged with bitterness: ¡°Thank you all.¡± ¡°No need, no need, we¡¯re all colleagues here after all. Let us help you pack,¡± said Fang Xin, her eyes also turning red. Zheng Chengrui also lifted his head from theputer to look at her. ¡°You all go on with your work; I can manage by myself.¡± Song Yuhang politely declined their kind offer. Duan Cheng still wanted to say something, but Fang Xin pulled him away to theboratory. The spacious Technical Investigation Office suddenly became very quiet, even the sound of typing on keyboards ceased. Everyone tacitly gave her space to reminisce about Lin Yan alone. Song Yuhang tidied up the haphazardly stacked books on her desk, putting them into a cardboard box one by one, not even missing the sticky notes on theputer that were written in her own handwriting. The reminders Lin Yan left for herself always seemed to be about the little things. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to add sugar to the coffee, or it¡¯ll be bitter.¡± ¡°Go out for a drink after work.¡± ¡°A new hotpot restaurant opened in the city center, let¡¯s try it tomorrow.¡± ¡­¡­ And some idle chatter. ¡°First day at work, met a crazy woman.¡± ¡°What to do if the boss is an old cadre?¡± Advertisements ¡°Song Yuhang is a big idiot, hmph!!!¡± There was a string of angry little emoticons following that. Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t remember what had made her angry, but looking at the words, it was as if she could see her frowning, getting mad, acting spoiled, and stamping her feet. She couldn¡¯t help butugh through her tears and gently ced the note into the box. With the desk now tidy, she pulled open her drawer, which contained more odds and ends than she had expected. There were several medicine bottles, which twisted her heart with pain the moment she saw them; she picked them up and put them in the box. There were also some small hairclips, decorative hair bands, leather cords, packets of coffee, face masks¡­ These trivial yet lively human items almost instantly brought tears to her eyes. Song Yuhang picked them up one by one, not even overlooking the paperclips wedged in the crevices of the drawer. Pulling the drawer out all the way, a brocade box tumbled out. She picked it up and opened it to find the medal of honor that she had given to Lin Yan, which Lin Yan had disdainfully disregarded. It was preserved exceptionally well, without a speck of dust or a single scratch. She caressed the gold national emblem on the medal, and tears began to roll down her cheeks. She wiped them away with the back of her hand, sniffled, and ced the medal into the cardboard box. Finally, she turned her photo frame face down on top of everything else. Song Yuhang carried the cardboard box as he walked out. The other members of the Technical Investigation Team stood up one after another. ¡°Captain Song.¡± ¡°Captain Song.¡± ¡°Captain Song.¡± ¡­¡­ She turned around and saw Duan Cheng raising his hand to his temple, and the others quickly followed suit. She turned back, stood at attention, and holding the cardboard box in one hand, she also saluted them in the same manner to say goodbye. Duan Cheng¡¯s eyes slightly warmed up: ¡°Captain Song, even if we won¡¯t be working together, we can still get together for hotpot, right?¡± Fang Xin said: ¡°Exactly, if it wasn¡¯t for Captain Song¡¯s hands-on teaching, my shooting skills wouldn¡¯t have improved so quickly.¡± Advertisements Zheng Chengrui added: ¡°Captain Song, if you ever need help in the future, just let us know.¡± The others chimed in. ¡°Captain Song, since we¡¯re all in Jiangcheng City, let¡¯s hang out more when we have time, and don¡¯t forget about us.¡± Song Yuhang smiled: ¡°How could I forget? Thank you, guys.¡± ¡°And remember, you¡¯re always wee to hit me up for a meal anytime¡ªwe¡¯re friends after all.¡± No matter what, she would never forget the days spent striving side by side with the Technical Investigation Team, or the life and death moments shared with Lin Yan. Song Yuhang, carrying the cardboard box, walked out the door never expecting to bump into him in the hallway. Zhao Junfeng must have been there to provide guidance at the Municipal Bureau, surrounded by arge group of people, both men and women, with Feng Jianguo trailing beside him. As the procession passed by her, Zhao Junfeng stopped in his tracks. Song Yuhang gave a slight nod as a greeting, not expecting him to suddenly speak up. ¡°Go have lunch and rest. Be on time for the meeting in the main conference room at two in the afternoon,¡± Zhao Junfeng instructed, and the others quickly scattered like birds and beasts. LP: ?I¡¯m getting the vibe that¡­ Lin Ge¡­ to Chunan¡­ (¡£?¡¦??¡¦??) Chapter 105.2 Cross swords As the procession passed by her, Zhao Junfeng stopped in his tracks. Song Yuhang gave a slight nod as a greeting, not expecting him to suddenly speak up. ¡°Go have lunch and rest. Be on time for the meeting in the main conference room at two in the afternoon,¡± Zhao Junfeng instructed, and the others quickly scattered like birds and beasts. Feng Jianguo nced at Song Yuhang. ¡°Director Zhao¡­¡± Zhao Junfeng patted his shoulder, ¡°I know, she made the mistake herself; it¡¯s not on you. Go on with your work.¡± Since he had spoken thus, Feng Jianguo had no choice but to leave for the time being. Since the other party had many people, and it wasn¡¯t appropriate for Song Yuhang topete with the leaders for the way, she had to wait until everyone had left before she could continue forward. Zhao Junfeng called out to her, ¡°What¡¯s this? You don¡¯t greet your master anymore when you see him?¡± Song Yuhang turned back around, ¡°I¡¯m holding things so it¡¯s not convenient to salute. Plus, you¡¯re in uniform and we¡¯re at the city bureau, so I should address you as Director.¡± Advertisements ¡°Director.¡± Zhao Junfeng mulled over the title, a trace of mncholy flickering through his turbid eyes. ¡°Forget it, I know all about your situation. This is an internal matter for your Jiangcheng City Bureau; it¡¯s not my ce to intervene. Don¡¯t worry, once this blows over, I¡¯ll find an excuse to transfer you back.¡± Song Yuhang kept her head down, eyes fixed on the shiny leather of his shoes, which were polished enough to reflect someone¡¯s figure. ¡°No need for that, I¡¯ve worked at the grassroots level before.¡± She turned to leave, but Zhao Junfeng spoke again. ¡°I also know about what happened with Lin Yan. You¡­¡± That day in the provincial capital, when he mentioned Lin Yan, he had said many things to sow discord, probably never anticipating that one day she really would be gone. ¡°Condolences.¡± Condolences, always condolences, everyone wants her to show restraint in her grief. However, no one had told her how to actually ¡°restrain¡± her grief. Song Yuhang pulled at the corner of her lips: ¡°As long as the murderer isn¡¯t brought to justice, I can¡¯t rest easy.¡± Zhao Junfeng was taken aback, but she was already walking away. Reflecting on herst mocking smile and the trace of cold light in her eyes, the old man¡¯s lips gradually tightened, his expression indiscernible. After being kindly helped through the checkpoint by vigers, the woman traveled wearily northward. Right after stepping out of the train station, she was knocked unconscious by people lying in wait nearby. Pei Jinhong didn¡¯t resist; with her weakened state, she couldn¡¯t have resisted even if she wanted to. She simply resigned herself to her fate. When she came to, she was in a wooden cabin, with the sounds of birds chirping and insects singing outside, suggesting she was in the countryside. Pei Jinhong turned over to make herself morefortable. She hadn¡¯t been lying down for long when the door creaked softly; someone walked in. She heard several voices arguing. ¡°We have to take her back to Myanmar.¡± ¡°Why should we? She¡¯s Brother Wang¡¯s woman.¡± ¡°I say we just kill her here. Who knows if she¡¯s colluding with the police.¡± ¡­¡­ The first person, standing with his back to her, was tall and sturdy, d in camouge andbat boots, not sounding like he was from ind China based on his ent. Advertisements The second was a man with a sharp, monkey-like face. Pei Jinhong¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, information about him swiftly surfacing in her mind. Liu Zhi, the main enforcer for Wang Qiang, and ording to reliable intelligence, he harbored a somewhat ambiguous interest in Pei Jinhong. This man could be useful. She quickly made a judgment in her mind. The third person speaking, she squinted her eyes to study his face and discovered that his name was not in any of the information she knew. Pei Jinhong felt a sudden sense of rm. From the tone of his speech, it was clear he knew her, but she didn¡¯t recognize him; this could blow her cover if she wasn¡¯t careful. She needed to quicklye up with a strategy. Before she had time to think too long, there was another knock at the door. ¡°Brother Wang, Brother Wang.¡± A few people went up to greet the neer. The man in camouge also stepped back. Wang Qiang grunted in acknowledgement, his subordinate passed him a cigar, and struck a match to light it. He took the cigar and fiercely took several puffs. ¡°Is she awake yet?¡± This question was meant to be an inquiry, but the man in camouge strode over aggressively, grabbed her hair, dragged her a few meters, and then threw her onto the ground. ¡°Brother Wang is talking to you.¡± This roused Pei Jinhong whether she liked it or not. She woke up abruptly, her eyes red-rimmed, on the verge of tears, she scrambled over and clung to Wang Qiang¡¯s legs, her lips quivering, her body trembling, as she looked at the man in camouge. ¡°Brother Wang, Brother Wang, save me! Someone is trying to kill me!¡± Her apparent fear and desperation, however, only served to arouse suspicion among Wang Qiang¡¯s people. Advertisements Liu Zhi became suddenly righteously indignant, swiftly pulling a gun from his waist, chambering a round. ¡°Who?! Who wants to kill my sister-inw, I won¡¯t allow it!¡± Seeing Wang Qiang¡¯s people make the first move, the subordinates of the man in camouge didn¡¯t show any weakness either. They all pulled out their weapons, aiming at each other. The air was thick with tension, a spark away from igniting. Pei Jinhong sobbed, watching the face of the man in camouge turn from green to white. ¡°Boss Wang wouldn¡¯t want to fall out with us over a woman, would he?¡± Wang Qiang fiddled with his lighter, gently lifting her chin. Pei Jinhong¡¯s face still showed bruising, her eyes were rimmed red, making the beauty mark beside her eyebrow stand out even more vividly. She seemed thinner, her eyes brimming with tears. For some reason, Wang Qiang found something indescribably strange about this face. His fingernail gently traced her beauty mark, and he rubbed it back and forth, as if confirming something. ording to intelligence, not many had seen Pei Jinhong¡¯s true face. Each time she appeared before her subordinates, she would wear a veil hat, with ck light veiling hiding most of her features. So she had the opportunity to impersonate, but Wang Qiang was different because he had been intimate with her. She didn¡¯t believe Pei Jinhong would actually keep the damn veil on in bed. This was a critical moment, a do-or-die situation. It all hinged on how she would convince Wang Qiang that she was indeed ¡°Pei Jinhong.¡± Simrly, as long as she gained Wang Qiang¡¯s trust, the others wouldn¡¯t be an issue. The woman met his gaze, neither dodging nor avoiding, her eyesrge and beautiful, filled with sorrow. She was like a flower gradually blooming in the palm of his hand. Pei Jinhong sobbed inartictely: ¡°Brother Wang, I followed you when I was seventeen. Back then, you said you would definitely provide a good life for me, let me have good days¡­ I believed you, I was willing to do anything you asked. I don¡¯t want to make things difficult for you, to be caught in the middle. I was attacked right after returning from the north of Myanmar before I even disembarked. I don¡¯t know who wants me dead,¡±¡­ As she spoke, her gaze couldn¡¯t stop flicking back. ¡°It could be a setup, or it could be the police; this is uncertain. But if it¡¯s the police, then who let the information slip¡­¡± ¡°And who is so desperate to take my life?¡± Advertisements Pei Jinhong¡¯s gentle words fell softly. Wang Qiang¡¯s body jolted violently. She had wiped away her tears and suddenly threw herself toward Liu Zhi¡¯s gun barrel, tightly closing her eyes. ¡°Brother Wang, I will repay your kindness in my next life!¡± ¡°No!¡± In the end, Wang Qiang still couldn¡¯t forget their past intimacy and pulled her back. Pei Jinhong knelt on the ground, sobbing. Wang Qiang helped her up and said softly, ¡°Alright, what¡¯s with this talk of dying? You¡¯ve been with me for so long, if you have something to say, just speak inly.¡± The woman crying in his embrace rolled her eyes surreptitiously. Damn, the intelligence report only mentioned Pei Jinhong met him at seventeen, but none of the crap he spouted. It was a case of a blind cat stumbling upon a dead rat. Could it be¡­ this is a staple in the f*ckboy phrase book? Internally, the woman nodded in agreement. It seemed to be the case. Beside Liu Zhi stood a short man, the one who initially suggested killing her, and he sneered strangely, saying, ¡°Sister-inw and Big Brother have a deep rtionship, but even so, it¡¯s hard to shake off the suspicion of colluding with the police. We¡¯re all engaged in criminal activities like murder and arson. I don¡¯t want to end up getting shot just like that. Don¡¯t you guys think so?¡± The people on Wang Qiang¡¯s side nced at each other, their eyes filled with hesitation. Liu Zhi exploded, cursing loudly, ¡°F*ck your bullshit! Just because Sister-inw scolded you once and told you to keep your distance from her, you¡¯ve held a grudge, haven¡¯t you? Let me tell you, Zhao Tiezhu, you f*cking coward, you¡¯re not a man!¡± That single sentence carried a lot of information. Pei Jinhong silently noted down the person¡¯s name, realizing that he had a conflict with ¡°her¡± before. With that in mind, it would inevitably affect their future actions. She contemted in her heart, a hint of ruthlessness shing in her eyes. If they can¡¯t be brought under control, then¡­ She¡¯ll find a way to kill him. The other person¡¯s face turned red, and they retaliated without backing down. The air was filled with coarsenguage nonstop, mostly centering around reproductive organs and mocking each other¡¯s ancestors for generations. And throughout it all, Pei Jinhong maintained a demeanor of trepidation andpliance, taking everything in stride. Perhaps tired of listening to the tirade, the man in camouge signaled with a hand gesture, and his subordinates brought in a box from outside. Advertisements He exchanged a look with Wang Qiang, who nced at her before loosening his grip around her waist. Pei Jinhong¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Since it¡¯se to this, I¡¯ve heard that the ¡®Golden Pheasant¡¯ is also a heroine among women, a master at detecting poisons, please go ahead.¡± The box was opened to reveal rows of ss bottles filled with a blue liquid. Wang Qiang looked at her without speaking, his silence a form of consent. Everyone fell quiet, watching her face with hesitation while the camouge man¡¯s men tightened their grip on their guns, aiming at her. The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and even Liu Zhi fell silent. Her throat was dry, and she swallowed. ¡°This¡­¡± The man in camouge smiled, removed the top row of the box, revealing the syringes underneath. The liquid inside them was thicker and stickier than that above¡ªclearly a high-purity drug. The camouge man took a syringe and stood up, walked over to her, and offered it: ¡°Does Miss Pei prefer to administer it herself, or shall we assist?¡± Chapter 106 Undercover As a mid-level figure with some status in a criminal gang, the im that drug lords like those you see on TV don¡¯t do drugs, and that eighty percent of it is crap, is mostly bullsh*t. When the stuff is swinging in front of your eyes every day, getting hooked after just one touch ismon¡ªfew can resist its temptation. Pei Jinhong is no exception. Not only does she use, but she can also ¡°appraise.¡± What¡¯s ¡°appraise¡±? To put it simply, it¡¯s ¡°screening.¡± Just like there are luxury goods and there are street stall items, in the drug world, the jargon for quality is ¡°purity.¡± The higher the purity, the more expensive it is, and the more intense the high. However, it also increases the risk of addiction and fatality. Before she arrived, she obviously made preparations. There were needle marks on Lin Yan¡¯s arm, but she had done it herself. She didn¡¯t be an undercover agent and dedicate her whole life just for fun. Lin Yan smirked, her smile slightly seductive. ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this? If you want to kill me, just go ahead. With so many of you, do you think I can resist? No need to bring up ¡®Drunken Dream¡¯ to mess with me. I¡¯ve f*cking tried it before.¡± When she mentioned ¡®Drunken Dreams¡¯, she could sense Wang Qiang next to her visibly relieved, but he still didn¡¯t speak. This guy is highly suspicious and won¡¯t fully believe her until he sees her inject it herself. Lin Yan broke out in a cold sweat for herself but didn¡¯t show the slightest on her face. Advertisements The man opposite her had a fake smile: ¡°How can you say it¡¯s just for fun? This is a fine new product we¡¯ve developed, to calm Miss Pei¡¯s nerves.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s eyebrows rose, and she smiled gracefully. ¡°To calm my nerves or to send me down the road, huh?¡± As her words fell, she leaned closer into Wang Qiang¡¯s arms, with eyes sultry as silk. ¡°Brother Wang, look at this¡ª95% purity product, how can I stand it?¡± She intended to sow discord, but she identallymitted a big taboo. As soon as she spoke, Lin Yan realized something was wrong and wished she could bite off her own tongue! She had overlooked the instinctive reaction of a drug addict when confronted with drugs: their eyes should gleam with desire, they¡¯d be frenziedly swallowing saliva, and in severe cases, they might even yawn and shed tears, showing signs of aggression and restlessness. Especially someone like her, who had been on the run for days and nights without a hit, should be even more intensely craving. At a time like this, who cares about the purity? Just take the hit and be done with it! The camouge-d manughed and shoved the syringe into her hand. ¡°Miss Pei, talking won¡¯t help, just go ahead.¡± Lin Yan was forced to look up as Wang Qiang pointed a gun at her head. ¡°Jinhong, don¡¯t disappoint me.¡± The glint of moisture in Lin Yan¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t seem fake¡ªanyone in such a situation would be doing well not to wet their pants. Yet, no matter how tense she was, not a trace of cowardice showed on her face. Lin Yan curled her lips into a tragically beautiful smile. ¡°I would have never imagined, Brother Wang, that one day you would be pointing a gun at me.¡± Wang Qiang¡¯s throat moved slightly, watching her skillfully pick up the syringe and roll up her sleeve. On that fair, jade-like arm, the numerous needle marks were clearly visible. Lin Yan pushed the excess air out of the syringe, aimed at her own greenish vein, and slightly closed her eyes. To others, she seemed to be in ecstasy, but only she knew the struggle within. ¡°Think it through, once ¡®ying dead¡¯ seeds, from now on, you are not Lin Yan, but ¡®Pei Jinhong.¡¯ Apart from me, no one will know your true identity. As a broker and drug trafficker moving between China and Myanmar, the police will not hesitate to shoot you on sight, and if your identity is exposed, you will also face the inhuman torture of the drug dealers.¡± ¡°What I also need to warn you, is that even if you are an undercover police officer, once you get involved with drugs, you will be dismissed from the public security forces. Hence, there are countless cases of families being destroyed and lives being lost.¡± The advice of the man before leaving echoed in her mind again. Lin Yan was frantically swallowing saliva. Others thought she was insanely excited, but only she knew whom she was thinking of. When she received the top-secret mission, she actually didn¡¯t hesitate much to ept it, and it wasn¡¯t because of any grand principles or patriotic sentiments. Advertisements She simply said: ¡°If I die, Song Yuhang will be safe, right?¡± The person sitting by the bed remained silent. Yet, she lying on the hospital bedughed. ¡°The Song family is pretty nice. Her mom¡¯s cooking is delicious, I¡¯ve never had an elder make me Laba porridge before, and I really liked it.¡± ¡°Xiaowei is a very lovely child, especially affectionate. She would give me candy to eat, just like this.¡± She held a thin piece of candy paper in her palm, but the candy had already melted in her pocket. Lin Yan clenched her fist tightly, a faint smile appearing on her lips. ¡°And there¡¯s Ji Jingxing. She likes Song Yuhang. I wished I could tear her apart, but I never expected that she woulde back to save me.¡± They were such a wonderful family, but because of her, they got tangled up in conflicts and nearly lost their lives. She once thought she only loved herself, but seeing them in danger, seeing Song Yuhang in tears, it turns out it still hurts her heart. Lin Yan quietly sighed in her heart, ¡°I¡¯ll go, the person I wanted to protect died fourteen years ago, and fourteen yearster, I won¡¯t let such a tragedy happen again.¡± Song Yuhang once said, ¡°I will always be true to my ideals and to you.¡± So what she didn¡¯t get time to say out loud was¡ª I¡¯m willing to risk my life for you, just to keep you safe. Harboring such thoughts, Lin Yan bit her lower lip slightly, a sh of determination in her eyes as she pressed the needle into her skin. But before she could inject anything, several gunshots rang out from outside, startling the birds into flight from the woods. Everyone turned around abruptly. One of the men stumbled in through the door, wounded. ¡°Brother Wang, we gotta get out of here, the cops have us surrounded!¡± The syringe Lin Yan was holding dropped to the ground from the shock. The camouge man looked at her face, then at the box on the ground, gritting his teeth. ¡°Quick, move it, retreat!¡± Before he could finish his sentence, a tear gas canister came crashing through the window. Lin Yan was choked, coughing and tears streaming down her face, thinking, ¡°F*ck, they really think I¡¯m a drug dealer and want to take me down.¡± In the midst of confusion, chaos erupted in the room. The sound of bullets being loaded could be heard, and someone shouted angrily, ¡°How did the cops arrive so quickly? There¡¯s an undercover agent, kill her!¡± Through the haze of smoke, Lin Yan, with red eyes, saw Zhao Tiezhu aiming a gun at her, while Wang Qiang stood on the same line as her. She had a sudden realization and lunged at him, tightly gripping his wrist, and shot herself in the arm. ¡°Brother Wang, let¡¯s go, he¡¯s going to kill you!¡± Advertisements A mist of blood burst in front of her eyes, and Lin Yan was sure of her grip and aim. It was just a graze, but she copsed softly into his arms. Wang Qiang cried out in anguish, hurriedly supporting her: ¡°Jinhong!¡± Lin Yan weakly lifted her hand and pointed at him: ¡°He¡­ he¡¯s the undercover¡­ otherwise¡­ why else would he shoot at you¡­ the cops¡­ arrived so quickly¡­¡± Zhao Tiezhu couldn¡¯t defend himself, stumbling back a step: ¡°No, it¡¯s not me¡­ Brother Wang.¡± A hint of ruthlessness shed in Wang Qiang¡¯s eyes as Liu Zhi nodded, and a gunshot sted through his forehead. Lin Yan closed her eyes in contentment. You wanted me dead, but I¡¯ll send you on your way first. And that camouge man, he needed to be taken care of too. In a daze, she was helped up by someone. Wang Qiang held her shoulder, and together with Liu Zhi, they fought their way out, leaving a trail of blood. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Three people were dashing through the jungle, running for their lives. Lin Yan was clutching her arm, gasping for air: ¡°Brother Wang, Brother Wang, I can¡¯t go on¡­ You guys go ahead.¡± The blood dripping from her fingers pitter-pattered on the ground. Before Wang Qiang could speak, Liu Zhi anxiously said: ¡°Sis, what are you talking about? Is Brother Wang that sort of person? If we go, we all go together. There¡¯s a car at the fork up ahead that I¡¯ve put there. We¡¯ll take the car and be safe in no time.¡± Damn, faced with the ¡®good guy¡¯bel from his brother, Wang Qiang felt somewhat ufortable, plus Pei Jinhong had just saved his life. To repay kindness with ingratitude in front of his men, how could he live with himself after that? So he could only grit his teeth and say: ¡°Liu Zhi is right, no dys, if we go, we go together!¡± He was also exhausted from the escape, his beer belly heaving as he ran out of breath. He pointed to her and said: ¡°Liu Zhi, you carry her.¡± Liu Zhi responded and tucked his gun into his waistband, then squatted down in front of her: ¡°Come on, sis.¡± Lin Yan climbed onto his back nimbly and hugged his neck, whispering in his ear: ¡°Liu Zhi, thank you.¡± Her softness pressed against his back, her breath by his ear carrying a fragrance. The young man, full of youthful vigor, suddenly blushed, stammering, ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s fingernail gently grazed his earlobe: ¡°You¡¯re a good man. I¡¯ll remember the kindness you¡¯ve shown to your sister-inw.¡± Upon hearing that there was a car ahead, Wang Qiang was invigorated and had already run quite a distance away. Liu Zhi quickly lifted his foot to follow, feeling a vague and inexplicable resentment in his heart. Advertisements ¡°As it should be.¡± In the midst of a life-and-death escape, branches hit them in the face and on the head, making Lin Yan incredibly disheveled. Several times she could feel bullets whizzing past her scalp as the police dogs relentlessly barked and chased after them. Not knowing how long they had run, just when she felt on the verge of passing out, she was finally put into a car. At this moment, Lin Yan¡¯s weakness wasn¡¯t feigned. Her face was deathly pale, and with a tilt of her head, she slumped against the seat andpletely passed out. No matter how much Liu Zhi called ¡°sister-inw¡± ¡°sister-inw¡± in her ear, there was no response. ¡°Officer Song, this is your seat. Here¡¯s the key to the storage locker; please keep it safe.¡± Therade in charge of weing her brought her to a shabby desk and pulled out a backless wooden stool for her to sit on, then gave her a slightly embarrassed smile. ¡°The grassroots police stations aren¡¯t as grand as the city bureau, you see. Oh, right, Captain Song¡­no, I mean Officer Song, there¡¯s no canteen here. We only have one hour for lunch break. If you want to eat, turn right when you go out¡ªthere¡¯s a snack street with plenty of options, or you could also order takeout. Just don¡¯t go hungry.¡± No wonder the office was empty; everyone must have gone to lunch. Song Yuhang scanned the office¡ªit wasn¡¯t very big, maybe around ten square meters, with two desks facing each other, enough space for four people to sit. Aside from the empty desk in front of her, the other seats were upied. She ced her bag on her stool: ¡°No worries, is there hot water? I¡¯ll just make some instant noodles.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, there¡¯s a kettle, but you¡¯ll have to heat the water yourself. The water room is at the end of the hallway.¡± The junior officer said, handing her a rusty kettle. Song Yuhang took the kettle and walked towards the door: ¡°I¡¯m fine, you go on with your work. There isn¡¯t much time; don¡¯t let me keep you from your meal.¡± The junior officer wanted to leave, but as she was a senior from the city bureau, he was still unsure about how to read her mood. Song Yuhang smiled, ¡°I can¡¯t eat at ease with you around.¡± With that, the junior officer acknowledged her words and ran off gleefully, thinking to himself: ¡®On normal days, when would I ever get to see such a high-ranking official? And to think this big shot is actually so approachable.¡¯ Once he left, Song Yuhang fetched some water, came back, and started eating her instant noodles while looking through the documents on the desk. Just like that, she began her grassroots-level police patrol work. ¡°How long do you n to waste your life away like this?¡± The old man, leaning on his cane, sat opposite him, watching the man across pour himself another ss of red wine and crack a wry smile. ¡°Wasting away? No, no, I¡¯m just enjoying life, that¡¯s all.¡± Despite his words, he had been in this do-nothing state for a while now. The elder snorted coldly, tapping his cane on the ground. ¡°Lin Yan is dead, and now is the best time for you to take over the Lin family business. It¡¯s also time to move thest batch of goods, isn¡¯t it?¡± Mentioning Lin Yan, the man holding the wine ss zoned out for a moment, his smile turning bitter. ¡°What¡¯s the rush? That old b*stard is currently keeping a tight watch on the factories below; no opportunity has presented itself yet.¡± Advertisements ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a matter of no opportunity, it seems more like you don¡¯t want to find one.¡± Kuba extended a cigar to him, lighting it up for him. The old man took a few puffs, his expression enigmatic amid the swirling smoke. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you still want to y the part of the Lin family¡¯s young master.¡± Lin Ge clenched his teeth tighter. He continued, ¡°Don¡¯t forget who the real culprit is. All of this is what you deserve.¡± With a wave of his hand, the old man had Kuba hand over a box. Inside were blue vials arranged in rows, their contents so deep in color they seemed almost purple. ¡°It¡¯s called ¡®Drunken Dream¡¯ No. 15, a new form. It¡¯s 50% purity makes it addictive yet unlikely to cause adverse reactions. Take it to him as a gift from me, a sort of meeting present.¡± As the old man spoke, a lingering smile yed on his lips, as if he was lost in memories. Lin Ge stared at the vial, slowly finishing the liquor in his ss. The old man put out his cigarette in the ashtray and stood up: ¡°I¡¯ve given you the sample. In half a month, I want to see yourb mass-producing it. Repackage it as some sort of functional beverage gimmick¡ªthere should be many buyers.¡± The old man patted his shoulder: ¡°Can¡¯t be without women and broke, right? My people will pick up the goods at the usual spot. Waiting for your good news.¡± With that, he left, shakily supported by Kuba. LP: I just want people like these to disappear from earth (? ? _ ?)? Chapter 107.1 Smoke scar Two people came out from the backyard, and Kuba helped the person to sit in the car. ¡°I don¡¯t understand, knowing he would be so disheartened, why didn¡¯t you stop him at the beginning?¡± The elder sat down, ced his cane properly, and adjusted his coat. ¡°Disheartened is good, disheartened is good, one mountain cannot contain two tigers, if he became promising, wouldn¡¯t I be in danger?¡± Kuba went to drive and looked back at him. ¡°Then why did you give him the sample?¡± ¡°Helping me to solve the big trouble of Song Yuhang, there should be some reward, right? Just getting the sample, without the form, is useless.¡± Enlightened by a reminder from the elder, Kuba had a realization. ¡°Song, that cop is our biggest obstacle in the city bureau, without her, it must be much easier to ship out goods in the future.¡± The elder opened his eyes, a sharp sh passing by. Advertisements ¡°That might not necessarily be the case, after all, not everyone is our person; the batch of goods in half a month is very important, we can start to make arrangements now.¡± Kuba nodded: ¡°Yes.¡± At the Lin residence. Butler Lin gently woke Lin Youyuan. ¡°Master, the young master is here to see you.¡± Lin Ge stood beside the bed holding two boxes of gifts, and as he saw him slowly awakening, hurriedly put the things down and stepped forward. ¡°Uncle Lin¡­¡± A hint of relief appeared in the murky eyes of Lin Youyuan. ¡°You¡¯vee.¡± As he spoke, a mist formed on the oxygen mask, and the butler stepped forward to gently remove it. Lin Youyuan coughed a few times, signaling the butler to raise the bed a bit higher. Lin Ge took the initiative to do so and also took a pillow from the side to ce behind him. ¡°Uncle Lin, are you feeling better now?¡± Lin Youyuan coughed and covered his lips with a handkerchief. After a lengthy cough, he gasped for breath and said, ¡°It¡¯s the old ailment, did youe here for something?¡± ¡°Nothing much, just came to see you,¡± Lin Ge said, pulling up the nket for him. ¡°Is it because the workers in the factory below gave you a hard time again?¡± Lin Youyuan coughed twice before continuing. Lin Ge¡¯s lips always bore a modest smile. ¡°No, it¡¯smon for employees to be unruly when I¡¯m new.¡± With Lin Youyuan seriously ill, thepany¡¯s affairs were gradually handed over to him and several senior executives. These executives were veterans at Jingtai, deeply rooted in thepany. Especially a few people in the customs department controlled the import and export channels of Jingtai¡¯s factories. Without Lin Youyuan¡¯s signature, the medicine could not be produced on arge scale, let alone be exported overseas. He spoke these words with his eyes lowered, showing utmost respect. Lin Youyuan coughed a few times, gesturing to the butler to bring over a document. The hand that was getting an infusion shakily uncapped the pen, Lin Youyuan pressed down on the paper and wrote his name in a crooked manner. Advertisements ¡°You¡¯re helping me, I can¡¯t treat you poorly¡­cough cough¡­¡± he handed the signed document to him. ¡°Take this to thepany, from tomorrow, you are the vice president of the group.¡± Lin Ge declined: ¡°This¡­ isn¡¯t right Uncle Lin, helping our own family, there¡¯s no such thing as treating poorly. Yanyan is no longer here, helping you is what I should do.¡± The fleeting joy in Lin Ge¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t escape Lin Youyuan¡¯s, simrly, when Lin Yan was mentioned, the sorrow that surfaced on Lin Youyuan¡¯s face didn¡¯t escape his observation either. Two smart people were silently contesting. Lin Youyuan started coughing violently, Lin Ge stood up to pat his back, when he leaned over and saw his sparse white hair on the top of his head, his heart still had an indescribable feeling. Lin Ge and his father looked alike, both having sharp brows and starry eyes, incredibly handsome, and their temperaments were simrly gentle, if it weren¡¯t for those things that happenedter. Lin Youyuan suddenly felt somewhat sentimental. ¡°You said it yourself, our own people, no need to be so polite.¡± Lin Ge stared at his uncle¡¯s graying hair: ¡°Uncle, why are you so good to me?¡± Ever since Lin Ge could remember, he had never seen his father. The only people by his side were his mother and this uncle in name. His mother wanted him to be well-behaved, sensible, obedient, and not to make a fuss. Only Lin Yuyuan would buy him toy guns, airnes, tanks, cannons, and all sorts of things that boys liked. When he wasn¡¯t busy with work, he would y with him and even willingly let him ride on his back as if he were a horse. It was Lin Youyuan who taught him how to y golf, hand by hand. If it weren¡¯t for witnessing those filthy and vile things, he and Lin Youyuan wouldn¡¯t have ended up where they were today. Hearing him ask this, the old man smiled with a look of nostalgia in his eyes. ¡°Your dad passed away early. It was only right for me to take care of you and your mother. By the way, how is your mother doingtely, how is her health?¡± Mentioning his mom, thest bit of reluctance in Lin Ge¡¯s heartpletely disappeared. He lowered the medical bed and tucked him in properly. ¡°She¡¯s much better now. Once she can walk, we¡¯lle to see you together. Don¡¯t worry about it, you just focus on getting better.¡± ¡°Visiting time is about to end,¡± he said, picking up the document and standing up to take his leave: ¡°I¡¯ll go back to being busy then, ande to visit you another day.¡± Lin Youyuan nodded, and the butler put the oxygen mask back on him. As he walked out of the corridor, Jin Xia was holding a lunchbox, headed this way with several people. Advertisements ¡°Young Master.¡± Several servants passed by him and bowed slightly. Jin Xia paused for a moment and nodded to him in greeting. ¡°Master Lin Ge came to see the old master again, truly showing filial piety.¡± Lin Ge gave a respectful smile and stuffed a test tube into her palm from his sleeve. ¡°It¡¯s only right. Auntie working hard every day to cook and deliver meals to Uncle is the real effort. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll go back to work.¡± Jin Xia nodded, and the two of them left one after another. When she reached the corner, Jin Xia instructed the servants, ¡°You all can leave now. The old master likes quiet, I¡¯ll deliver it myself.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The servants respectfully departed. Jin Xia opened the meal box, standing in the dead angle of the surveince camera, she took out that blue test tube, bit her teeth hard, and resolutely pulled out the stopper, pouring everything into the porridge. She stirred it evenly with a spoon, took a deep breath, and with a smile as beautiful as a flower, she pushed open the door of the sickroom. ¡°Old master, I¡¯vee to bring you your meal.¡± After work every day, Song Yuhang would stake out near the Huange Nightclub. It took the duration of smoking a pack of cigarettes for the person she was waiting for toe out. She stamped out her cigarette butt, stood up, and bumped into that person¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Sorry, sorry¡­¡± The fat-headed, big-eared man, drunk as a skunk, pointed at her nose and cursed: ¡°Be¡­ be careful around your grandpa!¡± Song Yuhang nodded and bowed with a smile, waiting for the man to walk away before touching the membership card in her pocket, a smile appearing on her lips. She returned to the roadside where Zheng Chengrui and the others had been waiting in the car for a while. She passed over the card: ¡°How about it, can you duplicate it?¡± Zheng Chengrui took it, examined the material, saw the barcode on it, gave it a light flick, and opened hisputer. ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try.¡± Advertisements While he was duplicating the maic card¡¯s content, Duan Cheng leaned over the front seatback. ¡°Captain Song, why are weing to a ce like this? Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s also for¡­¡± Even though she no longer worked at the city bureau, Duan Cheng was still used to calling her that. Before the words ¡°seeking pleasure¡± coulde out, Fang Xin grabbed him and pulled him back. ¡°Use your pig brain to think, it must be for investigating a case.¡± Song Yuhang tapped her fingertips on the steering wheel, watching them bicker, the smile on her lips somewhat bitter. ¡°That¡¯s right, but don¡¯t ask what specifically we¡¯re investigating, it¡¯s for your own good.¡± Duan Cheng muttered, ¡°You say that, Sister Lin also says that¡­¡± Before he could finish, Fang Xin pped him again and gave him a look. Song Yuhang closed her mouth and stopped talking, her smile also disappeared. During the awkward moment, Zheng Chengrui handed back the original card to her: ¡°Captain Song, I¡¯ve duplicated the barcode, but printing it out still needs time. How about this, I¡¯ll take it home and rush it tonight, and we can meet here again tomorrow to give it to you.¡± Song Yuhang thought for a moment: ¡°Cheng, that would be troubling you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no trouble, should be done.¡± Zheng Chengrui closed hisputer, ready to get out of the car, but Duan Cheng was still looking at the neon lights shing outside. ¡°So lively¡­¡± The entrance of the Huange Nightclub was indeed bustling with peopleing and going. Song Yuhang looked at the card in her hand, then at them. ¡°Since we¡¯re here, why not go in and take a look?¡± Their eyes lit up, and they all nodded in agreement. The group of three went straight to the entrance, with Fang Xin waiting in the car. Zheng Chengrui put on a hat, pretending to be that fat-eared man, supported by Song Yuhang and Duan Cheng as they staggered inside. ¡°Hello, please show your membership card.¡± Song Yuhang handed over the card, and the other side swiped it on the machine. It passed verification, but the bouncer still looked at them suspiciously. Zheng Chengrui¡¯s height and build were very simr to the man who had just left, the only variable was his face. Advertisements The other side came forward, seeming to want to get a clear look at his face. ¡°Why has Mr. Lie back again?¡± Duan Cheng shoved the person away: ¡°What are you looking at, what are you looking at, if our boss wants toe for some fun, is it any of your business?! Or are you saying you don¡¯t wee returning customers, fine, we¡¯ll just leave then, boss¡ª¡± Song Yuhang also propped up one of Zheng Chengrui¡¯s arms. ¡°Boss, let¡¯s go.¡± Seeing the situation turning sour, another waiter in a ck suit at the entrance hurried over to stop them. ¡°Mr. Li is a regr customer here, how could we possibly not wee him, pleasee inside, pleasee inside.¡± ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡± Zheng Chengrui acted drunk the whole way, supported by two people as they walked in. Duan Cheng specifically chose a dimly lit semi-enclosed booth and ced him on the sofa. Song Yuhang observed the interior of the Huange Nightclub, finding it a hidden gem. The building was not tall, only two stories, but such a long corridor had only one spiral staircase, requiring one to pass through there regardless of going up or down. LP: ?Worst father!!! Taking care of your nephew but not your daughter? Scam!!! Chapter 107.2 Smoke scar Zheng Chengrui acted drunk the whole way, supported by two people as they walked in. Duan Cheng specifically chose a dimly lit semi-enclosed booth and ced him on the sofa. Song Yuhang observed the interior of the Huange Nightclub, finding it a hidden gem. The building was not tall, only two stories, but such a long corridor had only one spiral staircase, requiring one to pass through there regardless of going up or down. She lifted her head and realized that just by standing on the second floor, she could overlook the entire hall. The hall was carpeted with soft carpets, with a dance floor in the center and soothing music ying, as men and women in colorful clothes moved among each other. Not far from the entrance was a bar. When she had passed by there just now, she nced inside and noticed that a business license was hanging on the wall. Feng Jianguo had mentioned that Pei Jinhong was the bossdy of this entertainment club, and Pei herself was a broker between China and Myanmar, so who issued this business license? Song Yuhang was filled with a big question mark in her heart. As soon as they were seated, a waiter came over with a menu: ¡°Hello sir, what would you like to drink?¡± Duan Cheng looked at the prices on the menu and his legs went weak. The cheapest lemonade cost 1888. Still, Song Yuhang remained calm: ¡°Not for now, our boss is drunk, just bring a ss of in water.¡± A flicker of surprise passed through the waiter¡¯s eyes, but he went to fulfill the request. Advertisements Song Yuhang nced at the dance floor and noticed there was a spot for a singer, then called the person back. ¡°Who will be singingter?¡± The waiter replied respectfully, ¡°Miss Fangfang will be performingter. If the gentleman likes, you can spend 28000 to choose the song you like.¡± ¡­¡­ My goodness, it¡¯s really exorbitantly priced. Duan Cheng secretly clicked his tongue in amazement. The corner of Song Yuhang¡¯s mouth also twitched: ¡°¡­No need, then will that, that ¡®Aunt Hong¡¯e out?¡± The waiter looked at her strangely, and Song Yuhang said frankly, ¡°Our boss came here for her reputation, no matter how much money it costs, we always want to see her.¡± Then the waiter finally breathed a sigh of relief and shook his head. ¡°Sorry, sir, ¡®Aunt Hong¡¯ does not see guests.¡± Quite mysterious, it seems that ordinary channels can¡¯t meet this person. Song Yuhang nodded, and shortly after the waiter left, the singer named ¡°Fangfang¡± came down from upstairs. Song Yuhang watched for a while, then put down the ss and stood up: ¡°I¡¯m going to the bathroom, you stay with Old Zheng, be careful, if I haven¡¯te back in fifteen minutes, you guys should leave.¡± Duan Cheng nodded, synchronized watches, and then Song Yuhang left alone. The first floor is a dance floor and booths, next to the bar there are scattered tables, and there are many waiters, almost one every three to five steps, each one dressed in a suit and shoes, polite and cultured, each wearing an earpiece and with a walkie-talkie clipped to their waist. Song Yuhang walked all the way, and everyone she met was enthusiastic and polite. This ce looked splendid and magnificent, and everything seemed to be normal business activities, but she didn¡¯t know why, she always felt there was an indescribably weird vibe. Maybe it was too normal. She looked up, the CCTV on the corridor was shing red lights. Also, weren¡¯t these surveince cameras a bit too dense? There were even cameras at the bathroom entrance. This shows that the person behind the scenes must be someone very cautious and suspicious. While Song Yuhang was checking out the situation inside the Huange Night Club, from one of the rooms on the second floor, ambiguous panting sounds emerged, as two people were rolling on the bed. Lin Yan propped up the other¡¯s shoulders, her face somewhat pale, biting her lip slightly, ¡°Brother Wang, I still have injuries¡­¡± For convenience in changing dressings, she had been wearing a robe these days. Wang Qiang untied the robe¡¯s belt, leaning over. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯ll be careful, now seeing you this weak really makes me unable to stop¡­¡± He pretended to kiss down, Lin Yan buried her head in his neck with a shy gesture, softly saying, ¡°Brother Wang¡­¡± Holding a tiny steel needle in her hand, she gently inserted it into the back of his neck. Advertisements The drug quickly took effect, Lin Yan kicked the man away, straightened up, and adjusted her robe. ¡°Damn it, what the f*ck is this, disgusting me to death.¡± She said, getting off the bed and pondering what to do next. Not allowing Wang Qiang to get close would inevitably arouse suspicion, it might be better to¡­ Lin Yan picked up the phone by the bed and made some arrangements. Then she took out two syringes from the bedside table, lifted Wang Qiang¡¯s sleeve, aimed at his vein, and gently injected them. Watching the blue liquid slowly pushed into his body, Lin Yan sighed in relief, pped her hands, got up, removed the needle from his neck, and went to the bathroom to take a bath pretentiously. Downstairs, the singing of Chen Fang was not finished when someone called a halt. ¡°The boss wants you upstairs.¡± Chen Fang obviously hesitated. Although she liked Wang Qiang, she mostly avoided him because of Pei Jinhong¡¯s face, and doing so openly was too¡­ The waiter added in a low voice, ¡°Aunt Hong is not here.¡± Chen Fang¡¯s eyes sparkled with an eager light; she put down the microphone, bowed to the audience, and then followed the waiter upstairs. The room was very big, at the level of an executive suite. Lin Yan was taking a shower at that end, and outside, the sound of water couldn¡¯t be heard, but she could hear everything happening inside crystal clear. At first, Chen Fang¡¯s voice was a mix of resistance and eptance, saying, ¡°Brother Wang, no¡­¡± Butter, it turned into sounds of mutual desire and satisfaction, with only murmurs of agreement and pleasure left. About ten or so minutester, her shower wasn¡¯t even finished yet, and the noise had stopped. F*ck, that was too quick. Must be impotent. Lin Yan rolled her eyes, took a bathrobe off the wall, and pushed the door open. Chen Fang, satisfied, slid off him, her clothes not yet properly on, when a gun was suddenly pressed against the back of her head. Lin Yan leaned forward slightly, the tips of her hair still damp. ¡°So, you couldn¡¯t wait even for the time it took me to take a shower?¡± She casually nced over, and the man lying on the bed hadn¡¯t zipped his pants up yet. He was passed out, not awake yet due to the effects of the drugs and excessive physical exertion. Chen Fang didn¡¯t expect her to suddenly appear, either. Wasn¡¯t the person who just brought her up here said she wasn¡¯t here? Her heart tightened, and she shivered with fright, tears welling up in her eyes. ¡°Sister Hong, it¡¯s not¡­ I didn¡¯t¡­ listen to me exin, it¡¯s Brother Wang, he¡­ he¡­¡± Before she could finish, Lin Yan straightforwardly pped her hard across the face. ¡°F*ck your mother, do you have no shame? How did I support you, and this is how you repay me?¡± she said, a cruel light suddenly appearing in her eyes. Advertisements ¡°Ungrateful trash like you should be gotten rid of, it¡¯s better to¡­¡± Lin Yan slightly pulled the trigger, and Chen Fang suddenly threw herself at her legs, tears and snot streaming down her face. ¡°Don¡¯t, please don¡¯t, Sister Hong, Sister Hong, I was wrong! I was wrong! Fangfang knows her mistake! Please let me off! I beg you, I¡¯ll serve you tea and water, be your ox and horse! Just don¡¯t kill me, even if you drive me away it¡¯s fine, I don¡¯t want anything else, please¡­¡± After all, Chen Fang was a person who had been through the ups and downs of the entertainment world, knowing that even if Wang Qiang woke up and she went to beg him, it would be useless. Firstly, the friendship between the two of them is deep, unlike hers which is a mid-way, dew rtionship. Secondly, Wang Qiang only cares about business matters. All the big and small affairs of the nightclub are managed by Pei Jinhong. Begging him is not as good as properly begging Sister Hong, perhaps, on ount of the past, she might spare her life. Chen Fang¡¯s calctions were very loud, crying with a mix of snot and tears, like a pear flower bathed in rain, which was pitiable. If it wasn¡¯t for Lin Yan being an undercover, she would have been moved. Seeing her not speaking, Chen Fang kept kowtowing and apologizing, her head soon rubbed raw on the ground, her body shaky. Lin Yan walked over and sat down by the mahogany sofa, cing the gun on the table. She lit a cigar with two fingers, took a gentle puff, and leisurely blew out smoke rings, signaling her toe over. Chen Fang crawled over on her knees. Lin Yan pressed the lit end of the cigar onto her exposed shoulder. Chen Fang wanted to scream out loud but swallowed it back down when she met her cold gaze. The sizzling sound of the burning cigar touching skin could be heard, and a smell of scorched hair and flesh began to spread. Lin Yan looked satisfied as she watched cold sweat pouring down her forehead, her face pale, biting her lips tightly, trembling all over, but she didn¡¯t make a sound. Not until the cigarette waspletely put out did she let go. Chen Fang copsed, sitting on the floor, her shoulder bearing arge scar, bleeding profusely. Lin Yan leaned over and lit another cigar for her to hold. ¡°Here, try this, your Brother Wang sent it.¡± Tears swirled in Chen Fang¡¯s eyes as Lin Yan forced her jaw open, making her hold the cigarette without daring to speak. Lin Yan¡¯s fingers brushed her shoulder, then pinched hard on the bloody spot. Chen Fang couldn¡¯t bear it anymore and burst into tears: ¡°Sister Hong, Sister Hong, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry, I was wrong, I won¡¯t dare again¡­¡± Lin Yan adjusted her clothes for her: ¡°Where did you go wrong? You didn¡¯t, sister likes you, just leaving you a mark.¡± ¡°Come on, get up.¡± Lin Yan said, personally helping her up. Chen Fang, draped in her clothes, shivered all over, not daring to look at her again. Advertisements Lin Yan patted her shoulder: ¡°Go back and take good care of your wound. I won¡¯t tell anyone about today. As for exining to Brother Wang, you go and do that yourself.¡± Chen Fang sobbed, knowing thatpared to the previous singer who betrayed them, Pei Jinhong did much worse to her: pulling out her nails, cutting her tongue, injecting her with high-purity drugs, and finally selling her to Southeast Asia. Just having a cigarette burn scar was already the best oue for herself. ¡°Yes, Fangfang knows now, Fangfang won¡¯t dare to have any improper thoughts anymore, from now on will only listen to Sister Hong, whatever Sister Hong asks me to do, I will do. Sister Hong is my dear sister.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s bright red nails stroked her face, giggling. ¡°Good, you also know, as long as sister says the word, even if you leave Huange, what does it matter, you¡¯ll still end up on the streets unwanted. Follow sister closely, there will be benefits for you.¡± Saying this, she meaningfully nced at Wang Qiang. But Chen Fang did not dare to look again, quickly bowed to her, and stumbled away. After the person left, Lin Yan sat down again, bored and lit up a cigarette. ¡°Come in.¡± Liu Zhi pushed the door and entered, his face showing displeasure: ¡°Sister-inw, why didn¡¯t you finish her off?¡± Lin Yan was leisurely smoking, the smoke swirling around making her face appear more profound and charming. Liu Zhi always felt she had been different sinceing back from Northern Myanmar. Her voice sounded the same, and her personality and behavior were nearly identical, but he couldn¡¯t tell if she had gotten thinner or what, her face became more delicate and pleasing to the eye, and there was an added intoxicating charm about her. Though he couldn¡¯t pinpoint the change, there was no doubt she became increasingly captivating, making it impossible for him to take his eyes off her. Liu Zhi¡¯s gaze was firmly glued to her fingers holding the cigarette, those fingers were long and well-defined, her wrist fair and slender. He swallowed, then heard Lin Yan say, ¡°After all, she¡¯s the woman your brother likes. If I killed her, wouldn¡¯t it just upset him again?¡± Liu Zhi nced at the man sleeping on the bed like a dead pig, his dissatisfaction growing more evident. Lin Yan extinguished her cigarette in the ashtray, let out a long sigh, and leaned back on the sofa. Liu Zhi walked over to massage her shoulders. Lin Yan sighed, ¡°You¡¯re still so considerate.¡± Seeing that her arm was still wrapped in gauze, Liu Zhi was even gentler: ¡°Of course, has sister-inw felt better?¡± ¡°Much better, thanks to you.¡± Lin Yan turned her head to look at him, her ck hair softly draped over her shoulders, her face without makeup appeared even more naturally beautiful. ¡°Right, today I saw¡­¡± She didn¡¯t know the name of the camouged man she had seen in the cabin that day, so the concept was blurred. ¡°Some people went to see Brother Wang; they seemed to be talking about something.¡± Liu Zhi just hummed faintly, feeling there was nothing to hide from her, so he spilled the beans. Advertisements ¡°They say a batch of goods will be delivered here in three days, and a big shot from above wille too.¡± ¡°Is that so¡­¡± Lin Yan wondered, not knowing who this big shot really was. It seems she needs to send a report back to the organization. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s gettingte, you should go back and rest early. I¡¯ve attended to Brother Wang and he¡¯s asleep.¡± Liu Zhi reluctantly stepped back, while Lin Yan lifted the corner of her mouth in a charming smile, throwing him a flirtatious look. And then she lightly brushed her foot against his trouser leg. ¡°Nice skills, if Brother Wang is not around in the future, you cane often to give me a massage, help me loosen up my muscles and bones.¡± Liu Zhi, after all, was full of youthful vigor, stirred up by her teasing, his face flushed red, and he couldn¡¯t speak smoothly anymore. ¡°Okay, okay, since sister-inw says so, I¡¯ll definitelye often.¡± Lin Yan waved her hand, signaling him to go. Liu Zhi gently closed the door for her, thest sight he saw was her kneeling on the bed, wiping sweat off Wang Qiang with a towel. It was the first time he felt such strong resentment towards his older brother. Why, why, such a nice woman as sister-inw, who is wholeheartedly devoted to him, Wang Qiang still doesn¡¯t know to cherish? The young man clenched his fists tightly, a hint of ruthlessness suddenly shing in his eyes. Chapter 109.1 Trade After the others walked far away, Song Yuhang climbed out from the container, continuing along the wall. It was deep into the night, and the park was still operational. Not far off, the roaring sound of machinery from the workshops filled the air, with the smoke being expelled into the sky, spreading a pungent odor throughout. Patrolling personnel moved back and forth in an orderly manner, while several forklifts shuttled materials through the cargo area stacked with containers. Song Yuhang could hardly move a step and hid in the shadows where the searchlights didn¡¯t reach. A forklift glided past her, with the driver yawning just as a searchlight slid over his face, the light blinding. He instinctively closed his eyes, shielding them with his hand. The vehicle shuddered, and Song Yuhang quickly slid underneath it. The driver lowered his hand, yawned again, and continued driving forward. Clutching the bottom of the vehicle, Song Yuhang covered her face with grease. After approximately five to six minutes, the vehicle came to a stop. The workshop doors opened, and several workers wearing white masks ran out to unload the cargo. Advertisements From Song Yuhang¡¯s perspective, all she could see were the uniformly blue protective trousers they wore, quite simr to the ones Lin Yan would don while conducting experiments. She slightly furrowed her brow. Wasn¡¯t this a logistics park? Could it be a case of hanging a sheep¡¯s head but selling dog meat, conducting some secret experiments inside? As far as she knew, Jingtai was a diverse multinational conglomerate with numerous subsidiaries, operating in various sectors including real estate, finance, education, technology, and of course, healthcare. If it were a Jingtai experimental facility, they could have operated openly and aboveboard. Why the need for such secrecy and stringent security in the dead of night? While she mused over this, the driver finished unloading and prepared to reverse back. Seizing the moment as he drove to the side of the road, Song Yuhang rolled out and hid in the darkness behind the guardhouse. Employees walked by, whisperingints to each other. ¡°I can¡¯t take this nearly half a month of daily overtime anymore.¡± ¡°No kidding, someone new has taken charge upstairs, and it¡¯s like the new official has lit three fires, huh. We¡¯ve taken on a big order, so of course, we have to work overtime.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t been home for a week now, spending every night sleeping in theb.¡± The speaker then poked his colleague¡¯s arm again. ¡°Hey, I identally caught a glimpse of the form the other day. Guess what I saw?¡± Curiously, his colleague asked, ¡°What?¡± Looking around and seeing no one, the speaker whispered secretively, ¡°¦Ã-Hydroxybutyric acid.¡± Before he could finish, his colleague grabbed his sleeve: ¡°Shh, are you out of your mind? That¡¯s a controlled substance!¡± Song Yuhang was shocked and peeked out. The two had already reached the entrance of the workshop. After being frisked, having their IDs checked, and their fingerprints verified by the staff at the door, they were let in. Damn, fingerprint verification too? Are they that cautious? She came in a rush, unprepared for anything, guessing she wouldn¡¯t be able to get in. However¡­ Song Yuhang slightly closed her eyes, remembering the words Lin Yan had once said. ¡°¦Ã-Hydroxybutyric acid, a natural substance found in the central nervous system, has been used in medicine to treat insomnia, depression, and other mental disorders.¡± ¡°This drug is easily fatal in overdose, and¡­ it can cause withdrawal symptoms.¡± Suddenly, she clenched her fist tightly, knowing it was rted to several cases; she had to get in and take a look no matter what. Advertisements Song Yuhang turned and searched the ground for something usable, picking up a stone and holding it in her hand. She tiptoed and forcefully threw it towards a nearby container. ¡°Bang¡ª¡± The stone hit the container, bouncing a few times and making a medium-sized noise, immediately drawing the attention of the staff at the door. Song Yuhang watched as they pulled out electric batons from behind their waists. ¡°Who? Who¡¯s there?!¡± A group of people hurried past in front of her. Once they were far enough away, she quickly slipped to the door, pried open a crack in the workshop¡¯s iron door with her fingers, and pressed her eye to it. Then, her pupils narrowed, witnessing one of the most shocking scenes in her life. The workshop was brightly lit, as bright as daylight. Dozens of workers dressed in blue protective suits were standing in front of machines, operating them. The liquid flowing out of the reactors, after being filtered, distilled, and separated by centrifuges, turned into rows of neatly arranged blue test tubes on the conveyor belt. The whole atmosphere was silent, tense, and solemn. On thergest iron barrel in the center, there was written with red paint ¡°¦Ã-Butyrctone.¡± Song Yuhang had once heard Lin Yan say that this was one of the essential raw materials for synthesizing ¦Ã-Hydroxybutyric acid, also a highly mmable and explosive first-ss hazardous material, and moreover, listed in the national ss III carcinogens list. Song Yuhang was so shocked she couldn¡¯t speak. Her Adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down, and it took her a long time toe back to her senses. She fumbled her phone out of her pocket, turned on the camera, and aimed it inside. The lens had recorded for no more than three seconds when a beam of light enveloped her, and a sharp shout: ¡°Who?!¡± A electric baton smashed down towards her head! Song Yuhang instinctively lifted her sleeve to block her face and stepped back; the baton hit the door, and she turned and ran. ¡°Chase!¡± Pursued relentlessly, Song Yuhang deftly climbed over the wall, her palm cut by the ss shards embedded on top, and quickly disappeared into the night. The pursuers, panting heavily and hands on their knees, stopped: ¡°Damn it, we have to report back to the young master that this ce has been discovered.¡± When the servant reported to him, Lin Ge was toying with his precious crystal ball, wiping it over and over with a velvet cloth. He raised his eyebrows as if he had anticipated this, ¡°Oh? So soon, I thought it would take a bit longer.¡± ¡°What about the deal tomorrow¡­¡± The servant hesitated. ¡°Continue.¡± Lin Ge ced the crystal ball back on its stand on the table. Advertisements ¡°Yes.¡± The servant, unsure of his meaning and seeing his inscrutable expression, bowed hurriedly and left. Lin Ge stood up, his gazending directly on a watercolor painting on the wall. It depicted two children, one big and one small, sitting and lying side by side on a hillside, looking at the stars. That was the work of the young Lin Yan. In the deep blue night sky, the stars shone brightly, the grass by her side swayed gently, and the girl¡¯s silhouette was slender and fragile, her soft hair draped over her shoulders. The youthy next to her, resting his arm under his head, the green grass framing his brows and eyes. Although her painting skills were crude at that time, the whole scene undeniably looked very harmonious and pleasing to the eye. When she gave him this painting, she called him ¡°brother¡± for the first time. That year, she was ten, and he was about to go abroad for his studies. At their parting, Lin Yan gave this painting to him as a gift, and just like that, so many years have passed. Lin Ge took down the frame, wiped off the dust with a velvet cloth, gently touching her silhouette. ¡°Yanyan ah, brother won¡¯t let you die in vain.¡± Song Yuhang didn¡¯t return home but drove straight to another location, where she knocked on the door. After a while, an elderly voice came from inside. ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Song Yuhang knocked a few times with a pattern of two long and one short knocks as a secret signal. Feng Jianguo opened the door, still in his pajamas and slippers, and looked into the corridor: ¡°Come in quickly.¡± Song Yuhang took off her hoodie and walked in, her face smeared with engine oil, and she was also bruised. ¡°What happened to you¡­¡± ¡°Long story short, I have a significant discovery to report to you. Sending an email or making a phone call both run the risk of being intercepted, so I took the liberty ofing herete at night. Sorry for the disturbance.¡± As Song Yuhang spoke, she looked around the room. Feng Jianguo pushed open the study door: ¡°It¡¯s fine,e in and talk; everyone¡¯s asleep.¡± He pulled some tissue paper from the table and gestured for her to wipe herself off. Song Yuhang took it and hastily dabbed at herself, then dug out her phone, opened the photo gallery, and handed it to him. Advertisements The screen shed by, only showing a few blue shadows, very blurred. Feng Jianguo was taken aback: ¡°This is¡­¡± Song Yuhang had a hint of regret in her eyes: ¡°In the suburban area, Jingtai established a logistics park. By chance, I sneaked in and discovered that there was arge drug manufacturing factory inside.¡± ¡°I inadvertently showed myself leaving. They should soon realize, Director Feng, I request that you order an immediate raid on that factory now. We will surely catch them red-handed.¡± After she finished speaking, the room fell into silence. Feng Jianguo looked at her skeptically: ¡°How can you be sure it was Jingtai? And how did you find that factory?¡± Song Yuhang knew she had to rify these doubts to dispel his suspicions. She licked her lips, still tasting the metallic tang of blood in her throat from the intense running. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it; the logo on their work uniforms is exactly the same as Jingtai¡¯s trademark.¡± As she spoke, she relied on her memory to draw it out and handed the piece of paper to him. Feng Jianguo examined the paper, thinking to himself: Song Yuhang said she followed the logistics truck delivering goods to the Huange Nightclub to an industrial park, discovering arge, highly organized drug manufacturing facility. This confirms the undercover reports are urate. Most likely, that batch of goods is scheduled to leave the warehouse tomorrow. Sending people to surround the ce now would be like startling the snake by hitting the grass. Although this could result in the arrest of numerous drug makers, it¡¯s unlikely that the mastermind behind the scenes would bepletely captured. If the root is not removed when cutting the grass, the spring breeze would bring it back to life. In the brief moment of eye contact, countless thoughts shed through Feng Jianguo¡¯s mind. He calmly met her gaze. ¡°I understand. You can go back now.¡± Song Yuhang was stunned: ¡°What do you mean? We¡¯re not sending anyone?¡± Seeing Feng Jianguo unmoved, she suddenly stood up, lowered her voice, and eximed: ¡°So many people have died because of this f*cking thing! The innocent children in the ¡®White Whale Case¡¯, the manipted Li Yang, the ill-fated Yu Jing, the heroic sacrifice of Captain Zhang¡­¡± She suddenly bit her lower lip tightly: ¡°And¡­ my Lin Yan.¡± ¡°Are the lives of so many people really worth nothing?!¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes reddened slightly as she said this. She thought of the deceased Lin Yan, thought of the countless families that could be destroyed once this batch of drugs was released, and felt a surge of emotion, chewing on her full of bitterness. A shade of agony flickered in Feng Jianguo¡¯s eyes. He too wanted to bring the criminals to justice, but now was indeed not the best time to act. Song Yuhang was blinded by hatred; he was not. Therefore, he simply repeated himself, in amanding tone. Advertisements ¡°Go back, we¡¯ll n this thoroughly.¡± Song Yuhang raised her voice: ¡°Why?! If you won¡¯t go, I will!¡± Feng Jianguo stood up, the chair making a light sound: ¡°You stay right there! You¡¯re just a patrol officer now, what right do you have to go?!¡± Song Yuhang froze, her eyes red, biting her lip hard, fists clenched. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with being a patrol officer, a patrol officer can also¡­¡± Feng Jianguo paced back and forth in the room, his tone decisive. ¡°Without advanced equipment, without firearms and ammunition, without strong backup, going there is equivalent to seeking death!¡± ¡°Could it be, the drug traffickers will put down their guns and let you catch them with bare hands?¡± ¡°Look at how radical you are now; you¡¯re exactly like Lin Yan!¡± His frustration boiled over, and the words just slipped out. After a moment, he realized something was off and awkwardly touched his nose. Song Yuhang had already calmed down, the tears in her eyes not falling but instead swallowed back down. Chapter 109.2 Trade His frustration boiled over, and the words just slipped out. After a moment, he realized something was off and awkwardly touched his nose. Song Yuhang had already calmed down, the tears in her eyes not falling but instead swallowed back down. ¡°You¡¯re right, I used to think she was too radical, but living in this world, if there¡¯s nothing that stirs your heart, that you¡¯re willing to devote everything to, including your life, how boring that would be.¡± ¡°My father also started as a patrol officer in the police station, and Lin Yan also started as an intern forensic. Everyone is born ordinary with no distinction between high and low, noble or humble.¡± ¡°Even if I¡¯m just a grassroots cop, I should die at my post, rather than turning a blind eye to illegal and criminal activities, living a life of cowardice and evasion.¡± Saying this, she grabbed the paper on the table, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it into the trash can, then turned and left. ¡°You have your grand schemes, and little people have their own persistent beliefs. Neither of us can persuade the other, I¡¯ve disturbed you tonight, I take my leave.¡± Feng Jianguo was absolutely livid; he was so angry and scared that he felt like his lungs were about to explode. Angry because she, of all the good things she could have learned, had to pick up Lin Yan¡¯s stubbornness. Scared because he was afraid that in her impulsiveness, she would rush off to her doom! He had promised someone to take good care of and look after her, after all. If Lin Yan got wind of this, she¡¯d probably kick up a fuss and make faces, refusing to cooperate. Advertisements Seeing her about to leave, it was an emergency. Feng Jianguo was so stressed he nearly had a heart attack, imploring earnestly, ¡°You stop right there! If I tell you not to go, then don¡¯t go. The city bureau and the narcotics squad have their own ns for this. You, youngdy, better not f*cking startle the snake by hitting the grass!¡± A slight smile appeared quietly at the corner of Song Yuhang¡¯s lips under her hat, as she turned around. ¡°Then I¡¯m relieved.¡± Feng Jianguo was taken aback and grabbed the teacup as if to smash it. ¡°Are you tricking me?¡± Song Yuhang didn¡¯t dodge: ¡°If I don¡¯t trick you a bit, how will you tell me the truth?¡± Feng Jianguo gritted his teeth in hatred, damn it, not only did Song Yuhang learn Lin Yan¡¯s radicalism to a significant degree, but she also sneakily picked up cunning and trickery. Really f*cking true, birds of a feather flock together. ¡°Don¡¯t throw the teacup anymore, it¡¯s not good to disturb your granddaughter¡¯s sleepte at night. Tell me, what¡¯s the top-secret n.¡± She then calmly sat down again, sifted some tea leaves into a disposable paper cup from the tea caddy, and poured some hot water to soothe her throat. In the study, the light stayed on for a long time that night. When Feng Jianguo gently closed the door after seeing off the guest, his little granddaughter opened the bedroom door, standing at the doorway rubbing her eyes. ¡°Grandpa¡­¡± Feng Jianguo turned around, his face immediately brimming with a kind smile, and scooped her up in his arms. ¡°Ah, why is little Fengfeng still not sleeping at thiste hour?¡± The little girl, holding a doll in her arms, looked up with big eyes: ¡°Can¡¯t sleep.¡± ¡°How about Grandpa tells you a story, would that be good?¡± Feng Jianguo said, holding her as he pushed open the room door. The little girl clung to his neck: ¡°Good~¡± ¡°What story do you want to hear?¡± Feng Jianguo turned on the deskmp and put on his reading sses. ¡°¡¶Cindere¡·, ¡¶Snow White¡·, ¡¶Pinhio¡·?¡± Holding her doll, the little girl pondered for a moment: ¡°Grandpa, I want to hear a story about the police.¡± The old man smiled, his temples already grey, his wrinkled face smoothing out as his aura shed the intensity of his job. Advertisements At this moment, he was not the imposing chief of the Public Security Bureau, just a grandfather who adored his granddaughter. ¡°Alright, Grandpa will tell you a story about the police, once upon a time¡­¡± Before he could finish the entirely made-up tale, the little girl was nearly asleep, snuggling against his wrist with drowsy eyes. ¡°Grandpa is so awesome, Fengfeng wants to be a police officer when she grows up too.¡± Feng Jianguo tenderly stroked her head, tucking her small arm under the nket, turned off the tablemp, and quietly left. The next day, Officer Song Yuhang went to work as usual, patrolling the streets within the jurisdiction of the police station. After resolving several neighborhood disputes, it quickly became evening. She stared at the clock hanging on the wall while expressionlessly chewing on instant noodles. Two hours before eleven o¡¯clock, the rm bell rang. The operator picked it up immediately; it was an internal call from the 110mand center. ¡°A public report ims that arge quantity of suspected drugs was found inside Huange Nightclub, with people trading on-site. The higher-ups have ordered us to secure the scene before the Drug Enforcement Team arrives, to prevent the drug dealers from fleeing upon hearing news.¡± Officer Song hadn¡¯t even finished her sip of soup when the chief ran in: ¡°Quick, quick, quick, grab your weapons and follow me, we¡¯ve got a big case!¡± Hearing the order, Officer Song¡¯s instinct was to obey. She put on her uniform, took her electric baton, secured her gun holster, and wore herw enforcement recorder before heading out. It wasn¡¯t until she saw the station¡¯s only two police cars, with the entire office having emptied out, that she felt something was amiss. ¡°Chief, where are we going, what¡¯s the mission?¡± ¡°s, if it weren¡¯t for our station being close to Huange Nightclub, this task wouldn¡¯t have fallen to us. There¡¯s been a public usation of drug dealing inside the nightclub! The drug enforcement brothers will arrive soon; let¡¯s control the scene first.¡± Huange Nightclub, the scene of a drug transaction. Officer Song¡¯s heart skipped a beat, as she looked towards the neon lights flickering outside the window. The police cars, with their sirens shing, soared past the crossroads. Fifteen minutes ago. Lin Yan paced back and forth in the room. ¡°Has Brother Wange back yet?¡± Liu Zhi shook his head: ¡°Not yet. I just went to Chen Fang¡¯s room, and she¡¯s not there either, most likely they¡¯ve gone out to¡­¡± To have fun. Advertisements Afraid that the rest of the sentence would upset her, Liu Zhi held back from saying it. Lin Yan bit her lip, ¡°Damn it, don¡¯t they realize what time it is? Men really are creatures driven by their lower halves, a bunch of useless A Dou (weak and inept person).¡± As if to prove her point, her phone rang, disying a string of unfamiliarndline numbers. Lin Yan, puzzled, pressed the speakerphone button in front of him to answer. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Jun¡¯an Substation police station, is Wang Li your boyfriend? During our routinew enforcement patrol, we found him engaging in a mary and sexual transaction with an unfamiliar woman in a room. Pleasee to pick him up.¡± The police had put it quite euphemistically, wasn¡¯t this just being caught for solicitation? Lin Yan almost spat out a mouthful of blood in shock, knowing well that this Wang Li was a pseudonym for Wang Qiang, who most likely also used a fake ID. She pinched the bridge of her nose, ¡°Okay, got it, I¡¯lle over soon, goodbye.¡± Liu Zhi saw her looking frustrated, incessantly smoking, and assumed she was upset about Wang Qiang¡¯s infidelity, silently passing her a cup of tea. ¡± Sister-inw, don¡¯t be angry, I¡¯ll go bring big brother back.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, someone knocked on the door lightly twice. Lin Yan extinguished her cigarette in the ashtray: ¡°Come in, what is it?¡± The waiter bowed slightly: ¡°Sister Hong, the person has already arrived.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s pupils shrank: ¡°Wasn¡¯t it agreed at eleven?¡± ¡°The buyer proposed it, saying that the night is long and full of dreams, the earlier the transaction, the sooner the peace of mind, thus the time was changed at thest minute. Brother Hu is also on his way to deliver the goods, it will take at most ten minutes to arrive. We need to set up the venue and prepare to receive the goods.¡± Upon hearing this news, Lin Yan¡¯s first instinct was that it was too conspicuous. If someone was sent to fetch Wang Qiang at this time, it might well be suspected by the drug dealers lurking nearby that she was signaling the police. She slightly lowered her gaze and quickly made a judgment. ¡°Alright, I got it. You go ahead and leave first. Allow me to prepare, and I¡¯ll go to meet the guests shortly.¡± The waiter bowed respectfully and then retreated. Liu Zhi walked up behind her, watching her twist open the lipstick cap in front of the mirror, gently applying it, then pursing her lips, and putting on a ck veil, concealing most of her charming face, including the beauty mark. He couldn¡¯t help but straighten the brim of her hat for her, his eyes filled with infatuation. ¡°Sister-inw is really beautiful.¡± Advertisements Lin Yan smiled faintly, observing the man¡¯s intoxicated expression in the mirror. In that moment, she suddenly felt that something was off. Such an expression, she had never seen on Wang Qiang¡¯s face, whether towards her or Chen Fang. Wang Qiang seemed more like the past her, ying with the world, never truly having his heart moved by anyone. Moreover, even though he is a man, he is more importantly a drug lord, a criminal, a ringleader of a crime syndicate; he wouldn¡¯t be so careless to get caught by the police for soliciting a prostitute! Upon this realization, Lin Yan broke out in a cold sweat. She mmed her lipstick down on the table, and suddenly, tears started rolling down her eyes. Seeing her crying in the mirror, Liu Zhi was shocked and turned her around: ¡°Sister-inw, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Lin Yan¡¯s fingers, soft and boneless, rested on his wrist, her tears falling like pearls onto the back of his hand. ¡°Liu Zhi, they all don¡¯t believe me, only you believe me, love me, protect me. Whether I can survive or not depends on you.¡± Five minutester. A small delivery van drove in. Tiger, wearing work clothes, jumped off the van to knock on the door, and Liu Zhi weed the people in. He looked around and closed the door. ¡°Sister Hong has been waiting, please.¡± He led the people upstairs while the employees unloading the goods outside got busy with their tasks. Someone offered cigarettes to the people brought by Tiger: ¡°Brothers, you¡¯ve worked hard.¡± ¡°Ha, we¡¯re all just doing tasks for Boss, it¡¯s nothing tough.¡± The person giving out cigarettes made a meaningful nce to the side. A van, with a license te exactly identical to the first, quietly arrived. The person handing out cigarettes slung an arm over the speaker¡¯s shoulder: ¡°Every transaction, Sister Hong always keeps some for herself. If there¡¯s good stuff this time, share some with the brothers too.¡± ¡°That¡¯s damn good, Southeast Asia, that ce, where birds don¡¯t even sh*t, not even a decent woman to be found, but you guys here¡ª¡± The men talked more and more excitedly, bursting into boisterousughter. ¡°Rx, rx, what ce is this, a nightclub! What does a nightclub have the most of?¡± The menughed maliciously together, echoing in unison: ¡°That¡¯s obviously women!¡± As they spoke, the vehicles passed each other. Advertisements The man who first offered the cigarettes, one of Liu Zhi¡¯s subordinates, released Tiger¡¯s younger brother¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go, work first, workes first.¡± As the police car drove into the neighborhood, the residents around turned their heads to look. Song Yuhang felt something was off. ¡°Chief, I think we should wait for the anti-drug team to arrive before we go in.¡± The Lianhuachi Subbureau was an unknown small police station that couldn¡¯tpare to the other stations in Jiangcheng City. The chief had been in the position for half his life and had little chance of promotion. He was hoping to make some achievements and move up a rank. ¡°This is an urgent matter. What if the drug dealer escapes? We can¡¯t wait any longer!¡± Of course, Song Yuhang understood the urgency of the situation, but¡­ She couldn¡¯t mention what happenedst night. Before she could think further, they had already arrived at the Huange Nightclub. The police car couldn¡¯t enter, so it stopped at the intersection. The people inside opened the doors and jumped out one after another. The chief loaded a bullet into his gun. ¡°Listen to mymand. We¡¯ll break in and arrest them directly. If anyone resists violently, shoot them with rubber bullets. Just avoid vital areas.¡± They were equipped with rubber bullets, which had a strong deterrent effect butcked lethality. Song Yuhang sighed deeply. It was already toote to stop them. Chapter 109.3 Trade The chief loaded a bullet into his gun. ¡°Listen to mymand. We¡¯ll break in and arrest them directly. If anyone resists violently, shoot them with rubber bullets. Just avoid vital areas.¡± They were equipped with rubber bullets, which had a strong deterrent effect butcked lethality. Song Yuhang sighed deeply. It was already toote to stop them. ¡°Where¡¯s Auntie Hong, looking down on me¡­ me¡­ me, huh? Noting out¡­ out to entertain me?¡± His speech was somewhat slurred and unclear. Liu Zhi, having seen big scenes with Wang Qiang and been instructed by Lin Yan, calmly poured him a cup of tea without a rush. ¡°Boss Qian, no hurry, our Sister Hong will surely bring out some good stuff for you shortly.¡± Two beauties in shiny low-cut tank tops fed him a grape, easing his mood. ¡°Fine, in the absence of Brother Wang, I¡¯ll trust Auntie Hong one more time, for your sake.¡± Lin Yan, trapped inside her room, pondered over and over but couldn¡¯t find a way to send a message out. There must be something wrong with this deal! Now, she could only hope that the police wouldn¡¯te, must note, for if they did, she would be exposed, and it would be the end of her, and those whoe would also be in danger. If they don¡¯te, she might still have a slim chance. Advertisements Her current cellphone was definitely tapped, calling was not an option, and emails were out of the question, with all ounts under Wang Qiang¡¯s control. Lin Yan gently pushed open the window, creating a small gap to look outside. Behind the bustling Huange Nightclub, the quiet alley was also wandering with quite a few unfamiliar faces, not seeming like her people. She closed the window again, pacing back and forth in the room, her heart burning with anxiety. Just then, footsteps sounded from outside again, likely someone sent to hurry her, with a voice she did not recognize. ¡°Where¡¯s Sister Hong?¡± ¡°She¡¯s inside.¡± Then, there was a knock at the door. ¡°Sister Hong, Boss Qian is asking for you.¡± Lin Yan pressed her fingernails hard into the cigar, leaving several marks, then lit it, draped on a shawl, and stepped out with it in her mouth. ¡°Here I am, changing clothes, what¡¯s the rush?¡± After giving him a nce full of allure, she slipped the cigarette into his mouth. ¡°Here, it¡¯s a gift from sister.¡± As soon as she turned her face away, he sneered silently, took the cigarette out of his mouth, and tossed it onto the ground. These transactions, aimed at thoroughly dismantling the drug-producing gangs behind Tiger, usually involve a third party. Pei Jinhong and Wang Qiang act as intermediaries, taking a cut of the money or drugs as their reward after the deal is done. Tiger himself hardly ever shows up in person; after delivering the goods, he¡¯d hide in the shadows, sending his men to watch over the situation under the guise of preventing a double-cross, but in reality, they¡¯re also watching out for their own. These criminal gangs are indeed filled with nothing but deceit and malice. As Lin Yan pondered this, she couldn¡¯t help but worry for herself. With Wang Qiang absent, without any support, facing buyers ahead and Tiger behind, she¡¯s truly caught between a rock and a hard ce, treading on thin ice. She needs to be cautious about every word she says, every expression she makes, every gesture, and even every nce. Any slight slip-up, not to mention waiting for the police to blow her cover as an undercover agent, if she shows even a hint of fear or something amiss under the watchful eyes of these ruthless criminals, she could be torn to pieces and fed to the dogs, with not even the scraps left behind. Her first real challenge since going undercover was about to begin. Lin Yan¡¯s palm was covered in a thinyer of cold sweat as she silently adjusted her breathing, getting ready to step downstairs. Suddenly, the main door was kicked open, and several waiters stumbled in, their faces bruised and battered. Advertisements The myriad lights of the dance hall flickered over her, casting shadows on Song Yuhang¡¯s sharply defined face. Why is it her?! Lin Yan¡¯s hand, holding onto the railing, trembled slightly. Song Yuhang, wearing half-finger tactical gloves, was holding a dark Type 54 pistol, her expression cold as ice as she aimed at everyone. ¡°Police! Don¡¯t move. We¡¯ve received reports suspecting you¡¯re involved in a drug deal. Calmly put your hands on your head and squat down for inspection!¡± Her voice, neither too loud nor too soft, was forceful and resonant, just enough for everyone to hear. The moment Lin Yan saw her, she felt unsettled, tears welling up in her eyes, yet she couldn¡¯t cry. Because from the corner of her eye, she saw Tiger¡¯s men already drawing their guns from behind their backs, bullets chambered. More footsteps approached, and Song Yuhang and herpanions found themselves surrounded. Although she didn¡¯t know these people, they were wearing the exact same police uniforms she used to wear. She couldn¡¯t stand idly by, especially when Song Yuhang is here. The Song Yuhang she had been so determined to protect. So, you finally came. Lin Yan closed her eyes slightly, her Adam¡¯s apple bobbing up and down. Then she quickly opened them, a cold glint shing through. She gently pushed the gun of the person behind her back. ¡°This is my turf. Leave it to me.¡± ¡°But today, we won¡¯t let any cops go. People and package, no one can leave.¡± Lin Yan lowered her voice and coldly said, ¡°F*cking saying you killed someone in broad daylight, so many police stations nearby, and you think you can just walk away.¡± In the end, she still diverted the gun aimed at Song Yuhang away and pushed him into the shadows when she hadn¡¯t been seen yet. ¡°I¡¯ll hold them off; take your men and get out of here fast.¡± The man was momentarily stunned, hesitation flickering in his eyes. Lin Yan¡ªno, it was Pei Jinhong who had spoken. As she spoke, she started walking downstairs, step by step as if blooming lotuses appeared under her feet, her figure enchantingly graceful. Advertisements ¡°Wow, what kind of wind blew the police over here, huh? In our small ce, doing a bit of alcohol business, listening to some songs and singing some tunes, is that illegal now?¡± This female voice was unfamiliar to her, even somewhat hoarsely enchanting, but the way of speaking was immensely familiar to her. Song Yuhang suddenly looked up, and the moment she saw her, her whole body shook, and she slowly lowered the gun in her hand. She took a step forward, her eyes reddening, and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°Lin¡­ Lin Yan?¡± ¡°This officer, you must be mistaken,¡± the woman scoffed, holding onto the railing as she descended thest step. If Lin Yan didn¡¯t maintain herposure, she felt she might lose her footing and copse right there. She steadied herself, adjusted the shawl that had slipped down to her shoulders, and wrapped herself in a qipao with a slit up to her thigh root, walking towards her with a seductive gait. She sized up the woman before her, a harmless yet cold smile spreading across her face. ¡°Just by the word of an official, we¡¯rebeled as drug dealers? Without any reason or evidence, I¡¯m going to sue you guys for breaking into a house and assaulting people.¡± Hearing this, Liu Zhi¡¯s beaten subordinates struggled to their feet one by one, limping over to her side. ¡°Sister Hong¡­¡± Their faces bore no light injuries. As Lin Yan scrutinized her, Song Yuhang was also observing her. Although the woman¡¯s face was covered with ayer of ck veil, her eyes, the familiar jawline, her figure, her posture, her every move, and even the habitual tone of her speech were all identical to Lin Yan! Unless it was a clone or she had never died in the first ce, Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t think of any other reason she could be standing here, she would be standing here. From the moment she appeared, Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes were glued to her. Lin Yan felt her fighting spirit crumble. Song Yuhang slipped her gun back into its holster, an action that quietly eased the tense atmosphere. She took a small step forward, realizing that they were about the same height. Song Yuhang lifted her hand to remove her veil. ¡°Who exactly are you?¡± By the end, her words were almost clenched through gritted teeth. Lin Yan couldn¡¯t move, and she shouldn¡¯t. With her current skills, she was just a weak woman, unable to dodge no matter what. Even if she could, she wasn¡¯t supposed to. She had to make Song Yuhang give up hope to protect her, to protect herself. Advertisements ¡°Sister Hong!¡± Thinking she was about to make a move, Liu Zhi rushed out and pulled someone back. The veil fell. Revealing a face strikingly simr to Lin Yan¡¯s. Yet, the expression was exceedingly cold, even carrying a hint of disgust towards an impolitely intrusive stranger. Song Yuhang staggered back a step, tears swirling in her eyes. ¡°Lin¡­ Lin Yan¡­¡± Supported by Liu Zhi, Lin Yan stood firm, their eyes meeting. Tears filled her eyes, her lips trembling. After such a long absence, her hair had grown longer, unkempt, almost covering her eyelids. She wore nothing but the uniform of an ordinary police officer, with no double bars on her shoulder epaulets, just a few cold four-pointed star badges. The person who always used to step out perfectly groomed now wore her uniform all twisted, with the cor button done up wrong, missing the lower one it should have been. Her clothes were also dirty, face grimy, pant legs rolled up, one booce undone. It was unclear what she had been through these days, having been stripped of her position, to end up in this disheveled and slightly pitiful state. Lin Yan wanted tough and cry at the same time, feeling a sourness in her heart. Tears welled up to the tip of her nose, but she forcefully pushed them back by pinching her palm. She couldn¡¯t afford tough, nor could she cry. She had to maintain enough coldness and vignce. After all, she was now a ¡°drug dealer,¡± and Song Yuhang was a police officer. Her people and Song Yuhang¡¯s people clearly stood on opposite sides, both watching each other like hawks. Lin Yan had no choice but to meet her gaze, her lips curling into a mocking smile. ¡°I told you, my name is Pei Jinhong, they all call me ¡®Auntie Hong¡¯.¡± ¡°Officer with the badge number 015765, I¡¯ve got you memorized.¡± Lin Yan said, lightly tapping on the body camera on her chest, then tiptoeing to whisper in her ear with breath as soft as orchids. ¡°You¡¯re going to bear legal responsibility for your impulsiveness today, Officer.¡± Thest two words dropped gently, drawing out the tone, carrying a hint of intimacy. Lin Yan¡¯s crimson nails rested on her shoulder, watching the blush that came over her earlobe due to her proximity, in a ce she couldn¡¯t see, she zoned out for a bit, nearly bursting into tears in a moment, a strong impulse made her want to embrace the person she had been longing for day and night. Advertisements Yet, she ultimately restrained herself, and after a moment of daze, Lin Yan stepped back. ¡°Move aside, let them search.¡± Led by Liu Zhi, the crowd hesitantly followed his lead and stepped back. Only Boss Qian in the private room was restless, sweating profusely. Song Yuhang looked down at the face that was extremely simr to hers, the difference was, her eyes had added teardrops moles. When she approached, Song Yuhang didn¡¯t dodge, as if also to confirm something. Song Yuhang smelled the residue of shampoo in her hair, the scent of cheap perfume mixed with smoke from her neck, but what she didn¡¯t smell was the light floral fragrance on Lin Yan. She had a face extremely simr to Lin Yan¡¯s, spoke with a tone and habits like hers, had her height, her figure, but what she didn¡¯t have was her scent, and her love for her. The woman before her had only indifference in her eyes,plete and utter coldness, mixed with a hint of disgust and contempt. Lin Yan¡­ wouldn¡¯t look at her like that. Song Yuhang was deeply conflicted and in agony. Nheless, she realized that no matter who the woman before her was, be it Pei Jinhong or Lin Yan, they were ultimately on opposing sides. Song Yuhang gave her a cold look and finally found her voice, ¡°Secure her well and conduct a thorough search.¡± LP: So close!!! Chapter 110.1 Encounter After she finished speaking, several people hesitated, looking at her and then looking at the Director. The Director himself seemed uncertain. In his decade-plus career inw enforcement, he had rarely encountered a woman who could face fully armed police withposure. What¡¯s more, the backup hadn¡¯t arrived yet, putting them at a disadvantage in terms of momentum. He licked his lips, his gaze wandering, as if calcting how to wrap things up. In the end, it was Song Yuhang who was more resolute. She whispered, ¡°Given the situation, it¡¯s better to err on the side of caution. If we manage to find something, it¡¯ll be a major aplishment.¡± The Director thought to himself that since it was Song Yuhang¡¯s idea, if any me came down from above, it could just be pushed onto her. After all, she was only sent here to gain grassroots experience. So, he holstered his gun and waved his hand. ¡°Search.¡± The staff of Huange Nightclub lined up for inspection, while Lin Yan lounged on a sofa, smoking, next to the trembling Boss Qian. Advertisements He was fat and kept wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, looking every bit the guilty thief, his shivering making the whole sofa quiver. Lin Yan rolled her eyes, her fingers pinching a cigarette, and gave a twist to the excess flesh on Boss Qian¡¯s thigh. Boss Qian almost didn¡¯t let out a howl. Lin Yan¡¯s lips moved slightly, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear: ¡°Just follow my leadter, and I¡¯ll ensure you¡¯re safe.¡± Trembling, Boss Qian, with the two beauties he had been holding, shrank into the corner of the sofa, looking utterly terrified. ¡°But¡­ but¡­¡± His gaze kept darting to the table. It was incredibly unlucky how right after Liu Zhi had taken out the goods, the police had arrived. Now, they really were caught red-handed, damn it. Lin Yan saw his evasive and timid gaze and silently cursed him for being so useless. She forcefully twisted his thigh, making Boss Qian look at her. That icy and sharp gaze contained a hint of killing intent, while the corner of her tightly pursed lips revealed a sense of determination, as if saying, ¡°Listen to me, and you¡¯ll live. Disobey me, and you¡¯ll die.¡± Boss Qian trembled all over and was about to say something when Lin Yan was seized by a police officer. ¡°What are you doing? What are you doing? I¡¯m talking to you. Stand still. Let¡¯s search her!¡± As she watched the officer¡¯s hand reach towards her shoulder, Lin Yan discreetly took a step back, her gaze soft and boneless, sticking to the man¡¯s body. ¡°What¡¯s this? Harassment? Is this how you police operate? I want that female officer to search me.¡± Her voice was neither loud nor low, as she clutched her shawl, putting on a face full of grievance like she was being bullied. Song Yuhang¡¯s colleague had no choice but to retreat with a defeated look. ¡°Sister Song, it¡¯s your turn.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Song Yuhang looked at the face before her, remarkably simr to Lin Yan¡¯s, momentarily lost in a daze. Moreover, with her dressed in a cheongsam and draped in a shawl, standing there, she was like a blooming flower attracting attention. Advertisements Lin Yan¡­ also likes to dress this way. Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes warmed, her lips moved: ¡°You¡­¡± Lin Yan then took another cigarette from the box on the table, lit it up, and took a few puffs, the me dancing. She lightly blew smoke rings towards her face. ¡°I¡¯m saying, officer, are you going to search or not? We still need to open for business. Can you afford topensate for our business loss for the whole night?¡± She said this with a look of disdain and rolled her eyes. Song Yuhang noticed that the cigarette she was smoking was no longer the slender Marlboro, but the more rugged Furong Wang. For some reason, this detail made her heart ache sharply, and her expression turned cold. ¡°Stand properly, I¡¯m going to search you.¡± Lin Yan has always been casual in her posture, whether standing or sitting. As the head of drug traffickers, Pei Jinhong was even less likely to show any courtesy to the cops. So, as she searched her, Lin Yan continued to leisurely smoke, asionally blowing smoke rings into the air. The person standing before her had once given her all the tenderness and love. They hugged, kissed, and possessed each other. The moment she touched her, Lin Yan¡¯s scalp tingled instantly. However, she just took another harsh drag of her cigarette, letting the smoke pass into her lungs and gently blew it onto her face, allowing the spreading smoke to redden both of their eyes. Song Yuhang ignored such petty tricks. She conducted a thorough search, her fingers running through Lin Yan¡¯s thick ck hair, finding nothing, then dropping down to squeeze the shoulders and sliding further down. Lin Yan took the opportunity to tilt her head back, exposing her long neck to Song Yuhang¡¯s view. Song Yuhang¡¯s throat moved slightly as she averted her gaze. ¡°Take it off.¡± Lin Yan nced at her sideways, ¡°Take off what?¡± Advertisements ¡°Your shawl.¡± She pronounced each word distinctly, finding it hard to speak. Lin Yan met her gaze, staring indently until Song Yuhang turned her face away. The corners of her lips lifted in a mocking smile, yet sheplied, removing her shawl and tossing it onto the sofa. She was left wearing nothing lengthy, utterly bare, not even a piece of jewelry on her. ¡°Officer, do I need to take off more?¡± Lin Yan said, subtly arching her chest. The two were extremely close, their light summer clothes brushing against her softness. In that instant, the shock was nearly enough to send shivers down Song Yuhang¡¯s spine. She seemed to stagger backward, clenching her lips tightly, her voice cold to the extreme. ¡°No need.¡± Just then, a police officer from upstairs came running down with a syringe in hand: ¡°Chief, Sister Song, we found this.¡± Liu Zhi¡¯s pupils shrank: ¡°Sister Hong¡­¡± Lin Yan gave a reassuring look. Pei Jinhong had long stipted that all nightclub staff were not allowed to use drugs within the club, so there wouldn¡¯t be any drug residues left here. The syringe thrown in the trash can was intentional, aimed atpletely dispelling the police¡¯s suspicions. After all, a ce too clean could also raise doubts, right? The moment that syringe appeared, the atmosphere tensed up quietly once again. Boss Qian kept swallowing his saliva, curled up on the sofa without saying a word. Song Yuhang held the syringe, surveying everyone in the room. ¡°Which room was this found in?¡± Advertisements A colleague answered, ¡°The trash can in the room at the very back.¡± Song Yuhang raised the syringe: ¡°Whose is it? Step forward yourself.¡± Lin Yan covered her mouth and let out a small yawn. ¡°Mine, what of it?¡± ¡°What¡¯s it used for?¡± She revealed the injured part of her arm to show her. ¡°I got hurt, it¡¯s inmed. Can¡¯t I call a family doctor to get an injection or something?¡± Song Yuhang looked at her skeptically. Without changing her expression, Lin Yan said, ¡°Why don¡¯t I unwrap the gauze so you can see for yourself? Or, you could smell what¡¯s inside.¡± As she was about to unravel the gauze wrapped around her arm, Song Yuhang lifted the syringe to her nose, and indeed, it smelled of anti-inmmatory medication. The other police officers, having searched the rest of the club, came back to report. ¡°Chief, we¡¯ve searched everywhere, and found nothing suspicious.¡± Hearing this, Boss Qian felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders, as if a massive boulder had been removed. He cast an approving nce at Lin Yan, leaning back on the sofa and gasping for breath. His series of small actions finally caught the attention of the chief. ¡°You, get up, let¡¯s see if there¡¯s anything under the sofa.¡± The group proceeded to overturn the sofa cushions, check behind the sofa, and even flip the carpet upside down, but still, they found nothing. Lin Yan watched this with amusement, rolling her eyes in response. ¡°I¡¯m asking everyone, have you finished searching? If you have, then get out quickly. We¡¯re not like you all, with secure jobs; we still need to open our doors for business.¡± Advertisements The director slowly let go of the carpet he had been lifting, looking towards the door where still, no one hade. Uncertainty flickered in his eyes. Finally, he took out his mobile phone from his pocket, intending to make a call to ask around. Then, Song Yuhang spoke up, pointing towards a ss on the table. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Inside the ss, a light blue liquid was shimmering, its light dancing within, making it appear all the more mysterious. Boss Qian¡¯s face turned deathly pale. Lin Yan¡¯s expression, on the other hand, became subtly intriguing. ¡°Just some foreign liquor, what¡¯s the matter?¡± She spoke with tranquility, but one of Liu Zhi¡¯s men gently nudged his arm and whispered, ¡°Brother Zhi, that¡¯s not just¡­¡± Liu Zhi turned his head, signaling him with a look to keep quiet. Chapter 110.2 Encounter ¡°Just some foreign liquor, what¡¯s the matter?¡± She spoke with tranquility, but one of Liu Zhi¡¯s men gently nudged his arm and whispered, ¡°Brother Zhi, that¡¯s not just¡­¡± Liu Zhi turned his head, signaling him with a look to keep quiet. Everyone looks tense as if facing a formidable enemy. Song Yuhang smiled and said, ¡°Foreign liquor, with this color, it must be something¡­ Hmm.¡± She paused, implying something profound, ¡°A new type of drug, perhaps.¡± ¡°Tsk.¡± Lin Yan clicked her tongue in disapproval, wearing her crimson qipao and high heels, elegantly moving over. ¡°Officer, are you joking? We run a legitimate business here with a license to operate. How could we have such a thing?¡± ¡°Yeah, right, Boss Qian?¡± She suddenly emphasized thest three words. Advertisements Taken off guard by being called out by name, Boss Qian quickly regained hisposure and nodded repeatedly, ¡°Yes¡­ Yes, yes¡­ we¡­ we¡¯re discussing¡­ discussing¡­ business¡­¡± In the tense atmosphere, his nervousness intensified, causing him to stutter more. However, when facing the police, this kind of tension was necessary. It would make you appear weak and ipetent if caught lying. Boss Qian heeded Lin Yan¡¯s warning and, coupled with Song Yuhang¡¯s sharp gaze like lightning, he dared not make eye contact with her. He lowered his head, buried his head, and appearedpletely honest and submissive. ncing at him and then at Lin Yan, Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes shifted to the ss of ¡°foreign liquor¡± on the table, slightly curving her lips into a smile. ¡°Do you think I would believe that? I must tell you, I have seen this thing before¡­¡± Before she even finished speaking, Lin Yan had already picked up the cup of blue liquid, tilted her head back, and drank most of it, leaving just a sip swirling at the bottom of the cup. She wiped the water stain off the corner of her lips and gently handed the ss cup back in front of her. ¡°Tasty, officer. You¡¯ve been busy all day and stille back empty-handed. Do you want to moisten your throat a bit?¡± Song Yuhang suddenly tightened the corner of her lips, taking a deep breath. She was proving a point and also provoking her. Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes showed a mix of changing emotions, after a moment, she shook her head and chuckled. Strands of hair fell gently to the side of her forehead as she moved, revealing slightly disheveled eyebrows and a pair of bloodshot eyes. She exuded a somewhat careless and unbridled aura, quite different from the dignified and upright Captain Song from before. ¡°Since we¡¯re here, we can¡¯t leave empty-handed. Xiao Chen, bring the drug testing paper.¡± A urine test! Lin Yan¡¯s mind was buzzing with rms. Damn it, Song Yuhang, you won¡¯t give up until I¡¯m killed, huh! If she took the urine test, there would be no issue. But for the others in the room, it was uncertain. If they found even one drug user, she¡¯d be in trouble too, and her undercover mission would bepromised. As the test paper was about to be handed to Lin Yan, she gritted her teeth, feeling helpless. The phone of the chief rang, and he hurriedly picked up the receiver, nodding and bowing as he listened. Advertisements ¡°Hello? Director? Huh? It¡¯s a false rm? Someone made a false report¡­¡± A smile yed on Lin Yan¡¯s lips as she pushed the test paper back to her. ¡°I think we can skip this, right?¡± The chief hung up the phone and turned to pull Song Yuhang. ¡°Alright, alright, let¡¯s call it a day, just a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding.¡± The director personally ordered it, so the chief had toe and fetch her. Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t possibly openly defy a superior order. She kept looking back, staring at her through the colorful yet icy lights. Lin Yan raised an eyebrow, giving her a smug smile. Just as she was about to put down the ss, a shadow fell in front of her. She looked up and saw Song Yuhang bent down again. Lin Yan was taken aback. She snatched the ss from her hand, raised it to her lips, drank it all in one gulp, and mmed it hard on the table. The ss shattered with a loud noise. Song Yuhang¡¯s palm was covered in fresh blood. She raised her eyes to look at her, nonchntly licked her lips, with a gleam of curiosity in her eyes. ¡°Pei Jinhong, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll remember you.¡± Her hand casually brushed over her shoulder, leaving a bloodstain on her cheongsam. Song Yuhang distanced herself, saying, ¡°I¡¯m Song Yuhang, we¡¯ll meet again.¡± Advertisements As others left, Lin Yan swayed and almost fell. Liu Zhi caught her, not calling her sister-inw but referring to her as ¡°Sister Hong.¡± Others gathered around, looking at her with concern. ¡°Sister Hong, Sister Hong, are you okay?¡± After this incident, she finally gained credibility in Huange Nightclub. This credibility had nothing to do with who she was; they would only remember that Lin Yan bravely stood up in front of the police to save them and also saved Boss Qian. Lin Yan waved her hand, steadied herself, and looked at the mess all around. ¡°It¡¯s fine, clean this up, return the money to the boss, and suspend business for tonight. Let¡¯s each go our own way for now.¡± Liu Zhi escorted her upstairs to rest. ¡°Sister Hong, about that batch of goods¡­¡± The drugs brought by Tiger had long been swapped by her; the liquor she and Song Yuhang drank was indeed alcohol, just mixed with a bit of blue ink. A cold smile crept upon Lin Yan¡¯s lips. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, daring to deceive me, when in trouble, they¡¯ll naturallye looking for what they want from me.¡± That new batch of drugs in the car at least had a hundred kilograms, not a small amount, but it did give her more leverage. Liu Zhi watched her enter the room, feeling somewhat reluctant, and couldn¡¯t help but ask one more question. ¡°And Brother Wang¡­¡± Advertisements Lin Yan leaned against the door frame, her face somewhat cold. ¡°Do you think Brother Wang is not a cautious person? How could he be caught so conveniently?¡± Liu Zhi felt a sudden shock, his clothes drenched in cold sweat. ¡°Are you saying¡­¡± Lin Yan uttered thest sentence that pressed down on his doubts. ¡°Liu Zhi, sister is older than you, has crossed more bridges than you have walked roads. Despite our good rtionship with your Brother Wang all these years, there is something I have to say ¨C when you consider someone a brother, they may not necessarily treat you sincerely.¡± ¡°One hundred kilograms is not a small amount. If today, I hadn¡¯t sensed something wrong and had you switch it out in advance, we would both be headed for prison, facing the music.¡± ¡°Think carefully, and then¡­¡± Lin Yan¡¯s gaze fixed on him, calm yet harboring an edge. ¡°Make a choice.¡± Tonight, the Huange Nightclub remains closed, and the back alley is quiet. ¡°Creak¡ª¡± With a light sound, the wooden door is pushed open, and several staff members walk out carrying garbage bags, heading towards the alley where the trash cans are overflowing. They casually toss the bags, scattering the garbage all over the ground. After they chat andugh while walking away, an elderly man jogging for fitness stops at the alley entrance, ncing around at the deserted surroundings. Quietly, he picks up a cigar from among the scattered waste of paper and beer bottles. He quickly checks it and feels some orderly marks pinched on it with fingernails¡ªa Morse code. The old man tucks the cigar into his pocket and continues jogging forward. The person who made a false report was found, drunk and rambling in the police station, iming nonsense. After careful questioning, it was revealed that he had a grudge with the Huange Nightclub because he wanted to enter but didn¡¯t have enough money, and they wouldn¡¯t let him in. ¡°¡­¡± Several investigating police officers looked at each other in disbelief. Advertisements Following the principle of ¡°where there¡¯s police, there¡¯s trouble,¡± the 110 Command Center immediately dispatched the task upon hearing it was a major drug trafficking case. This led to the farce of theming up empty-handed. Afterward, the Anti-Drug Brigade also received the task. Upon verification, it was reported upwards to Feng Jianguo, who put a stop to it right away. Meanwhile, as they were interrogating him, Song Yuhang finished her day of work and drove back home. She ced her backpack on the bed with a ¡°snap,¡± turned on the deskmp, and opened her notebook to write under the warm yellow light. ¡°In 2009, June 15th, you have been away from me for 140 days already. It¡¯s summer in Jiangcheng, the hottest time of the year.¡± Song Yuhang supported her chin with her hand, and two drops of water stained the paper. She wiped them away and continued writing. ¡°I miss you very much, especially, especially miss you. Almost every night, I dream of some of our past moments.¡± ¡°I wonder if it¡¯s true that one thinks about something during the day and dreams about it at night. Today, during a mission, I met someone who looks almost exactly like you¡­¡± As Song Yuhang wrote up to this point, her gaze shifted to the whiteboard on the side, looking at the three characters ¡°Pei Jinhong,¡± clearly distracted. After a moment, she tightened her lips, as if making a significant decision, picked up her keys, and left. Chapter 112.1 Reminisce After everyone left, Liu Zhi looked at Wang Qiang lying on the ground and said, ¡°Sister Hong, what should we do now?¡± Lin Yan raised her finger to her forehead and said, ¡°We at least had a passionate affair. Let¡¯s find a ce to bury him properly.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Several strong men wearing gloves came in and dragged Wang Qiang out. The remaining few people brought buckets of water to clean the bloodstains on the floor. Liu Zhi threw the bloodstained carpet into the bonfire, watching it burn. Lin Yan sat in the car, absentmindedly tapping her knee, contemting the next steps. Wang Qiang is dead, this news must be sent back as soon as possible. Her position in the Huange Nightclub is now unshakeable, bringing her closer to the core leadership of this mysterious organization. The next step is to find the source. Behind such a huge amount of new drugs, there must be a massive production factory hidden. Without pulling this factory out, investigating any number of batches of goods would be in vain. ¡°Sister Hong, everything has been taken care of,¡± Liu Zhi knocked on the car door and ran over to report. Advertisements Lin Yan came back to her senses, saw the sweat on his forehead, slightly smiled, and handed him her handkerchief. ¡°Here, wipe it off.¡± Working with Wang Qiang, one would never receive this kind of warm and considerate treatment. Liu Zhi hesitated, seeing her hand stretched out and feeling it was rude to ignore it. Her wrist was delicate and fair. A warmth surged in his heart. He took the handkerchief by its corner, pretending to wipe his sweat. He noticed a pleasant scent on it, making his face turn slightly red. ¡°Thank you, Sister Hong.¡± Lin Yan closed her eyes again to rest, Liu Zhi took his ce in the passenger seat, instructed the driver to start the car, and then turned his head to ask in a low voice. ¡°Sister Hong, about that batch of goods¡­¡± Lin Yan didn¡¯t open her eyes: ¡°Just give it back to Tiger.¡± A little impatience can ruin a big n. It seems this Supreme Lord is even tougher to deal with than she had anticipated. Liu Zhi was startled: ¡°Understood.¡± Upon returning to the Huange Nightclub and locking the door, Lin Yan slumped against it, sitting down with her hand propping up her forehead. The events of the night had left her feeling utterly exhausted. Whether she was dealing with ruthless drug dealers, engaging in insincere dealings with Wang Qiang, or facing life and death directly, none of these experiences drained her as much as meeting Song Yuhang again. When she revealed she was ¡°Pei Jinhong,¡± the shock and pain fleeting through Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes did not escape her notice. Her lover was by her side, yet they couldn¡¯t acknowledge or embrace each other; her heart ached as if it were her own suffering. Lin Yan bit her teeth tight, warning herself not to cry, she must not cry, yet her eyes warmed up, biting her arm with her teeth and emitting a sob from the depth of her throat. After a long while, the weak, cub-like whimpering stopped. Lin Yan rose from her bed and poured herself a ss of red wine from the cab. She pressed a hiddenpartment next to her bedside table, revealing a wooden box. Advertisements From it, she retrieved several white pills and dropped them into her wine. Bubbles formed on the surface and quickly disappeared. Lin Yan swirled the ss gently and emptied it in one gulp, intending to take a shower afterward. However, she suddenly felt something was amiss. Sitting back up from the bed, she saw that everything was exactly as she had left it before; the pillow was neatly ced, and not a single wrinkle marred the nket. Turning on the bedsidemp, Lin Yan lifted the nket and carefully searched inch by inch. Her fingertips finally caught something fine and soft. Bringing it under the light for a closer look, she found it was a strand of ck short hair. She had been here. In an instant, Lin Yan¡¯s heart swelled with emotions, and her eyes reddened again. She clutched the strand of hair, lips trembling, motionless. How desperately she wanted to rush out to find her, to tell her she was still alive, to hug and kiss her again, to draw even a trace of warmth from her embrace. This ce was so cold, constantly on edge, walking on thin ice. Not a night went by that she could sleep peacefully. Even in the sweltering nights of summer, she would wake up drenched in a cold sweat, chilled to the bone. The doctor said it was a normal stress reaction post-major surgery, but only she knew that what she suffered from was a condition named ¡°Song Yuhang.¡± A yearning deeply engraved in her heart. After returning the mechanical stick, she had nothing left that belonged to her, not even something to remember herself by. Struggling repeatedly, Lin Yan eventually decided to take out a lighter and burnt the strand of hair. The raging me also engulfed her fingers. In this near-phoenix-like process, Lin Yan experienced heart-wrenching pain, finally letting two streams of tears roll down the corners of her eyes. It rained all night, and she didn¡¯t sleep a wink. Early the next day, she arranged for people to help her move. Originally, living closer was only for the convenience of managing the club, but now, with Wang Qiang dead, everyone assumed she was moving due to being reminded of painful memories, making her relocation seem reasonable and not arousing suspicion. Lin Yan was pondering over this, firstly because Song Yuhang already knew that ce, which might not be safe as she coulde looking for her. Secondly, with so many peopleing and going in the nightclub, it was easier to pass messages while staying outside. As for the movements inside the nightclub, Liu Zhi would naturally keep an eye out for her. The apartment she had moved into was also a private property owned by Pei Jinhong, located in a high-end duplex in a residential area of Jiangcheng City, with 24-hour security and surveince cameras in the elevators and hallways. Lin Yan was very satisfied. Standing in the hallway and watching her subordinates bustling around, she thought to herself: This human trafficker has quite good taste. ¡°Sister Hong, everything¡¯s been taken care of,¡± Liu Zhi said, wiping sweat off his forehead as he came out. Advertisements ¡°Take a look and see if there¡¯s anything else we need to add. We can take care of it.¡± ¡°Hard work, huh.¡± Lin Yan pulled out a few red bills from her wallet, holding them between two fingers and handed them over. ¡°Please treat the brothers to a good meal.¡± The others also chuckled, ¡°Sister Hong is always the best to us.¡± The room, spanning two floors, was probably around 200 square meters, a bit smaller than her previous vi, but it was barely livable. Lin Yan looked around, picking up a photo frame that was turned upside down next to the TV cab. Inside was a ck-and-white photo that seemed ancient, with one corner torn off, leaving only a little girl in the picture. She looked like Pei Jinhong. For some reason, she felt a familiar sensation when looking at this photo. Lin Yan frowned. Liu Zhi¡¯s words interrupted her train of thought. ¡°Sister Hong, everything is packed up, so we¡¯ll be heading out now.¡± Though he said he was leaving, he stood there without moving, while the others were nowhere to be seen, likely sent away by him. Lin Yan sneered inwardly, putting down the photo frame. ¡°Alright, go back and rest.¡± Liu Zhi didn¡¯t move but stepped forward instead, his expression somewhat urgent: ¡°Sister Hong, Brother Wang is dead, and I¡­¡± Lin Yan looked up at him, her smile sharp and pointed. ¡°Then I am still your sister-inw.¡± ¡°No, I mean¡­¡± Looking at her face, dressed in a spaghetti strap dress, with her pale, bare shoulders exposed, Liu Zhi swallowed hard, drawing closer to her, his handnding on her shoulder. ¡°You know what I mean. I will treat you even better than Brother Wang did.¡± Advertisements As he gently pulled down her strap, Lin Yan didn¡¯t react outwardly, still smiling at him. But just as Liu Zhi was about to further his advances, a small knife pressed against his heart. Lin Yan¡¯s bright red nails brushed his chest, her voice soft. ¡°I called you brother-inw because I saw you as a brother. I didn¡¯t expect you to be as despicable as your brother, blinding my damn eyes.¡± As she spoke, her voice grew icier, and the knife point prated an inch deeper, causing Liu Zhi to break out in cold sweat and his face to pale. ¡°You might have forgotten, I¡¯m not just your sister-inw, I¡¯m also Sister Hong, the ruthless ¡®Golden Pheasant¡¯. Don¡¯t take my kindness for granted and push your luck. Remember how your Brother Wang¡ª¡± Lin Yan smiled sweetly, buttoning up his shirt for him. ¡°¡ªdied.¡± Liu Zhi wasn¡¯t a fool; he was simply blinded by his passions. Lin Yan¡¯s warning was pointed but brief; there was still use for him. After she sheathed her knife, Liu Zhi also stepped back, panting heavily, looking at her in disbelief. Lin Yan offered him a tissue, ¡°Don¡¯t be so surprised. Anyone who has died once tends to change.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Liu Zhi clenched his teeth, wanting to say more. Lin Yan cut him off, ¡°Right, you haven¡¯t been home in years, have you? There¡¯s nothing much going on recently. Take a break, go back to your hometown, and visit your parents.¡± Liu Zhi¡¯s pupils shrank. ¡°You, how could you¡­¡± How could she know about his parents? Ever since he started working with Wang Qiang, he had imed to be an orphan to avoid dragging his family into this. How could she know? Naturally, it must have been information from the police. Lin Yan gave a forced smile, offering him a hollow support. ¡°I consider you a brother, so your parents are naturally my uncle and aunt. It¡¯s only right to look after them when possible.¡± Advertisements She stuffed another bank card into his hands. ¡°Following Wang Qiang, those scraps were barely enough to fill your teeth, but now it¡¯s different. Ten percent of the transaction amount is no small sum. Work hard, and you won¡¯tck money or goods.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s words were both a threat and a temptation, sending chills down his spine. Liu Zhi held the card, feeling as if he was sitting on pins and needles. ¡°What do you want? Just don¡¯t touch my parents.¡± ¡°Of course, I, your sister, am not so heartless and ungrateful.¡± Lin Yan said as she settled down on the sofa, reaching for a cigarette. ¡°As for what I want¡­¡± She shed a charming smile, lighting the cigarette with a flicker. ¡°Guess.¡± Chapter 112.2 Reminisce Song Yuhang had been staking out near the Huange Nightclub for several days, yet she hadn¡¯t caught another glimpse of Pei Jinhong. She didn¡¯t want to make another brash and disrespectful move like climbing over the wall for a nighttime meeting, feeling sorry towards Lin Yan, but her heart was still filled with unresolved doubts. With the card Zheng Chengrui had copied for her, she had slipped in a few times without any luck in encountering her again. Asking the employees led nowhere, and further questioning risked exposure. Left with no choice, Song Yuhang decided to give up. Just as she was contemting making onest attempt to find some clues after work, her phone rang. Upon answering, her expression immediately turned cold. As the windshield wipers screeched against the ss, Song Yuhang gently pressed on the gas pedal. ¡°Alright, I got it. I¡¯ll be there soon.¡± A homicide case. The organization dispatched her to take a look. A reporter, holding an umbre and wearing a raincoat, shouted into the camera: ¡°The crime scene is located at an abandoned construction site in the suburbs. Due to the recent heavy rains, the topyer of soil was washed away, revealing the body that was buried underneath. Those who have missing family members that haven¡¯t returned home recently, or have other clues that could aid in solving the case, please contact the police in a timely manner.¡± Song Yuhang lifted the police tape and put on her white gloves. Advertisements The forensic team was already bustling about. She looked over and saw a figure crouched beside the body, donned in a white protective suit. Song Yuhang was momentarily startled, losing herself in thought until the person turned her face towards her, revealing a stranger, likely a neer. Xue Rui approached, a bitter smile ying at the corner of his lips, still using the familiar address, ¡°Captain Song, you¡¯ve arrived. Please, enlighten us through this puzzle.¡± Song Yuhang walked over, ¡°Call it as you see fit; anything else is inappropriate.¡± Caught off guard, Song Yuhang had already crouched down to examine the body closely. ¡°When did you find out?¡± Seeing her obviously a bit agitated, Duan Cheng, carrying a camera, answered quickly, ¡°At four in the afternoon, the police were already making a record.¡± The witness was a local resident who came to the construction site to pick up steel bars. Song Yuhang briefly understood the case and then nced at the corpse again. It was too gruesome to look at. The body was charred beyond recognition, looking no different from a lump of coal, its featurespletely obscured; it was impossible to even distinguish whether it was male or female. Faced with such a corpse, even the most experienced forensic pathologist would be at a loss. ¡°Let¡¯s call it a day, the rain is too heavy, let¡¯s take it back for the autopsy.¡± Several people worked together to ce the body into a body bag. The heavy rain had almost washed away all traces and footprints, leaving nothing behind. After carrying the body away, Song Yuhang grabbed a handful of soil from the pit and sniffed it close to her nose. ¡°The soil is very hard. The heavy rain only washed away the loose soil that covered the surface; the soil in the pit wasn¡¯t burned. This isn¡¯t the original crime scene.¡± Xue Rui was taken aback, ¡°Are you saying the victim was killed elsewhere and then the body was dumped here?¡± ¡°Correct. Let¡¯s wait for the autopsy results,¡± Song Yuhang brushed the soil off her hands and stood up, sighing to herself. If it were Lin Yan, she would most likely be able to exin the situation by now. ¡°First, find the source of the body. Check surveince footage, talk to nearby residents, and after finding the source of the body, investigate the victim¡¯s social rtions to further narrow down the list of suspects. Verify each one.¡± She hadn¡¯t been at the scene for long when Song Yuhang had already roughly outlined a direction for their investigation. A thought shed through her mind about the wristwatch on the corpse¡¯s wrist, charred ck by the fire. Advertisements The fact that it didn¡¯t melt under fire likely means it¡¯s an expensive brand. Song Yuhang thought for a moment and then brought up this point. ¡°The deceased had a wristwatch on their right wrist that didn¡¯t melt in the fire, most likely a luxury item. Such luxury goods usually have customer information recorded by the sales assistant at the time of purchase. It¡¯s worth a good check.¡± Thanks to the time spent with Lin Yan, Song Yuhang had gained some understanding of the lives of the wealthy. Perhaps missing someone is such a magical feeling. Sometimes, while she was busy with things unrted to her, she would suddenly think of her. This must be what it means to be deeply engraved in one¡¯s heart. Song Yuhang smiled bitterly in her heart. Xue Rui was awakened by her words, his eyes suddenly brightening: ¡°It¡¯s good that we asked captain Song for help today. Otherwise, we would have beenpletely clueless about this case.¡± Being seasoned members, a few colleagues approached her as she returned, greeting her and even offering to take her out for a meal. Song Yuhang waved her hands to refuse, tucking her gloves into her pocket. ¡°No need, I¡¯ve got things to do. Heading home now. You guys stay busy, call me if you need anything.¡± Duan Cheng tried to follow her, calling out, ¡°Hey, Captain Song¡­¡± But he was pulled back by Fang Xin, who said, ¡°Forget it, forget it. Let¡¯s get back to work.¡± People were also whispering among themselves. ¡°Have you guys felt like Captain Song has be apletely different person?¡± ¡°Absolutely, she used to smile before. Look at her now, so aloof. I heard she doesn¡¯t have a single friend at the police station.¡± ¡°How could you smile if your girlfriend had died?¡± ¡°Crow¡¯s mouth1, don¡¯t jinx me, will you?¡± ¡°To be honest, I¡¯ve always suspected that Captain Song and Forensic Doctor Lin were an item. I¡¯ve seen them exchanging looks in the office more than once. Who would¡¯ve thought it¡¯s actually true.¡± ¡°Tsk, it¡¯s just a waste of Captain Song¡¯s bright future. To achieve what she has at such a young age is rare.¡± ¡­¡­ Song Yuhang slightly curled her lips, closed her umbre, and sat in the car, driving straight to the cemetery. Advertisements When she wasn¡¯t busy, it was her routine to visit her every day, yet she hadn¡¯t expected that he would be there too. Lin Ge held a ck umbre, leaning against the tombstone was a bunch of fresh white chrysanthemums. Hearing the approaching footsteps, he slightly curved his lips upward. ¡°You came.¡± A low murmur, almost like a sigh. Song Yuhang looked at the white chrysanthemums by the tombstone, then at him, and nodded: ¡°So it was you.¡± Compared to the luxurious bouquet full of expensive flowers that Lin Ge brought, the handful of wild chrysanthemums and a few rain-drenched, even more delicate white roses she picked by the roadside seemed somewhat humble. Lin Ge tugged at the corner of his lips, ¡°She¡¯s afraid of being alone.¡± Captain Song nodded, bending down to wipe the rainwater off the tombstone with her sleeve, then gently cing her umbre over their heads. ¡°That¡¯s why Ie often.¡± Lin Ge turned his head to look at her as the night fell. He was clearly smiling, but the smile didn¡¯t reach his eyes. He joked, ¡°You should probably go down and keep herpany.¡± Song Yuhang nodded, ¡°Yes, I will, but not now.¡± Lin Ge turned around with his umbre in hand, ¡°That¡¯s all there is to it.¡± This rain, no, perhaps it¡¯s the death of Lin Yan that made the barriers that already existed between the two of them even clearer. Lin Ge tore off his hypocritical mask, and she no longer had to pretend to be magnanimous. Song Yuhang didn¡¯t turn back, instead, she looked at the photo of her. ¡°In life, herst words were a promise to be my fianc¨¦e. In death, she remains my lost wife. A hundred years from now, we will share the same grave.¡± ¡°I am alive now, not just to scrape by.¡± She clenched her fists tightly, rainwater streaming down her gaunt cheeks, uttering each word with resolute finality. ¡°But rather¡ªto¡± Captain Song Yuhang slightly lifted her head: ¡°Avenge her.¡± Advertisements ¡°No matter who that person is.¡± From the corner of her eye, Lin Ge¡¯s body stiffened slightly. He turned around,ughing sarcastically. ¡°If you truly had that capability, she wouldn¡¯t have died.¡± After he left, Song Yuhang¡¯s clenched fist finally rxed. She squatted down again, threw the flowers brought by Lin Ge far away, cleaned the area in front of the tombstone, and ced her own bunch there, heavy with her love. Song Yuhang¡¯s hand traced the words on the tombstone, her eyes suddenly warming. ¡ªStand up for the living, speak for the dead. Indeed, she had chosen these words as the epitaph. ¡°Do you know? Today, the city¡¯s police department had a homicide case and called me in as a consultant. Their forensic team couldn¡¯t make out anything at the scene, and it made me think of you,¡± Song Yuhang murmured to herself. ¡°You know, you always spoke for the deceased before, keeping your own feelings tightly held, never telling me when you were sick or when you folded those thousand paper cranes. I only found out when you couldn¡¯t hide it anymore.¡± Song Yuhang spoke, sniffling, leaning against the tombstone. ¡°All I wish for now is a time machine, to take me back to when we first met. I promise I won¡¯t oppose you at every turn, won¡¯t wait outside your door to confront you physically.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll listen to everything you say, you¡­ can youe back?¡± The rain was pouring heavily, and Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t tell if it was the rain or tears blurring her vision. She didn¡¯t know how long she had been sitting there, but by the time someone gently shook her awake, half of her body had gone numb. Cemetery caretaker: ¡°Miss, Miss, it¡¯s pouring. Don¡¯t sit out here anymore.¡± Song Yuhang looked up, and the sky hadpletely darkened. The person was holding an umbre for her, with a shlight in his hand. Song Yuhang stood up,pletely soaked through, looking like a drowned rat. She wiped the rain off her face. ¡°Thank you.¡± Advertisements Saying so, she was about to walk away. The cemetery caretaker asked in wonder, ¡°Who is the person buried here, that youe every day regardless of wind and rain?¡± Song Yuhang turned back, offering a slight smile. ¡°My wife.¡± As soon as she got back into the car, before she even had a chance to dry her hair, the mobile phone tossed on the passenger seat started ringing. Picking it up, she saw it was a message from Xue Rui. ¡°Source of the corpse found, the deceased is Wang Qiang, General Manager of Haoran Industrial Transportation Co., Ltd., has a history of drug abuse.¡± Below was a long list of Wang Qiang¡¯s social rtionships. Song Yuhang scrolled down, her fingers suddenly stopping, staring at a familiar face in shock, unable to speak. Mistress¡ªPei Jinhong. Her again. Song Yuhang clenched her teeth in anger. LP: Lin Ge, so slimy (?_?) 1. ¡°Crow¡¯s mouth¡± is used to describe someone who has a sharp or sarcastic tongue, often making cynical or critical remarks. It refers to a person who tends to speak in a way that is harsh, mocking, or negative. Chapter 113.1 Pursuit and Capture ¡°Master, once this money is taken out, Jingtai¡¯s entire existing fund chain willpletely break¡­¡± Faced with the butler¡¯s earnest persuasion, Lin Youyuan only trembled as he handed over the signed document. ¡°No need to persuade me further, go ahead and do it.¡± Butler Lin fell silent, and after a long moment, he let out a deep sigh and took the document out. In the dark room, dressed in a nightgown, he sat alone in a wheelchair facing the window, watching the heavy rain pour outside. In his hand, he caressed a somewhat rusty pistol, his eyes filled with aplex emotion. ¡°Old Song, ah, he has finallye back, hasn¡¯t he?¡± (LP: What?! He knows Song Yuhang¡¯s father?! Is her father involved with that case afterall?!) Around 7 or 8 in the evening, it¡¯s the perfect time for people to unwind after dinner. The teahouse buzzes with lively conversations. The servers, dressed in traditional attire with a white towel draped over one shoulder and a gray cloth apron tied around their waist, respectfully ce a pot of tea on the nanmu table. ¡°Sir, here¡¯s some top-quality Bi Luo Chun tea (green tea) for you to enjoy.¡± As the server is about to warm the cup, they¡¯re stopped with a gesture. ¡°Thank you, no need. I¡¯ll call you if I need anything else.¡± Advertisements The waiter paused, meeting the elderly man¡¯s gaze. Although his temples were streaked with white, his eyes held an indescribable majesty. The young man¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and after bowing deeply, he retreated, not forgetting to close the private room¡¯s door behind him. Through a carved wooden window, the melodious voice of a Daomadan (a female warrior role in Peking Opera) from downstairs reached its climax, singing, ¡°Many heroines have also made their contributions, fighting for the country and ying enemies. Through generations, heroines emerge. In what ways are these women inferior to men¡­¡± As the sound of ppers intensified at the most stirring part of the performance, A woman entered the room, removing the hood of her raincoat to reveal a beautiful face. ¡°You¡¯ve arrived,¡± greeted the elderly man. Without saying a word, the woman snatched the tea from his warm cup and drained it in one gulp, then wiped the water droplets from the corner of her lips with the back of her hand. ¡°Pour me another, pour me another. I¡¯m thirsty.¡± Feng Jianguo shook his head helplessly. To drink from the warm cup, how crude indeed, showing none of the demeanor expected of ady from a wealthy family. But perhaps this was for the better. It was precisely because Lin Yan had experiences from the lower strata of society and had mingled with all sorts of people, her adaptability was extremely high, making her the perfect candidate for undercover work. He poured her another cup of fine tea and pushed it towards her. ¡°Hard work.¡± Lin Yan tugged at the corner of her mouth, shaking her head with a scornfulugh. She took the cup of fine tea, gulped it down in one go without savouring the taste. ¡°Enough small talk. It¡¯s not easying out here. Wang Qiang is dead, and I didn¡¯t get to see the Supreme Lord.¡± Feng Jianguo nodded indifferently, ¡°I know.¡± The discovery of a corpse at the construction site had hit the news, a homicide under the jurisdiction of the city bureau. ¡°I¡¯ll push this down. If the investigation leads to you¡­¡± Lin Yan popped a peanut into her mouth. ¡°No need to bother, your people won¡¯t be able to get anything out of me.¡± A slight smile appeared on Feng Jianguo¡¯s lips as he poured himself some tea. Suddenly, as if remembering something, Lin Yan stared at Feng Jianguo¡¯s hand holding the teapot, her voice turning cold. ¡°Was it your arrangement to have Song Yuhang take people to the Huange Nightclub?¡± ¡°Cough, cough¡­¡± The person drinking tea across from her suddenly choked and waved his hands repeatedly. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me. Themand center issued the order, and as soon as it reached me, I immediately called them back.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s face showed an indescribable expression, and even the peanuts didn¡¯t taste good anymore. ¡°You didn¡¯t want to see her?¡± The old man was quite nosy. Advertisements Lin Yan gritted her teeth, ¡°Is it time for a meeting now?¡± Damn it, she almost couldn¡¯t maintain herposure, nearly ruining all her previous efforts. Feng Jianguo understood, suppressing the teasing smile at the corner of his mouth. ¡°It¡¯s a misunderstanding that turned out to be a test, I guess.¡± She had thought that once she faked her death, the mastermind behind the scenes wouldy low for a while, and Song Yuhang would be safer. But who knew she woulde out of hiding herself, insisting on jumping into the fire pit. At that moment, Lin Yan experienced a mix of emotions ¨C frustration, urgency, relief, sorrow, and the joy akin to a young girl¡¯s first crush. She steadied herself and drank herst cup of tea for the day, suppressing the blush on her face. ¡°Alright, I¡¯vee to share some important information with you. There¡¯s a shipment of goods worth¡­¡± Lin Yan¡¯s finger dipped in tea, traced the figure ¡°two hundred million¡± on the table. ¡°And, a buyer has already been found.¡± At the hotpot restaurant where the Technical Investigation Team usually dined together. The air conditioning was turned up high, and the pot simmered with spicy oil, yet hardly anyone had an appetite. ¡°Captain Song, the city bureau has already formed a special task force for this case, and they¡¯re not letting us continue with it.¡± Zheng Chengrui said, still handing over the information he had gathered from the internalwork from his bag. Song Yuhang held the thin sheet of paper, feeling somewhat grateful. ¡°Thank you.¡± Duan Cheng also put down his chopsticks and said, ¡°Today, during the autopsy, I was there holding the equipment. Although my skills are not perfect, I can still tell if a person was burned alive before death or if the body was burned after death.¡± ¡°The fatal injury on the deceased, Wang Qiang, was a knife wound to the heart. It was a one-stroke kill, and it was from the back heart. This indicates that the assant is a very strong individual, most likely a tall, big, and ruthless man.¡± ¡°However¡­¡± He hesitated, seeming afraid to continue. A smile appeared on the corners of Song Yuhang¡¯s lips, encouraging him with a look. ¡°You¡¯re correct, that¡¯s a significant improvement. After all, it¡¯s all spection. It¡¯s fine to speak boldly.¡± ¡°If onecks strength, a forensic expert or doctor with a thorough understanding of human anatomy and the positions of the organs can also deliver a fatal blow.¡± The faint smile at the corner of Song Yuhang¡¯s lipspletely vanished. Fang Xinforted her: ¡°The whole city bureau is working together on this case. We will definitely get to the bottom of it.¡± How could Song Yuhang bear to tell them that among the colleagues they trust at the city bureau, there is an invisible mole monitoring their every move? That¡¯s why her transfer and demotion might not necessarily be a bad thing. Advertisements She could only hint at it subtly. ¡°Thank you all, I¡¯ll be leaving now. Don¡¯t tell anyone you¡¯ve seen me here. I¡¯ve already picked up the tab for today, so feel free to enjoy your meal.¡± She nced at Duan Cheng. He understood, picking up his coat to stand. ¡°Captain Song, allow me to walk you out.¡± As they left the private room, Song Yuhang made it clear she didn¡¯t want Duan Cheng to keep escorting her and turned to look into his eyes. ¡°I won¡¯t be here for a while, so the three of you should stick together. Fang Xin is a girl and a civilian staff, so take good care of her, and Old Zheng as well.¡± Song Yuhang remembered how Old Zheng would always be panting during missions, which brought a smile to her face. Duan Cheng nodded but was puzzled. ¡°Why? Isn¡¯t the city bureau very safe?¡± Song Yuhang didn¡¯t want to borate, gave his shoulder a pat, and left. ¡°Call me if you need anything, see you next time.¡± Following the address given by Zheng Chengrui, Song Yuhang had already checked two ces with no luck. This was the third. Right upon entering, she was stopped by the security guard at the door. ¡°Hey, who are you, and what do you want?¡± Song Yuhang blinked innocently, handing over a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes. ¡°Looking for someone, Pei Jinhong, does she live here?¡± The security guard epted the cigarette but still looked at her somewhat guardedly. Song Yuhang smiled and said, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s nothing. Thisdy owes my brother a lot of money. Once we get the money back, we won¡¯t forget your hard work.¡± As she spoke, she took the initiative to light his cigarette for him. The security guard seemed pleased. ¡°The one who moved in a few days ago?¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Right, right, have you seen her?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ve seen her, lives in Building 5, Unit 1, Apartment 1808.¡± Despite getting the satisfactory answer she sought, her demeanor remained calm and unhurried, with a cheerful smile, she said, ¡°Thank you for your help, master.¡± Advertisements ¡°I¡¯m telling you this because you¡¯re a woman. For men, we generally don¡¯t let them visit female residents.¡± The security guard poked his head out from the guardhouse, taking the lighter from her hand. ¡°Alright, but don¡¯t say I told you this, okay?¡± Song Yuhang nodded vigorously: ¡°Of course, of course.¡± Once she entered the elevator, Song Yuhang put on a peaked cap and a mask. Reaching the 18th floor, the corridor was empty except for cleaning tools and a trolley. After a moment¡¯s thought, she walked over, pushed the trolley, and made her way straight to door 1808, lightly knocking on the door. A blinking red light from a miniature camera on the door caught her eye, but thankfully, she was in disguise. Without making a sound, Song Yuhang pressed the doorbell, ¡°Miss, Miss, are you there?¡± The janitor came out of the bathroom to find the cleaning tools gone and cursed angrily. ¡°Hey, which son of a turtle even steals a broom?!¡± It was raining today, and the reflective floor at the door couldn¡¯t help but reveal traces ofing and going, indicating someone lived there. But after knocking for so long with no response, she might not be home. Song Yuhang took a step back, sizing up the electronic lock with its built-in rm. She figured the moment she tried to tamper with it, property management and security would be up here in a blink. She checked her watch and didn¡¯t know who was cursing at her, then sneezed. After a somewhat lengthy dy, Song Yuhang once again pushed the cart back to the lift entrance and slipped inside, pressing the button for the basement level. The elusive cleaner returned to the lift area, only to see the cleaning equipment still in ce, untouched. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief, muttering, ¡°How bizarre, am I seeing ghosts?¡± Descending to the basement parking level, which was also under surveince, Song Yuhang followed the signs directing her to the parking spaces for Building 5. Finally, in a corner on the ground, she spotted quite a nasty scrape of white paint, hastily marked with a few Arabic numerals: 180. The half of the ¡°8¡± was obscured by the rear tire of a white sedan. This must be Pei Jinhong¡¯s parking spot. Song Yuhang surveyed the car, noting that it was neither too high-profile nor too shabby¡ªit suited her identity and status well. No one was home, and the car hadn¡¯t been used; this indicated that the errand she was on was shrouded in mystery, one she didn¡¯t want others to know about, and the destination likely wasn¡¯t far. Whether taking public transport or a taxi, both carried the risk of being captured by surveince cameras. Walking was the only option to blend into the vast crowd without drawing attention. Pulling out her phone, Song Yuhang unlocked it and zeroed in on a few locations before quickly making her departure. Before the song ¡¶Hua Mn¡· finished, with the opera singers on stage passionately continuing their performance, Lin Yan had already left the teahouse, donning her raincoat and hood again. She purposely chose a different route to return along the long street, the deep alleys reflecting the silhouette of the person following her in the puddles on the ground. Advertisements Lin Yan nced back, without showing any reaction, and turned into a side alley. The person behind her hurriedly followed into the alley too. As Lin Yan quickened her pace, so did the person behind her. As she slowed her pace, the figure shadowed her, neither too close nor too distant¡ªclearly, she was being followed. Lin Yan¡¯s lips curled into a cold smirk. In a swift motion, she ducked into an alleyway, pressing herself against the wall. She watched as the pursuer nced left and right, seemingly hesitating, before decisivelying her way. She lifted her hand, tossing her raincoat into a trash bin to lighten her load, and then stepped into the puddle, beginning to run swiftly. Seeing the sound of the follower¡¯s footsteps fading, she was about to burst out of the alley, where several taxis were parked across the street. Getting into one meant escape. A sh of joy appeared in Lin Yan¡¯s eyes as she hurried over, only for her expression to freeze, stunned on the spot. Song Yuhang tossed her cigarette away, standing up from under the streetlight. She didn¡¯t bother with an umbre, letting the light rain fall on her face. She stared intently, as if trying to look into her soul. ¡°Yo, Miss Pei, we meet again.¡± Damn, it¡¯s really a small world when you meet your enemies. Lin Yan rolled her eyes, almost fainting on the spot. Chapter 113.2 Pursuit and Capture ¡°Yo, Miss Pei, we meet again.¡± Damn, it¡¯s really a small world when you meet your enemies. Lin Yan rolled her eyes, almost fainting on the spot. Footsteps approached from behind, and Song Yuhang blocked the way ahead again, ring fiercely with a hostile expression on her face. A wolf in front and a tiger behind. Lin Yan gritted her teeth and took a few steps back, forcing a smile that didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°Oh, who the f*ck are you?¡± No sooner had her words fallen than she suddenly turned around, as slippery as an eel, and darted off faster than a rabbit. Song Yuhang¡¯s face changed, and she broke into a run to follow. ¡°Don¡¯t run, stop!¡± The person chasing Lin Yan behind heard the noise. He watched as a dark figure darted into one of the buildings right in front of him. With a swift motion, he pulled out a switchde and followed into the building. This was a typical tube-shaped building found in the urban viges, connected from east to west, essible from north to south, hiding a variety of mahjong parlors, restaurants, dance halls, massage shops, and households awaiting relocation. Advertisements Grinding her teeth, Song Yuhang followed to the building¡¯s base, looked up just in time to see Lin Yan pushing aside a toy car of a small child blocking the way. The child burst into wails, but she swiftly jumped over someone¡¯s washing basin and dashed away, desperate to escape. She¡¯s quite agile, isn¡¯t she? Song Yuhang was so annoyed she felt itchy in her teeth. Watching her run upstairs, she also sprinted below. Noticing that the stairwell of the building ahead was connected to this one, she dashed up, nning to intercept her from the front. Lin Yan nced over, no sign of the person below ¨C she must be waiting to intercept her up ahead, while the pursuer behind her was still relentlessly chasing. Biting down, suppressing the taste of blood in her throat, she ran up to the third floor and lifted the curtain of a mahjong parlor, tumbling inside. ¡°Yo, where did this womane from, throwing herself into ourps?¡± ¡°Hurry up, it¡¯s your turn, are you going to y or not?¡± ¡°ying, ying, Pong.¡± ¡°Pure Suit, self-draw, I win!¡±1 ¡­¡­ The mahjong parlor was bustling with noise, shrouded in smoke, filled with men and women, both old and young. Lin Yan, holding her nose, squeezed through the crowd, thankful that the throng gave her a moment to catch her breath. The man following her plunged in after her, everyone exchanging looks, all eyes on the knife in his hands. All was quiet for a moment, then the sound of shuffling mahjong tiles resumed. ¡°Come on,e on, keep going, ce your bets, ce your bets! Who will lose, who will win, make your final call!¡± Out of the corner of her eye, Lin Yan caught a glimpse of a ck coat darting into the crowd. The man with the knife, without drawing attention to himself, followed suit. As Lin Yan walked, she pushed through the crowd, constantly looking back. Though the tube-shaped building was small, it concealed a unique world. All the shops were connected to each other; passing a mahjong parlor, lifting a curtain, she entered a foot therapy shop. Calling it a shop would be generous; it was more like a small family workshop. The cramped room was divided with poor-quality pink gauze curtains, and from the bamboo mats came the ambiguous whispers of men and women. ¡°Yo, my dear~ be gentle.¡± ¡°Ow, ow, that¡¯s the spot, put some elbow grease into it.¡± ¡°Oy, Lordy, am I massaging you, or are you going to give me a full-body massage, huh?¡± A woman¡¯sughter, as light as barbells, rang out. Lin Yan felt a chill run down her spine, stumbling forward. She pushed open a wood door stered with old newspapers, and ran straight into a man¡¯s chest. The man was wearing a mask, and she didn¡¯t recognize him. Lin Yan stepped back several paces, watching in horror as he raised a knife, its cold light shing by. She dodged to the side, awkwardly knocking over a tea table. The knife struck the wooden door, shredding the newspapers. Advertisements ¡°Who¡¯s that?!¡± The man and woman, previously engrossed in their massage, finally snapped back to reality when they saw a disheveled woman tumble into the curtains. The masseuse let out a piercing scream. The man, armed with a knife, lunged forward. Lin Yan kicked him in the knee with little force, failing to knock him down. The man paused, and Lin Yan, seizing the moment, grabbed the clothes that had fallen to the ground and flung them at him, covering his face. When he was busy trying to lift the smelly clothes off his head, Lin Yan with a swift move, leaped onto the table. She then used her shoulder to break through the ss window, tumbling into the hallway outside. The man finally got rid of the foul-smelling clothes, cursing loudly with the knife in hand. When he climbed up to look through the window, all he saw on the ground were shattered ss pieces and a few drops of blood. He couldn¡¯t help but swear several times: ¡°Damn it.¡± Then, he turned and rushed out of the room door. The man and woman sitting on the bed looked at each other, still in shock, wondering, ¡°What just happened?¡± Lin Yan, clutching her shoulder, hobbled forward, her breathing as heavy as a bellows. Song Yuhang had already reached the fourth floor. ncing downstairs, she happened to see her entering a dance hall. Turning her head, she descended the stairs and slipped in as well. Inside the dance hall, the music was deafening, and the lights were dim, so no one noticed her injured and disheveled appearance. Lin Yan pushed through the crowd, made her way to the back door, and pushed open the heavy fire-retardant door, stepping onto the fire escape. Leaning against the wall, she closed her eyes slightly and paused for a moment, continuously swallowing saliva. Her chest heaved up and down, and her face was pale. After a few deep breaths, the taste of rust in her throat gradually faded away. Lin Yan stepped down and emerged from the darkness, blocking the only sliver of light in the stairwell. Song Yuhang pressed on step by step. ¡°Miss Pei, why do you run away as soon as you see me? Where are you going?¡± ¡°Or is it that you know you¡¯ve done something guilty, and you dare not face the police, or maybe¡­¡± She stared at her face, which looked extremely simr to Lin Yan¡¯s, the smile on her lips carrying a hint of danger and deep meaning. ¡°Is there some unspeakable secret?¡± Lin Yan had already gone downstairs, but she was forced back step by step. To run ¨C even at her peak, she could only tie with her, let alone now, in this frail body and with injuries. If she could fight, she would have already taken action against that man. If she didn¡¯t flee, facing her gaze, her voice, her entire being, she would inevitably feel her heart waver. Advertisements But, the situation at hand wasn¡¯t the time for romance. The assassin who was chasing her was still on the road; she hadn¡¯tpletely escaped the pursuit. Staying here would only drag her into danger as well. Lin Yan chuckled dryly twice: ¡°Secrets? I¡¯m just a person who runs a small business, how could I have any secrets?¡± ¡°Then why are you running?¡± Song Yuhang pressed forward, towering over her, looking down. Lin Yan shrank back and climbed another step. ¡°Of course, you look so fierce and terrifying. The police were chasing me; how could I not run?¡± Fierce and terrifying? Song Yuhang touched her face. Normally, people wouldpliment her on her good looks or her valor. It was the first time she had heard this description, and she was somewhat puzzled. However, there was no point in wasting words with a human trafficker. This woman in front of her was involved in a murder case and was a dangerous person. Song Yuhang was about to reach behind her waist for handcuffs: ¡°That¡¯s right. If you haven¡¯t done anything guilty, why would you be afraid of the policeing to your door? Come with me¡­¡± Before she could finish saying ¡°to the station,¡± Lin Yan caught a glimpse from the corner of her eye of a pair of ck shoes slowly stepping down from upstairs. It was the man who had just been chasing her. The knife he carried reflected a cold light through the iron railings of the stairway. Lin Yan¡¯s pupils shrank, and she grabbed Song Yuhang¡¯s cor and closed her eyes, pressing forward, trapping her remaining words in her throat. Standing taller, her entire weight bore down on her due to inertia. Lin Yan cupped her face, Song Yuhang¡¯s lips were as cold as ice. This familiar touch almost instantly made her spine tingle, and she nearly lost her bnce, posing a risk of both of them falling. In a sh, Song Yuhang¡¯s instinctive reaction was to wrap her arms around her waist, turn around, and lean her against the wall to stabilize their posture. The man chasing her, hearing the noise and rushing down with a knife, thought he was pursuing Lin Yan but instead witnessed this deeply entangled and sorrowful scene. Song Yuhang was wearing a duckbill cap, a tuft of short hair behind her ears, towering over the average female, making it difficult to distinguish her gender from the back. The corridor was dimly lit, the face of the person in her arms was unclear, and the two were embracing tightly, kissing as if they couldn¡¯t bear to part. The deafening background music of the dance hall red out, probably from the passionate men and women who had run out from inside. The man slowly put down the knife in his hand and walked towards them step by step. Lin Yan¡¯s heart beat like a drum, hugging Song Yuhang¡¯s neck, maintaining this posture, and she didn¡¯t dare to take a breath. After a brief moment, like being shocked by electricity, Song Yuhang finally saw clearly who the face in front of her really was. Although she looked simr, in the end, she wasn¡¯t her. A wave of guilt towards Lin Yan suddenly surged in her heart, and she subconsciously raised her hand to push her away. Advertisements The man had already walked behind them, casting an inquisitive look. Song Yuhang naturally noticed it too. She felt the warning signs of danger rising, her hairs standing on end. Unaware of the danger, Lin Yan clung to her again, grabbing the back of her clothes. A pleading look, filled with tears, appeared in her eyes, and at the same time, she timidly stuck out her tongue. If what happened just now was merely a shock, then now it was like a fierce fire instantly burning all reason to ashes. After Lin Yan left, she never got close to anyone again. Yet here she is, facing a face so simr to hers, the shimmer in those eyes and the expression begging for joy from Lin Yan were identical. Every move and frown of ¡°Pei Jinhong¡± tugged at her most vulnerable nerves. Especially because they were too close, toe to toe, belly to belly, breathing in sync, lips and teeth intertwined. Strangely enough, though it was meant to avoid danger, she felt an unprecedented sense of security in her arms. Lin Yan, hugging her neck, closed her eyes slightly, fearing she might notice something, but in reality, her eyes were brimming with tears, and her limbs went soft. To have the chance to be close to her once more was good enough. Heaven knows how much she missed her. In a moment of passing by, Lin Yan¡¯s feigned feelings turned sincere. She tiptoed slightly, offering herself up entirely. Summer clothes are thin, soft rubbing against soft, and her movements exposed the hem. Song Yuhang¡¯s cold belt buckle pressed against her waist, bringing a shiver to her soul. Their breathing was somewhat chaotic. Song Yuhang didn¡¯t know she was injured, only feeling that she couldn¡¯t let her continue her reckless behavior any longer. After a brief moment of distraction, she gripped her shoulders, inch by inch separating them. Perhaps due to the pain, Lin Yan¡¯s face turned deathly pale, a muffled groan escaping her throat, which in others¡¯ ears, didn¡¯t sound quite right. The man hurriedly averted his gaze, seemingly somewhat speechless, and quickly descended the stairs with the knife in hand. With the crisis averted, Lin Yan slightly squinted her eyes, catching a glimpse of him disappearing into the stairwell with the corner of her eyes, and finally let out a big sigh of relief,pletely releasing her, breathing slightly heavily. Before she could speak, Song Yuhang raised her right hand high, her palm cutting through the air towards her. Lin Yan turned her head away and closed her eyes, smiling mournfully, waiting for the p to fall. But the sharp p never came after a long while. Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes reddened. She looked up at her mockingly, ¡°Hit me, why aren¡¯t you hitting me now?¡± Song Yuhang held her cor and pinned her against the wall, growling, ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t dare to hit you. I am, I just¡­¡± She just couldn¡¯t bring herself to do it. Advertisements The fleeting moment of tenderness and engagement on Pei Jinhong¡¯s face made her feel as if it was Lin Yan kissing her, and that sensation felt all too real. She was haunted in her dreams; her eyes brimmed with tears. It turns out, she wasn¡¯t the only one secretly heartbroken. Seeing her like this, Lin Yan felt both heartache and relief, and for some reason, a bit amused too. Song Yuhang had kept herself pure for her, and also lost her mind in madness for her. The dignified captain of the criminal investigation team, always mature and restrained, probably never imagined that one day she would be forcibly kissed by a ¡°drug dealer.¡± Thinking about it, Lin Yan really let out a mockingugh, with tears in the corners of her eyes. ¡°Ha¡ªwhy pretend to be so serious? You obviously enjoyed it just now, didn¡¯t you?¡± As she spoke, she brushed away her hand and straightened her clothes. ¡°Goodbye, oh, no, never see you again, I take my leave.¡± Lin Yan nned to walk past her to leave. But then, a sharp ¡°snap¡± sound came to her ears. Song Yuhang pulled her back, tucked the keys into her right pocket, and jingled the handcuffs that connected her left hand to hers. ¡°I¡¯ve finally caught the suspect; how could I let her go?¡± By the end, her words carried a bite of deep-seated hatred: ¡°Don¡¯t you agree, Miss Pei?¡± 1. Pure Suit ¨C It refers to a hand in Mahjong where all the tiles belong to a single suit (either bamboo, characters, or circles) and honors (winds or dragons). A ¡°pure¡± hand in Mahjong often scores higher because it¡¯s more challenging to achieve. 2. Self-draw ¨C In Mahjong, when a yer picks up a tile from the wall (the tiles that are yet to be drawn) toplete their hand, they can dere ¡°self-draw.¡± This means they draw the winning tile themselves rather than iming it from another yer¡¯s discard. Winning by self-draw can sometimes lead to higher scores or special bonuses in certain Mahjong rule sets. Chapter 116.1 Physical Evidence When she spoke, her voice lifted slightly at the end, hinting at a coquettish tone. There she sat, her dark hair draping over her snowy shoulders, a contrast of ck and white. Her lips curved into a smile, her gaze tranquil and serene. Song Yuhang was momentarily taken aback, feeling that she shouldn¡¯t belong to the world of drug dealers or middlemen. None of those identities suited her. She was meant to be a spirit of the forest, the most beautiful thing in the world. Instinctively reaching out to embrace her, she then thought better of it. Instead, she adjusted the garment that had slipped down her arm. When her gaze fell upon the vibrant Manjushaka, Song Yuhang recoiled as if burned, and took a step back, squatting in front of her. ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll carry you.¡± The fleeting struggle in Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes did not escape her notice, leaving Lin Yan feeling an indescribable mix of emotions. After all, they were just two strangers tied together by fate and an assassination attempt. As Pei Jinhong, herment was indeed abrupt and overstepping bounds. Lin Yan regretted immediately, ¡°No, I can walk on my own.¡± Before she could finish, Song Yuhang had already scooped up her legs, forcing her to lean forward onto her back, whereupon she was effortlessly lifted up. The sudden sense of weightlessness caught her off guard, causing her instinctively to wrap her arms around her neck. Advertisements This was Lin Yan¡¯s instinctive reaction every time she had carried her in the past. Coming back to her senses, Lin Yan¡¯s face flushed with a racing heart. She wanted to let go but felt it was too deliberate and also not safe. Song Yuhang seemed to notice something, letting out a softugh. ¡°Hold tight, the road is slippery in the rain. Don¡¯t fall.¡± Before Lin Yan could recover, she took a big step over a steep slope. Lin Yan was jolted so hard that she felt dizzy, forcing her to lean back in and cling tightly to her neck, gritting her teeth by her ear. ¡°Song, Yu, Hang.¡± For some reason, as soon as she climbed up, Song Yuhang had a sense of familiarity, as if this scene had been rehearsed thousands of times in her dreams. It was imprinted in her heart and haunted her dreams, and there was a sense of belonging as if all was finally in ce. Her back was her everything. While she struggled and restrained herself with unbearable thoughts, Lin Yan called her own name by her ear, like a sword piercing straight to the heart, her limbs going weak with the sudden warmth. She nearly stumbled, had to extend a hand to steady herself against a tree trunk, breathing slightly heavily. ¡°Behave yourself.¡± It was a statementced with warning and threat. Lin Yan wasn¡¯t scared at all, snorted lightly, and boldly wrapped her arms around the other¡¯s neck, shifting a bit to lie morefortably. ¡°Hurry up, it¡¯s almost dawn.¡± She might feelfortable now, but it subjected the other to restless difort. Originally, she hadn¡¯t thought in that direction, but a light word from Lin Yan evoked deep-seated desires within. Especially with every step she took, her softness brushed against her back. The clothes, already drenched by the heavy rain, seemed even thinner, and with each movement, it felt like carrying a lively, jumping rabbit. And this rabbit was not very well-behaved; it whispered in her ear one moment, pinched her face the next, tugged at her hair another. Song Yuhang¡¯s mind was filled with this rabbit and the vividly beautiful Manjushaka, her gaze gradually heating up. When she pressed up again, she finally stopped, running out of patience, and put her down with a low growl. ¡°F*ck it, walk by yourself!!!¡± The action was somewhat blunt and forceful, making Lin Yan startled. She had not seen her for a long time, and the rare chance to be alone together made her act a bit demurely, which triggered a thunderous rage from her. She had never treated her like this before, even swearing at her!!! Lin Yan felt angry, sad, and aggrieved all at once. Pouting, she grabbed a handful of wild grass and threw it at her. Advertisements ¡°Just go if you¡¯re going to go, f*ck off!¡± Though she said this, her eyes clearly shimmered with tears. Song Yuhang turned to leave but hardly took two steps before she resignedly turned back and crouched in front of her. ¡°Get on.¡± Her tone left no room for argument. Lin Yan, leaning on a tree, tried several times to get up and walk on her own but couldn¡¯t manage, grinding her teeth in frustration. ¡°F*ck off, crying crocodile tears, all fake.¡± Song Yuhang proceeded to do as she had done before, attempting to bend her legs back. Lin Yan retreated, and the two of them struggled against each other, neither willing to give in. In the end, she was slightly weaker and got caught in a critical position, lifted upwards. Lin Yan felt dizzy and had no choice but to hug her neck. Without a word, Song Yuhang carried the person and walked forward. On the other hand, Lin Yan, once again lying on her back, felt a sweet and sour feeling in her heart that no matter who she was or in what identity she appeared in front of her, she would not ignore her. ¡°Why do you, a police officer, bother toe out and save me? We are not on the same path, and we do not n together.¡± Talking seemed good; at least it could alleviate some of the awkwardness and divert attention. Song Yuhang thought for a moment: ¡°Because I am a police officer, I would go to rescue any Chinese citizen in danger.¡± Even if it was a suspect, only thew could determine his or her life or death. Lin Yan sneered: ¡°Then after saving me, you could just leave me there, right? Why bother being so nice to me, carrying me on your back and all.¡± The question was indeed sharp. Logically, she should have just left Lin Yan there, handcuffed her to control the situation until her colleagues arrived to handle it. But she didn¡¯t do that. She softened her heart and even abandoned her principles as a police officer for a moment. Song Yuhang remained silent. Lin Yan pushed further, ¡°Say something. Why are you silent? Could it be that you are so nice to me because you¡­¡± Before she could finish saying ¡°like me,¡± Song Yuhang, as if she had anticipated what she would say, cut her off. ¡°I don¡¯t know if someone else is following us. It¡¯s dangerous to stay here.¡± Advertisements ¡°Then you could call the police and have them take me away.¡± ¡°My phone¡­ is out of battery.¡± This slightly pale and weak exnation made Lin Yan giggle, her fingernail gently scraping past her earlobe. ¡°Officer Song, you¡¯re quite the character, really an interesting person.¡± When the praised person didn¡¯t show much joy but instead tightened her lips further,her expression became increasingly stiff. Yet, even so, it couldn¡¯t hide the ears turning gradually red. She fiercely said, ¡°You shut up.¡± The person on her back didn¡¯t make any more noise this time, choosing to remain silent. After a long wait without a response, Song Yuhang started to feel a bit soft-hearted again. She thought: Was she being too harsh? Could it be, as she said, that she had be too intimidating? After all, they were just a few insignificant questions. Why did she need to lose her temper so much? Having understood the situation, Song Yuhang cleared her throat and spoke, ¡°My phone really is out of battery. What about yours? We¡¯re deep in the woods, and I don¡¯t know how long it will take to get back to the roadside.¡± Carrying her, she turned around, breathing slightly heavily, and looked up at the density of the tree canopy to determine the direction. Lin Yan didn¡¯t answer, honestly staying on her back. As the woods grew deeper, the sky seemed darker. Then, another thunderp, and a dense shower of rain fell again. Damn this typhoon weather. Song Yuhang cursed under her breath as she hoisted her up a bit. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m talking to you.¡± As she moved, Lin Yan¡¯s head slightly tilted to one side, her arm fell, and her hot breath brushed against her neck, feeling unusually scorching. Song Yuhang was startled and quickly sat her down against a tree, reaching out to touch her forehead, and immediately thought to herself that this was not good. She had a fever. In the middle of nowhere, and it was raining. She couldn¡¯t keep getting drenched like this. Looking at her pale lips yet cheeks flushed with an unhealthy rosiness, Song Yuhang gritted her teeth and lifted her on her back again. ¡°I¡¯ll find us a ce to take shelter from the rain first.¡± Advertisements ¡°Don¡¯t sleep, wake up, talk to me.¡± As she ran through the forest, she frequently turned back to check on her situation. Lin Yan¡¯s head rested in the crook of her neck, burning hot. Song Yuhang was frantic with worry, quickening her pace and running forward. After passing through a pine forest, the view suddenly opened up. There was a wooden house across the river. But there was no bridge, or perhaps there was one, but it might be far away. The rain was getting heavier, and she couldn¡¯t afford to dy any longer. Song Yuhang looked at the swift stream in front of her, gritted her teeth, and hoisted her up a bit. ¡°Can you hear me? We¡¯re going to cross the river. The water is very fast, hold on tight to me.¡± Lin Yan didn¡¯t speak; it was as if a fire was burning in her throat, scorching her insides and clouding her mind. However, she faintly heard Song Yuhang saying something, so she tightened her hold on her a bit more. Although it was a small gesture, it greatly relieved Song Yuhang. She carefully stepped into the water from a lower spot, advancing towards the opposite bank with one foot deep and one foot shallow. The stones were slippery and covered with moss. Combined with the swollen river from the rain, branches and debris asionally floated down from upstream. Walking was extremely difficult for Song Yuhang, especially as she had to pay attention to protecting her. She swallowed water several times, yet still steadfastly carried her on her back. In a daze, Lin Yan felt as if she was drifting in the deep sea again, engulfed by a simr silence and suffocation. The only source of warmth came from the person in front of her. Lin Yan couldn¡¯t help but clutch tightly at her clothes, confused, murmuring with conviction, as tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes. ¡°Song Yuhang, Yuhang¡­¡± After a strenuous effort to reach the opposite shore, she set her down and reached out to touch her forehead. But what she heard was her murmuring something ¨C upon closer listen, it was her name, which shocked her deeply. She shook her shoulders. ¡°What did you say?! What did you call me?! Lin Yan, is that you, Lin Yan?! Say it again, call me again!¡± At her almost persistent request, Lin Yan slowly opened her eyes. When she clearly saw her face, her expression reverted to the usual coldness and wariness, backing away. ¡°What¡­ what do you want?¡± She was feverishly confused, slurring her words, yet still firmly remembered to disguise herself. The more people who knew her identity, the more people would be in danger. Song Yuhang could no longer care about much else and scooped the person up in her arms. Lin Yan struggled, biting her tongue against her teeth to keep her mind clear. Advertisements ¡°What are you¡­ What are you doing?¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± With anger, Song Yuhang kicked open the big door of the cabin, and the smell of aged, rotting wood hit them in the face. Fortunately, the inside was dry, and there was a small bed just big enough for one person to lie on, probably a temporary residence for forest rangers during patrols. She put her on it, and, in this position with nowhere to hide, she lifted her chin, forcing her to look at her. Word by word, gritting her teeth, she asked, ¡°Who exactly are you? What did you just call me?¡± Lin Yan, delirious from the fever, could only shake her head. Holding her face, Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes gradually reddened, her fingers gently touching the teardrop mole by her eye, confirming it was real. Her palm brushed over her long eyshes; those affectionate eyes were also real. Her lips quivering, body shaking uncontrobly, she resembled a mad person who had lost all reason, desperately seeking an answer. Thus, she gritted her teeth and tore open her clothes. With a crisp ¡°Rip¡ª¡±, Lin Yan¡¯s sanity abruptly returned. Tears rolled down from the corner of her eyes as she pushed her away, hugging her own shoulders. ¡°No¡­ don¡¯t¡­ I am not¡­ not¡­¡± Chapter 116.2 Physical Evidence Her lips quivering, body shaking uncontrobly, she resembled a mad person who had lost all reason, desperately seeking an answer. Thus, she gritted her teeth and tore open her clothes. With a crisp ¡°Rip¡ª¡±, Lin Yan¡¯s sanity abruptly returned. Tears rolled down from the corner of her eyes as she pushed her away, hugging her own shoulders. ¡°No¡­ don¡¯t¡­ I am not¡­ not¡­¡± A sh of lightning illuminated her tear-streaked face and eyes through the window. Seeing her in disarray, tears threatening to fall, she too felt like a culprit tonight. Song Yuhang¡¯s heart ached as if being cut by knives, weakly dropping her fingertips, her voice hoarse. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the intrusion.¡± She averted her gaze from the sight of her wet hair and clothes clinging tightly to her body. ¡°However, I think it might be better for you to take off your wet clothes. There¡¯s a nket here, clean. I¡¯ll go outside to find something to start a fire¡­ you should take them off yourself.¡± Advertisements She said, reaching for a slightly damp nket on the bed to hand to her. Lin Yan shrank back, the terrified expression on her face causing Song Yuhang another pang of heartache. Song Yuhang ced the nket beside her and got up to leave the room, looking around for any usable firewood. After she had finished gathering and stood at the door in the rain for a while, waiting until the rustling sounds inside had settled, she then knocked on the door as a sign before pushing it open and entering. Lin Yan curled up with her knees hugged to her chest under a nket, her wet clothesid out beside her. Song Yuhang walked over to tend to the brazier. Fortunately, some of the firewood behind the room was still dry. She quickly managed to create sparks using friction, cing dry grass among the kindling. Before long, the mes roared to life. Lin Yan watched as she took her clothes, setting up a makeshift rack with sticks beside the brazier to dry them. She swallowed, but ultimately said nothing. After finishing these tasks, Song Yuhang fiddled with the embers, not looking up. ¡°Get some sleep, you¡¯re still feverish.¡± How could Lin Yan dare to sleep? Afraid that she might talk in her sleep again and arouse her suspicion. Despite being so tired that she could hardly keep her eyes open, let alone continue to suffer from a high fever. The room, small as a sparrow butplete in every detail, also had an iron kettle for boiling water. Lin Yan watched hazily as Song Yuhang went out and returned to set something over the fire. Shortly, the sound of boiling water gently filled the room. Cradled by these earthly noises and watching the firelight blurring her vision, Lin Yan finally drifted off into a deep sleep. Song Yuhang got up, straightened Lin Yan, and tucked the nket around her snugly. As the water boiled, she took it out to cool in the creek water. After blowing on it to cool it down, she gently raised Lin Yan up and fed her the water in small sips. Swallowing the warm flow of water, Lin Yan felt a relief from the parched irritation in her throat, her body warming up considerably. She drank a little too eagerly, coughing a few times, with droplets slipping from the corner of her lips. Song Yuhang used the back of her hand to wipe them away and carefullyid Lin Yan down after setting the water jug aside. ¡°Sleep.¡± She heard her whispering gently beside her ear. Lin Yan wanted to respond, but she was so weak she couldn¡¯t even lift her fingers. Blearily opening her eyes, Lin Yan saw Song Yuhang gently cing a wet cloth on her forehead. It was cool andfortable. Unable to resist the exhaustion any longer, Lin Yan waspletely engulfed by darkness and fell into a deep sleep. After Lin Yan had fallen asleep, Song Yuhang didn¡¯t rest either. The rain-dampened jungle was cold and wet; she had to make sure the fire didn¡¯t go out throughout the night to keep the room warm. She also went out periodically to rinse the cloth and reapply it to Lin Yan¡¯s forehead to reduce her temperature. By thetter part of the night, Lin Yan¡¯s face had lost its flush, and her temperature gradually returned to normal. Only then did Song Yuhang let herself rx, sitting down beside the bed, rubbing her nose and sneezing. Observing her sound sleep, she felt somewhat embarrassed as she lifted her arms to remove her clothes and ced them by the fire to dry, sitting on the ground in just a ck tank top and crossing her legs. In reality, Lin Yan wasn¡¯t sleeping as soundly as it seemed. Firstly, she wasing in and out of sleep; secondly, the rapid rainstorm outside kept waking her; thirdly, she had been half-asleep and half-awake while cleaning her wounds earlier. She struggled not to speak, unsure of what to say, so she simply chose to continue sleeping. However, she was suddenly awakened by her sneeze and then saw her undressing and sitting down with her back to her, revealing her long, muscr arms and the perfect lines of her shoulders and neck. Lin Yan couldn¡¯t help but linger on the sight for a few moments longer than necessary. Advertisements Song Yuhang, unaware of Lin Yan¡¯s awakened state, took a shiny ring out of the pocket of the clothes she had just removed. She had taken it off to avoid losing it during a fight. Fingering the diamond ring, Song Yuhang was lost in thought about Lin Yan and Pei Jinhong, fluctuating between the memory of Lin Yan smiling at her and Pei Jinhong¡¯s cold, hostile expressions. Her reason and emotions were being torn apart, leaving her mind inplete chaos. Lin Yan was dead. Song Yuhang had seen her body with her own eyes; there could be no mistake. However, Pei Jinhong appeared, a person whose appearance and temperament were strikingly simr to hers, except for the color of her hair. The teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of her eye, the scars on her body, Lin Yan had them, and so did she. Could there really be such a coincidence in the world? Song Yuhang buried her head in her arms, doubting for the first time. Lin Yan was lying down, but she started to be restless ever since she took out that diamond ring. Rustling sounds came from behind. She woke up. Song Yuhang still didn¡¯t move, lifted her head from her arms, caressing the ring, with a slight smile and reddened eyes. Lin Yan turned her head to look at her, her voice hoarse. ¡°Are you¡­ married?¡± ¡°Hm.¡± Song Yuhang snapped back to reality, inserting the ring into her ring finger. Lin Yan felt a pang of heartache, struggling to keep her voice from sounding choked and jealous. ¡°Then, your husband?¡± Song Yuhang shook her head: ¡°I don¡¯t have a husband.¡± ¡°Then¡­¡± She caressed the diamond ring, smiling. ¡°It¡¯s my wife.¡± A bitter taste suddenly surged in Lin Yan¡¯s heart, rushing to her eyes. She was thankful she didn¡¯t turn her head back to speak, which allowed her to conceal this moment of vulnerability. She quickly raised her hand to wipe the corner of her eye and sniffled, asking like a stranger. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be¡­ gay. Where is your wife then?¡± The smile on Song Yuhang¡¯s lips turned bitter. ¡°She¡¯s gone.¡± Lin Yan turned away, burying her face in the musty-smelling nket. Song Yuhang turned her face towards her back. Advertisements ¡°You look a lot like her.¡± Lin Yanughed coldly while tears fell. She didn¡¯t turn around. ¡°Is that so? No wonder you¡¯ve been so nice to me. But remember this, my name is Pei Jinhong, not someone¡¯s substitute.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve got it. But can you face me, look into my eyes, and say that again?¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s voice was calm but carried an edge. She was stubborn, needing an answer and vowing not to give up until she got one. Lin Yan knew her character better than anyone, especially when it came to herself. She showed great obstinacy, even to the point of being somewhat paranoid. Whether it was back when she was pursuing her or even now. She sat up, wrapped in a nket, her ck hair draping over her shoulders, her expression returning to its usual sternness. She looked at Song Yuhang as if she were looking at an archenemy, a nemesis, apetitor, even with a hint of camaraderie that friends might share. But there was absolutely no love, not even the slightest bit. She didn¡¯t even frown, unlike Song Yuhang, who hadn¡¯t spoken yet but already had tearful eyes. She didn¡¯t repeat her words; she simply said, ¡°Today, you saved me, and I saved you. Life for life, we¡¯re even. Next time we meet, you¡¯ll have your stance, and I¡¯ll have my persistence.¡± ¡°We¡­¡± Lin Yan paused slightly, then looked directly into her eyes. ¡°Are enemies.¡± But that¡¯s not enough. She had to be even more ruthless, destroying all her love and faith. ¡°There are many brothers in the nightclub who have seen you. I guess you¡¯ve been looking for me all along. It¡¯s nothing more than wanting to know about those brothers. Yes, they came to me, asking me to help them sell the kidnapped children to Southeast Asia¡­¡± ¡°I agreed, so in a way, you¡­ your wife¡¯s death is also rted to me.¡± Advertisements There was only a momentary pause. Lin Yan blinked her eyes, forcing back the tears, revealing no ws. ¡°The enemy is right in front of you. Don¡¯t you want revenge? Won¡¯t you regret saving me? Don¡¯t you want to extract more information from my mouth?¡± A rapid barrage of questions made Song Yuhang tightly clench her fist, her eyes bursting with anger, bloodshot and teeth grinding. The diamond ring in her hand caused pain in her palm, but it couldn¡¯tpare to the one percent of the pain in her heart. For a moment, Lin Yan almost had the illusion that she would throw herself at her and twist her own neck, but after a few breaths, she held back. Song Yuhang released her grip, leaving a bloody mark on her palm. ¡°You¡¯re right. The reason I¡¯m not doing anything to you right now is because you saved me. I¡¯ve always been clear about debts and grudges. Until we meet again¨C¡° She paused briefly, her tone gradually growing colder. ¡°I will not hold back any longer.¡± As the two conversed, the day had already brightly dawned outside, the fire had died, and anything that could bring warmth had vanished. Lin Yan felt as if she had been in an unreal dream; now awakened, she had to return to that cutthroat world of deception and thin ice. She no longer avoided it, lifted the nket, got out of bed, and started picking up her clothes to dress, all in front of her. The scars from a previous gunshot wound and the marks she herself had made with a knife had disappeared without a trace. Lin Yan let her see clearly, even deliberately dressing somewhat slowly, taking a good while to slide her arms through the sleeves, her fingers clumsily tying the buttons. Barefoot on the floor, her ck hair draped over her shoulders, she carried a demeanor of openness, yet her entire being emitted anguid and seductive aura. It was Song Yuhang who first turned her face away. Lin Yan smiled lightly: ¡°Had enough?¡± Song Yuhang stood up and put on her coat, diligently extinguishing the fire with sand and stones. ¡°Not as pretty as my wife.¡± The previously tense atmosphere shattered instantly. Lin Yan¡¯s mouth twitched, almost letting slip a curse. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Advertisements This time, the two maintained their distance without any more intimate contact, except for when Song Yuhang briefly took her hand to help her over a dirt hill. Despite achieving the oue she wanted, neither of them seemed happy, remaining silent on the way back. Song Yuhang escorted her to the roadside and gged down a returning bus. As the bus door opened, Lin Yan boarded, giving a faint nod without intending to sit together. ¡°Goodbye, Officer Song.¡± Song Yuhang said nothing, hands in her pockets, as she watched her gradually disappear into the distance, eventually vanishing from sight. It was only after the car hadpletely turned the corner that she opened her palm, revealing a piece of fabric she had been clutching tightly. It was carefully cut from the clothes she had dried for her, still stained with ring blood traces. Lin Yan was unaware. Collecting physical evidence is an instinct for every detective. LP: I hope Yuhang learns the truth and then help Yanyan in secret ??? Chapter 117.1 Deal After taking the next bus back to the city, Song Yuhang found a public telephone booth near the bus station, nced around, picked up the receiver, and dialed a number. One hourter. In a fast-food restaurant, where customers were scattered about, Song Yuhang returned home first, hastily freshened up, and then came out to wait for her. Even so, exhaustion lingered on her face, not to mention the bruising and swelling on her nose and the wound on her forehead. Fang Xin was slightly surprised at the sight of her. ¡°Captain Song¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay,e and sit down.¡± Song Yuhang motioned for her toe over and instructed the waiter to bring the food. The two of them chatted casually while eating, and as the customers in the restaurant began to leave and the servers retreated to the back to rest. Song Yuhang finally took out two transparent PVC bags from her pocket and ced them on the table, pushing them over to Fang Xin as she spoke in a low voice. ¡°I don¡¯t know who else to turn to. After giving it a lot of thought, I realized that only you can help me. Please verify if the DNA on this piece of cloth matches the DNA from this strand of hair.¡± The strand of brown hair naturally belonged to Lin Yan. Fang Xin was dumbfounded. ¡°This is¡­¡± Advertisements Song Yuhang shook her head, looking extremely haggard, with dark circles under her eyes and cracked lips. Fang Xin couldn¡¯t bear to press further. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll do it secretly after work today, but the results won¡¯t be avable for at least three days.¡± A glint of gratitude filled Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes. ¡°Thank you, thank you¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to thank me for? Sister Lin is also my friend. Her death is a mystery, and we¡¯re all feeling terrible. If there¡¯s anything I can help with, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask.¡± Avoiding any more mention of the topic, as bringing it up inevitably made Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes well up, the waiter came to clear the table, and Fang Xin discreetly tucked the samples into her own bag. Song Yuhang wiped the corner of her eye. ¡°Let¡¯s leave it at that for today. Thank you for everything.¡± Fang Xin checked the time and got up. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s almost my lunch break. I¡¯ll head back now.¡± She took a couple of steps, then turned back to look at Song Yuhang. ¡°Captain Song, I think you should still go to the hospital.¡± Song Yuhang smiled and shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just a minor injury. You should get going and not bete.¡± After Fang Xin left, Song Yuhang took out her wallet from her pocket and settled the bill. Without waiting for the server to return the change, she put on her hat and left. She drove straight to the Lin residence. Upon hearing the news, Lin Youyuan, who was undergoing treatment, struggled to sit up, and the butler removed the venttor for him. ¡°Not¡­ not there¡­¡± Lin Youyuan gasped and trembled. ¡°Alright, alright, master, lie down, I¡¯ll go and talk,¡± the butler reassured. This was Song Yuhang¡¯s first visit to the Lin family¡¯s old mansion. Thest time she came to pick up Lin Yan, she only nced at it from a distance. The resplendence of the mansion had left a deep impression on her. However, after more than half a year, it didn¡¯t resemble the bustling and lively scene she had imagined. The garden was overgrown with weeds due tock of maintenance, and the whole ce was destely quiet. Song Yuhang nced around, and the butler appeared. ¡°Miss Song, please leave. The master doesn¡¯t want to see you.¡± ¡°I have something important to consult with him. Please inform him again. If it¡¯s not possible, then I¡¯ll have to¡­¡± She took a step forward, raised her chin slightly, and looked down at him. ¡°I¡¯ll force my way in.¡± Butler Lin sighed deeply, feeling helpless. Advertisements ¡°Why do you have to do this?¡± A smirk yed on Song Yuhang¡¯s lips as she started to act stubborn and petnt. ¡°I was just about to call him ¡®Dad¡¯. Uncle Lin wouldn¡¯t refuse to see me, would he? It¡¯s just a brief meeting, consider it me fulfilling my filial duty to Lin Yan.¡± As she spoke, she took out a prepared gift from the car and handed it to the butler. Employing both soft and hard tactics, along with throwing tantrums and making jokes, she didn¡¯t even know where she had learned these. Butler Lin felt both exasperated and intimidated, and dare not ept anything from her, knowing that it would go against Lin Youyuan¡¯s wishes. epting her gifts would only affirm her status as a ¡°daughter-inw¡± of the Lin family. No, it¡¯s not true! Daughter-inw? Why does it feel even more bizarre? As the two continued their back-and-forth, the butler couldn¡¯t bear it any longer and eximed, ¡°Alright, alright, I¡¯ll go and inform him again. Whether he sees you or not is up to him.¡± When he returned to the room, Lin Youyuan had already risen from his bed, leaning against the headboard and observing everything that had just happened through the French windows. ¡°Master¡­¡± Butler Lin softly pushed the door open and entered. Lin Youyuan closed his eyes for a moment, then lifted the corners of his lips slightly. He looked incredibly gaunt, with sunken cheeks, drooping skin, and rxed muscles. ¡°I thought she wouldn¡¯te.¡± ¡°I observed that she genuinely cares for Miss.¡± ¡°Good? What¡¯s so good about it?¡­ ¡± Lin Youyuan said, then started coughing violently, covering his mouth with a handkerchief. ¡°Cough, let her in and ask her to wait for me in the reception room.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Butler Lin bowed slightly, went out to escort the visitor, and when he returned to assist Lin Youyuan to get up, he was stopped by a wave of his hand. Lin Youyuan looked towards the wardrobe. ¡°Pick a well-fitting suit for me.¡± /// WARNING ¨C DISGUSTING LIN GE BEHAVIOUR In a dim basement, a few girls knelt in a small room. Lin Ge raised each of their chins to carefully inspect them, while the person by his side nodded and bowed. ¡°Master Lin, ording to your instructions, what do you think of the selection?¡± Advertisements He raised the chin of thest girl with his slender fingers, and her unremarkable face met his gaze. He withdrew his hand disinterestedly. ¡°Don¡¯t call me that, not yet.¡± ¡°But it won¡¯t be long, it won¡¯t be long. After¡­ after death, it will all be yours.¡± He ambiguously brushed off that name. Lin Ge smiled lightly, took off his gloves and tossed them onto the table, then casually signaled for one of the girls toe over. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s you. You can handle the others as you wish.¡± ¡°Okay, okay.¡± The man¡¯s face revealed a grin like that of a sly fox, and he roughly shoved the girls out of the room. Beforeing, they had been taught how to behave when meeting him. The girl, knowing her ce, crawled over and used her teeth to unzip his pants. Lin Ge tilted his head slightly, his hands tightly clenched into fists on the table. The girl put in great effort, but she became increasingly terrified, as she realized¡­ When he felt tears falling on himself, Lin Ge grabbed the girl by the hair and forced her to lift her head. ¡°Useless.¡± He said coldly, tears welled up in his eyes, somewhat simr to Lin Yan¡¯s, as she cried and begged him. ¡°Young master, please, no, please¡­¡± Before she finished speaking, she was choked, lifted off the ground by her neck. The girl struggled in vain in mid-air, her face gradually turning pale. After a while, she lowered her arms and her head leaned to the side limply. Lin Ge pulled her by the hair towards the depths of the basement. After verifying his fingerprints, he entered a door leading to a ce like a hidden paradise, filled with all sorts of medical equipment and dissection tools. It was a small but well-equipped biologicalboratory. Advertisements Before long, there was a new specimen added to the disy case. Song Yuhang sat and waited for a while, then Lin Youyuan was brought in by the butler to take the main seat and went straight to the point. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± During Lin Yan¡¯s funeral, Song Yuhang¡¯s wounds had not healed, so she was bedridden and did not have the chance to say goodbye to her for thest time, nor did she see Lin Youyuan. This was their first meeting after her death. Lin Youyuan had aged significantly, perhaps to avoid the wind, he wore a simple duckbill cap, his eyebrows were frosted white, and his beard was a little scruffy. He was dressed in arge suit, and even though his appearance was well-kept, there was still a hint of a child wearing adult clothes. At that time, Song Yuhang did not yet know that this incongruity stemmed from Lin Youyuan¡¯s serious illness and emaciated figure. She cleared her throat, stood up to show respect and presented the gift. ¡°This is a health supplement I brought for you.¡± Lin Youyuan nced at it and sneered, ¡°Take her and the stuff she brought and throw them out.¡± Before the words had even finished, several burly men burst into the room ready to drag her away. Song Yuhang dodged and pushed the nearest bodyguard behind her, causing the man to stagger back three or four steps. ¡°Regarding Lin Yan¡¯s death, I have some insight. Would you like to hear it?¡± Lin Youyuan coughed a few times, covering his mouth with a handkerchief. He looked up at her, squinting slightly, as if assessing her intentions. After a while, he suddenly furrowed his brow and moved his finger. The nearest bodyguard suddenlyunched forward, his elbow striking her in the back, causing her to bend over. The others rushed in and pinned her down in front of Lin Youyuan. The old man poked her forehead with the tip of his cane, emitting a phlegmy sound from his throat, panting heavily with gritted teeth. ¡°What right do you have to mention her in front of me? If it weren¡¯t for you, she wouldn¡¯t have died!¡± Song Yuhang lifted her head, neither evading nor avoiding, allowing the cane to redden her forehead. ¡°Yes, I owe her a life, so I must find the real culprit for her and not let her die in vain.¡± ¡°Even if it costs your life?¡± Song Yuhang curled the corner of her lips and smiled briefly. Advertisements ¡°Then consider it as returning my life to her.¡± Lin Youyuan started coughing violently, fiercely swinging his cane towards her head. ¡°Returning her won¡¯t bring Lin Yan back!¡± As the strong wind hit, Song Yuhang closed her eyes, slightly tilting her head, allowing herself to be at the mercy of others. This was what she should endure. She was fully prepared but before the cane could fall, she raised her head only to find the bodyguards had disappeared, leaving only Butler Lin gently patting his back to ease his difort. It seemed like he hadn¡¯t stopped coughing since he entered the room. Song Yuhang was puzzled, ¡°You¡­¡± Lin Youyuan waved his hand and gestured for Butler Lin to leave as well. ¡°Master¡­¡± Lin Youyuan covered his mouth with the handkerchief and coughed hard a couple of times before catching his breath. ¡°It¡¯s okay, you may go.¡± LP: The males of the Lin family are really¡­ <(? _?)> Chapter 117.2 Deal ¡°Master¡­¡± Lin Youyuan covered his mouth with the handkerchief and coughed hard a couple of times before catching his breath. ¡°It¡¯s okay, you may go.¡± After the others left, Lin Youyuan did not let her get up; it was Song Yuhang who stood up on her own, saw a pot on the table, and poured a cup of hot water for him. Lin Youyuan did not take it, nestled in the wheelchair he coughed once, his eye sockets sunken, his cloudy eyes looking towards her. ¡°Talk about your thoughts.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve said it, don¡¯t get angry.¡± Lin Youyuan snorted coldly, without responding. Song Yuhang began to speak for herself, and the more she spoke, the uglier his facial expression became. Especially when it came to saying, Advertisements ¡°For so many years, Lin Yan has been investigating cases privately, and has always been hindered by some unknown forces in the dark. I think this force muste from you. I have also doubted whether she is your biological daughter, or to put it another way, whether you, for some unspeakable purpose, would harm your own child.¡± Lin Youyuan¡¯s lips trembled, his chest heaved up and down due to emotional agitation, and his hand tightly gripped the armrest of the wheelchair. Song Yuhang did not stop, and poured out all her spections in one breath. ¡°As for why you so vigorously prevent her from investigating Chunan¡¯s case, I think there must also be a connection with you. Since everything started from this, I came today because I want to know the truth of that year, after all¡­¡± She paused for a moment: ¡°You are a party involved, aren¡¯t you?¡± If she hadn¡¯t asked, Lin Youyuan wouldn¡¯t want to recall the day of the father-daughter estrangement again. In the night of June, it was pouring rain. Lin Yan came homepletely soaked, kneeling in front of him. ¡°Father, I want to apply for the police academy and be a police officer.¡± He picked up the teacup and smashed it over, shards of porcin grazed her eye and eyebrow, and bright red blood slowly seeped out. ¡°Get lost! I¡¯ve already filled out your application for you¡ªstudy finance at a business school and be a CEO in the future, what¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Lin Yan raised her eyes, coldly mocking him, ¡°Beingzy and unproductive all your life like you, except for making a few dirty money?¡± Lin Youyuan tapped his cane heavily on the ground, making a thud sound. ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you want to do, want to avenge your friend?¡± He sneered, trampling ruthlessly on the girl¡¯s self-esteem. ¡°Stop dreaming. Look at yourself, who can you beat? What you wear, what you eat, what you use, which one is not bought with the dirty money you despise? If you look down on the Lin family and the Lin¡¯s money so much, then just leave. Leave this ce and nevere back.¡± Young Lin Yan suddenly had teary eyes. She was treated coldly at the police station, and when she returned home, she was mocked by her father. What she wanted was nothing more than to find out the truth for her friend. Lin Yan knew that once she walked out of this door, no one would recognize her, no one would give her face. Everyone was kind to her, close to her, fawning over her, all because of Lin Youyuan. At that time, she was alone, she had nothing, she was nothing. Even though she hated the halo and shackles this family brought her, she still had to bow her head to this father. The first time she opened her mouth to call him ¡°Dad,¡± was also the first time she knelt down to beg him. ¡°Dad, Dad, I was wrong, please, help me. They won¡¯t tell me how Chunan died. I just want to find out the truth for her. She has been to our house, you¡¯ve seen her. She was just eighteen, she was a good student, she could have gone to Tsinghua or Peking University. She was so excellent, so kind, she shouldn¡¯t have died so unjustly¡­¡± Advertisements Lin Yan kowtowed, kneeling in front of him, sobbing uncontrobly. ¡°You know many people, don¡¯t you? Can you help me? I¡¯m only asking for this one thing, just this one thing.¡± She crawled over on her knees, clinging to his legs. That was the closest moment between father and daughter. Seeing her crying so hard, Lin Youyuan trembled, actually wanting to pat her head. Just then, someone gently pushed the door open, looking stunned at everything happening before their eyes, and called out, ¡°Uncle Lin.¡± The hand that was about to touch Lin Yan¡¯s head fell again. He nodded slightly, ¡°Ge¡¯er is back.¡± Then he turned a stern face to Lin Yan, pushing her away with his crutch. ¡°You should go. I can¡¯t help you with this matter.¡± Lin Yan fell to the ground and couldn¡¯t get up for a while. It was Lin Ge who quickly walked over to help her up: ¡°What happened, what¡¯s going on?¡± Lin Youyuan pointed with his crutch: ¡°You ask her, why on earth would she want to go to the police academy instead of a prestigious university.¡± Lin Yan curled her lip, feeling disheartened, brushed off Lin Ge¡¯s hand, and turned to leave. ¡°I will make my own decisions, and I won¡¯t ask for your help again.¡± ¡°I give you two choices, one, honestly follow my arrangement and go to the finance university; two, if you walk out of this door today, you will have nothing to do with the Lin family anymore.¡± Seeing this situation, Lin Ge panicked and tried to pull at her clothes. ¡°Say something!¡± Seeing that she didn¡¯t respond, Lin Ge pleaded with Lin Youyuan, ¡°Uncle, no matter what Yanyan did wrong, she is still our family. Let¡¯s talk things out nicely, if there¡¯s any issue, we can discuss it slowly, don¡¯t drive her away.¡± Looking at the sincerity and anxiety on his nephew¡¯s face, a hint of relief finally appeared on Lin Youyuan¡¯s lips. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry, you just came back from America and are still dealing with jetg, go rest.¡± Lin Youyuan was perfect in every way, an altruistic entrepreneur to the outside world, a good uncle who took care of histe brother¡¯s widow and nephews, but he was not a good father to her. Lin Yan scoffed, clenching her fists. ¡°Lin Ge, this matter has nothing to do with you, get lost.¡± Advertisements She turned around to face the sharp gaze of the middle-aged man. ¡°I am determined to walk out of this door today!¡± ¡°Alright, alright.¡± Lin Youyuan couldn¡¯t help but apud her courage. He quickly instructed someone to draft an agreement and handed it to her. ¡°Sign it, write your name, stamp your handprint, and everything of the Lin family will have nothing to do with you from then on. Apart from this name, you will have nothing else. Of course, you¡¯re an adult now, whether to change your name or not is your own choice.¡± Signing her name meant that Lin Youyuan would never give her a penny again. She would have to figure out how to pay for her four years of university tuition, living expenses, study abroad costs, and daily expenses. At that time, her eighteenth birthday was only a few days away. Lin Yan clenched her teeth, her eyes red. Lin Youyuan looked at her, full of resentment like a raging beast, yet holding herself back. He said indifferently. ¡°Also, your watch, the Green Ghost worth ny thousand yuan, the gift I gave you on your birthdayst year.¡± ¡°The sneakers on your feet, thetest model, bought on Children¡¯s Day.¡± ¡°And the clothes on your body, which child your age wears Armani haute couture? It¡¯s all Lin family¡¯s money, take them off before you leave.¡± It¡¯s no wonder they¡¯re father and daughter, both knowing how to provoke each other to the maximum extent. Lin Yan only made one final request. ¡°Give me the application form, I¡¯ll fill it out myself.¡± Lin Youyuan waved his hand, and the butler handed over the documents, as ifpleting some kind of handover ceremony. Lin Yan signed the documents hurriedly, the sharp tip of the pen tearing through the paper, and then she lifted the paper and pen, fiercely smashing the wristwatch off her wrist and shattering it at his feet. ¡°Give it back to you!¡± ¡°Lin Yan!¡± Lin Ge rushed over and stopped her from taking off her coat. ¡°Apologize to Uncle Lin, and this matter will be over. Listen to me!¡± ¡°What does it have to do with you!¡± Lin Yan forcefully pushed him away, took off her coat and threw it on the ground. Her ck hair scattered, and she walked outside barefoot, wearing only a thin vest, getting drenched in pouring rain. In her hand, she clenched the application form. She turned her head onest time and asked him, who was above her. Advertisements ¡°Am I your biological child? Dad, did you ever love me?¡± Compared to the desperate questioning, this calmness was even more chilling. After a while, Lin Yan shook her head and smiled, as if mocking her own sentimentality. In that moment, he saw her mother¡¯s shadow in her. The girl stood in the rain with her hair loose, delicate and frail. When she was brought back, she was a short little girl, but now she had grown almost as tall as him, with her features developed, her appearance radiant and exquisite. A thunderbolt tore through the sky, and only then did he realize. His daughter had grown up, no longer under his control and coercion. She even had the courage to break free from the cage, even if it meant breaking her wings. Lin Yan took step by step, never looking back, and walked towards her unknown future. Lin Youyuan wanted to chase after her, stumbled and took two steps, falling to the ground along with his crutch. Of course, this was something that theter Lin Yan did not know. What she didn¡¯t know was that the agreement to sever ties was not signed or stamped, which meant it had no legal effect. She was still a member of the Lin family, and Lin Youyuan was still her father. When the old man tremblingly took out this well-preserved document, Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t help but be moved. ¡°You still kept it.¡± ¡°I kept it. In fact, all these years, I have been waiting for her toe back and take this agreement, but she¡­¡± She can nevere back again. Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes turned slightly red. She squatted down and held the old man¡¯s rough hand, feeling genuine sympathy for this elderly person in his twilight years for the first time. In a way, they were the ones who could truly empathize with each other. ¡°What happened next?¡± Song Yuhang asked, wanting to know more about her past. ¡°Afterwards¡­¡± Lin Youyuan smiled faintly and ced the yellowed paper on the table. ¡°It¡¯s not easy to get into the police academy. Her physical fitness wouldn¡¯t pass the test, so she switched to medical school.¡± After hearing so much, Song Yuhang still had a trace of doubt. ¡°Why did you try so hard to stop her from applying to the police academy? What¡¯s wrong with being a police officer?¡± As she asked this, the smile on the old man¡¯s lips gradually disappeared, revealing a hint of nostalgia for the past. He gently touched his green ring finger and fell silent. Advertisements After Song Yuhang left, Butler Lin came in again. ¡°Master, everything is ready. Part of the money has been transferred to overseas ounts, and the rest has beenpletelyundered.¡± Lin Youyuan coughed a few times, with specks of blood on his handkerchief. Trembling, he handed over the agreement to him. ¡°Keep it safe. Wait until everything settles down, and then give it back to her.¡± ¡°Master¡­¡± Butler Lin couldn¡¯t bear it. ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell Miss Song the truth?¡± Lin Youyuan¡¯s coughing became more intense. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear what she said? She was in dangerst night¡­ This is¡­ Someone¡­ cough¡­ cough¡­ doesn¡¯t want to let them go¡­¡± Butler Lin became anxious, patting his back to help him breathe, and quickly pushed him back to the ward, connecting him to a respirator. It took a while for him to regain his strength. Lin Youyuan trembled as he raised his hand. ¡°Go, go and call Lin Ge. I¡­ have something to tell him.¡± LP: Still a sh*tty father! Chapter 119.1 Inquiry Fang Xin endured the whole night, and as soon as she obtained the appraisal results, she immediately sought out Song Yuhang. She left in a hurry, only locking herputer without shutting it down. Someone passing by her desk nced at it unintentionally, then paused, looked around to see no one was watching, turned back, tapped the keyboard, and copied a document into their USB drive. ¡°Captain Song¡­¡± Fang Xin, clutching the thin piece of paper, hesitated to speak. Song Yuhang, on the other hand, smiled as usual andforted her in turn. ¡°It¡¯s okay, no matter what the result is, I can handle it.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Fang Xin clenched her teeth and handed over the appraisal report. The person iming indifference hurriedly snatched it, quickly opened it, and smoothed out the creases of the paper. Her gaze fell to the appraisal opinion at the very bottom, and suddenly, she was shaken, her face turning pale. ¡ª¡ªUpon appraisal, the DNA sequence simrity between Sample No.1 and Sample No.2 is 0, indicating no kinship rtion. ¡°How could this be¡­¡± Song Yuhang bit down hard on her teeth, her hands trembling, gradually crumpling the paper, her eyes slowly reddening. Advertisements ¡°Captain Song, just hold off on panicking for now.¡± Watching her teeter on the verge of copse, Fang Xin licked her lips and began to exin. ¡°DNA identification is only rtively urate, not absolutely so. Moreover, the uracy of the sample collection process, the temperature and humidity of the environment, and the methods of testing all significantly influence the results¡­¡± Having said so much, it¡¯s unclear whom she was trying tofort, before she added onest sentence. ¡°Don¡¯t lose heart.¡± Song Yuhang was, of course, aware that DNA evidence isn¡¯t conclusive proof. Modern criminal investigations don¡¯t rely solely on DNA results to convict. But for her at the moment, this appraisal result was irond evidence, and it was her only hope in identifying Pei Jinhong¡¯s true identity. She buried her head in the steering wheel and sniffed, waving her hand to signal that no constion was needed. After a good while, she raised her head, revealing an awkward smile. ¡°Thank you for the trouble.¡± ¡°No worries at all, Captain Song, please take good care of yourself. I¡¯ll head back to work now.¡± Seeing her like this, Fang Xin felt a pang of distress too and didn¡¯t dare to stay longer, leaving her space to be alone. She opened the car door, stepped out, and bid her farewell. Song Yuhang nodded, watching her enter the precinct¡¯s main doors. Then, she reached for the cigarette pack thrown on the dashboard, tremblingly lit one to calm her nerves but ended up punching the steering wheel, tears falling down. ¡°I¡¯ve got someone who wants to buy my stuff,¡± came a hoarse voice through the receiver. He clenched his phone tighter at once. ¡°Can¡¯t you just stop? Haven¡¯t I turned a blind eye enough all these years?!¡± His voice was already lowering into a growl by the end. A sinisterugh emitted from the other end of the line. ¡°Not enough, still not enough. How could making money ever be enough? This is a deal worth two hundred million.¡± Two hundred million. A sudden chill ran down the spine of the man on the other end of the call. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid this is a trap?¡± ¡°One cannot catch a wolf without risking the bait,¡± the man on the phone chuckled nonchntly, stroking a parrot¡¯s feathers and feeding it a sunflower seed. ¡°Why tell me something so important?¡± he gritted his teeth. Advertisements ¡°Naturally, because I¡¯d like your help.¡± The man snorted coldly, on the verge of hanging up the phone. ¡°I have nothing to do with you anymore.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not necessarily,¡± Kuba was holding the phone for him while the old man freed his hand to scratch the parrot¡¯s chin. The man¡¯s pet, imbued with a sense of spirituality, mimicked with repetition, ¡°Not necessarily, not necessarily, not necessarily¡­¡± Laughing, the man said, ¡°Ha, see? Even animals understand the principle of repaying kindness.¡± ¡°What on earth are you trying to say?!¡± His tone grew colder, increasingly impatient. ¡°I have a meeting this afternoon; I don¡¯t have time to waste on your nonsensical talk.¡± The old man calmly reached for a handful of sunflower seeds to feed his pet, his voice smooth yet carrying an edge of sharpness. ¡°Still in meetings, better to retire now. Once you do, who will even remember you? Look how long you¡¯ve been in this position. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to give it onest shot before retiring? Maybe you could even climb higher.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± came the furious, hushed response from the other end. The elder felt a wave of boredom and threw the melon seeds into the dish. ¡°Look at you, turning down money and glory that¡¯s been handed to you on a silver tter. To be honest, I¡¯m tired of Southeast Asia, this damp and sweltering ce. This time, all I want is enough money to emigrate and enjoy my retirement. The rest of the goods, the people, I could give to you. With one fell swoop, we could take down the criminal gang that¡¯s been threading through Southeast Asia, threatening border security, trafficking drugs into the country, and dealing in human trafficking. It would be a major achievement. Think it over, my old chum.¡± As he spoke, he affectionately stroked the parrot¡¯s head, feeding it a melon seed and watched as it mimicked, ¡°Old chum, old chum, old chum¡­¡± The sharp, eerie voice echoed far through the empty factory, sending chills down one¡¯s spine for no reason. The breathing on the other end paused abruptly, followed by a ¡°bang¡± as the call was disconnected. Kuba removed the satellite phone from his ear. ¡°Boss, why did you tell him that? Aren¡¯t you afraid he might betray us?¡± ¡°Hmph, at this age, when one is practically one foot in the grave, what do you think is most important to a person like that, do you know?¡± Kuba honestly shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡± Though a big fellow, brimming with muscle, his mind was cluttered with nothing but schemes involving women and drugs. Such matters were beyond him, even headache-inducing at times. The Supreme Lord, precisely because of his simplicity yet unwavering loyalty, had taken him under his wing. Advertisements ¡°Child, it¡¯s all about saving face,¡± the Supreme Lord, with a parrot perched on his shoulder and leaning on his cane, shakily stood up and patted his shoulder. ¡°People who have always been in the limelight, experiencing a sudden fall from grace, the shock and disparity thates with it¡­ perhaps only death could fill that void.¡± Kuba supported him, saying, ¡°Supreme Lord, I still don¡¯t understand.¡± A trace of a smile appeared on the corners of the elderly man¡¯s lips. ¡°Not understanding is good, not understanding is good.¡± If you did understand, that would be dangerous. The work at the grassroots police station was much quieter than she had imagined, at leastpared to before. When there were no street disputes, after she finished her patrol duties, she could go off shift on time. Song Yuhang drove first to the Ji family¡¯s ce to visit her mom and Xiaowei. She had thought Ji Jingxing wouldn¡¯t be back at this time, but to her surprise, it was she who opened the door. ¡°Howe you¡¯re¡­¡± Howe you¡¯re home so early? Ji Jingxing took the gift she bought for Xiaowei from her hands. ¡°Why are you buying things again, given the sry now¡­¡± She stopped mid-sentence, swallowing her words back. Ji Jingxing knew this was a sensitive topic for Song Yuhang, so she quickly switched gears. ¡°You probably don¡¯t know yet, but I¡¯ve resigned from thew firm. I¡¯m going to be an independentwyer now, so please take good care of me.¡± Probably noticing her downcast mood, she deliberately cracked some yful jokes to cheer her up. Mother Song also peeked out from the kitchen, smiling at her with a glint of hope in her eyes. ¡°Yuhang, you came just in time. I made braised pork. Stay for dinner.¡± Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t bear to go against her mother¡¯s wishes and reluctantly agreed. ¡°Alright.¡± Xiaowei, hearing the noise from the living room, also poked her head out from the bedroom and called out, ¡°Auntie.¡± Advertisements Song Yuhang was overjoyed and was about to rush over to embrace her when she slipped back inside and locked the door. Ji Jingxingughed. ¡°She¡¯s willing to call out to people now, which is much better than before. Let¡¯s take it slow and not pressure her.¡± Presumably, her decision to quit her job and be an independentwyer was also for the sake of taking better care of the child. Song Yuhang felt moved in her heart. ¡°Sister-inw has worked hard.¡± Soon, the dishes were served on the table. Inside the house, the warm yellow light was on, and the table was set with four dishes and a soup, steaming warmly, with the family sitting together in harmony. ¡°Yuhang, try this.¡± ¡°And this one, the crispy yellow croaker, bought fresh from the market this morning. It¡¯s very fresh.¡± ¡­¡­ Song Yuhang suddenly stopped using her chopsticks, staring nkly at the mountainous pile of rice in her bowl, murmuring to herself. ¡°Yellow croaker, she liked to eat it, and the braised pork too.¡± ¡°Yuhang¡­¡± Mother Song looked at her worriedly. Suddenly, Song Yuhang stood up and walked to the kitchen, taking out an empty bowl and a pair of chopsticks, cing them beside herself. The whole room exchanged puzzled looks as she divided the food in her bowl with another, for someone who wasn¡¯t there. Mother Song¡¯s heart ached immensely; she put down her chopsticks, her eyes brimming with tears. ¡°Yuhang¡­¡± Song Yuhang looked up, lifted her rice bowl, and smiled. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s okay, let¡¯s eat, or the dishes will get cold.¡± Intending tofort her mother, she was instead the one offering constion. Mother Song, taken aback, was at a loss for what to do next. Ji Jingxing deftly eased the tension, yfully poking her arm. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Mom, let¡¯s eat. Yuhang, you too, eat more. Xiaowei, try this.¡± Song Yuhang mechanically shoved rice into her mouth, asionally adding dishes to the empty bowl beside her, her gaze persistently dim and lifeless. Advertisements She only lifted her head to offer a smile when called upon. That smile, too, was hollow and void of meaning. After dinner, Song Yuhang wanted to clean up the dishes, but was stopped by Mother Song. ¡°You don¡¯te back often, go and y with Xiaowei for a bit.¡± Ji Jingxing also echoed on the side: ¡°Exactly, exactly. Xiaowei has missed her auntie, hasn¡¯t she, Xiaowei?¡± Xiaowei shyly burrowed into her embrace. When they sat down, she then gently stroked the child¡¯s head, softly saying. ¡°Xiaowei, be good and go y with your blocks in the room for a while. Mom and your auntie need to talk.¡± Song Yuhang sat at a distance from her, on an isted single-seater sofa, which she had noticed the moment she entered. She observed that Song Yuhang would asionally caress the ring on her finger and get lost in thought. Like right now. Ji Jingxing felt a bit worried. Throughout the process of taking Xiaowei for treatment, she had been in contact with many psychologists and had also self-studied this area extensively. She could tell that Song Yuhang¡¯s current state was actually very poor. Chapter 119.2 Inquiry Like right now. Ji Jingxing felt a bit worried. Throughout the process of taking Xiaowei for treatment, she had been in contact with many psychologists and had also self-studied this area extensively. She could tell that Song Yuhang¡¯s current state was actually very poor. She hesitated before speaking, ¡°Yuhang, have you ever thought about meeting new people?¡± Song Yuhang shook her head, ¡°No.¡± ¡°Well¡­ how about going on a trip to change your mood?¡± Song Yuhang smiled slightly. ¡°Busy, no time.¡± Ji Jingxing gritted her teeth and decided toy it all out. ¡°Don¡¯t you think your current state is very dangerous? How about this, I¡¯ll arrange for you to meet a friend this weekend? Listen to their advice, maybe it will help you in your current situation.¡± Even though she spoke in a veiled manner, Song Yuhang still understood. Her eyes darted towards her, then shook her head. Advertisements ¡°No, sister-inw, I don¡¯t want to meet anyone, except for you guys.¡± With that, she picked up her bag and headed towards the door. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m going back now. Goodbye, sister-inw, goodbye Xiaowei.¡± Mother Song came out of the kitchen, ¡°Don¡¯t leave so soon, stay a little longer, okay?¡± Before she could finish her sentence, she had already mmed the door shut with a loud ¡°bang¡±. Mother Song and Ji Jingxing exchanged a nce, sighing deeply. ¡°Sigh, who knows when these days will ever end. If only I had known¡­ I wouldn¡¯t have stopped her back then.¡± Ji Jingxing walked over and held her hand,forting her. ¡°Mom, take care of yourself. Look at me, I¡¯ve been through so much, and everything will get better.¡± ¡°You still have Xiaowei, I still have hope, but Yuhang really has nothing left.¡± Mother Song choked up, and Ji Jingxing hugged her, gently patting her back. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mom. Look, Yuhang finally came, and you¡¯re already crying like this. Next time, she might not dare toe.¡± ¡­¡­ Song Yuhang left her home without a destination in mind, aimlessly driving around the streets. Unconsciously, she found herself standing in front of the Huange Nightclub. The windshield wipers scraped against the ss, and she peered through the mist to see a few familiar cars parked outside the nightclub. As she opened the car door, she confirmed the familiarity of the people there. Xue Rui and two other inclothes police officers, probably here to inquire about the Wang Qiang case. After some consideration, Song Yuhang pushed open the car door and stepped out. ¡°Xue Rui,¡± she called out his name from a distance. Xue Rui turned around, his eyes lighting up. ¡°Captain Song, what are you doing here? Oh, it¡¯s raining so heavily. Did you forget your umbre?¡± He asked, and then turned to ask a colleague for an umbre to offer her. Song Yuhang politely declined, ¡°Just passing by. Are you here to investigate a case?¡± Xue Rui nodded, looking somewhat troubled, scratching his head. Advertisements ¡°It¡¯s still the same case of the murder and burning, no leads.¡± A faint smile appeared on Song Yuhang¡¯s lips. ¡°How ironic, I also find this case intriguing. Should we work together on this?¡± Xue Rui was delighted to have someone to bounce ideas off. ¡°Let¡¯s go, what are we waiting for? Let¡¯s go inside.¡± ¡°Who are you? Show your membership card.¡± ¡°Police, investigating a case. Get your boss out here,¡± Xue Rui stated, directly shing his credentials. At the door, someone had already reported the situation to Pei Jinhong. She was drinking with a client, leaning slightly on the sofa, with a well-behaved young girl kneeling at her feet massaging her legs. The man beside her had his arm around her shoulder, appearing drunk. ¡°Who? She¡¯s not avable!¡± As soon as the words were spoken, Xue Rui and his team barged in. The waiters naturally couldn¡¯t stop them, nor did they have a reason to. Stopping them would only show guilt. Song Yuhang immediately noticed her lounging on the leather sofa, being attended to by the young and beautiful girl, with a man hugging her waist affectionately. It was all too ring. Pei Jinhong, being a seasoned professional in sensual situations, remained unfazed by the scene before her. Not only did she stand her ground, but she also fed a grape into the man¡¯s mouth. Her delicate fingertips caressed his lips gently back and forth, causing those watching to blush and feel their hearts race. Xue Rui cleared his throat, but before he could speak, the person beside him coldly stated, ¡°The police are here to inquire, so bystanders should step aside.¡± Lin Yan withdrew her hand impatiently, still wearing her ck veil hat, which added a touch of mystery and allure. ¡°Oh, such authority,¡± she remarked. ¡°Last time, you used us of concealing drugs. What¡¯s the charge this time?¡± The events at the Huange Nightclub fromst time were still vivid in her memory. Song Yuhang pressed her lips together tightly, choosing not to speak. Seeing her reaction, Xue Rui continued. ¡°It¡¯s rted to a murder case, so it¡¯s best for everyone else to step aside.¡± Advertisements Liu Zhi whispered to Pei Jinhong as he poured her a drink. ¡°Sister Hong, should we¡­¡± Lin Yan tapped her finger lightly on the rim of the ss. ¡°No need. Just do as I say and avoid any unnecessaryplications.¡± With Liu Zhi blocking most of the view, their conversation and movements were kept discreet. Song Yuhang furrowed her brow, ¡°Can¡¯t we just have an open conversation about this?¡± ¡°Well, look at you.¡± Lin Yan cheekily wiped a hand across Liu Zhi¡¯s smooth, toned chest, not quite finished enjoying the moment before retracting her hand. ¡°Do we need to discuss bedroom talk openly here as well?¡± The people in the room let out a mixture of subdued chuckles. Song Yuhang¡¯splexion darkened even more. Lin Yan finally sat up straight, ¡°Alright, everyone, leave for now. We¡¯ll y another day.¡± The man reluctantly got up, wanting to kiss her again. Lin Yan plucked a grape from the fruit bowl on the table and ced it in his mouth, her eyes seductive. ¡°Wait for me tonight.¡± ¡°Of course, my darling.¡± For some reason, despite the rainy weather, the air conditioning was turned up high. Xue Rui stood next to Song Yuhang and shivered uncontrobly. As everyone filed out of the room, he rubbed his nose, sat face-to-face, and began working. Song Yuhang stood three steps away from him, positioned in the shadow of the sofa behind him, directly facing Lin Yan. Lin Yan was well aware that she was being observed, but upon seeing Xue Rui and the inclothes officers, she felt a sense of reassurance. If they truly suspected her, she would have been sitting in the interrogation room at the police station by now, rather than theming to see her in person. The difference between ¡®inquiry¡¯ and ¡®interrogating¡¯ is substantial. While Liu Zhi may not have beenpletely meticulous, the burning of the body had destroyed most of the evidence. They couldn¡¯t find a breakthrough, and the alibi of not being present can always be fabricated. Lin Yan¡¯s background as a forensic scientist made her adept at handling police questioning, ensuring that no detail was overlooked. Advertisements ¡°That night, I was singing at the Huangju KTV. I stayed there until nearly dawn. Don¡¯t believe me? Check the surveince footage. It¡¯s not like I have the ability to bribe every business in Jiangcheng City.¡± Lin Yan stated with a hint of disdain, followed by a mocking smile. Song Yuhang listened in, feeling almostpelled to apud her. Xue Rui awkwardly set down his pen, having already conducted an investigation beforeing. Everything she mentioned matched up with the store surveince footage. He nced back at Song Yuhang. ¡°Captain Song, is there anything else to add?¡± Song Yuhang shook her head, her sharp gaze still fixed on her, a slight smile on her lips. ¡°I must say, Miss Pei, your eloquence and ability to think on your feet are truly outstanding.¡± Lin Yan swirled the liquid in her highball ss, her ck dress slightly askew, revealing a bare shoulder. Her loose high heels dangled from her ankles. It added a certain allure to her snow-white ankles, which were just as captivating as she was. Song Yuhang kept her eyes on her, only listening to what she had to say. ¡°Your praise is too kind. Since you¡¯re already here, and everyone made the effort toe, would you like to try some of our drinks and moisten your throats?¡± She suggested, setting down her ss and preparing to pour wine into another empty ss. The person behind the sofa stirred. Song Yuhang lifted the ss of red wine she hadn¡¯t finished and took a sip, the faint lipstick mark on the rim disappearing. The smile at the corner of Lin Yan¡¯s lips gradually cooled. Song Yuhang raised her eyes to look at her, a smile hiding a sharp edge. ¡°Miss Pei, do you know what it means to be too smart for your own good?¡± In her mind, achieving such precision in handling a murder case without a single slip meant that only someone whom she had crossed paths with before, the owner of another ring on her hand, could have done it. Lin Yan¡¯s heart skipped a beat, her smile fading as she slightly lowered her eyes, feigning a look of shock. ¡°I don¡¯t understand what Officer Song is saying.¡± Xue Rui watched from the side, sensing a strange atmosphere between the two. Song Yuhang¡¯s behavior was unusual, especially drinking from a ss previously used by a suspected criminal during working hours, a thought he would never have entertained before. Xue Rui licked his lips, casting a careful nce at Pei Jinhong. The room was dimly lit, and she wore a ck veil hat, making her face difficult to see clearly. However, the exposed half of her chin seemed familiar to him. Advertisements Before he could ponder further, Song Yuhang stood up. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Xue Rui and the others quickly followed suit. ¡°Aren¡¯t we going to continue questioning?¡± ¡°We¡¯re done.¡± There was no point in continuing; if Lin Yan wanted to distance herselfpletely from the case, she could certainly achieve it. If it wasn¡¯t Lin Yan, then it was¡­ Someone else was pulling the strings behind her. Song Yuhang¡¯s gaze turned cold, pausing in her steps. ¡°Thank you for today.¡± Xue Rui scratched his head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. We didn¡¯t get any answers anyway.¡± After bidding farewell, they each got into their respective cars and drove off in different directions. Chapter 121.1 Doom Three dayster. Early in the morning, as the director walked into the office, he saw that Song Yuhang was not at her desk, furrowing his brow slightly. ¡°Where is Song Yuhang?¡± A colleague, munching on a vegetable bun, looked up from hisputer and said, ¡°Oh, she clocked in and said she had something to attend to at home, so she took half a day off.¡± ¡°This is uneptable. Alwayste, leaving early, and taking random days off. Does she think our workce is a tourist spot?¡± Laughter filled the room as they discussed Song Yuhang¡¯s behavior. After all, she used to be a leader in the city bureau, so maybe she was just here to experience life and would eventually go back. The director¡¯s face went through various shades of red and white, but after a while, he turned and went to make a phone call. When Song Yuhang received a call from Feng Jianguo, she was in the warehouse moving goods. She wiped the sweat off her forehead with a towel, wiped her hands on her pants, then answered the call, slightly out of breath. ¡°Hello, what¡¯s up?¡± She immediately heard his hoarse and angry roar over the phone. Advertisements ¡°Where the hell are you? Comint calls are flooding in here. Get your ass back to work!¡± Song Yuhang held the phone slightly away from her ear. Suddenly, she felt a heavy p on her back. ¡°What the hell are you doing?! Not working properly and beingzy! Be careful, you might not get paid today!¡± Song Yuhang quickly hung up the phone and bowed her head, nodding. ¡°Yes, yes, I¡¯ll get to work, right away.¡± Feng Jianguo listened to the busy tone on the phone and was stunned: After spending a few months at the grassroots level, this person had be so bold that they dared to hang up on the director. He quickly ced the handset back on the phone, then there was a knock on the door. ¡°Director Feng, everything is ready.¡± Feng Jianguo rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit unsettled by the unexpected incident this morning. However, with things already in motion, he had to carry on. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s proceed ording to the n.¡± The warehouse where she was currently working was located in the same logistics park where drugs were discoveredst time. Not long after, as Feng Jianguo had suspected, everything appeared normal. Normal logistics vehicles wereing and going, transporting ordinary goods. What Song Yuhang had seen that night seemed like a bizarre dream. Even the workers had changed their uniforms. In these three days, she had managed to get a job here as a regr loader and unloader through abor servicepany, paying a high price. She earned a daily wage of fifty yuan, with two meals provided, working from 9 am to 10 pm, with a one-hour break at noon. There were both men and women in the workshop, most with dark and rough faces, calloused hands, and scars from being scratched by goods. Song Yuhang ckened her face and mingled with the crowd, not looking out of ce. She quickly bonded with the migrant workers. One of the supervisors had been here for three years and was considered a veteran, but he couldn¡¯t exin what goods were transported here in the past. When pushed for more details, he would be annoyed. ¡°Why ask so many questions? As long as we can earn money, it¡¯s good enough!¡± Not to mention the somewhat mysterious inner workshop that remained locked, with no one entering it. Perched on a container, wearing a safety helmet, holding a half-eaten pickled vegetable bun, Song Yuhang observed the orderly operation of the entire logistics park, with vehiclesing in to unload cargo from time to time. Advertisements These trucks probably make a trip every two hours, and when she finished work at 10 pm, it was thest shift of the night. Song Yuhang looked at the shadow cast by the sun beneath her feet, roughly estimating the time. As her gaze shifted, she noticed the back door of the logistics park opening, and a few small cars sliding in. The guard quickly closed the door. Standing high up, she quickly bent down. Several people got out of the car, nced around, and the supervisor she was familiar with approached them, leading them into the workshop. Song Yuhang rolled off the container, adjusted her safety helmet, forgot about eating the bun, and watched as the group passed in front of her. A man in desert camouge vest asked, ¡°Is the cargo ready?¡± The supervisor nodded and answered, ¡°All set, all set. Loading is in progress, it will definitely be ready to be shipped out tonight.¡± The group swaggered into the workshop, and the shield door came down, blocking all visibility. Song Yuhang stuffed the bun into her mouth, realizing there would definitely be some significant activityter that night. ¡°Sister Hong.¡± Liu Zhi walked in and handed her a piece of paper. Lin Yan unfolded it and a slight smile appeared at the corner of her lips. She lit up a lighter and burned the paper. ¡°If you knew she was a spy, why didn¡¯t you kill her?¡± Liu Zhi lit a cigarette for her in the glow of the me, the red lips lightly brushing against it, revealing pearly white teeth. Lin Yan blew a smoke ring. ¡°No rush, your older brother just died, and she followed soon after. How do you think others would see it?¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Liu Zhi hesitated. Lin Yan took a few puffs and then extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray, a hint of determination in her eyes. ¡°Find a few skilled individuals. We¡¯re going on a trip tonight.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Liu Zhi nodded and hurried out to make preparations. ¡°Young Master, the Supreme Lord is meeting with buyers tonight. Would you like to join?¡± Lin Ge was engrossed in the perfect ketone body in front of him. He used a surgical knife to open her facial bones, peeled off the skin with a tearing sound, and two eyeballs fell to the ground. Advertisements He examined it as if it were a piece of art, holding the skull and looking at it. ¡°I won¡¯t go. It¡¯s boring to see a bunch of old things almost in the grave talking about business full of the stench of money.¡± The assistant received the response, but as he turned to leave, he was called back. ¡°By the way, has the person who almost killed Song Yuhangst time returned?¡± The assistant shook his head, ¡°No, most likely they have met an unfortunate end.¡± Lin Ge furrowed his brow, slightly annoyed, and tossed the ¡°artwork¡± in his hand into a solution, emitting a sizzling sound, filling theboratory with a pungent smell. ¡°Damn it.¡± The assistant hesitated briefly before speaking. ¡°She¡¯s very skilled and alert.¡± Lin Ge sneered as he washed the blood off his hands. ¡°If she wasn¡¯t skilled and alert, how could she be the captain of the criminal investigation team?¡± ¡°What¡¯s our next step?¡± ¡°We wait.¡± Waiting for an opportunity topletely kill her. The attendant looked up in surprise. He regained hisposure. ¡°Let¡¯s go down.¡± His emotions always seemed so erratic, sometimes calm, sometimes manic. The attendant looked at the blood-stained mess on the floor, his face turning pale. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Stay a while longer.¡± The woman, disheveled, sat up from the bed. The man pulled up his pants. ¡°I have something to do tonight; I¡¯lle back to see youter.¡± Advertisements ¡°What¡¯s the rush? Why are you in such a hurry?¡± The woman reached out, embracing his waist, her nails grazing his chest. The man lifted her face, sharing an intimate moment, their lips locked in a secret conversation. ¡°It¡¯s important, a big shot ising. Be obedient.¡± After a rustling sound, the man left the house dressed and tucked a gun into his waistband. With no one around in the alley, he hurried out, got into a ck car, and disappeared into the street. Almost at the same time, Liu Zhi pushed open the door. ¡°Sister Hong, they¡¯ve set off.¡± A small pistol wasid out in front of Lin Yan. She wiped it with a cloth, blowing away the dust. ¡°Let¡¯s go too, to meet the Supreme Lord.¡± In the afternoon, the supervisor assigned some people to unload the goods. Song Yuhang also approached with a sheepish look on her face, pulling the person to a corner and handing over a pack of good cigarettes. ¡°Boss, my younger brother is still in school, and my parents got injured early on and can¡¯t work. Give me a chance to earn money; you are like my second parents.¡± The supervisor saw the cigarette, Soft Chunghwa, not bad, quite ssy. Seeing a woman hanging around here all day with a dirty and tired face, he felt a bit sympathetic. ¡°Okay, you cane too. Work hard, there will be pay for you.¡± ¡°Thank you, thank you, thank you, Boss.¡± Song Yuhang nodded and bowed, respectfully seeing the person off. Once they were gone, her expression turned cold and stern again. She finally entered the workshop as she wished, wearing a safety helmet and a mask, working alongside other specially chosen individuals. She noticed that these people had more experience in the industry, and a few even had some martial arts skills. If she moved slowly, she would attract fierce res from them, and then a whip harshly struck her body. ¡°What are you looking at? Get back to work!¡± The supervisor hurried over and handed a cigarette to the man who had struck her. ¡°Calm down, calm down, the neer doesn¡¯t know any better.¡± ¡°Even neers can be arranged to work inside?¡± The man gave her a menacing look. As they spoke, the workshop door opened again, and the camouge-d man from the morning walked in with two or three others. Advertisements The man who had struck her quickly slid down from the container, stood up straight, and bowed. ¡°Hello, Brother Tiger.¡± Song Yuhang and the others, with their heads down, mumbled, ¡°Hello, Brother Tiger.¡± Carefully peering at his face hidden under the safety helmet, Song Yuhang felt a shock in her heart. She had seen his name in the newspaper: Tiger! A once-famous drug dealer in Southeast Asia, a retired special forces soldier, and an international mixed martial arts champion. Such a prominent figure was just ackey. How deep did the waters behind this go? Tiger, cigar in hand, casually walked over and used a knife to puncture open a cardboard box, revealing bottled liquids inside. He was very pleased. ¡°Not bad. Keep working; by seven o¡¯clock, everything should be loaded onto the trucks and ready to go with me.¡± Several trucks were already parked at the logistics park¡¯s entrance, ready and waiting. The crowd acknowledged with a grunt and went back to work, focusing on their tasks. Chapter 121.2 Doom ¡°Not bad. Keep working; by seven o¡¯clock, everything should be loaded onto the trucks and ready to go with me.¡± Several trucks were already parked at the logistics park¡¯s entrance, ready and waiting. The crowd acknowledged with a grunt and went back to work, focusing on their tasks. Song Yuhang followed the supervisor and asked, ¡°Who¡¯s that? He looks pretty impressive.¡± The supervisor turned around and whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t be nosy, just get back to work.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Song Yuhang lifted a cardboard box effortlessly, carried it out to the truck, then returned. When no one was looking, she used a small knife to slit open a corner of the box. It contained drinks. Could it be that this group of people was really involved in legitimate business now? She was skeptical and decided to follow them at night to see for herself. Work ended early today, and they finished everything before seven o¡¯clock. The supervisor paid them for the day¡¯s work. Song Yuhang held onto the crumpled banknotes absentmindedly. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s call it a day here, and finish work early.¡± Advertisements ¡°What about dinner?¡± someone protested. The supervisor exploded in anger, ¡°F*ck your mother, we¡¯re finishing early and still paying you for the whole day¡¯s work. Your ancestors must have umted enough virtue, and you still want dinner? Get lost!¡± The group grumbled as they made their way out, but Song Yuhang stayed in ce, lost in thought. Someone identally bumped into her. ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving yet?¡± ¡°Oh, not in a hurry, just need to use the restroom. Can you hold this for me?¡± she said loudly, seemingly urgent and not minding much. She handed over the money and slipped out of the queue while no one was paying attention. ¡°Hey, what a fool!¡± The person held the money, delighted, nced around to make sure no one was watching, then stuffed the money into their pocket and quickly left thepound, paying no more attention to her. Song Yuhang sessfully slipped away to a spot near the usual restroom area, dressed in work clothes and a safety helmet, and no one paid her any mind as they passed by. The ce was not far from the back gate, and she heard voices nearby. Song Yuhang pressed against the wall, sneaking closer. Nightfall had descended, providing the best camouge. The shutters of the bungalow were half-closed, with several tables set up outside. A few burly men she had seen in the afternoon were sitting together, drinking and smoking. There were peanuts, beer, and a few bottles of the drinks she had seen in the workshop on the table. Tiger wasn¡¯t there. Song Yuhang furrowed her brows and observed as the men excitedly picked up one of the bottles, opened it, took a swig, and passed it around, their faces flushed abnormally. She understood then ¨C that certainly wasn¡¯t ordinary drinks inside those bottles. She turned away and took out her phone from her pocket, quickly typing out a message and sending it. ¡°The time hase, let¡¯s go.¡± The group of men, done with their revelry, flipped the table and retrieved weapons from the bungalow. She saw a burly man with a left green dragon and a right white tiger tattoo even carrying an AK over his shoulder. Song Yuhang clenched her teeth, cursing, ¡°Damn it, they have heavy firepower too.¡± ¡°You guys go ahead, I need to go relieve myself.¡± ¡°It¡¯s always you whoes back thetest,zy like a cow, peeing and pooping a lot. Hurry up and get back!¡± Someone angrily scolded. A man in a jacket broke away from the group and ran towards the restroom in the nearby woods. Song Yuhang held a brick in her hand and quietly followed. Advertisements Before long, the man returned, still wearing the same clothes and a duckbill cap. The same person who spoke to him earlier flicked his cigarette away. ¡°Finally back, let¡¯s go, drive, don¡¯t keep Tiger, the Supreme Lord, and the others waiting too long.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± His deliberately deep voice sounded somewhat strange. The man wanted to look at him a bit more, but he had climbed into the driver¡¯s seat and obediently started the truck. The man grumbled as he walked to the small car in front, waving his hand, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Master, everything is ready,¡± Lin Youyuan sat on the bed, holding a bowl and drinking medicine. He managed to maintain a calm andposed demeanor, as if he were savoring a fine tea. Despite the medicine¡¯s repulsive bitterness, he swallowed every drop without hesitation and then handed the bowl to the butler. ¡°Once everything is ready, let¡¯s set off.¡± The butler seemed somewhat uneasy, ¡°Perhaps I should apany you, just in case the subordinates need some guidance¡­¡± A faint smile appeared at the corner of Lin Youyuan¡¯s mouth, his spirits seemingly improved today. ¡°It¡¯s precisely the subordinates who should handle it. Just wait, it¡¯s not yet the time for us to step in.¡± The butler¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and after a slight bow, he prepared to leave. ¡°Yes.¡± Lin Youyuan called him back as he was about to depart. ¡°Any news from Lin Ge?¡± ¡°There hasn¡¯t been much activity, he hasn¡¯t left the house for several days,¡± the butler mentioned Lin Ge, with a lingering uncertainty. ¡°If you already know, why not¡­¡± Could it be that merely relying on past rtionships is enough to tolerate him to this extent? Lin Youyuan was not one to be easily swayed. The old man¡¯s beard twitched slightly, a sigh escaping from his lips, ¡°I am old, let the young ones handle the affairs of the young.¡± (LP: This is why you suck) In the outskirts of the city, at a remote breeding farm. A wooden fence surrounds a secluded hilltop. The car lights shed three times, and someone emerged with a shlight to open the wooden gate, allowing the trucks to enter one by one. Advertisements After the delivery trucks went in, several cars approached slowly and were stopped at the entrance. A person took off their sunsses, revealing an unremarkable face. Despite the surrounding armed bandits looking fierce, the person remained unfazed, holding a ck leather briefcase in hand. ¡°Oh, is this how you treat esteemed guests?¡± ¡°Boss Long?¡± The lead guard nced him up and down, while the people with Boss Long kept a watchful eye on the guards. With a signal from the guard, the group rushed forward, snatching the briefcase from him and pinning him down on the car to search his body. The otherckeys followed suit, and when one of Boss Long¡¯s men resisted and tried to reach for a gun at his back, a bullet quickly sent him to the afterlife. After the inspection, the guard tossed the briefcase back to him, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips. ¡°Go inside, the Supreme Lord will be with you shortly.¡± The fallenckeyy at his feet, the intimidation of the situation having stripped Boss Long of his former swagger. His face pale, he meekly held onto the briefcase. ¡°Yes¡­ yes, of course.¡± With that, he was pushed inside by several guards, and the gate closed behind him. Song Yuhang drove the car to the designated location. Before even turning off the engine, someone urged her, ¡°Get out, go over there and wait, don¡¯t wander around.¡± She jumped out of the car and obediently followed a few armedckeys inside, observing her surroundings as she walked. It seemed to be a pig farm, with the air filled with the stench of swill. The seemingly simple wooden fence was actually wrapped in wire, with sandbags stacked every few steps, and a few burly men armed with guns sitting around. Not far away stood a watchtower. Song Yuhang had excellent eyesight and could immediately spot the patrolling figure atop it. upying the high ground, the sniper rifle in their hands could cover the entire farm, leaving no movement unnoticed by the sharp-eyed marksman. This was clearly a small military fortress. Song Yuhang felt a pang of rm as she was pushed into a wooden house. Alongside her were the others who had arrived in different cars, and they exchanged nces with each other. The person who brought them in closed the door, unslung the gun from their back, and chambered a round. Song Yuhang uttered a quick ¡°not good!¡± and acted preemptively, leaping up with a hook punch that sent the person stumbling back two steps. Seeing the situation turn sour, theirpanion hurriedly removed a gun from their back, pulled back the bolt, but before they could prepare to fire, Song Yuhang grabbed the person by their cor and flung them towards the other, causing both to fall together. The thug standing behind her aimed the dark muzzle of the gun at her and pulled the trigger. ¡°Bang, bang, crack!¡± A series of loud gunshots rang out, and the sniper on the tower aimed their scope over, only to see the small house ¨C curling a sneer on their lips in contempt. Advertisements ¡°F*ck, just killing a few pigs, why make such a big fuss.¡± Song Yuhang pushed the dead body aside, got up, picked up the gun, while the people who came with her were in shock, their faces pale, crying. ¡°Please¡­ please don¡¯t kill me! I don¡¯t know anything, I¡¯m just a driver!¡± The unexpected event happened too quickly. When the person fired the gun, Song Yuhang was already alert, quickly dodging behind the two fallen individuals, with blood sttering. Taking advantage of the opponent¡¯s momentary confusion, she found a knife on one of the deceased and viciously flung it, hitting right on the forehead. Whether in quick reactions orbat abilities, she acted seamlessly and decisively, without hesitation. Song Yuhang helped up the few innocent people. ¡°Quick, we need to leave. They¡¯re going to silence us!¡± ¡°But, but there are so many people outside. How do we escape?¡± Song Yuhang nced at the bodies on the ground. ¡°Change your clothes, head southeast. There are fewer guards in that direction.¡± With that, she took the lead in pulling off the jacket of the man she had just shot. The others nced at each other, gritted their teeth, and crawled over to help. Before long, the wooden door opened. Through the sniper¡¯s scope, the three people walked out as usual, shrouded in the dark night, making it impossible to see if there were any bloodstains on their clothes. Whispering softly, Song Yuhang said, ¡°Just keep going straight, don¡¯t look back.¡± Turning back would mean getting shot on the spot. It wasn¡¯t until the group walked out of the sniper¡¯s view, reaching the back of the house and crouching under the eaves. The oppressive feeling that made one¡¯s scalp prickle finally dissipated. Song Yuhang breathed a sigh of relief, pointing to the darkness of the night. ¡°Do you see the gap over there? Don¡¯t stand up, crawl forward and slip out, and you¡¯ll be safe. Hurry, let¡¯s go.¡± The two individuals expressed profound gratitude: ¡°Thank you, thank you.¡± After bidding her farewell, they followed themand and crawled away. Advertisements As one of them was about to squeeze through the wire fence, he nced back and saw that Song Yuhang had already vanished into the night. A ruthless gleam shed in his eyes as he patted hispanion¡¯s shoulder. Thepanion snapped back to attention, ¡°Quick¡­¡± Before the word ¡°go¡± could be fully spoken, warm blood sprayed from the man¡¯s neck. He retracted the dagger, wiped away the bloodstains from his clothes, shoved the person into the bushes, and pressed the miniature mic on his cor. ¡°Report, there¡¯s a cop who infiltrated.¡± If Song Yuhang were a ruthless criminal who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals, then this mission would undoubtedly seed. Unfortunately, she was a police officer, unable to raise a butcher¡¯s knife against unarmed civilians, which meant that tonight she was destined to face this ordeal. For some unknown reason, Lin Yan, who was on standby on the perimeter, suddenly felt a sharp pain in her heart, almost making it hard for her to catch her breath. She had to slightly bend down, holding onto the car door. ¡°Sister Hong¡­¡± Liu Zhi wanted to help her but hesitated. Lin Yan waved her hand, taking a few deep breaths to calm the palpitations. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± As she saw the lightsing up the mountain road, she raised her hand. ¡°The people have arrived, order the brothers to prepare.¡± LP: My only hope is that Yuhang and Yanyan stays alive until the end ( ??_?? ) Chapter 122.1 STRONG CONTENT WARNING: The following chapter contains scenes of violence, blood, and intense emotions. Reader discretion is advised. Sea of mes As they watched the Hummer stop at the entrance of the breeding farm, Liu Zhi was about to rush out, but Lin Yan grabbed him back. ¡°Sister Hong¡­¡± he lowered his voice, full of confusion. Leaning against the dirt slope, Lin Yan held a cigarette in her hand, gently flicking the ash off. ¡°No rush. Adding flowers on brocade goes unnoticed, and sending charcoal in snowy weather shows deep friendship. Going out at this time will only make you look suspicious,¡± Lin Yan advised. Liu Zhi still had a hint of doubt, ¡°But what if what Chen Fang said is false?¡± She casually blew a smoke ring, ¡°Then let¡¯s consider it as us witnessing some excitement.¡± In their conversation, Kuba had already jumped out of the car. The guard, upon seeing his face, immediately slung his gun over his back and respectfully opened the wooden gate. Advertisements ¡°Second Master, please.¡± Kuba got back into the first Hummer again, slowly driving through the gate. Song Yuhang lowered her head and, with others, carried away the wooden fence. Inadvertently, she nced at the dark ss, reflecting the scarred face of an old man, appearing quite terrifying in the night. Was this the infamous drug lord, the Supreme Lord known for cunning and treachery, who had terrified countless people in the Golden Triangle region? Surprised, Song Yuhang discreetly brushed her coat button as she watched the departing Hummer, casually noting down its license te number. After getting the person inside, she took the opportunity when others weren¡¯t paying attention, picked up an AK and followed behind the patrol team. Luckily, these bandits were all dressed simrly in desert camouge, with ck face masks covering up to their noses, leaving only their eyes visible. Without careful observation, one couldn¡¯t tell that she had long switched ces like a fox bing a prince. These individuals operated in a militarized manner, with shifts and clear responsibilities. Many of them had broad shoulders, sturdy physiques, t noses, and exuded a fierce aura, looking like well-trained fighters. Not far away, a group of shirtless teenagers, gathered to y dice in front of a small bungalow. Judging by their appearance, they were no more than fourteen or fifteen years old, or even younger. Many of them had strange and exotic tattoos on their bodies and faces, standing on tables and chairs with beer and other beverages close at hand, the drinks topped with U.S. dors. It was unclear who had lost the bet again, but money was swiftly swept away, prompting the loser to curse loudly in anguage she couldn¡¯tprehend. Several others pounced on him, knocking him to the ground and brutally kicking his face. The patrol leader shouted loudly in Burmese, causing the group of kids to step back, still grumbling as they spat on the ground. The thick phlegmnded near Song Yuhang¡¯s feet. She tightened her grip on the gun, almost tempted to shoot these people right there. However, she knew that the most crucial task of this mission was not killing or saving these misguided children. It was to bring back every single detail of what she had witnessed and captured on film today. In the future, all of these would be crucial pieces of evidence to determine life and death in the courtroom. Song Yuhang quietly exhaled a turbid breath, calming her emotions and continuing to move forward. After roughly circling the entire camp, she had a rough estimate in her mind, but she was also secretly shocked. The campprised around fifty individuals, not including the sharpshooter stationed on the watchtower brought in by the Supreme Lord. Over half of them were young adults, with a dozen or so child soldiers. Advertisements The sheer magnitude of the armed forces in thend of Jiangcheng City, hidden in the deep mountains and dense forests, raised the question of who had given them the authority. The person who could make Kuba and the Supreme Lorde personally must have a significant background. As the night grew darker, the vignce in the camp became even stricter, pervaded by a tense atmosphere hinting at an imminent battle. Song Yuhang knew that every minute and second she dyed would reduce her chances of safely getting out of there. However, as she looked at everything before her ¨C the organized criminal syndicate, the stacked boxes of new drugs, the looming drug lord and mysterious buyers ¨C a sense of duty made her hesitate. She was unsure if there would be another opportunity like this, or if someone else would risk their life to intrude again. Whether their crimes would be exposed to the world depended on what she could obtain this night. With a determined grit, Song Yuhang gritted her teeth and quickly muttered something in rudimentary Burmese to the thugs in front of her, indicating she needed to use the restroom. With that, she broke away from the group. ¡°Supreme Lord.¡± The warehouse door swung open, casting a beam of light inside, and Boss Long, who had been resting on a gas drum, also stood up. Supported by his entourage, the elderly man slowly walked in, leaning on a cane. He was well into his senior years,pletely bald, wearing dark sses. He was not tall, even a bit diminutive, yet no one present dared to look down on him. Boss Long, noticing the scars covering his bald head like centipedes, felt a shiver down his spine, his hands trembling. After swallowing hard, he finally regained his voice. ¡°This is a fifty million deposit check. I want to inspect the goods.¡± Apanied by several of his men, they surrounded Boss Long in the middle, their guns already taken away. The individuals he brought along were now flexing their fists, eyeing everyone with a predatory re. Kuba assisted him to sit on the other side while Tiger stood guard at the door with his gun. Another attendant brought in a birdcage from outside and ced it beside him. Song Yuhang gently lifted the tiles on the roof. The Supreme Lord twisted some snacks in his palm to feed his beloved pet, his face even wearing a slight smile. ¡°Lower your weapons, this is our esteemed guest. Come, bring the goods for Boss Long to taste.¡± The guns that had been confiscated were returned to their owners, and Boss Long¡¯s followers looked at him skeptically, then at the boss before reluctantly picking them up with his approval. During the interval of receiving the goods, the Supreme Lord continued to feed the parrot. Advertisements ¡°Boss Long¡¯s business is booming in Singapore, so why did he think ofing to the maind? Business here is not as easy.¡± Seeing him rx, Boss Long finally sat down. ¡°Well, economies everywhere are in a downturn. Wealth and prosperity are sought amid risks.¡± Both parties had already investigated each other beforeing, much like how Boss Long knew the Supreme Lord was a ruthless drug lord with no hesitation in killing, while the Supreme Lord knew he was a Chinese from Singapore, the legal representative of thergest private enterprise in the country. The Supreme Lord was selling this batch of goods to him, knowing that he could resell it at double the price, making it a win-win and highly profitable deal. These were pieces of information that both sides were already aware of before the meeting. Observing his fluent responses without surprise, the Supreme Lord picked up a straw and stirred the water in the birdcage¡¯s feeding box, luring the beloved pet over to drink. ¡°Many years ago, I did business with your father,¡± the Supreme Lord snorted coldly. Seeing the parrot refusing to drink, he angrily tossed the straw into the birdcage. ¡°Did hepensate me with twenty million? How is he doing now?¡± Boss Long opened a nearby box, revealing a neatly stacked pile of US dors. ¡°To be honest, my father passed away ten years ago. I¡¯ve heard some rumors about that incident, which was caused by some irresponsible brothers within the family. I have taken care of them.¡± ¡°This money is for the Supreme Lord as a form of apology.¡± There was no business deal ten years ago; this was all a deception. However, if he were to publicly point out the Supreme Lord¡¯s mistake, he feared he might not leave here alive today. The old man¡¯s lips curled into a slight smile as he took the handkerchief that Kuba handed him and wiped his hands. ¡°Let¡¯s inspect the goods.¡± Several cardboard boxes were brought in one by one. Song Yuhang squinted slightly, watching as the Supreme Lord¡¯s men opened the first box. Boss Long sneered, showing a hint of disdain. ¡°What is this? Coca-C? Don¡¯t joke around, I¡¯m not a convenience store vendor¡­¡± Advertisements As soon as the words fell, a child around ten years old walked in. At Kuba¡¯smand, he picked up a bottle of drink, unscrewed the cap, and gulped it down. After a while, a smile yed at the corner of his lips, and his face flushed. He panted heavily, slightly agitated, and tugged at his clothes. With a wave of Kuba¡¯s hand, two big, burly men swung their fists and charged forward. A brutal punch hit the child¡¯s chest, causing a visible copse of the chest cavity. The child staggered back a few steps but did not fall. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he firmly twisted one of the men¡¯s wrists, raised his knee into the man¡¯s stomach, causing him to hastily retreat, stumbling into a cardboard box and falling to the ground. The child swiftly advanced, his eyes bloodshot, viciously roaring as he attempted to bite the man¡¯s throat with incredible strength. Anotherckey picked up a steel rod as thick as a thumb from the ground and smashed it towards the child¡¯s head. The child did not dodge, hesitating for a moment as fresh blood oozed from his scalp, dropping one by one onto the floor. Boss Long widened his eyes as he watched everything unfold before him. Just when he thought the child was dead, the child stood up, blood covering his face, and with a roar, he staggered towards the burly man. Seemingly possessing inexhaustible energy,pletely oblivious to pain. Boss Long was shocked, witnessing the child overpowering the burly man, copsing at his feet. The child, with bloodstained white teeth, was inches away. Boss Long recoiled, tumbling off the oil drum. A gunshot pierced the air. Kuba blew the smoke from the barrel of the gun and said, ¡°Take him away.¡± The limp child and the two heavily injured strong men were carried out, and the blood on the ground was quickly cleaned up, as if it had just been a nightmare. Everything disappeared without a trace. Boss Long swallowed hard, being helped up from the ground, while the old man burst into heartyughter, his smile tinged with a hint of madness and triumph. ¡°Did you see that? This is ¡®Drunken Dream No.1,¡¯ capable of extreme excitement, madness, tirelessness, maintaining vigorous energy and a desire to attack forever, and even¡­¡± He paused meaningfully, ¡°an enhancement in certain abilities in that area, perfect for those wealthy big bosses.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s chest heaved up and down as emotions surged within her, unconsciously picking at the dust on the tile with her nails. She gritted her teeth tightly, almost unable to restrain the urge to rush in and take them down, until she tasted a hint of blood on her tongue. Advertisements Her Adam¡¯s apple bobbed as she closed her eyes and managed to push back the difficult-to-control restlessness. Five minutes ago. In the bushes outside the breeding farm, a group of people silently approached. A calm and methodical voice came through the radio channel: ¡°Surround the entire factory premises. When the gunshots ring out, charge in and capture the Supreme Lord alive.¡± ¡°Yes, first team in position.¡± ¡°Second team in position.¡± ¡°Third team in position.¡± ¡°Fourth team in position.¡± ¡°The vantage point has been secured.¡± A dark figure climbed stealthily around the blind spot in the sniper¡¯s field of view, ascended the tower, tapped the sniper on the shoulder, and as the criminal turned around to shoot, they were knocked unconscious with a swift hand strike. A cloth was stuffed into their mouth, and handcuffs were ced on them, chaining them to the railing. Chapter 122.2 STRONG CONTENT WARNING: The following chapter contains scenes of violence, blood, and intense emotions. Reader discretion is advised. Sea of mes Boss Long swallowed his saliva twice, first with fear in his eyes as he watched everything unfold before him. After hearing what was said, he swallowed again, this time with an excited gleam on his face, as if he saw piles of banknotes right in front of him, almost unable to contain his anticipation. ¡°This is fifty million. Take it, and when can you provide me with the follow-up goods?¡± An assistant brought over a suitcase, which Kuba opened for the Supreme Lord to inspect. Sure enough, the checks were checks, and the cash was cash, exuding that distinct scent of banknotes. The Supreme Lord was very pleased. He picked up a stack, licked his finger, counted the money, then threw a pile of dors into the box. Kuba closed the suitcase and stood by his side. ¡°Boss Long values honesty, and so do we. The remaining goods will be delivered in seven days at¡­¡± Before he could finish her sentence, footsteps were heard outside the warehouse. Advertisements Song Yuhang¡¯s pupils dted as she saw someone run over and whisper something in Tiger¡¯s ear. Tiger took down his AK from his back, loaded the bullets, and kicked open the warehouse door. Uh-oh! It seems like we¡¯ve been discovered! Song Yuhang¡¯s mind sounded the rm, and in one swift motion, she climbed down from the roof and ran down. Upon hearing the sound of tiles breaking on the roof, Kuba reacted swiftly, grabbing the submachine gun from apanion nearby and firing a burst towards the ceiling. Song Yuhang leaped up just in time as the spot where she stood was pierced by bullets, sending tiles flying. Before she could catch her breath, the decrepit beams sumbed to the weight, emitting a creaking sound, and under another wave of gunfire, they finally copsed. She managed to grab a piece of tile only to fall heavily, her head covered in dust. In the weightless descent, someone aimed a gun at her. Song Yuhang grabbed the AK she had picked up earlier from behind, opened her eyes amidst the dust, used her waist as support, quickly pulled the trigger, and unleashed a series of shots. Kuba helped up the Supreme Lord, dodged to the side, and rolled on the ground while shielding his head with his hands. Several henchmen fell to the ground from being shot, while Song Yuhang tumbled into a pile of oil drums, too focused on shooting to make any protective moves. Shended on her back, the pain causing her vision to darken. A few empty oil drums rolled down, and Song Yuhang dodged to the side. Bullets hit the oil drums, sparking as they flew. She got up and sprinted madly towards the exit. The surrounding police officers, unsure who fired the first shot, exchanged nces, the gunshots serving as a signal. Someone had already dashed out. The criminals behind the wooden fence turned around and, facing the approaching SWAT team, lifted their hands and fired a burst of bullets. Blood sttered on the grass, the SWAT member fell to the ground, the gun in their hand dropping, blood trickling from the corner of their mouth, eyes staring nkly into death. The sound of the gunshot seemed to flip a switch, as more criminals emerged from the bungalows, rooftops, and behind sandbags, throwing everything into chaos. Lin Yan suddenly sprang up from the grass nest, checking her watch. It wasn¡¯t time yet. What on earth was going on? Amidst the nearby gunshots and the flickering firelight, she gritted her teeth and gestured with a wave. ¡°Charge!¡± Advertisements A little further away, on the slightly tter slope of the opposite hill, several policemand vehicles were parked. Feng Jianguo took the binocrs from someone else¡¯s hands and observed the battle. Several special police officers walked briskly over, escorting individuals who were tied up. ¡°Director Feng, we found him in the forest behind the farm, knocked unconscious.¡± The bound individual nodded repeatedly, indicating for them to untie him. Feng Jianguo took one look at his face, and cold sweat covered him. His appearance here ¨C who could the inside man in the farm be?! ¡°Kill her!¡± someone shouted loudly in multiplenguages, and immediately Song Yuhang was blocked by several henchmen, who fired without hesitation. Song Yuhang rolled sideways onto the ground, with bullets hitting the concrete floor, almost grazing her body. She took refuge behind the oil drums, breathing heavily, calcting how to escape. Her fingers felt the oily grease on the drum, realizing it wasn¡¯tpletely empty, a n forming in her mind. Another group of assants nked her. Song Yuhang picked up the gun and fought bitterly, alone among the vicious and dangerous criminals. In a nce, she saw Kuba helping the Supreme Lord make his escape, a surge of adrenaline building up within her. With a loud shout, she stood up, taking aim and firing the gun. ¡°Don¡¯t leave, save your life!¡± Kuba pushed the Supreme Lord towards Tiger. ¡°Take the Supreme Lord and go first!¡± With that, he turned around, and the barrel of the gun spewed out mes, a burst of bullets shooting towards her. Song Yuhang maneuvered through the hail of bullets, her body adorned with unknown injuries, her camouge suit soaked, but she felt no pain. She leaped and hid behind the oil drum. The ensuing bullets pierced the drum, causing crude oil to trickle onto the ground. Footsteps approached in a chaotic manner. Song Yuhang sat back against the oil drum, threw the empty magazine on the ground, and retrieved a photo from her shirt pocket. Her blood-stained hand gently caressed the face in the photo, a faint smile on her lips. She carefully ced the photo back close to her heart, while with one hand, she pulled out a lighter from her pants pocket and lit it with a click. In her heart, she silently counted: 1, 2, 3¡­ Kuba ran towards the direction where she was hiding, stepping on the slippery liquid beneath his feet. The entire warehouse was filled with a pungent smell of crude oil. Advertisements He suddenly felt something was amiss, halted his steps, and called out to hispanions, ¡°F*ck, back out quickly!¡± It was toote. Song Yuhang silently recited, raised her hand, and viciously flung the lighter out, a glint of fire reflecting in her pupils as a golden hue tinted her brows and eyes. In the instant the explosion-generated huge wave overturned everything, Song Yuhang thought to herself: It¡¯s okay to let it go like this. However, this thought was fleeting, even though she deeply wished to reunite with her fianc¨¦e in death. But she couldn¡¯t die yet. The evidence had not been sent out, and if she were to die, it should be after delivering the evidence to the authorities. She needed to reveal all this evil to the world, including the uing transaction in seven days, brewing with conspiracy, power, money, and desire¡­ Lin Yan and Chu Nan¡¯s grievances had not been avenged. She couldn¡¯t¡­ die. It wasn¡¯t all over yet. Song Yuhang exerted herst ounce of strength, flipping inside an empty iron barrel as the mes approached, allowing the fire to engulf everything. ¡°Supreme Lord, are you okay?!¡± Lin Yan arrived with her men when the battle hade to an end. The ground was littered with bodies, most dressed in desert camouge, with heavy casualties. The police had temporarily retreated. Liu Zhi dug out Tiger and Supreme Lord from the pile of corpses. Tiger spat out the sand in his mouth, got up, and pointed a gun at his head, cursing loudly. ¡°F*ck, why did you alle so quickly?!¡± ¡°If we hadn¡¯te, Tiger, who has roamed Southeast Asia and conquered all challengers, would have fallen here tonight.¡± Lin Yan emerged from the sea of blood and corpses, her shapely figure enveloped in a tight ck leather outfit. Her shoulder-length ck hair was tied back into a sleek ponytail, exuding a fierce and dangerous beauty. Advertisements She held a small pistol in her hand, loaded with bullets, aimed at him and pulled the trigger. However, it wasn¡¯t him who died but a young policeman next to him who had intended to harm the Supreme Lord. As the mes extinguished, Song Yuhang narrowly escaped and crawled to the warehouse door in a daze, hearing a gunshot in the distance. She nced up hastily, only to see a familiar figure coldly and mercilessly pulling the trigger towards her formerpanion, throwing the body into the bushes as if it were a discarded piece of trash. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­¡± A tear slid down her eye, her fingers futilely wing at the ground as her weak cries were drowned out by the sound of gunfire. Upon hearing movement, Lin Yan turned around. ¡°There¡¯s a survivor.¡± With that, she walked over, grabbed her by the hair, and lifted her face, shaking it abruptly, herplexion turning ghastly pale. How could it be her? Song Yuhang was a mess, covered in dirt and blood. Despite narrowly escaping by hiding in an iron barrel during the explosion, her hands and feet were badly burnt by the sudden surge of heat in the warehouse. Her flesh was charred, unrecognizable, no longer human. Despite being in a sorry state, her eyes remained bright, shimmering with tears. She used to love her eyes ¨C warm as amber, calm as the vast ocean, with a hidden warmth flowing beneath the iceberg, alwaysposed and full of love and vitality. But now, all that remained was silence and deep-seated hatred. Lin Yan¡¯s hand, gripping her hair, began to tremble. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth, wishing to devour her flesh, drink her blood, unable to quell the hatred burning in her heart. ¡°You¡­ you killed him¡­ I¡­ I¡¯ll kill you!¡± As the words fell, she was hit on the temple with the butt of a gun, causing Song Yuhang to turn her head, ears ringing as she spat out a mouthful of blood. The gun in Tiger¡¯s hand was loaded, aimed at her head, gritting his teeth in hatred. ¡°It¡¯s her, suddenly barged in, alone killed over twenty of our best men, even Second Master¡­¡± Before he could finish, Song Yuhang slowly closed her eyes. Advertisements Lin Yan grabbed the gun barrel, ¡°Hold on.¡± Song Yuhang looked up in confusion, her lips quivering, but she saw Lin Yan smile coldly once again. Her hand, like a snake, touched Song Yuhang¡¯s cheek, caressing it back and forth. Finally, she gently pinched her chin, forcing her to look up and smile gracefully. ¡°She is called Song Yuhang, the former captain of the Criminal Investigation Detachment in Jiangcheng City, quite skilled. It¡¯s not surprising at all that she took down over twenty of you. Even if she dies here, the cops wille back for the body. Once today¡¯s events are exposed, it might be¡­¡± Lin Yan¡¯s cold gaze fell on the miniature camera hidden in her cor button. Today, whether it¡¯s her, Kuba, or the Supreme Lord, they have all shown their faces. Once the video spreads, their wanted posters will circte worldwide. The Chinese police will inevitably join forces with military personnel from various countries tounch a manhunt. There will be no escaping even if they sprout wings. Tiger finally figured out the situation, his back drenched in cold sweat, ¡°Are you saying she has something on her?¡± Lin Yan nodded, using the gun to smack her face. ¡°That¡¯s right. If she¡¯s going to die, she¡¯ll have to tell us where the thing is before dying.¡± LP: Yanyan buying time, also Yuhang, you better recover, you idiot! Chapter 124.1 Nail ¡°Captain Song, Captain Song!¡± In a daze, someone was calling her name by her ear, but Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t hear it clearly. ¡°A police officer is injured! Stretcher! Stretcher!¡± Several medical personnel ran over, lifted her onto the ambnce, shoved a tube into her mouth, and started performing chestpressions on her. Amid the onlookers, the ambnce with shing lights and ring sirens sped away. The city¡¯s anti-drug task force also arrived to help clean up the battlefield and loaded the unconscious criminals onto police cars. With that, the armed forces hiding in the deep mountains and forests on the outskirts of Jiangcheng City werepletely wiped out. As soon as Feng Jianguo returned to the city bureau, a call came in from the provincial office. Shortly after, key leaders from the municipalmittee gathered to discuss the next steps. In the city center hospital. One by one, critical condition notices wereing out from the operating room. If it weren¡¯t for Ji Jingxing firmly supporting Mother Song, she would have almost copsed on the ground. Advertisements Finally, the lights in the operating room went out. The doctor took off his mask and walked out, his face grim. ¡°Multiple organ failure, along with a severe infection, to the ICU.¡± This meant she would not be able to walk for a long time, but fortunately, she still had her life. Mother Song cried tears of joy, and together with Ji Jingxing, they pushed the hospital bed towards the intensive care unit. Fang Xin and Duan Cheng were by their side, and after they had settled the patient, Zheng Chengrui patted his friend¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll go to the restroom, call me when you leave.¡± Duan Cheng wasforting Mother Song while crouched on the floor, whispering to himself, ¡°Quick in, quick out, we still have to go back to the office for the meeting.¡± Fang Xin nced in the direction of Zheng Chengrui walking away. He disappeared at the end of the corridor without any abnormalities. ¡°Hello?¡± The man took out another card from his pocket, inserted it into the phone, and made a call. ¡°She¡¯s not dead yet, but she¡¯s severely injured.¡± There was a slight pause on the other end, with a hint of resentment in the voice. ¡°She¡¯s really lucky.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t this good then? There won¡¯t be any more interference.¡± The man on the phone understood his meaning. ¡°Have you gone soft? It¡¯s gone this far, there¡¯s no turning back.¡± The man remained silent. He continued, ¡°Kill her, and our great feud will be avenged.¡± Advertisements The sound of flushing water came from outside the restroom, signaling someone¡¯s arrival. The man hung up the phone, pulled out the SIM card, threw it into the toilet, and left after a gushing sound of water. Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau. Operation meeting room. ¡°In summary¡­¡± before Xue Rui could finish speaking, the sudden knock on the door interrupted him. A group of high-ranking police officers in uniforms escorted a middle-aged man into the room. He also adorned a silver olive branch on his shoulder, and his rank was no less than that of Feng Jianguo. The scene resembled an arrest of a criminal suspect, Xue Rui took a step back. The group of people closed the door behind them, and the leading police officer walked to the front with a solemn expression, speaking in a deep voice. ¡°Hu Senji, Deputy Director of the Anti-Drug Bureau of the Binhai Provincial Public Security Bureau, following orders from the senior leadership of the provincial public security bureau, is forming the 7.15 Special Task Force to take over all drug enforcement and anti-drug work at the city bureau following the armed conflictst night.¡± Seated below were members from the City Criminal Investigation Division and leaders from the Anti-Drug Division, all exchanging nces. What does this mean? Are they all being excluded from this case? More importantly, the establishment of such a significant task force was not disclosed in advance to the two main leaders at the city bureau. Feng Jianguo remained calm, while the Deputy Director couldn¡¯t sit still. ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this? This is a case within our jurisdiction and should be handled jointly by the city bureau and the provincial headquarters.¡± Director Hu coldly snorted, ¡°It¡¯s such a significant incident in your jurisdiction. Without holding anyone responsible, it¡¯s all about bncing gains and losses. Don¡¯t push your luck and overstep boundaries.¡± His words were a bit harsh, causing the Deputy Director to m his hand on the table, ¡°You¡­¡± The sly old fox Feng Jianguo stood up, still smiling, with a friendly expression on his face. ¡°Hey, look, the incident just happenedst night, and Director Hu came all the way here in less than four hours. It¡¯s really hard work andborious.¡± ¡°Please sit down first, Xiaoxue, get a cup of tea. We were discussing this case and wanted to hear the opinions of the leaders from the province as well.¡± Advertisements Everyone present was shrewd, how could they not hear Feng Jianguo subtly criticizing them, suggesting they were more cunning than dogs. As for the following words, they were just polite gestures. After all, he was also a leader. It wouldn¡¯t be appropriate to kick him out in front of so many people. Hu Senji adjusted his tie and reluctantly swallowed his anger, taking the empty seat beside Feng Jianguo. Once seated, Feng Jianguo began. He sped his hands together, gazing at him with a peaceful expression. ¡°A few years ago, I met Director Hu during a meeting at the provincial headquarters. At that time, he was responsible for part of the anti-drug work following Director Zhao. He still exudes charm, unlike me, already halfway to the grave.¡± Hu Senji was a few years younger than him and had recently been promoted to Deputy Director, showing respect to the elder. He almost choked, cursing inwardly: that sly old fox, truly cunning. ¡°Ahem¡­¡± Hu Senji cleared his throat, cing a hand to his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s discuss the case. We can catch up once the case is resolved.¡± Feng Jianguo raised his hand, ¡°Xiaoxue, continue.¡± When the enemy doesn¡¯t move, I don¡¯t move. When the chief doesn¡¯t move, subordinates naturally dare not move. Xue Rui, once again with a stiff scalp, stepped up to the tform. ¡°Last night, we destroyed an armed stronghold on the outskirts of Jiangcheng City, seizing arge quantity of new drugs, arresting dozens of criminals, impounding five vehicles involved in the case, and twenty-one individuals died in shes with the police¡­¡± Speaking in front of so many people, he was actually a bit nervous, as he had only recently taken office. However, recalling everything that happenedst night and seeing the hopeful look in Feng Jianguo¡¯s eyes below the stage, Xue Rui took a deep breath and began to speak confidently. While he was reporting to the leaders of the City Bureau and the Provincial Headquarters, several police cars drove out of the City Bureau gate, speeding through the streets and heading straight to the front of the Huange Nightclub. The car doors opened, and armed police officers jumped out, forcefully breaking into the nightclub. They pulled out several individuals involved in the case ¨C some in waiter uniforms, others in smart suits, and even some women dressed provocatively ¨C all handcuffed and escorted into police cars. The grand entrance of the Huange Nightclub was sealed with a banner, officially closed for business. Onlookers in the crowd pointed and whispered. Advertisements ¡°What¡¯s going on? It was running normally, how did it suddenly get shut down?¡± ¡°Sigh, must have done something wrong, look at themotion, it must be serious.¡± ¡°Good that it¡¯s closed, must have been up to no good. I¡¯ve heard they weren¡¯t in legitimate business anyway.¡± ¡°Shh, keep your voice down. To operate here for so long, who knows what¡¯s going on behind the scenes¡­¡± Rumors spread like wildfire. In the City Bureau interrogation room, urgent questioning of the surviving criminals was also underway. People in the corridors were all serious-faced and hurried. After Xue Rui summarized the general situation, the entire operations meeting room fell silent. Even though Hu Senji had heard some rumors before arriving, when he saw those images, he still swallowed hard. The video brought back by Song Yuhang at the risk of her life became the most direct evidence exposing the crime. This evidence forced the entire public security forces in Jiangcheng City, and even the entire Binhai Province, to mobilize. The momentum was unstoppable. Feng Jianguo not only copied this evidence to the Provincial Headquarters, but also to others, although he couldn¡¯t reveal it yet. The sly old fox fiddled with the pen in his hand. ¡°Through the investigation, we learned that the drug traffickers will conduct a two-billion deal with a mysterious buyer in seven days. The drug lord, Supeme Lord, spanning China, Myanmar, and Thand, will also be involved.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, Hu Senji mmed the table. ¡°That will be the perfect opportunity for us to capture them all! I will take full responsibility for coordinating the operation on the ground¡­¡± Feng Jianguo interrupted him, ¡°Hu, you¡¯ve seen it too. The drug trafficking organization is well-organized, heavily armed, and has arge number of members. The forces from the Special, Criminal, and Drug Control departments alone may not be enough.¡± ¡°I will request to deploy the Armed Police operational forces to join the battle.¡± The sly old fox remained calm, ¡°The procedures areplex, it may take some time to arrange.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Hu Senji was taken aback, thinking to himself: ¡°Damn it, you¡¯re a high-ranking Public Security Bureau Director, mobilizing the Armed Police Support Team within your jurisdiction is just a matter of signing a document.¡± Advertisements Before he could speak again, a steady voice interjected. ¡°In urgent situations, I have discussed with the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security and the Armed Police forces. I will take on this responsibility.¡± The crowd stood up one after another, ¡°Director Zhao.¡± ¡°Director Zhao.¡± ¡°Director Zhao.¡± ¡­¡­ The old man¡¯s face bore the marks of years passed, with white hair and a slightly disheveled tie. He wore a snow-white high-quality dress shirt under a navy blue police uniform, devoid of any speck of dust. A silver olive branch emblem adorned his shoulder epaulettes, encircling the national emblem halfway. Apanied by several senior police officers from the Provincial Headquarters, he walked in and headed straight to the main seat. Feng Jianguo respectfully moved aside to make way for him. He sat down, hands sped together, lips pressed tightly, and gazed at the room full of people before making a solemn announcement. ¡°Starting now, the 7.15 case is under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Public Security, directly managed by the Provincial Headquarters. All other units are to assist the Provincial Drug Control Bureau in solving the case, with the aim topletely crush the criminal gang and restore peace to our country¡¯s southwestern border!¡± Chapter 124.2 Nail After a day and night of escape, they found themselves still in Jiangcheng City where checkpoints were set up on highways, airports, train stations, and bus depots, but no one suspected they were still within the city. This was considered the most dangerous yet safest ce. The group led by the Supreme Lord arrived near the coastal pier where someone picked them up and hid them in a fishing vige. Lin Yan was surprised to find insiders even near the pier and secretly noted the surroundings for future reference. As soon as they were safe, Tiger and the others pointed their guns at her. Liu Zhi was the first to load his bullets, and together with the brothers Lin Yan brought, they shouted. ¡°What are you doing? What are you doing?!¡± ¡°Put down the guns!¡± ¡°You first!¡± Both sides were at a stalemate, with Lin Yan sitting in one corner of the abandoned construction site, while Supreme Lord was sitting on the other side, eyeing her. Advertisements A slight smile tugged at the corner of her lips. ¡°What¡¯s the Supreme Lord up to?¡± ¡°Not much, just felt like you guys arrived a bit too quickly,¡± the Supreme Lord shrugged, and Tiger took a step back but still held the gun. ¡°Bring her in,¡± Lin Yan was prepared, even remembering to bring Chen Fang during the escape. The woman was thrown to the ground like a broken sack. The match lit up, and Liu Zhi offered her a cigarette. The fire danced in the corner of the woman¡¯s eyes and brows, her face stern with all previous fragility swept away. ¡°Tell us, what have you done?¡± he demanded. ¡°Yes, yes, I¡¯ll tell you¡­ Sister Hong¡­ Sister Hong¡­ Please don¡¯t kill me! I¡¯m willing to do anything for you, anything!¡± Chen Fang knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face, repeatedly bowing her head with a resounding thud. As she cried and confessed, she revealed every detail of her acquaintance with the undercover informant from the police. Lin Yan listened while smoking, calm and indifferent, as if not interested in what she was saying or whether it was beneficial to her. She sat there, emitting an aura that could rival the Supreme Lord¡¯s. In the presence of these seasoned individuals, lying would be easily detected, but telling the truth would not. Chen Fang did indeed know the undercover informant, but she was unaware of his true identity. She believed he was like Wang Qiang, working for Supreme Lord, driven by money, fame, and even drugs. She willingly offered herself. This physical rtionship hadsted for quite some time, and she disclosed every detail without missing a word. Of course, the condition was that she wanted to stay alive. After Wang Qiang¡¯s death, Lin Yan secretly approached her and repeatedly yed the video of his death in front of her. She even took her to see the burning site and forcefully pushed her head into the rainwater. To this day, she still remembers the nauseating and muddy taste, causing Chen Fang to shudder and not dare to look up at her. However, in the end, Lin Yan helped her up, held her face, and looked directly into her eyes. ¡°Do you want to live? Do you want freedom? If you do, listen to me. Once this is over, I will send you out of Jiangcheng and you must never return.¡± These are all the facts that Chen Fang knows. What she doesn¡¯t know is that the undercover informant she knew was eventually apprehended by Song Yuhang in a twist of fate, while she disguised and blended in. Everyone present had seen Song Yuhang before; her unforgettable face made it hard not to remember her. Advertisements So, when Chen Fang hesitated slightly upon mentioning his physical features, she cautiously lifted her gaze to look at her. Lin Yan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Oh no, she didn¡¯t know what to say, there was no time to coordinate their stories, and most importantly, she shouldn¡¯t implicate herself. Calcting in her mind, with the corner of her eye catching the Supreme Lord observing her, she quietly reached for her gun, preparing to incapacitate first and then decide. However, Chen Fang, being a physically weak ordinary woman, might not survive. In this moment of hesitation, Liu Zhi kicked her shoulder, sending her tumbling to the ground, filled with indignation. ¡°Damn shameless woman! Destroying the rtionship between Sister Hong and Brother Wang, colluding with the cops, almost ruining everything!¡± The tense atmosphere dissipated, and Lin Yan¡¯s hand loosened on the gun holster, tapping the ash from her cigarette. ¡°That¡¯s the situation. Supreme Lord, any more questions?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe it, Supreme Lord. This woman is full of tricks. Last time she took away a batch of our goods too. She must have some ulterior motives for helping us!¡± Tiger interjected before Supreme Lord could speak. ¡°Ulterior motives?¡± Lin Yan smirked, lifting the corner of her lip and shifting to cross her legs. ¡°I do have them.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Tiger was enraged, but before he could take a step forward, Liu Zhi¡¯s gun was already pointed at his forehead. ¡°After being the perennial second for so long, I also want to taste the feeling of being the big boss. Supreme Lord, I think you can understand that.¡± Lin Yan said, gesturing with her cigarette towards Tiger. ¡°This dog of a MAN, when he came to the maind, he was making a fuss in the nightclub, bullying my brothers, and sometimes even disrespecting me. Last time, he humiliated a singer, who ended up dead in the private room. Damn it, even when you beat a dog, you have to consider its owner.¡± Lin Yan was speaking the truth, and Tiger¡¯s face turned red. He disregarded the gun pointed at his forehead and cursed angrily. ¡°You! What kind of scum are you, a pimp of a thousand men? I not only want to kill your men but also want to see you under me, struggling for breath, begging for mercy¡­¡± Before he could finish speaking, a gunshot pierced the silence. Tiger¡¯s trousers were empty, and a chill ran down his spine. He lowered his head and broke out in a cold sweat. Lin Yan blew away the gun smoke, ¡°Watch your mouth, I suggest you understand the situation now.¡± The bullet hit his belt buckle, springing it open, and the metal part fell to the ground. Advertisements The room was dark with no lights on, in such close proximity, in the dark environment, hitting the target with full uracy was not easy. A slight deviation, and the bullet could have pierced his abdomen, leaving him unable to stand there boasting loudly. Tiger swallowed hard, his legs starting to tremble, his face turning from pale to green. Quickly pulling up his pants, he dared not curse out loud anymore. Liu Zhi then holstered his gun and stood back behind her. As an employee of the Huange Nightclub, Tiger always acted arrogantly when he visited. At this moment, the people Lin Yan brought with her all had a hint of anger on their faces, especially after hearing his words. But perhaps due to strict discipline, despite the anger, no one spoke up, waiting for Lin Yan to give orders. Supreme Lord chuckled and pped for her, alternating between pping and not, ¡°Indeed, Sister Hong, impressive. You make even this old man admire.¡± Lin Yan also smiled and tossed her cigarette butt. ¡°Supreme Lord, no need for courtesy. It¡¯s just that some people under mymand are really unbearable.¡± Supreme Lord nced at Tiger, saying, ¡°You¡¯ll give an exnation when you go back.¡± Tiger¡¯s heart trembled, feeling a chill run down his spine, his face filled with fear, ¡°Supreme Lord¡­¡± ¡°Get out and go patrol!¡± No one expected him to suddenly explode like that. The fierce intensity of his outburst shook everyone present. In his murky eyes, there seemed to be a glint of light that could devour people. Tiger knew that the Supreme Lord truly harbored murderous intentions towards him. His scalp tingled, and not daring to stay any longer, he grabbed his gun and left. Lin Yan pointed at the trembling Chen Fang on the ground. ¡°This person is still under mymand. Now that things havee to this, let me handle it myself.¡± Supreme Lord nodded in agreement. With a subtle nce from Lin Yan, two burly men walked in from outside, forcefully dragging Chen Fang and escorting her out. Downtown Hospital¡¯s Intensive Care Ward. Rainwater washed against the ss windows. The woman lying in bed sat up, lifting her oxygen mask, gazing at the silhouette standing by the window. Advertisements ¡°How is Lin Yan?¡± ¡°Thetest update is that she sessfully infiltrated the enemy.¡± ¡°And the person I subdued?¡± ¡°He¡¯s a double agent and has been detained.¡± Song Yuhang didn¡¯t seem surprised by this oue, ¡°Interrogate him thoroughly. We must extract more information.¡± She lowered her gaze, pondered for a moment, and raised the current priority, ¡°The location for the exchange?¡± Feng Jianguo shook his head, ¡°The Supreme Lord won¡¯t reveal such vital information until the veryst moment.¡± Song Yuhang gritted her teeth, knowing that holding out until thest moment meant she would inevitably be drawn into the war, facing dual pressures from the criminal syndicate and the police. ¡°No, before the final showdown, I must bring her back.¡± Feng Jianguo turned around, bathed in darkness as a lightning bolt shed through the night sky, briefly illuminating the room. ¡°Her codename is ¡®Nail,¡¯ yours is ¡®Dagger.¡¯ Do you understand what this signifies?¡± Song Yuhang paused, crumpling the bedsheet in her hand. ¡°Even if we kill the Supreme Lord and dismantle this major transnational crime syndicate, saving countless lives, if she¡­¡± ¡°If she¡­¡± Her eyes suddenly reddened, clenching her teeth. ¡°That is not what my heart desires.¡± ¡°What can we do then? Should we let unarmed civilians handle these matters when well-trained, experienced police officers don¡¯t?¡± The familiarity of these words was striking. She had also told this to Lin Yan. For some reason, she suddenly felt some regret, regretting her past self for being so righteous and taking sacrifice and dedication as life¡¯s essence. Only when it came to her closest person did she fully understand that kind of grief. Lin Yan¡­ Lin Yan, you are still so naive. Advertisements Weren¡¯t you always a loner? Weren¡¯t you always dismissive? Weren¡¯t you always indifferent to the life and death of others? How could you recklessly throw yourself into this for just a few words from her? ¡°From the moment we put on our police uniforms, it signifies that although we are flesh and blood, we carry the stability and future of this region, even the entire country and nation on our shoulders. If there is bloodshed all the time, sacrifices every day, should we not do anything? Letting darkness engulf the world?¡± Song Yuhang got off the bed, sat at the edge, and together they watched the dark night outside, heavy rain pouring down. ¡°What you said, I understand, but let me ask you, would you want your granddaughter to pursue this path in the future?¡± Feng Jianguo was taken aback, his brows furrowing, after a moment, he sighed and said, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want that, but it¡¯s precisely because of this that I must eliminate the darkness, clear obstacles, and restore light for them.¡± Not for her, but for them. A faint smile crept onto Song Yuhang¡¯s lips. ¡°You¡¯re right, a nail for the de, a de for the nail. I also wish to wee my beloved girl back home in the light.¡± Chapter 125.1 Loyalty It iste at night, and the exhausted criminals finally found a moment to catch their breath. Most of them leaned against the wall and fell asleep, while a few who were still yawning continued their patrol. When the clock hands pointed to three, Lin Yan opened her eyes in the darkness. She quietly got up, carefully controlling her footsteps to make no sound, and gently pushed open the wooden door. Two armed criminals were patrolling the corridor towards her room. Lin Yan shrunk back and hid in the darkness behind the door panel as the two men walked past with heavy steps. In a swift move, she pulled her mask over her face and darted out like an agile cat. The two patrolling criminals turned around. ¡°Did you see something just now?¡± Thepanion, who was asked the question, yawned and shook his head. Advertisements ¡°Let¡¯s go, stop looking around. This ce is either filled with wild cats or mice. Let¡¯s quickly finish this round and go back to rest.¡± Their footsteps gradually faded away. Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief quietly, descended down the stairs, and encountered a tall soldiering towards her. Probably on a night shift, he rubbed his eyes and in an instant, aimed his gun at her, ready to shout. Swiftly, Lin Yan flew up, skillfully wielding her dagger, lightly grazing his neck. The soldier¡¯s imminent scream was stifled in his throat as a thin line of blood sprayed out. Gentlyying the man down, she dragged him into the storage room next to the staircase, stripped his clothes to clean up the blood stains on the floor. Quickly turning back, she pushed open the ss window in the hallway, revealing an endless wilderness outside. Taking advantage of the height of the second floor, Lin Yan leaped down. By the time the two patrolling soldiers arrived, the corridor was already empty. Originally thinking that jumping from this height would be easy, it turned out to be a bit difficult. Fortunately, the ground below was even and soft mud. Gasping for breath, Lin Yan climbed up from the ground and limped towards her intended direction. ¡°Wake up, wake up.¡± When Lin Yan found Chen Fang in the trash heap, herplexion was pale, her body covered in wounds, and she was barely holding on. Lin Yan tapped her face, but there was no response. She then bent down to listen to her heartbeat, felt her pulse on the neck, gritted her teeth, undid her clothes, and started performing chestpressions. After thirty standardpressions, she gently lifted Chen Fang¡¯s chin and gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. After repeating this several times, she finally heard a faint heartbeat. Feeling relieved, Lin Yan¡¯s body went limp, and she slumped to the ground. Chen Fang coughed softly and slowly opened her eyes. In one nce, she saw Lin Yan sitting nearby, breathing heavily, with her warmth still lingering on her lips. Feeling confused, she asked, ¡°Why¡­ did you save me?¡± Lin Yan stood up, reached out her hand towards her. ¡°I promised you I would give you freedom.¡± ¡°You¡­ you are not Sister Hong¡­ Who are you really?¡± Chen Fang looked at her warily, keeping her distance. ¡°Who I am, does it matter?¡± Lin Yan¡¯s lips curved in a slight mocking smile. Advertisements ¡°I could go and expose you to the Supreme Lord.¡± ¡°You can try. Is my knife quicker, or are you faster at running?¡± She yed with the dagger that had just been used to kill someone, still stained with spattered blood, sending shivers down one¡¯s spine. Chen Fang instinctively recoiled, grabbed her wrist, and stood up. Joining the Supreme Lord was also a death sentence, so she might as well listen to the woman in front of her. At least, she didn¡¯t want to kill her; otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have saved her. Lin Yan was briefly taken aback but then helped her walk in the direction away from the abandoned construction site until they reached a ce illuminated by streetlights on the main road. Standing in the darkness, she handed over the dagger, along with the bus ticket and some change. ¡°Keep walking on this main road; there¡¯s a bus back to Jiangcheng. Once there, head straight to the train station to leave this ce.¡± Clutching these items, Chen Fang¡¯s lips trembled. ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving?¡± Lin Yan shook her head. ¡°I have to stay.¡± Her mission was not yetplete, not time to leave yet, even though deep down, she longed to escape this ce and return to the light, back to Song Yuhang¡¯s side. Thoughts of Song Yuhang led Lin Yan to recall the bullet she had fired at her. Would she hate her, me her? Hate her for ¡°killing¡± her colleague in front of her, hate her for mercilessly torturing her, hate her for associating with fugitives, hate her for sending herself down the path of destruction. Lin Yan¡¯s heart was pierced by a knife called ¡°guilt,¡± leaving her vulnerable in front of Chen Fang, a rarity for her. She knew this shouldn¡¯t be, so she smiled faintly, wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, preparing to walk away. ¡°Go quickly, don¡¯t look back.¡± Strangely, Pei Jinhong had not been kind to her before, and now Lin Yan wasn¡¯t necessarily cruel to her either. Chen Fang didn¡¯t even know her real name, but in this moment, in the wilderness, in a situation where they depended on each other, a strange sense of mutual understanding arose between them. ¡°Are you really noting with me?¡± Lin Yan turned around, waved her hand, and walked away. Advertisements ¡°No, take care on your journey.¡± Chen Fang held onto the items Lin Yan had given her. ¡°Is there¡­ anything I can help with?¡± Such as passing on a message, or going to the hospital to check if Song Yuhang is still alive? Lin Yan paused for a moment. It was indeed a good idea. However, after a moment, she shook her head slightly and said in a deep voice, ¡°It¡¯s not necessary. The more you know, the more dangerous it is. Remember, no matter who asks, whether it¡¯s the police or the Supreme Lord¡¯s men, you haven¡¯t seen me tonight, and you can¡¯t continue living using the name ¡®Chen Fang¡¯ in the future.¡± After saying this, Lin Yan didn¡¯t wait for her to respond, turned around, waved her hand, and walked away. Her slender ck figure disappeared into the night. In the direction she departed, the sky was still dark, but a hint of dawn broke through the mist. Chen Fang inexplicably felt the vastness of the world; she felt as insignificant as an ant, yet a sense of unyielding courage like that of a young hero never returning and the heartbreaking sorrow akin to Jing Ke sacrificing himself against Qin warrior, causing her eyes to burn.1 She gritted her teeth, clutching the items Lin Yan had given her, and without ncing back, ran in the opposite direction. ¡°The full-scale operation at the City Bureau has been taken over by the provincial Anti-Drug Bureau, so I won¡¯t be able to help you much then.¡± Feng Jianguo nced at the time; it was time for him to leave and he put on a wide-brimmed hat as he got up. ¡°It¡¯s all up to you now.¡± Song Yuhang stood up to see him off, but was gently pushed back. ¡°You¡¯re the patient here, focus on ¡®recovering¡¯ properly.¡± Feng Jianguo¡¯s words carried a double meaning, and Song Yuhang understood. ¡°Got it, I promise toplete the mission!¡± The old man smiled, not the usual kindly smile, but one filled with genuine hope from within. ¡°It¡¯s not about promising toplete the mission, but promising toe back alive!¡± Song Yuhang was momentarily surprised, a hint of a smile appearing on her lips as she raised her right hand to her temple. Advertisements ¡°Yes, I promise toe back alive!¡± Lin Yan¡¯s code name was ¡°Nail,¡± responsible for gathering intelligence deep behind enemy lines, while her code name was ¡°Dagger,¡± tasked with delivering a fatal blow unexpectedly when everyone else is unable to act. Song Yuhang thought to herself and silently added another goal: to bring back her fianc¨¦e. While Song Yuhang and Feng Jianguo were plotting, another secret meeting was taking ce in the abandoned factory at the seaside dock. Kuba sat in a chair, wrapped in bandages, with only his eyes still shining brightly, filled with hatred. ¡°This time, I must personally kill her, kill that woman.¡± The Supreme Lord absentmindedly tapped his knee with his finger, closing his eyes to rx. ¡°There will be an opportunity.¡± The man sitting beside him chuckled, seemingly disdainful. Kuba was displeased by thisughter. ¡°You¡­¡± The Supreme Lord waved his hand, cutting off his words. ¡°The deal is nearingpletion, let¡¯s not cause internal rifts. Once it¡¯s done, we¡¯ll take the money and head to Canada together, where no one will be able to catch us.¡± The man¡¯s tone remained cold, as if unconcerned about how much money they would get or where they would go. ¡°After causing such a bigmotion, the police are not fools; the uing transaction in a few days will undoubtedly face numerous difficulties.¡± A hint of calcted smile ying on the Supreme Lord¡¯s lips. ¡°The more chaotic, the better. Chaos allows for deception. By the way, about that batch of goods¡­¡± The man stood up, showing no interest in staying any longer. ¡°It¡¯s been prepared a long time ago.¡± Advertisements The Supreme Lord nodded, ¡°Indeed, if this n seeds, it will be a great achievement for Mr. Lin as well. Escort our guest out.¡± The group apanied him as they walked out. After they left, the Supreme Lord closed his eyes again to rest, his fingers tapping on his knees asionally. Kuba, discontented, said, ¡°Sir, he¡¯s so unruly. Why not¡­ if we were to do without him, we could find another partner. Anyway, the form¡­¡± For some reason, the Supreme Lord¡¯s eyebrows twitched slightly. ¡°The centipede may die but not stiffen; after all, Mr. Lin is still the young master of the prestigious Lin family. The majority of the port area belongs to the Lin family, and there will be a need for him at times.¡± Meanwhile, Lin Yan walked to a secluded spot, took out her phone from her pocket. Only two people knew this phone number, and it had software installed to prevent eavesdropping. She quickly typed on the keyboard, edited the message, and sent it. When the ¡°delivered¡± icon appeared on the screen, Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief and hurried back. Near the abandoned factory, the headlights of a car approached. Lin Yan instinctively rolled into the darkness, hiding behind a sack. As the factory gate swung open, a group of thugs surrounded a tall, handsome young man as he walked out. The dim light reflected on his fair side profile, and a pair of metal-rimmed sses sat on his nose. Chapter 125.2 Loyalty She quickly typed on the keyboard, edited the message, and sent it. When the ¡°delivered¡± icon appeared on the screen, Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief and hurried back. Near the abandoned factory, the headlights of a car approached. Lin Yan instinctively rolled into the darkness, hiding behind a sack. As the factory gate swung open, a group of thugs surrounded a tall, handsome young man as he walked out. The dim light reflected on his fair side profile, and a pair of metal-rimmed sses sat on his nose. This face, she would recognize even if it turned to ashes. Lin Ge! The word ¡°brother¡± rolled in her throat, almost about to blurt out, but she clenched it back in her palm. What¡¯s going on? Is he being held hostage? Why is he here? Advertisements What is he here to do? What is his rtionship with the Supreme Lord? ¡­¡­ In that instant, Lin Yan¡¯s mind was filled with countless thoughts, each one rted to him. She tightly clenched her palm, restraining herself from making any noise to avoid rming them. ¡°Master Lin, please.¡± She saw Tiger personally open the car door for him, and Lin Ge sat expressionlessly. As the vehicle glided away, Lin Yan feltpletely drained, leaning against the back of the sack. For some reason, not long after the car drove off, Lin Ge suddenly turned his head, his expression indescribable, seeming a bit puzzled and a bit sad. Looking out through the car window, the factory entrance was quiet, with only a few patrolling henchmen. Driver: ¡°Young Master, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Lin Ge turned his face and collected himself, ¡°Nothing, just keep driving.¡± Although he wasn¡¯t certain, and there were no familiar figures at the factory entrance, in that moment he truly felt Lin Yan was nearby. He could almost hear the impatient voice of the girl calling out to him. ¡°Brother.¡± Shortly after Lin Ge left, the Supreme Lord suddenly opened his eyes, a spark of intelligence shing through them. ¡°Go, go see what Pei Jinhong is up to.¡± Several henchmen, armed with guns, quickly walked out upon receiving the order. Kuba was injured and temporarily unable to move, so he could only slightly move his neck to look towards the Supreme Lord. ¡°Boss, do you suspect Aunt Hong¡­¡± ¡°This person, have you met her before? What do you think of her?¡± the Supreme Lord did not directly respond to him but diverted the conversation. Advertisements Kuba thought for a moment, ¡°She is brave and resourceful, a talented individual.¡± The Supreme Lord smiled but remained silent, leaning back in his rattan chair. ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see, see how much of a surprise this Aunt Hong can bring us.¡± The group of people were stopped by the staff from the Huange Nightclub as they approached Lin Yan¡¯s room. ¡°What are you doing?! Sister Hong is resting, nobody is allowed in without her permission!¡± ¡°The Supreme Lord ordered us to see Aunt Hong!¡± The two groups were at a standoff, guns pointed at each other¡¯s faces, voices raised and faces flushed. ¡°Everyone is here, if Aunt Hong isn¡¯t here, who else could be a spy? Move aside!¡± The leader of the henchmen fired a shot into the ground, sessfully intimidating the others. Taking advantage of their momentary shock, he swiftly darted out of the confrontation and lifted his foot to kick the door. The wooden door creaked open. Lin Yan appeared at the doorway wearing a white shirt that reached mid-thigh. Her ck hair fell on her shoulders, the cor slightly disheveled, clearly pulled open. There were faint red marks on her fair skin, and her slender yet shapely figure exuded a mature woman¡¯s charm. Her straight legs firmly nted on the ground, she exuded a variety of alluring qualities from head to toe. The onlookers at the door swallowed nervously. Lin Yan showed some impatience, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Liu Zhi grasped her waist, his expression grim, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing, then leave.¡± The minions then dispersed with trepidation. Liu Zhi mmed the door shut and turned around, grabbing the person firmly and pressing him against the door, lowering his voice in a growl. ¡°Where did you just go?! When I came to your room, there was no one inside!¡± The rope from the window Lin Yan climbed in through still hung on the window sill, serving as irrefutable evidence. She acted ruthlessly, kneeing him in the groin while simultaneously elbowing him in the temple. Although her strength may not have been considerable, her movements were rapid and precise, using the hardest part of the body to strike the most vulnerable spot. Caught off guard, Liu Zhi winced in pain, seeing stars, stumbling back a few steps before stumbling over a chair. Advertisements The patrolling soldier outside rolled his eyes. ¡°Damn, with all thismotion, I might just want to find a woman for some fun too.¡± ¡°Enough, with what you¡¯re like, take a look in the mirror while you¡¯re taking a leak. Do you think Aunt Hong would go for you?¡± A wave ofughter echoed down the corridor. The fight in the room continued. In terms of strength, he had a significant advantage over Lin Yan, but when it came to fighting skills,bat experience, and reaction speed, Lin Yan was far superior to him. For the time being, neither could overpower the other. Especially as Lin Yan fought back while being pressed onto the bed, gripping his neck tightly, she could still counterattack fiercely. With a swift Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique, she flipped him over, caught his hand, kicked him away, and knocked over the table. Gasping for breath, Liu Zhi wanted to get up again, but the dark gun barrel was already pointed at his forehead. With a click, the bullet was chambered. Lin Yan swallowed hard, suppressing the taste of blood in her throat, and regted her breathing. ¡°You lost.¡± Liu Zhi slowly closed his eyes, but didn¡¯t hear the gunshot. When he opened his eyes, he saw Lin Yan cing the gun on the bedside table. ¡°You¡¯re not going to kill me?¡± There was a hint of surprise in his eyes. ¡°You didn¡¯t report me just now, so we¡¯re even.¡± Lin Yan shakily struck a match, lit a cigarette, coughed violently a few times, and started to feel a bit better. ¡°I can go now.¡± ¡°It¡¯s toote.¡± She sat on the edge of the bed, smoking, looking down at him. ¡°Once that time has passed, if you can¡¯t catch me in the act, the Supreme Lord, being suspicious by nature, might not believe you. It could end up with you being unable to catch any foxes and just causing trouble for yourself.¡± Clutching his teeth, Liu Zhi¡¯s eyes were a bit red. ¡°What¡­ what were you really doing? Did you¡­ betray us?¡± As he asked this question, Lin Yan¡¯s mind wandered for a moment. During her time as an undercover agent, she had witnessed bloodshed, death, conspiracies, power struggles, money, and drugs. She had also indulged in everything thates with being a leader in the criminal underworld. Advertisements The support of her subordinates, the thrill of life and death decisions, immersed in the world of luxury and debauchery. In many moments ¨C the flickering neon lights, tossing a stack of cash into the air, being addressed as ¡°Sister Hong,¡± pointing a gun at someone¡¯s head, raising her arms and calling forth a tidal wave. She suddenly understood why that undercover police officer had eventually be a double agent. Everyone has desires, and she was no exception. Perhaps the reason why Lin Yan could portray Pei Jinhong so convincingly was because fundamentally, they were the same kind of people, equally ruthless, equally cunning, equally deceitful, and unpredictable. What sets Lin Yan apart is that an invisible thread is tied to her, with the other end held by a woman named Song Yuhang. This adds a baseline beyond desire. Chen Chunan made her understand love, while Song Yuhang taught her how to love. It was this tiny sliver of love that kept her stumbling along in the muddy path. Lin Yan smiled and reached out her hand towards him. ¡°You¡¯ll understand this question in the future. The most important thing for a person is not loyalty to others, but never betraying their own heart.¡± ¡°Is it worth it to do so?¡± ¡°It¡¯s worth it.¡± ¡°No regrets?¡± Lin Yan shook her head. ¡°No regrets.¡± Liu Zhi watched as the cigarette in her fingertips dimmed, resembling his own love that had extinguished before it could even ignite. He gritted his teeth, still unwilling to give up, and asked her once again. ¡°What¡­ exactly is it for?¡± Lin Yan looked into the distance at the faint glimmer of dawn shining through the window. ¡°Do you have a ce you particrly want to go back to?¡± Advertisements Liu Zhi was puzzled by her question, thought for a moment, and then said, ¡°Yes, I want to go back home.¡± Casually, Lin Yan looked at the hint of stubble on his chin and asked. ¡°How old are you?¡± Misunderstanding her intention, Liu Zhi scratched his head. It seemed like they had forgotten they were just fighting for their lives moments ago, and now they were sitting down, opening up their hearts. He wasn¡¯t a smart person; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have followed Wang Qiang for so many years as just a small-time thug. His fondness for Pei Jinhong was simply because she was beautiful and attractive. During his years of wandering around as a hired muscle, he never mentioned his age to anyone. After a moment of confusion, Liu Zhi still answered. ¡°I¡¯m twenty, I¡¯ll be able to get married in two years.¡± Lin Yan chuckled, flicked the cigarette butt into the ashtray; she indeed seemed a bit youngerpared to him. ¡°You¡¯re still a child, when everything is over, go back home.¡± However, that would have to wait until after the trial or before serving a sentence before there was a chance to see family. She hoped that they all would have the chance to go back home one day. Chapter 126-1 Chapter 126-1 Eve It waste at night, and the people in the war conference room were gradually falling asleep on the table for a brief rest. A tall figure pushed the door open and walked out. The passing police officers nodded to him, and he waved his hand before quickly walking into the restroom and locking the door behind him. He took out his phone from his pocket and made a call. Before long, several unfamiliar figures appeared near the Lin familys residence. The butler lifted a corner of the curtain to take a look and gently let it fall back down. These people probably never expected that the seeminglyxly guarded Lin residence area had long been equipped with infrared thermal imaging cameras, making it impossible for any movement to escape the machines and his eyes. Sir, theyre here. Lin Youyuan opened his mouth and swallowed the medicine that was handed to his lips. Theyvee to see if Im dead or not. Advertisements Who do you think they belong to, Sir? The butler carefully cooled down the medicine in the spoon and handed it over. Lin Youyuan coughed lightly, and the butler wiped away the medicine stain at the corner of his lips. At this critical moment, it would be strange if they didnte. Should we? The glint in the butlers eyes was full of meaning. Lin Youyuan waved his hand, indicating not to drink it. No need. If they all want me dead, then Ill just die for them to see. Sir The butlers eyes showed a hint of reluctance. But it was Lin Youyuan who remainedposed and interrupted him. What has Jin Xia been up totely? Shes been staying in her own vi, asionally hosting parties. A few days ago, she was chatting all night with some popr male actors. The butler spoke openly because he knew that Lin Youyuan had no feelings for Jin Xia. Jin Xia received money from him, while Lin Youyuan coveted her young body. As a sessful businessman with no blemishes in his personal life, wouldnt that attract unwanted attention? As the saying goes, when the water is clear, there are no fish. Lin Youyuans lips curved into a slight smile. She seems to be enjoying herself. The butler ced the bowl on the bedside table. Regarding her previous provocations against Miss, and the poisoning incident Lin Youyuan understood his implication. No need. Let her continue to revel in her happiness for a few more days. Just watch, she wille around eventually, and we will deal with her then.
Advertisements Is the young master really nning to team up with the Supreme Lord and the others? As the attendant asked this question, Lin Ge was wiping his surgical knives. He seemed more attentive to these tools than to people, dipping them in cold water to wash away the bloodstains, disinfecting with alcohol swabs, and finally wiping them clean before cing them on the tray with a somewhat absent-minded expression. Not interested. Then The attendant looked puzzled. Let them fight amongst themselves. Ill just watch the show. Of course, it would be best if they could help me get rid of that woman. Perhaps feeling tired as he spoke, Lin Ge briefly closed his eyes, resting his hand on theb bench. The attendant understood. Young master, would you like me to bring you the Drunken Dream? Lin Ge faintly murmured Hmm. The door to theb opened, and the attendant rushed in again, carrying a tray with syringes and blue medication. Direct injection was much more intense than oral ingestion, but also much more dangerous. Lin Ge waved his hand, his face showing a hint of weariness. Go down. Early the next morning, the body of the thug whose throat had been cut by Lin Yan was discovered, and the Supreme Lord asked her toe and see. Lin Yan appeared in front of everyone looking calm. If there was anything out of the ordinary, it was a slight bruise under her eyes, giving her a weary appearance as if she hadnt slept well. Oh, whats this? She was surprised, examining the body on the ground. After a night, it had slightly stiffened and emitted a foul odor. She stood back slightly, showing a hint of disgust. The Supreme Lord scanned the people in the room, his fingers intermittently tapping on the rattan chair. Who did this? Step forward. The group exchanged looks, remaining silent, their expressions all a bit grim. Advertisements Lin Yan yawned, Didnt we have patrolsst night? Its not easy tomit murder under our noses with so many of us around. Tiger squinted at her, his tone ambiguous. Indeed, maybe theres a hidden expert among us. Expert? Lin Yan chuckled. Arent they just Tiger and Second Master? The people at our Huange Nightclub dont have that kind of skill. Last night during the surprise inspection, there was amotion in her room, and almost half the corridor heard it. Lin Yan didnt have the opportunity tomit the crime, and Kuba was injured, leaving only him with that kind of ability, no? Tiger was digging his own grave, choked by Lin Yans words, his face turning red unable to speak. You The Supreme Lord gave him a nce, frowning impatiently. With such an incident, it seems we cant stay here anymore. Pack up and go to the next ce. Yes. Several subordinates echoed. As Lin Yan turned to leave, she was stopped by someone. Wait a moment, Aunt Hong, let the others take care of things below. Stay and chat with this old man for a bit. The Supreme Lord nodded, and Tiger locked the door from the outside. Lin Yan sensed trouble but still turned around with a casual smile, Whatever the Supreme Lord wants to say, Jinhong is all ears. Have a seat. There was a chair beside him, and Lin Yan graciously took a seat. Advertisements The room was notrge and had a bed on one side and some clutter on the other. What Lin Yan didnt know was that behind a full-length mirror, a gun was silently aimed at her. The Supreme Lord greeted her with a calm expression, even in his current state of exhaustion, looking like a dog that had lost its home. There was a te of melon seeds and some oranges, a rare sight in this season, beside him. Lin Yan picked up an orange, peeled it, and the fresh juice spilled out as her nails punctured the skin. The Supreme Lord smiled, Your mother is Burmese? Lin Yan continued to struggle with the orange without looking up. Yes, she was from Kachin State in Northern Burma. She passed away early, and I was sold to China when I was six. The Supreme Lord sighed, She was a pitiful person. Lin Yan peeled the orange and handed him a slice. Supreme Lord, would you like to try one? No, Im too old, my teeth arent up to it. This thing is sour, more suitable for young people like you. Over the years, the Supreme Lord had seen many beautiful women, each with their own charms. But Lin Yan was the only one who effortlesslybined sophistication with innocence. For example, at this moment, she sat there with her legs crossed,pletely at ease, seemingly unconcerned about the police chase or the gun already aimed at her head. All he had to do was give the order, and even the smartest and most beautiful woman would meet her end. The Supreme Lord gently tapped his knee with his fingers, asking like a kind elder. What about your father? Ive never met him, dont know if hes alive or dead. Lin Yan shook her head and popped a slice of orange into her mouth. The Supreme Lord pondered silently, finding parallels between her and Pei Jinhongs life story. I heard that you went through a lot of hardship with Wang Qiang. Advertisements As the Supreme Lord mentioned this, Lin Yan disyed a hint of sorrow appropriately. He should never have gone looking for other women. The Supreme Lords tapping hand on his knee slowed down. Men, theyre inevitably like that. A trace of disdain crossed Lin Yans lips as she discarded the orange peel on the table and pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe her hands. A cold glint shed, she was armed. The Supreme Lords hand on his knee stiffened. Youre right, but women, they always have unrealistic hopes and desires, wanting men to love them more. But when ites down to it, its all in vain. Ive seen through it all. Only money is eternal. With money, you can have any kind of man you want, calling them toe and go at will. As she spoke, there was a hint of resentment and malice in her expression, appearing like a woman who had been hurt by love, regretted it deeply, and now harbored extreme hatred towards men.
Chapter 127 Chapter 127 The final battle (1) Speak! Where is the meeting point?! In the interrogation room, the bright lights were almost blinding, causing the captured criminal suspect sitting across from them to struggle to keep his eyes open, until he was abruptly awakened by a loud shout from the police officer, nearly jumping out of his seat in surprise. After five days and nights without sleep, his physical exhaustion was evident as tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. During these five days, he hadnt eaten properly either, enduring continuous interrogations while the police could take shifts to rest. His sunken eye sockets and cracked lips made him look extremely disheveled. Comrade officer, sir, I really dont know The man sobbed uncontrobly, rambling nonsensically. The police officer sitting opposite him nced at someone as a knock came at the door: Time to eat, weve got steamed pork, sticky rice chicken, shredded pork with garlic sauce, and white rice. Despite only receiving in food like congee and steamed buns these past few days, the mention of meat caused the suspects eyes to light up eagerly, saliva practically dripping from his mouth. The officers closed their notebooks and stood up, causing the man to let out a sigh of relief, thinking he could finally close his eyes and rest for a while. But unexpectedly, the iron door creaked open once more, and two detectives walked in, each clutching a notebook under their arm. This repetitive cycle continued, day and night, as the lights in the interrogation room never once flickered off. Shortly after midnight, the door of the interrogation room swung open once again, and a detective hurried out with a folder in hand. Command Center. Zhao Junfeng looked at the transcripts handed to him, a faint smile appearing on his lips. Go, get some steamed pork, sticky rice chicken, shredded pork with garlic sauce, and white rice. Prepare a portion for him as well. Before long, a young officer entered the interrogation room carrying a box of food. Feng Jianguo couldnt help but sigh. Director Zhao, that move of yours is really clever. Facing his former subordinate, Zhao Junfeng also rxed a bit, lifting a teacup to take a sip with a smile. Its nothing. People are made of steel, but food is made of iron. You cant do drugs every day, but you do need to eat every meal. Speaking of drugs, a trace of worry creased his brow. Bring me the map. Several people hurriedlyid out a map of Jiangcheng City in front of him, with the electronic disy screen syncing up with the map as well. Zhao Junfeng made a note with his pen. The drug dealer confessed that the meeting point is near the third channel bridge of Wanghai Bridge. The cargo ship carrying the drugs will navigate from this location toplete the transaction with the buyer, entering our country through nearby ports. Feng Jianguo furrowed his brow, but before he could speak, someone knowledgeable interjected, The waters under Wanghai Bridge can reach depths of 50 meters, with a navigational tonnage of 10,000 tons. Since its opening, it has been a busy route for cargo ships, making it one of the key maritime areas in our country. It may be challenging to investigate there. These observations were not lost on Zhao Junfeng, who slowly raised his head, gazing at the distracted Feng Jianguo. Old Feng, what do you think? The information from Lin Yan pointed to the Zhongjing Industrial Port, while the location discovered by Zhao Junfeng was the waterway under Wanghai Bridge. At this moment, it was impossible to ascertain the truth from the lies. Pretending to have just woken up, he stifled a yawn behind his hand. Well, I do see some logic in it. Look here He pointed to a few areas on the electronic disy screen. Although the waters under Wanghai Bridge are one of the busiest sea routes in the West Sea, once they pass through this section, they can head east, bypassing an artificial ind. Feng Jianguo tapped the map twice with his finger. Further ahead, 212 nautical miles is the open sea. This distance is not far at sea. If an ordinary cargo ship travels at a speed of 12 knots per hour, it would take less than 24 hours to reach outside of Chinas territorial waters. At that point, there would be no way to catch the drug traffickers, and they would have to request cooperation from Interpol. With all the red tape and protocols involved, the traffickers would have long disappeared. Therefore, they must not let ite to that. Zhao Junfengs brows furrowed tightly, and after a while, a sense of authority emerged on his face, as he mmed the table hard, causing the teacup to jump. No matter what, we cannot let the traffickers escape into the open sea. Pass on my orders, immediate action starts now. Since they n to conduct the transaction at sea, they must need to load and unload goods at the dock. Check the major ports, shippingpanies, and dont overlook even small fishing boats! Yes! Hu Senji saluted respectfully, prepared to turn and begin arranging the deployment, but he was stopped. Zhao Junfeng nced at Feng Jianguo. As for the jurisdiction of Jiangcheng City, the Criminal Investigation Team personnel are more familiar with it. Let them handle it. Having said that, Feng Jianguo naturally had no objections. Xue Rui and the City Anti-Drug Brigade team members then left to carry out the mission. The operationsmand room quickly became busy. Zhao Junfeng remained seated in front of the electronic disy screen, not budging from his spot. He nced casually at his sleeve cuff and remarked nonchntly. When did you go out? A few hours ago, he had secretly gone to see Song Yuhang. It was raining outside, and he hadnt had a chance to change clothes yet. The slightly damp spot on his cuff was from a water droplet sliding down from the umbre, indicating that the ce he went was a bit distant from the city bureau. Feng Jianguo maintained hisposure and pulled out a tissue to wipe it off. Oh, you even noticed that. I was thinking about how I might have to spend several days and nights away from home again. My granddaughter is so fond of me. I need to go back and spend some time with her. Look at this drool all over me, its a mess. The old man lifted the teacup to take a sip, a hint of a smile and a touch of regret in his eyes. When the case is over, make sure to spend quality time with the children. Thats true. My children are all working outside, leaving only my wife to take care of our granddaughter. Its quite pitiful. Oh, by the way. He casually remembered something. I heard that Song Yuhang was injured again. It was a street altercation. She got shed by someone and has been taken into custody. Feng Jianguo exined, adding one more sentence at the end. Shes recuperating at the city hospital. Would you like to go and see her? Zhao Junfeng turned his face away. No need. At this critical moment, I cant leave the city bureau. Besides, if anyone should visit, it should be hering to see me! As he spoke, there was a hint of arrogance in his tone. Feng Jianguo chuckled, causing the folds of fat on his face to gather together, resembling a shrewd and ttering fox. Indeed, indeed, youre absolutely right.
Even though she didnt have to engage in frontlinebat, there was still plenty of work to be done in theboratory. Fang Xin was deeply focused on her work at the operating table when someone unexpectedly knocked on the ss in front of her. Duan Cheng mouthed, Rooftop. See you there. Fang Xin rolled her eyes, toozy to pay him any attention. However, the person gestured with sped hands, pleading silently. Please, please. Fang Xin, feeling a sense of resignation, reluctantly signaled back with an OK. After a while, once she had changed her clothes and climbed to the rooftop, the rain had subsided. Down in the parking lot, police cars with shing lights were lined up, and armed officers were hopping into the vehicles from time to time. The imminent battle was about to begin. Duan Cheng, not holding an umbre, was waiting for her in a loose-fitting hoodie. Previously, his hair had been quite long, covering his eyes in a way that gave him a look of a dedicated otaku. But now, he had shaved his head, and the stubble on his head matched the one on his chin, giving him a more masculine appearance. Fang Xin was taken aback by this slight change in him, feeling a mix of surprise and an inexplicable sense of shyness. What do you want with me? It was still that deserted ce with no one around. Duan Cheng scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward. I just got my haircut yesterday. Does it look good? Fang Xin coughed involuntarily, almost choking on her own saliva. Its fine. Stepping closer, Duan Cheng asked, Fine? So, does that mean you like it? Who who said I liked it? Although the hairstyle is okay, but Fang Xin blushed and instinctively stepped back, identally stepping on a small stone on the slippery road. She stumbled, but was quickly supported by someone. Be careful! The arm that held onto her waist was firm and strong, exuding a masculine scent. Their eyes met, and both their hearts started racing intensely. Duan Cheng swallowed nervously, his left hand constantly patting the velvet box in his pocket. His palm was sweaty, and the usually smooth-talking man seemed at a loss for words. Fang Xin regained herposure and pushed him away, standing with a red face. If theres nothing else, Ill go back first. Uh Duan Cheng took a few steps forward, but the police sirens downstairs started ring again, and the urgent call to duty couldnt be dyed. A look of struggle flickered across the young mans face. Fang Xins racing heart gradually settled down, her face returning to normal. She turned and walked away. Im going back now, little brother. If theres nothing important, dont disturb sister while Im doing experiments. When will you stop seeing me as a kid? Fang Xin stopped in her tracks, giving him a puzzled look. Then how should I see you? Men. Duan Cheng lifted his chin slightly, watching as the first police car slid out of the city bureau gates. His phone kept vibrating in his pocket. He was running out of time, so he only had time to lean in close to her and press a kiss on her forehead before swiftly running downstairs, leaving behind his words, his masculine silhouette, and the greenish nape of his neck. Wait for me toe back. I will prove to you that I am no longer a boy but a strong, dependable man. Fang Xin was left perplexed by this unexpected statement, but a hint of sweetness seeped into her heart. She touched the spot where he had just kissed her, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. In her mind, he was a fool, perhaps ever since he shot a murderer. Duan Cheng was no longer synonymous with youthfulness; otherwise, why would she keep her distance from him? The vitality radiating from the young man made her blush and her heart race, evoking a sense of longing in her. Fang Xin looked up at the dark sky in the distance. She hoped the day would break soon, and that everything would be well with the one she loved.
Four in the morning. The most exhausted time of day for people. Central Hospital. The medical staff on duty at the triage station were all asleep at their desks. A cart slowly rolled over, with a nurse carefully supporting a tray on top. A doctor rubbed his eyes and lifted his head. Whats this for? Bed 15 needs a medication change. He put on his sses, flipped through a few pages of the patient records, and indeed, it was time. He waved his hand. Alright, you can go. The nurse nodded, pushing the medication cart to the innermost room in the corridor. She took out a pre-copied fingerprint card, verified it, and gently opened the ss shielded door. This detail went unnoticed by everyone. Song Yuhang was still lying in bed quietly receiving an IV drip, sleeping on her side with even breathing. The person carefully ced the medication cart against the wall without turning on the light. They pulled out a watermelon knife from underneath the tray and stealthily approached the bedside. As long as they cut her carotid artery, even immortals couldnt save her. The man swallowed nervously and walked to the bedside. With a swift movement, he pulled back the nket, ready to strike, but as the de came down, cotton wool flew out. It was a fakeA doll! Startled, before he could gather his wits, a shadow leapt out from the closet above andnded a powerful kick, sending him crashing onto the bed. The impact on his head was so strong that he began to foam at the mouth, the knife in his hand almost falling to the ground, creating amotion. Song Yuhang firmly held his arm, controlling him, then kicked the knife into the air. She caught it with her right hand and instead of cleanly shing his neck, she fiercely mmed the handle into his temple, knocking him unconscious. The man fell limp to the ground. Song Yuhang stripped him of his clothes and dressed herself in them. She grabbed a prepared rope and tied him up securely, lifting him onto the bed. She handcuffed his wrists to the bedrail, gagged him with a pillow to prevent him from shouting. Hastily cleaning up the signs of the struggle on the floor, she ced the watermelon knife back in the medication cart. Finally, she put on a nurses hat, walked out confidently. She had anticipated someoneing to kill her, and she had been worried about not being able to escape. The timing was perfect. As she exited the ICU ward corridor, she pushed the medication cart aside and entered the restroom. Before long, a young woman in a military green jacket, duckbill cap, and ck mask emerged and melted into the crowd.
How is it? The woman knelt on the ground, licking the powder on the foil, nodding repeatedly, with her hair scattered like a scruffy dog. Lin Ge waved his hand, and his followers removed it. Jin Xia rushed over, No please dont Lin Ge lifted her face, Good girl, help me with something. Do it well, and Ill reward you. Jin Xia, confused, nced at the neatly arranged syringes next to her, swallowing nervously. W-what What do you want me to do? Lin Ge personally helped her up, patting her hand with infinite tenderness. You did a good job poisoningst time. The old mans health is deteriorating day by day, prolonging his suffering. Why not let himgoin happiness now. His words were filled with a hint of gritted teeth as he handed her a packet of powder. Go on, Ill wait for good news from you. Jin Xia, filled with fear, as if holding a hot potato, shrank back, No no I dare not What what is this? Arsenic trioxide,monly known as arsenic, Lin Ge smiled, holding her hand tightly, inch by inch pushing her back. You dont have to do it, your drug use, illegal fundraising, and the incident with several male actors having a nude party at a vi I can make it go viral on social media right now without waiting for dawn. Tears welled up in Jin Xias eyes, her lips trembling as she choked, You you are not human youre youre a beast! Youre right, Lin Ge lightly kissed her neck. Its best to behave in front of a beast, Miss Jin, otherwise, I cant guarantee what I might do. He gently wiped her tears and cupped her face. I promise you, after this is done, Ill marry you and all those things will be forgotten. Ill destroy the videos, and youll have a lifetime of endless new toys to y with. Ill give you the best. Go ahead, its time for you to repay me now. Lin Ges words seemed to possess a magical force, and his pitch-ck pupils drew her in, causing her to continuously plummet. Jin Xia gradually stopped crying, clutching the packet of powder tightly. Lin familys residence. Apart from Butler Lin, there was another person who could freely enter and exit here. It was still dark outside, and Butler Lin wouldnte to take care of Lin Youyuan for another hour. Like Lin Yan, he didnt like the servants living in his house. Therefore, before dawn, the Lin familys residence was deserted, with only a few guards standing at the gate, and the vast estate was empty. The guards didnt stop her; in fact, they respectfully opened the gates for her. With each step, the woman felt like she was dancing on the edge of a knife, especially when she reached the second floor. She began frantically swallowing saliva, the cold sweat seeping from her palms making the packet of powder slightly damp. Lin Ges words echoed in her ears. You dont need to do anything. Just pour this packet of powder into his water ss. No one will suspect you. Go on, be bold, go. When youe back, we will get married. With a soft creak, Jin Xia gently pushed open the door. Lin Youyuany t on the bed, wearing an oxygen mask, extremely thin, with a pallidplexion. He looked like he didnt have much time left. Nervously swallowing saliva due to tension, she moved forward cautiously, inching closer step by step. In just a few steps, she took several minutes to walk. For some reason, as she looked at him lying quietly there, Jin Xia also felt a sense of fear, as if he were a dormant lion. She was afraid that any movement she made would startle him, causing him to wake up and then bite her neck. Her imagination scared her, causing her to break out in a cold sweat, her eyes turning red. Before reaching the edge of the bed, the person lying on the bed suddenly started coughing violently. Cough, cough, cough Startled, Jin Xia fell back on the ground. Seeing him continue to cough without any other movement, she got up and rushed over. Master, Master With that, she gently helped him up, patting his back to ease his breathing. Lin Youyuan opened his hazy eyes and nced at her. Its you. As he turned away, he began coughing again. Jin Xia picked up the water ss on the table, added some hot water from the bottle, and handed it to him. Whether out of fear or some other reason, her hand was trembling as she offered it to him. Master, have some water. Lin Youyuan took a sip from her hand and felt better, squinting as he looked at her. Why are you here? Jin Xia forced a smile and said, I came to check on you. You dared toe back?! Lin Youyuan raised his hand and pped her hard. You shameless creature! Did you think I wouldnt find out about your mischief outside?! Jin Xia covered her face, lowered her head in extreme sorrow, her face showing a pitiful expression while a hint of malice shed in her eyes. This p triggered her memories, the days when she endured his capricious temper and touched his b (loose flesh) pretending to be satisfied, all under Lin Youyuans control. It made her feel extremely disgusted. Im sorry, Master she sobbed. Before she could finish her words, perhaps due to anger, Lin Youyuan started coughing violently again. The phlegmnded on the bed beside the bowl, as he bent over coughing, Jin Xia picked up the water ss once more, shaking her sleeves, and the powder trickled down quietly. It quickly dissolved into the water. She knelt on the ground, enduring the foul smell of the patients vomit, smiling insincerely. Master, have a sip of water slowly; Ill go call the doctor.
Chapter 128 Chapter 128 The final battle (2) Perhaps its not the doctor shes calling, but his murderer. Jin Xia is still too young, Lin Youyuan has experienced all kinds of wind and waves in his life, even if he is seriously ill now, it doesnt affect his judgment at all. She thought her subtle movements were stealthy enough, but in reality, her nervousness was all seen through by him. Lin Youyuan turned around, leaned against the head of the bed, breathed heavily, and squinted as he watched her handing the water ss to his lips. Her hands were shaking, causing ripples on the water surface. Theres something wrong with this ss of water. Seeing him hesitating to drink, Jin Xia forced a smile and said, Master, please drink. Youve been coughing all this while, moisten your throat. As she spoke, she sat by the bed and lightly touched the rim of the ss to his slightly cracked lips. His face was undeniably beautiful, but it also disgusted people. A chill crept up Lin Youyuans heart, but his expression remained unchanged. He coldly snorted, Ill do it myself. With that, his withered hand tremblingly held the ss and slightly lifted his chin. In order to make the medicine evaporate quickly, Jin Xia didnt pour too much water. At this moment, she nervously watched his actions, with cold sweat in the palm of her hands. Drink,e on, drink. Once you drink, Ill be relieved. As he raised his head, about to touch the waters surface, Lin Youyuan stopped, a hint of a cold smile appearing at the corner of his lips. There might be something in this water. Jin Xias nails dug deeply into her palm as she forced a smile. How could that be? This was poured in front of Master. Even with a hundred courage, Xiaxia wouldnt dare harm Master. Lin Youyuan handed over the water ss, Then you drink first. Jin Xias gaze sharpened, realizing it wasnt good, most likely he suspected something. In that case, she could only Alright. She smiled charmingly, her slender hand reaching out to take the cup from his hand, the two of them very close. Lin Youyuan was wearing a thin patient gown, extremely thin and frail, with the cor slightly open, revealing half of his chest. Lin Ge said that if he noticed, she should strike when he was unprepared. With a knife stabbed into the chest, his current frail body will have no resistance, a sure death. At this point, with death looming anyway, Jin Xia took a deep breath andmitted. Her left hand securely held the water ss, while at the same time, her right hand seized the opportunity to pull out a fruit knife from her bag and fiercely thrust it towards his heart. The unexpected turn of events happened too quickly. A cold sh passed through Lin Youyuans pupils, seemingly surprised by Jin Xias courage. In the blink of an eye, the tip of the knife was right before him, his skin already beginning to feel the sting. Go to hell! Jin Xia cried out fiercely, but as she tried to move forward with force, she found her arm as heavy as a thousand catties, unable to lift it at all. Surprised, she turned back, only to see Butler Lin standing behind her, his face as calm as water, his w-like hand gripping her shoulder tightly. She had always thought of Butler Lin as a gentle schr, a mere servant handling everyday tasks for Lin Youyuan. Little did she know that under his pressure at this moment, her arm emitted a creaking sound, the bones almost being crushed. Jin Xia let out a tragic scream, the knife falling onto the snowy white bedsheet. Lin Youyuan coughed twice, his robe still loose, lifting his eyes to look at her. Who sent you here? Speak! Butler Lin exerted more force, pressing her down on the bed. Due to the intense pain, tears streamed down her face as she roared hoarsely. No one sent me! Lin Youyuan, I just wanted you dead! I wanted you dead! Helphelp! The womans sharp voice quickly pierced through the room, spreading through the entire corridor. Neither of them stopped this desperate struggle, knowing there was no longer any need to. No rescue woulde; no one could save her now. Jin Xia, bewildered, tears blurring her face, stuttered, Hhow could this be? In the game of chess, everyone is a sacrificial pawn, Lin Youyuan sighed, covering his mouth with a handkerchief and coughing a few times. I ask you, why did youe to kill me? A rare hint ofpassion appeared on his face as he questioned. Whether from the moment you entered, or when you poured the water, I gave you chances. It was your own failure to seize them. If you quietly leave, I can pretend nothing happened, after all, we were once a couple. Lin Youyuan leaned in, lifting her chin, carefully scrutinizing her face. One should not be too greedy in life. When you have no money, you want money, when you have money, you want love, and when you have love, you want children Jin Xia, he sighed, You are a beautiful woman, but unfortunately not very bright. With that, he released her chin, not giving her any chance to speak or refute. Lin Youyuan closed his eyes. Butler Lin understood, picked up the half cup of warm water from the table, gripped her chin tightly, pried her mouth open, and poured it in. Nono Water filled her mouth and nose, Jin Xia struggled, tears and mucus smeared all over her face. Soon, there was no movement, she went limp in his hands, blood oozing from her orifices. Butler Lin flung her to the ground; Lin Youyuan liked things clean. He took a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his hands clean, and dabbed away the water stains on his suit jacket before helping himself up. Master, everything is ready. Shall we depart? Lin Youyuan nodded faintly, supporting himself on the arm of his assistant as he got off the bed. Butler Lin tidied up his appearance, shaved his beard, making him look neat and refreshed. Butler Lin sighed, Master, the sharpness of your sword remains, just like when you were young. Sitting in the wheelchair, Lin Youyuan looked at his reflection in the mirror, his face weathered, traces of time visible at the corners of his eyes and in his furrowed brow. He bitterly smiled, Getting old, wont make it through this autumn. Surprised, the butler said, Master However, Lin Youyuan independently wheeled his chair to the bedside cab and retrieved a handgun from the drawer, fondling it back and forth. Despite the outdated model, he still cherished it, often taking it out to admire. The ck gun gleamed exquisitely. With a sharp click, the bullet chambered. Lin Youyuan inserted the magazine, holstered the gun, executing the entire process with professional precision and smoothness, a glint appearing on his face, weakening the signs of illness. Lets go! Butler Lin understood; it wasnt a true recovery but ast burst of light.
Upon hearing that the exchange location was the Zhongjing Industrial Port, Lin Yan hesitated slightly. She couldnt confirm the authenticity of this information. If it was false, the drug dealers might set up an ambush, causing harm to many people. But if it was true, it could wipe out thisrge transnational criminal group in one fell swoop, saving countless lives and shattered families. The Supreme Lord didnt let her hesitate for too long and gathered everyone together. Several minor leaders took out their personal belongings, including phones andmunication devices. What does this mean? Lin Yan watched coldly. The Supreme Lord sat on a wicker chair, tapping his knee, following the rhythm of the Peking Opera ying on the radio. Aunt Hong, for everyones safety, we are collecting phones and personal belongings uniformly. Tiger held up a cloth bag in front of her. Lin Yan sneered and tossed her phone into the bag. Tiger nodded, And watches. I f*ck Lin Yan was about to explode, but the Supreme Lord cut her off. At this critical moment, for us to safely evacuate, Aunt Hong, its best not to act stubbornly. With his words, Lin Yan could only grit her teeth and take off her wristwatch to toss it in. Then the rooms of the minor leaders were turned upside down, and the contents of their backpacks were taken out. Tiger checked everything one by one before returning it to her. A cool smirk yed on Lin Yans lips, Even this hairpin sharpened enough to kill, should I hand it over too? Aunt Hong is joking, the Supreme Lord leaned on his cane, rising slowly with a limp, This is also for everyones safety, Tiger. With amand from the Supreme Lord, Tiger lifted the tablecloth, revealing a row of brand-new wirelessmunication devices underneath. Severalckeys carried heavy boxes in and set them on the ground. We have plenty of guys capable of killing; just worried Aunt Hong wont use them. Arms! Lin Yans pupils contracted as she casually nced overit was all thetest foreign military weapons. This group truly had connections. Though seething with hatred inside, she remainedposed on the outside. Oh, the fighting and killing are mens business. Ill just follow behind the Supreme Lord, pouring tea and serving at yourmand. Even though her phone was gone, and hermunication devices seized empty, she could no longer send messages to the outside world. But that didnt matter. As long as she stuck close to the Supreme Lord, she would surely find an opportunity to kill him. And wherever the Supreme Lord was, that would be the trading center. Lin Yan silently cursed, wondering if he would let her follow. As she pondered, the Supreme Lord spoke. Then its settled. Aunt Hong will act with me. Prepare your things, and in half an hour, well head to the Zhongjing Industrial Port for the exchange.
Police, investigating a case, make way. Whats inside these containers? At the cargo terminal, Xue Rui and his men surrounded the shipping container. Without waiting for a response, his subordinates began their actions. With a ng, the sealed container was pried open. Hey, what are you doing? Dont touch our cargo! Several workers tried to intervene but were pushed aside. Who do you think you are, assaulting us? Are the police that mighty? Upon hearing themotion, the foreman in charge of directing the crane to load the container onto the cargo ship hurried over, smiling apologetically. Officer,rade officer, were transporting coal. If you dont believe me, take a look. The paperwork for this was processed a month ago. As the foreman spoke, he pulled out a paper from his work uniform pocket, nodding respectfully. Xue Rui squinted for a moment, shining a shlight on the cargo, then had his subordinatee over to report. Report, no suspicious items found. He handed back the paper, Lets go, to the next location. The drug enforcement team in that area was also diligently conducting searches. Zhao Junfeng had been standing in themand center, eyes fixed on therge screen all night. Until daybreak, the overcast clouds had not dispersed, with a haze in the distance, indicating an uing storm. A junior officer entered carrying boxed meals, Time for food, time for food, hot breakfast from the cafeteria. Feng Jianguo waved for two portions, cing them on the table and pushing one towards him. Director Zhao, have some. Zhao Junfeng nced at him. After having ate-night operation meeting the previous night, he hadnt slept much and was now slurping a bowl of congee with gusto. Can you still eat? Feng Jianguo let out a sigh, Wasnt it you who said it? People are like iron, and food is like steel. Skip a meal and youll feel starved. Zhao Junfeng silently shook his head, reminiscing that he used to be quite proactive when he was younger. How had he be so negligent now that he was older? As he was about to respond, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Without a change in expression, Zhao Junfeng said, Just save me a few buns, I need to visit the restroom. Feng Jianguo called out to him with his chopsticks, Director Zhao, do you even know where the restroom is? Need someone to show you? Zhao Junfeng turned back with a smile, teasing, Enjoy your meal. After all, I came out from here. Even if the city bureau turned to dust, Id know my way. Of course, Feng Jianguo teased, poking at the few remaining grains of rice in his porridge, slurping it up noisily. However, a hint of hidden meaning shed in his eyes as he turned away.
Location of the transaction Cloud Ind. A line of text slowly appeared on the phone screen. Taking a deep breath, the man quickly called back, lowering his voice in anger as he questioned intensely. Why are you telling me this?! If its cooperation, then it should be mutually beneficial. I can honestly tell you, whether its Zhongjing Industrial Port or Wanghai Bridge, they are just facades. Only Cloud Ind is real. Why should I believe you?! Believe it or not, its up to you. With that, the other party hung up abruptly. The man stared at the text message on his phone for a while, then ultimately pressed delete. He thought of turning around, hand reaching for the door lock, but he hesitated and let go. His gaze shifted back to the phone as he opened the map of Jiangcheng City. After about five minutes. Hu Senji encountered Zhao Junfeng in the corridor, who had juste out of themand center holding a trash bag, seemingly about to dispose of it. Quickly taking it from him, Hu Senji remarked, Hey, such a small matter and youre still bothered by it. Zhao Junfeng allowed him to take it, By the way, I was just looking for you. Hu Senji stood at attention, What instructions do you have, Director Zhao? Just give the order! Approaching him, Zhao Junfeng lowered his voice. Gather your team and the Special Operations First and Second Squads. Surround Zhongjing Industrial Port for me, dont let a single fly escape! Hu Senjis expression turned serious, showing no doubt about hismand. He raised his right hand near his temple. Yes, I guarantee the missionspletion! In themand center, another intense operational meeting was underway. The Zhongjing Industrial Port? Why that? Hasnt it been abandoned long ago? Someone questioned in confusion. Feng Jianguo casually skimmed off the foam from his tea cup, then suddenly tapped it on the table, creating a sound that was neither loud nor soft. However, everyone in the room was fully focused on the meeting, paying him no attention. With a gesture from Zhao Junfeng, his officers pointed to a location on the electronic disy. Based on the criminal suspects confession, the drug traffickers transaction point is near the third waterway under the Wanghai Bridge, and the closest port to the Wanghai Bridge is this Zhongjing Industrial Port. A red light had lit up on the maritime map. cing his tea cup on the table, Zhao Junfeng stated, Just to be safe, Ive already dispatched the anti-drug bureau personnel there. His gaze swept over therge group of people in the room, finally fixing on Feng Jianguo. We must win this battle, show our force, show our momentum, so that the drug traffickers understand clearly. Anyone trying to actwlessly and disrupt order within China, we will never allow it!
Before getting into the car to head to the Zhongjing Industrial Port, the Supreme Lord raised his hand, releasing a white dove into the air. Kuba supported him, watching as the well-trained dove fluttered its wings and soared into the sky. Why did the Supreme Lord reveal the information about Cloud Ind to him? It was theirst resort. Its not a big deal. The Supreme Lord, getting older, took a few steps with a slight wheeze, thenboriously settled into the car. Smart people all have one trait, do you know what it is? Kuba shook his head honestly, starting the car. Not getting upset, the Supreme Lord chuckled, turning to Lin Yan sitting beside him. Aunt Hong should know, right? Lin Yan, calmly grabbing a crease in her clothes without moving her finger, quickly rxed her grip. Jinhong is unaware. The old man smiled warmly, straightening his coat and leaning back in the seat. He sighed, Sometimes being too smart can lead to being outsmarted.
Chapter 129-1 Chapter 129-1 The final battle (3) The expressway leading to the port was jammed with a long line of vehicles, honking horns incessantly. The traffic police were calmly directing traffic, checking each vehicle one by one. Go ahead. The traffic police returned the drivers license to the driver, waved a hand, and slowly raised the barrier, allowing the car in front to enter thene. Another car pulled up, the driver rolled down the window, handed the drivers license to the traffic police, and said, Officer, whats going on today? Why are the checks so strict? The traffic police saluted, Following orders from higher-ups, we are inspecting passing vehicles. Thank you for your cooperation. Okay, thanks. The driver nodded, bowed slightly, took back the drivers license, closed the window, and drove out of thene, then changed to a different expression. The young master is indeed clever, knowing that the cops would set up checkpoints on the expressway, so he had the goods delivered to Zhongjing Industrial Port early. Lin Ge, sitting in the back seat, slowly opened his eyes, a hint of a smile on his lips. Its almost time, lets go and give the Supreme Lord a big gift. The driver nodded, picked up the walkie-talkie and said a few words, and the car quickly merged into the traffic. A white BYD car was parked on the emergencyne not far away, with its hazard lights blinking. Song Yuhang rolled down the car window, furrowing her brows slightly. It seemed that the police had set up a checkpoint, with all passing vehicles undergoing inspection. People within the Jiangcheng Public Security System mostly knew her, so it was unreasonable for someone who should be recuperating at the city hospital to appear here. Song Yuhang tapped her fingertips on the steering wheel, suddenly stepped on the gas pedal, reversed and turned a corner to break away from the waiting queue. Perhaps taking the mountain road would be better, although it would be a longer route, there was no other choice. Song Yuhang bit her lip slightly, feeling extremely anxious. Lin Yan, wait for me.
Tech Investigation Network needs a few people to take charge ofmunication together in themand vehicle. Were short-handed. Zheng Chengrui was in the office nibbling on a duck neck, caught off guard by the sudden call. He hadnt even had time to wipe the oil off his hands. Alright,ing,ing. As he spoke, he was about to change clothes and run out, but Fang Xin tapped his desk, Computer, youre not bringing theputer? Oh, forgot, forgot. Zheng Chengrui smacked his forehead, quickly turned back. The screen still showed an email being sent. He discreetly closed the disy, stuffed it into hisptop bag, and as he turned to leave, he was stopped by someone. Fang Xin stood up, Old Zheng, you Zheng Chengrui scanned the office, Wheres Duan Cheng today? Hes taking a day off. For some reason, she instinctively lied. There was a mix of regret and relief on Zheng Chengruis face, but his sses hid most of his expression. He simply smiled, Then, Im off. Okay. Fang Xin nodded, Go on, work hard and aim for that promotion and raise. After Zheng Chengrui left, the spacious Tech Investigation office was left with only her. Fang Xin slumped into her chair, took out her phone, and sent a message to Duan Cheng. Old Zheng has a problem. In the end, she added, Take care of everything. As Zheng Chengrui rushed out of the office, he buttoned up his uniform with one hand. His colleague apanying him on thisrge-scale mission for the first time, was slightly excited and chatted non-stop. Director Zhao personally leading the front linemand, thats too dedicated. Doesnt he fear if something goes wrong? Ah, you dont understand. It may be called the front line, but in reality, its quite far removed. Besides, all those Special Police following along are just eating for free. Exactly, with the end of their term approaching, winning this battle would be a great achievement Their conversation carried on as they reached the parking lot. Zheng Chengrui carried hisputer and, along with his colleague, jumped into the police carbeled Emergency Communications Command, starting to set up and prepare the equipment.
On the way to Zhongjing Industrial Port, the winding mountain road gradually revealed the distant sea level through the dense clouds and thin mist that covered the sky due to the bad weather. The sea breeze blew in through the car window, bringing with it a salty damp smell. Lin Yan observed the cars following behind her through the rearview mirror. She hadnt seen Hu Ge since they set off. Is Brother Tiger noting with us? A Peking opera was ying in the car, with the Supreme Lord keeping beat with the rhythm. Hes noting; he has another assignment. Lin Yan felt a shock; the meeting point was at Zhongjing Industrial Port, and Tiger was one of his most capable men. If he was on a mission at this time, it was likely no ordinary task. She had a premonition, this trip probably wouldnt go smoothly. She could only pray that the gunshot that injured Song Yuhang had incapacitated her and prevented her froming to rescue her. She would take matters into her own hands, survive to return to her side, or if not, her life wouldnt have been in vain. The only regret Lin Yan slightly closed her eyes, and in her mind shed the faces of Lin Youyuan and Lin Ge. Many years ago, she still hadnt found the answer to the question she asked Lin Youyuan, nor how much Lin Ge was involved in these matters. If Lin Yan suddenly clenched her fist, a trace of ruthlessness overflowing in her eyes. No, there were no ifs, she would definitely get a clear answer. Lin Ge, the only warmth in her childhood, always had a bright smile and clear, bright eyes. He couldnt be this kind of person.
Jiangcheng City Detention Center. Hello, interrogation for inmate number 034589. The visitor, dressed in a uniform and wearing epaulettes, presented identification and written procedures to the prison guard. After verifying the documents, the guard led them through the corridor and straight to the iron bars. Inmate 034589, someone is here. Shortly after, a disheveled woman, dressed in dirty prison clothes, handcuffed and wearing holey shoes, was escorted out. Two burly detectives nked her and helped her into the police car. Before the car could even start moving, the guard had just closed the door when the radio on his chest buzzed. He listened and his face immediately changed; he drew his gun and rushed forward. Stop, dont move! The police officer escorting the woman turned around, raised his hand and fired a shot, hitting the guard in the chest. The guard fell backwards. The rm bell red in front of the detention center. The man fired several shots to disrupt the view, pushed the woman into the car, and jumped in himself, mming the car door shut as bullets hit the car body with a loud bang. Go! The driver quickly started the car, speeding past the divider and crashing through the barrier, leaving a trail of dust behind. The woman shrunk back in her seat, watching them warily, her voice slightly hoarse. Who are you? The man took off his broad-brimmed hat, revealing a head of blonde hair, and grinned, showing his uneven yellow teeth. Auntie Hong, long time no see. F*ck! Duan Cheng had just arrived on his motorcycle at the entrance of the detention center and saw a pool of blood, with ambnces and police cars rushing in, but he was a step toote. His eyes turned red as he took off his helmet and hung it on the handlebars, trembling as he called Song Yuhang, his voice slightly choked up. Captain Song, Imte. Song Yuhang was speeding through the mountain road, leaping over a dirt mound and darting into the gravel road, turning a regr sedan into an off-road vehicle. At this point, Duan Cheng calling her could only mean that the situation was not good. She steadied herself, her palms sweaty, almost losing grip of the steering wheel. Dont panic, follow that car, see where theyre heading, dont act rashly, safety first. Got it! Duan Cheng responded firmly, putting his helmet back on, stepping on the gas, and zooming out from the crowded traffic, catching up with the fake police car ahead. The police car didnt go far before turning onto an unmonitored rural road. The driver stopped the car, took off his clothes and threw them on the passenger seat, then quickly walked to the off-road vehicle that had been prepared beforehand. Tiger also escorted the woman out of the car, discarded his uniform, grabbed a bucket of diesel from the trunk, poured it inside and outside the car, then took out a lighter from his pocket and tossed it in, setting everything on fire. Lets go! The off-road vehicle started, with fake license tes, blending in unsuspectingly onto the road. Zhongjing Industrial Port. During the early stages of reform and opening up, this ce was once bustling. However, with the development of nearby waterways and the increasing tonnage of navigational vessels, it could no longer meet the needs ofrge cargo ships, leading to its gradual abandonment. Today, only a few stic factories in the vicinity are barely operational, struggling to stay afloat and at risk of shutting down at any time. The sewage discharged from the pipelines flows directly into the sea without any treatment. As the car drove into the area, the pungent smell of chemical materials mixed with the fishy odor filled the nostrils. Lin Yan pushed open the car door, stepped out, and followed the Supreme Lord and his group as they walked deeper into the area, navigating through puddles of foul-smelling water. Looking up at the sky, she noticed that it was raining again. The vacant shops on either side of the road were covered in dust and had signs indicating they were avable for rent, but there were no takers. She walked over flyers from dance halls, featuring colorful lights shining on painted men and women, reminiscent of the areas former prosperity. Walking further out, Lin Yan was already familiar with the terrain and environment, but struggled tomunicate the message. Despite the dangers, confusion, and unknowns ahead, she remainedposed and even managed to crack a joke. I never knew there was a ce like this in Jiangcheng City. The Supreme Lord smiled and nced at her, You were bornte, of course you wouldnt know. This was a once thriving port in the 1950s and 60s,missioned and supervised by the father of Lin Youyuan, the founder of the Lin Group. Wasnt that her grandfather? Why had she never heard Lin Youyuan, that old guy, mention him before? The person who ordered the construction of such an industrial port at that time must have held a significant position, likely wealthy and noble. As she pondered this, the gate of the stic factory opened, and the Supreme Lord led the way inside. Lets go, lets meet our distinguished guest. Several cars were already parked inside the factory. As they entered, the gate slowly closed behind them. Lin Yan immediately became wary, but the Supreme Lord just smiled nonchntly. Dont be nervous, they are old friends. As he spoke, someone began to apud. You truly deserve to be called the Supreme Lord. She squinted her eyes to get a look at the middle-aged man leaning on the luxury car. Boss Long? The legendary top Singaporean tycoon had finally appeared. It seems the person who died at the suburban camp was just a body double.
Chapter 130-1 Chapter 130-1 The final battle (4) Compared to Lin Youyuans calmness, Lin Yan is still too young. The slight anger in her eyes did not escape his eyes. The old man rubbed his green jade ring on his thumb, expressionless, and said lightly, When ites to money, we naturally need to be more cautious. Lin Yan appearing here did not surprise him at all. The Supreme Lord was naturally suspicious, so of course he would bring her along. However, with him here dying time, they should be able to wait for the arrival of the police. When the timees, everything people, money, goods will bepletely wiped out. Lin Yan will be saved, even if he is misunderstood he can leave with peace of mind. However, what he did not expect is that someone sent Lin Yans DNA report to the Supreme Lord. The report verified by Fang Xin was fake, naturally not matching Lin Yans DNA, and Lin Yans own DNA did not match Pei Jinhongs. He did not expect that the real Pei Jinhong would be rescued from the detention center and appear here. The Supreme Lord pped andughed heartily, This is truly exciting. First, allowing the senior management of his ownpany to engage in corruption and bribery, causing the downfall of the entire Jingtai, which made me lower my guard. Then, he designed a scheme to invite me into the game with a sky-high price of 200 million yuan, nting his eyes around me As he said this, he nced lightly at Lin Yan. Lin Yans spine tingled, feeling a chill. She thought she was extremely clever, but she couldnt even measure up to the fur of these people. Boss Longs identity is indeed real, so how long has Lin Youyuan been nning this? Finally, personally dying time with me until the police arrive to capture us all, a good trick to uproot the foundation. Having his n exposed, Lin Youyuan was not angry. Youre right, but you still cant run away. This courtyard has already been surrounded by my men. Is that so? The Supreme Lord sneered, turned around with his cane, Tiger, bring the weing gift for Director Lin. The gate creaked open, and Tiger and a few henchmen dragged in a disheveled woman. Lin Youyuans pupils shrank, as the people guarding outside the courtyard remainedpletely silent, allowing him to swagger in like this? Not good! He fiddled with the green jade ring, squinting to look at the woman, and suddenly his expression changed. Tiger pushed the woman to the ground, slowly lifting her chin to show everyone. Look, the prisoner we pulled from the Jiangcheng City Detention Center really looks like Aunt Hong, or perhaps (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) Hmm, Lin Yan, the daughter of the deceased Director Lin, bears some resemnce too. As if a heavy hammer struck her heart, the moment Lin Yan saw her face clearly, she suddenly snatched the gun from someone elses hand, loaded a bullet, and aimed it at Pei Jinhong. Youre talking nonsense! Even with a fake trying to deceive the Supreme Lord, go to hell! In the blink of an eye, as she was about to pull the trigger, Kuba moved. No one saw how he acted, but with a force like a breaking bamboo, he kicked directly on her wrist. The gun flew out, Lin Yan fell to the ground. When she tried to get up again, someone held a gun to her forehead. Gritting her teeth, Lin Yan muttered, F*ck Kuba loaded the bullet and signaled her not to move. Watching his own flesh and blood being hit, Lin Youyuan still had an expression of indifference. The Supreme Lord couldnt help but sigh, Truly as hard-hearted as iron. Lin Youyuan said, What does this have to do with me? What does it have to do with my unfilial daughter Lin Yan who has passed away? Are there so many simr people in the world that the Supreme Lord has to bring them all out forparison? I dont have the time to chat with you. Either return the money, or bring the real goods. Otherwise, you wont be able to leave today. He said it calmly, but exerted a sense of authority without anger. Thest sentence slightly emphasized the words, carrying a hint of a threat. Dont be so hasty, were like brothers meeting. Why are you in such a rush to leave? We should catch up a bit. The Supreme Lord said as he lifted Pei Jinhongs chin with his cane, squinting his eyes with a hint of malice in the depths. You tell me, who are you. Lin Yan, with a gun pointed at her head, couldnt move. She nced at Pei Jinhong, who was looking at her as well. Their eyes met, and they both quickly looked away. Pei Jinhong began to tremble, remaining silent. The Supreme Lord spoke softly, Dont be afraid, speak boldly. Ive always liked children who tell the truth; I will protect your safety. As he spoke, he signaled for Tiger to help the person up. Lin Youyuan gave a signal to Butler Lin, indicating that he should be prepared to find an opportunity to silence them. Butler Lin nodded slightly, reaching towards the gun in his pocket. The Supreme Lord pulled Pei Jinhong closer to him, with Kuba and Tiger standing on his left and right. Even Lin Yan was within his shooting range. Butler Lin struggled to find a suitable time to fire the gun. The Supreme Lord gently patted Pei Jinhongs hand again. Go ahead, child, boldly tell me. Who harmed you, who caught you, and hid you in the detention center? Lin Yan raised her gaze to look at her, coldly saying, I dont know who you are, why youre impersonating me, but I advise you to think carefully before speaking, not to harm yourself or others. On the surface, Lin Yans words seemed like a defense, but in reality, she was secretly warning her. Since she had been captured by the police, Lin Yan had sessfully disguised herself as an undercover agent. All the early information was provided by her. Even if she admitted to being Pei Jinhong, a person who leaked secrets, would the Supreme Lord let her live? Lin Youyuans lips slightly curved into a smug smile, as light as a gentle breeze, but quickly disappeared into thin air. Not bad, making progress, starting to understand human nature. However, why havent the police arrived yet? If Lin Yan is really in danger, then it can only be His eyes darkened, firming his decision. Butler Lin quietly approached him from behind, supporting the wheelchair, and whispered, Master, what should we do now? Lin Youyuan fidgeted with the green jade ring three times, then rxed, appearing calm as usual. Butler Lin understood that this was a signal for him to act ording to the n. As someone setting up a trap, he must have made thorough preparations. This game had been rehearsed countless times on his chessboard. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Seven days ago, the two of them had their final game. The red pieces were in grave danger, on the verge of losing all pieces. Butler Lin held a ck chess piece in his hand, hesitating to ce it down, and raised his gaze to look at him, Master Lin Youyuan ced the red car in front of him, Fate is unpredictable. Even though I have anticipated everything, this game may not necessarily win. If that day reallyes The ck piece captured his car, but the king managed to escape. Thats how it is. The decision was made. Butler Lin gripped the back of the wheelchair, gritting his teeth slightly. All eyes were focused on Pei Jinhong, expectant, indifferent, tense, and malicious. In the eyes of so many people, she felt like a piece of fat in a pack of wolves, cautiously treading as if on thin ice. After hearing Lin Yans words, Pei Jinhong trembled even more. After a while, she suddenly gritted her teeth, rushed over, and hugged the Supreme Lords thigh, trembling lips pointing towards Lin Yan. Its her! She is the one from the police Before the words undercover could be spoken, the sound of gunshots pierced the night, silencing the rest of her words in her belly. Liu Zhi led the team to break in, holding a submachine gun and firing rapidly, tongues of fire spitting out. He shouted hoarsely, Sister Hong, quick, run! The person who was restraining her was shot and fell to the ground. Lin Yan leaped up, picked up his gun, and in the midst of the chaos, someone tried to grab her. She raised her hand and fired, quickly getting up from the ground and running. When the gunfire sounded, Tiger swiftly pushed Pei Jinhong to the ground and turned around, firing a barrage of bullets. The people from the Huange Nightclub who came with Liu Zhi staggered back a few steps, falling backward on the ground. Master, lets go! Butler Lin pushed the wheelchair, fighting and retreating at the same time. The people brought by the Supreme Lord all rushed towards Lin Yan, causing chaos, with smoke and bullets hitting the ground, raising clouds of dust. Lin Yan became ruthless, using her elbows to break through the henchmen attacking her, then she fired a shot, hitting a drug dealer in a vital spot. Before she could catch her breath, three to five people surrounded her. She pulled the trigger, but f*ck, she was out of bullets. In the blink of an eye, she was pushed down to the ground by several people. Liu Zhi turned around and saw her surrounded, he jumped on top of a car, and let out a loud roar, Dont touch her, go die!!! A series of rapid gunfire rang out, tongues of fire spraying from the muzzle. The people surrounding her fell to the ground, warm blood sttering on her face. Lin Yan got up in a hurry, sharp breaking sounds rang in her ears, that was the sonic boom created by high-speed bullets breaking through the air. The sound of arge-caliber sniper rifle was heavy and powerful. Bang A burst of blood bloomed in Lin Yans eyes: No!!! She stumbled and rushed over, as Liu Zhi had already fallen from the roof of the car, arge hole in his chest, the trickling fresh blood staining his white shirt red, the blood flowing from the corner of his lips, impossible to clean no matter how hard she tried. Lin Yan covered his wound with her hand, and the deep red blood kept flowing out. Her eyes reddened with tears, and her voice choked slightly. I told you to leave, go as far away as possible, donte back?! What did youe back for? To die?! On the eve of departure, someone was needed to go to the other side of Wanghai Bridge to attract the attention of the police. Lin Yan had rmended him on her own initiative, hoping he would leave this ce of trouble, then surrender to the police, and seek leniency in order to return home soon. Who would have thought that this child would promise everything with his mouth, but then run back with people. (Support me at ) Lin Yan was furious and disappointed, tears began to fall. Cough as he coughed, blood froth dribbled from the corner of Liu Zhis lips. The blood seeping from his chest soaked her sleeve and stained the ground beneath her red. He struggled to lift his hand, as if wanting to touch her face, and smiled faintly, I I still dont know whats your your name? I my name is Lin Yan choked up, trying to grab his hand suspended in the air, but it fell empty in the end. She hadnt had a chance to say her real name yet, as Liu Zhi, with a smile, passed away. Lin Yan gently closed his eyelids, a tear sliding down her cheek. I am Lin Yan, nice to meet you. Dont worry, I will help you seek revenge, and I will also take care of your parents for you. She silently vowed in her heart, gritting her teeth as she stood up, picked up Liu Zhis gun, and was about to find the sniper who had fired. Get down! Just as the words were spoken, another bullet whizzed by. Someone forcefully pushed her, causing Lin Yan to stumble. The bullet hit the spot where she had just been standing. Lin Youyuan, who was already physically restricted, lost his bnce due to the push, and he fell to the ground along with the wheelchair. Butler Lin was upied in the fight, unable to free up his hands to take care of him. Lin Yan hurriedly turned around and saw that he had saved her. A sh of astonishment crossed her eyes, her throat rolled, and before she could even say dad, someone grabbed her by the neck, pressing a gun to her temple, and pulled her up. In the blink of an eye, with the appearance of heavy weapons, the situation had undergone a drastic change. The few people brought by Liu Zhi were quickly ughtered, while those on Lin Youyuans side were either dead or injured under the threat of sniper rifles. Their current firepower was not enough to break out of the encirclement, and they were even in danger of losing their lives. Two hours ago, Hu Senji received thetest order to temporarily slow down the operation speed and allocate some manpower to Yunzhong Ind. There was also a heated discussion in themand vehicle. Feng Jianguo sprayed spit as he spoke, I disagree. Why should we temporarily slow down the operation? We should request the support of the Armed Policebat forces at this moment. Zhao Junfeng, of course, could not tell him that he already knew about the existence of Yunzhong Ind, just as Feng Jianguo could not tell him about the existence of the Nail. He just furrowed his brow and said, Its only a temporary dy, not inaction. We encircle the perimeter, and they cant fly even if they grow wings. The result will be the same. Of course, it wouldnt be the same! Every minute dyed puts the undercoverrades inside at greater risk.
Chapter 130-3 Chapter 130-3 The final battle (4) Before she reached the door, Butler Lin, who was lying on the ground severely wounded, suddenly lunged towards the Supreme Lord who was passing by, shouting loudly. Miss, quickly, avenge the master! As soon as he finished speaking, Kubas gunshot shattered on his forehead. Butler Lin copsed to the ground, blood oozing from a bright hole in his forehead, dying with his eyes open. Pay with your life! Lin Yans eyes turned red with anger as she grabbed a submachine gun and started shooting wildly. Bullets hit the iron gate, making banging sounds and sshing sparks. Lin Yan chased after them, only to see Kuba stuffing the Supreme Lord into the car, taking the drivers seat himself, and speeding away. She caught up, intending to shoot out their tires, but Tiger turned from the back, raising an AK with mes shooting out of the muzzle. Lin Yan was forced to dodge, and in the blink of an eye, the off-road vehicle had already driven out of shooting range.Watching her running out the door, a hint of relief appeared at the corner of Lin Youyuans mouth. With his still-functioning left hand, he reached for the dropped pistol on the ground, tremblingly raised it, aimed at his temple. Death was inevitable, and he didnt want to die in a hospital, nor in the hands of the enemy. He decided to end his own life with this gun, perhaps it could be a form of redemption for the mistakes he had made in the past. His only regret was not having the chance to tell her with his own mouth: Yanyan, Daddy loves you. Chewing on these words, a smile appeared at the corner of Lin Youyuans mouth, and he gently pulled the trigger. The sound of gunfire cut through the dusk. Lin Yan abruptly stopped in her pursuit, turned back to look at the yard, then rushed back, tears streaming down her face as she screamed. Dad!!!
Supreme Lord, theyre catching up! Tiger nced back, several police cars were closely following them, relentlessly pursuing. Sitting in the swaying car due to the rapid speed, Lin Jueshui remained calm as a mountain. No need to rush, someone will block them for us. Captain, our backup units havent arrived yet, should we keep chasing?! Amid the deafening gunshots, the driver shouted, but before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly bent down as a bullet shattered the front windshield, narrowly missing his head. Xue Rui returned fire, Keep chasing! We must stop them before they board the ship!
Lin Yan rushed into the yard and knelt down in front of Lin Youyuans body, tremblingly lifting his face, Dad Dad say something (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) Her only response was a series of faint footsteps, and the gate closed shut once again. Turning with her gun in hand, Lin Yan suddenly froze, her hand starting to tremble. Lin Ge, dressed in a long suit and wearing delicate gold-rimmed sses, held a long sniper rifle in his hand, the barrel resting on the ground. His gaze was gentle and soft as he reached out his hand to her. Yanyan,e to me. Brother will take you away. No one can stop us from being together now. (LP: Disgusting) Lin Yan took a step back, the bloodshot eyes in her gaze not fading, looking incredibly cold. Youve been here all this time? Lin Ge nodded, Yes. Did you kill Liu Zhi? Liu Zhi? Who is he? Lin Yan gritted her teeth, a sh of resentment bursting in her eyes. Lin Ges gaze shifted to the body in a white shirt beside them. Oh, him. If hes the one, then let him go. Just ackey, and besides, wasnt he also disloyal to you? Tears quickly welled up in Lin Yans eyes, He was my friend, not just someckey! Lin Ge sneered, slinging the gun over his shoulder, taking a firm step forward, reaching out his hand towards her. Enough, that doesnt matter. Listen to brother,e with me. He approached step by step. Lin Yan kept retreating, her back finally hitting the abandoned van parked in the yard, with no way to retreat further. Since youve been here all this time, why Lin Yan gritted her teeth, her heart aching. To watch with open eyes Helplessly, Lin Youyuan had no choice but tomit suicide. That man was your uncle, wasnt he? Lin Ge kicked Lin Youyuans body lying in the middle of the road, a hint of ironic smile forming on his lips. This man, perceived by the public as a generous phnthropist, a good father, a good uncle He emphasized the words. Do you know that he was the one who caused the ruin of my family, involved with my mother, making me theughingstock, a bastard in the eyes of others! Shut up! Dont touch him! Seeing his actions, each word felt like a knife stabbing into Lin Yans heart, causing her blood to boil. Without hesitation, she grabbed her fist and lunged at him. What she didnt expect was that in her impression, Lin Ge had always been gentle and refined, never learned martial arts, at most asionally exercising. Yet, he unexpectedly had so much strength. Lin Yans punch was cleverly angled and used full force, making it impossible for someone with nobat training to dodge. Lin Ge not only evaded the punch but also grabbed her wrist, pressed it down, and locked her arm with his right hand, performing a standard joint lock and pushing her backward. With a loud bang, Lin Yans back hit the car, causing dizziness and blurred vision. Lin Ge shook her shoulder and roared, He killed my father. If it wasnt for him, how could I have be an orphan? Lin Yan, think carefully. If he didnt have an affair with my mother, why would he send you to my house? Why would my mother treat you so well, always thinking of you first when ites to good food, clothes, and fun, and not treating me as well as she treats you! Youre talking nonsense! Lin Yan shouted through tears, Who do you think you are, a f*cking orphan? You were born in the Lin family, raised in the Lin family, living off Lin familys money, enjoying your mothers care and love. Have you ever wandered outside? Have you eaten from the garbage? Have you fought dogs for food? You havent experienced any of that. What kind of f*cking orphan are you? If Auntie is kind to me, isnt it because she pities me for being abandoned since childhood? What right do you have to dismiss others lives with your own spections? Thats your mother and uncle! (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) At this moment, Lin Ge seemed to have gonepletely mad, unrecognizable. Lin Yan suddenly realized that she had never truly understood him; who she remembered was just the gentle and quiet young man. The Lin Ge before her was like a devil, a beast. He had orchestrated this massacre, shaking her shoulders hysterically, roaring, smearing his own family members, trying to make her ept his twisted and false arguments. Yes, shes my mother, but do you know how she treated me? Lin Ges eyes showed a hint of resentment, and they were slightly red. My life was like a systematic machine, every part meticulously arranged. At a certain age, I had to learn to walk, never allowed to cry. When I should smile, I had to smile. No toys, only books. Exams had to be perfect, and if I got half a point less, I would go hungry at home. Mistakes were always criticized, but even when I did things right, there was no praise. While other boys could run and y, I couldnt. I had to sit at home and study. After finishing music, dance, painting, piano, calligraphy, and advanced math Only you, Lin Yan, Yanyan He lifted her face as if possessed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Youre different. Youre so free-spirited, so uninhibited. I never knew life could be lived as joyfully as you do. You are my everything, my light. He gently touched her face with his thumb, wiping away the tears at the corner of her eyes. Though her appearance had changed slightly, she was still so beautiful, so enchanting to him. As Lin Ges throat moved, ready to embrace her, a shadow suddenly fell on the ground. Looking up, he saw a figure that should have been lying in the hospital descending from above, holding a metal bucket in hand, seemingly picked up from somewhere, firmly covering his head. Lin Ge was enveloped in darkness, taking numerous ck punches. Song Yuhang struck at vital points with precision, each blow apanied by gritted teeth, forcing him to repeatedly step back until he knelt on the ground with a thud. Are you sick in the head, wanting your cousin? Dont touch my fiance!!! Shaking her slightly sore fists, Song Yuhang turned around to pull her, saying, Lets go. Lin Yan stared nkly at her for a moment before a slight smile appeared at the corner of her lips. How did youe here? Song Yuhang pulled her along, saying, I came to take you back home. As they passed by Lin Youyuans body, she nced at it with a heavy heart, gripping Lin Yans hand tighter. Im sorry Imte. Its a bitte, but Lin Yan looked at her retreating figure, noticing she was also injured. It must have been quite challenging for her to journey alone from Jiangcheng City to here. Her heart softened. When she was alone, she could pretend to be strong, but now seeing her, her eyes reddened and feeling her nose tingle, tears welled up and streamed down her face. Its good that youre here. Song Yuhang protected her as they pushed open the courtyard gate. Just as they stuck their heads out, a burst of bullets came flying towards them. Get down! She rolled to the side while holding her, as sparks sttered on the door frame with a loud bang. Damn it, Lin Ges people were outside too; the yard had been surrounded. Song Yuhang dragged her back, the courtyard empty. Lin Ge had arge-caliber rifle, while she was defenseless, which put her at a disadvantage inbat. She needed to find a hidden spot to hide Lin Yan before she could free herself to fight back. Song Yuhang quickly scanned the courtyard and set her gaze on a warehouse at the back. She pulled her towards it. Lin Ge had just managed to remove the metal bucket from his head and blocked their path. Perfect timing, lets kill them together. (Support me at ) The dark barrel of the gun was aimed at them, but Song Yuhang fearlessly lifted Lin Yans chin and provocatively nced at him, then fiercely kissed her, doing what he wanted to do. Lin Yans eyes widened, pushing her shoulder away. Mmm even when facing death Song Yuhang grabbed her hand, deepening the kiss tinted with a romantic blood-red hue. So what? Her voice was low and hoarse, muffled amid their intertwined lips and teeth. Even in death, I want to die with you. If it were anyone else, she would never dare to act this way in front of the enemy, but this person happened to be Lin Ge. His perverse possessiveness prevented him from shooting at such close range, and his fierce pride drove him to want to defeat Song Yuhang, kill her with his own hands, to make Lin Yan give uppletely and see who would ultimately prevail. If Song Yuhang could figure it out, then why wouldnt Lin Yan know? Her slender hand wrapped around her neck, lifting herself gently onto her toes to respond passionately. Receiving the response, Song Yuhangs heart surged with desire. If it werent for the enemy nearby, requiring half her attention on him, she almost wanted to drag her to the bed and have her way with her right now. She truly desired it, really, even in her dreams, to the point of tears welling up in her eyes. However, it was time to deal with the big trouble that was Lin Ge. Song Yuhang released her, licking her lips as if savoring the moment, but her gaze eagerly challenged Lin Ge, raising her chin slightly. How about it, a one-on-one fight? His men immediately flooded into the courtyard, surrounding the two of them in a circle. The scene just now had Lin Ge trembling with rage. He chuckled softly, theughter growing louder and more piercing, breaking down his full resentment, sending shivers down peoples spines. Fine, a one-on-one it is, clear a path for us! After a slight hesitation, his men parted slightly to create a passage. Just as Song Yuhang was about to step forward, her clothing was gently tugged. Lin Yan walked up to her, her eyes shining with calmness after being cleansed by blood and tears. For some reason, even though she had been deeply saddened just moments ago, upon seeing her at that moment, Lin Yan felt as though the missing piece of her heart had been filled. Her appearance seemed to inject a strong dose of courage into her. She felt like she could speak, could think, and had the ability to face him in battle. If this day had toe eventually, she hoped it would be her to put an end to it all with her own hands. Song Yuhang, let me handle it this time. There are some questions I want to ask him.
Chapter 131-1 Chapter 131-1 The final battle (5) ¡°Lin Yan,¡± Song Yuhang was still worried, grabbing her hand with an anxious expression, murmuring softly. ¡°I¡¯ll stay here, you go first.¡± Lin Yan shook her head, ¡°You go first, go after the Supreme Lord, I¡¯ll be fine here.¡± The intimate conversation and actions between the two of them did not escape his notice, as Lin Ge sneered. ¡°Thinking of leaving? Not that easy, since you¡¯re here, you might as well leave your life behind!¡± He raised the sniper rifle and aimed it at Song Yuhang, but Lin Yan swiftly pushed her aside and stood in front of the barrel herself. ¡°Lin Yan!¡± Song Yuhang tried to throw herself at her, but she stood firm, grasping the gun barrel and pressing it against her own chest. ¡°Lin Ge, if you kill Song Yuhang today, I will not live alone. Perhaps I don¡¯t have the ability to kill you, but if I take my own life, no one present can stop me.¡±¡°Either you let us both go, or¡ª¡± she lifted her chin slightly, gazing at him with dark and determined eyes. ¡°Kill me first before killing her.¡± Lin Ge¡¯s hand on the trigger began to tremble, gritting his teeth. ¡°Don¡¯t force me.¡± Lin Yan stood her ground, with eyes firm and fearless, as if saying, ¡°If you¡¯re capable, then go ahead and shoot.¡± Her demeanor made Lin Ge start to panic. ¡°Yanyan, listen to me, I don¡¯t want to kill you. As long as youe with me, we can still be like before¡­¡± The conversation was abruptly interrupted by Lin Yan¡¯s icy tone. ¡°No one can live in the past forever, Lin Ge. It¡¯s no longer possible to go back.¡± ¡°No¡­ no¡­¡± Lin Ge shook his head, with a hint of madness in his expression. ¡°I did so much for you¡­¡± (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) Lin Yan gripped the gun tightly, advancing step by step. ¡°For me? What have you done for me?¡± Lin Yan sneered, a fleeting look of pain crossing her eyes. The questions that she never dared to ponder deeply were now revealed at this moment. Perhaps she appeared strong andposed in front of others, but standing behind her, Song Yuhang saw her other hand hanging by her side trembling slightly. She was afraid and sad. Song Yuhang felt heartbroken, following her every step. ¡°When I went to the provincial capital, was it you who leaked the information to the Vulture¡¯s people?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Meeting her gaze, Lin Ge nodded slowly and then exined urgently after a pause. ¡°But I didn¡¯t expect him to target you, I just had him follow you.¡± Lin Yan slightly narrowed her eyes, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Sure enough, Jiangcheng City was so small, and there were few people she was close to and on good terms with. Only Lin Ge would asionally show concern, asking what she was busy with. ¡°Kidnapping the members of the Song family and using torture on a child.¡± Lin Yan suddenly emphasized her words, ¡°Was that also your doing?¡± She spoke as she walked, the courtyard not being big, and in the blink of an eye, they arrived at the warehouse door. Lin Ge¡¯s back pushed open the warehouse door. Song Yuhang followed them in and heard him confess truthfully. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. I even interacted with them for a while. She was indeed a very lovely little girl. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have kidnapped her.¡± Not only did he show no remorse, but he was also glib with words. A surge of anger rushed through Song Yuhang, and she raised her fist to attack. However, upon seeing the gun pointed at Lin Yan¡¯s chest, she suppressed her hatred and withdrew with red eyes. ¡°Well done, at least you are honest.¡± ¡°At this point, there¡¯s nothing more I can hide from you,¡± Lin Ge nonchntly tugged at the corner of his lips. Lin Yan tightened her grip on the gun and coldly asked, ¡°You¡¯re the one who tampered with my car?¡± ¡°It was me,¡± he admitted openly, but with a hint of resentment. ¡°But I never expected you would jump into the sea to save her! Why?! How dare you risk your life to save her?!¡± ¡°Because I love her!!¡± Lin Yan became slightly agitated, breathing heavily, leaning forward, pressing the gun tightly against her chest. Lin Ge instantly released his finger from the trigger, staggering back a step, knocking over the bottles and jars on the shelves. His eyes were filled with anger and disbelief. ¡°You love her?¡± his voice suddenly sharpened. ¡°And what about me?!¡± ¡°You? You don¡¯t have that chance anymore!¡± Lin Yan¡¯s first confession came at this critical moment, leaving Song Yuhang feeling a mix of sweetness and amusement, but it didn¡¯t dy the matter at hand. At the moment the words fell, she took action. Seizing the opportunity when Lin Yan had all his attention, and with no one else in the warehouse, she stood behind Lin Yan. Suddenly, sheunched an attack, her left elbow striking his wrist while her right hand, like a hawk¡¯s w, aimed straight for his throat. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Every move aimed for vital points, showing no mercy. The weapon hanging over Lin Yan¡¯s heart was finally knocked to the ground. In a daze, Lin Ge hastily exchanged a few moves with Song Yuhang but gained no advantage and was quickly subdued on the ground. Raising his eyes to look at Lin Yan, his eyes showed redness and bruising from the blows, making him appear as if he had been crying. Hoarse, he asked, ¡°And what about me, Lin Yan? What do you see me as?¡± ¡°What do I see you as¡­¡± Lin Yan repeated the words, looking at his face, feeling a moment of confusion. The warm young boy from years ago gradually merged with the face before her. In that instant, she seemed to see the past. The day she was brought back to the Lin family. The little boy holding a can of candy given by his mother, shyly approached her, and handed it to her. ¡°Don¡¯t cry. From now on, you¡¯re my little sister, and I¡¯ll protect you.¡± A young Lin Yan looked at the fruit candy inside the transparent candy can and swallowed nervously. Her dirty face showed caution, and she did not reach out to take it. ¡°I don¡¯t want it. I don¡¯t like eating candy.¡± The young Lin Ge looked back at his mother, received an encouraging look, then directly stuffed the candy can into her hand and ran off. Although she imed not to like candy, after returning from his hobby ss, he found her alone under the backyard swing, licking the candy carefully in her hand. It wasn¡¯t the type where she would unwrap and fill her mouth, but she held it and licked it gingerly, with candy wrappers scattered around her. The young boy recalled his mother¡¯s advice and hurriedly ran over with his school bag, ¡°You can¡¯t eat candy like that; if you eat too much at once, you¡¯ll get cavities and stomachaches.¡± Startled, Lin Yan pushed his hand away and ran off. By evening, she indeed experienced vomiting and diarrhea. As Lin Yany in bed, tossing and turning due to stomach pain, there were two light knocks on the bedroom door. Like a young gentleman, Lin Ge first knocked on the door. After a while with no response, he gathered his courage and gently pushed it open. ¡°Mom asked me to bring you the medicine. Drink it quickly; you¡¯ll feel better after.¡± Lin Yan sat up from the bed, ring at him. She always had this expression as if someone owed her a fortune, even though she was just a half-grown kid, not one for smiling, always looking mature beyond her years. Lin Ge chuckled, surveyed the room, not even a servant in sight. There was a ss of cold water on the bedside table, almost empty. Softening, he grabbed the ss and ran out, saying, ¡°Wait for me.¡± When he returned, he brought back a full ss of warm water and a handful of candies. ¡°Eat quickly. You can have candies after taking the medicine.¡± Under his mother¡¯s urging at the time, he had matured into a little adult, proper and gentlemanly. As he had never had age-appropriate children to y with, he was a bit curious about Lin Yan. Lin Yan looked at the oral liquid in her hand, unsure of how to use the straw. He took it from him and handed it over, well-prepared for her. ¡°It¡¯s not bitter; it¡¯s sweet.¡± (Support me at ) Lin Yan hesitantly took a sip, and her tightly furrowed brow rxed a bit. The cautious expression on her face gradually softened. Lin Ge wanted to say more, but he checked the time and realized it was time for his calligraphy practice. Beingte would result in his mother hitting the palm of his hands. The young boy hurriedly ced the candies by her bedside. ¡°I¡¯ll go back first. I¡¯lle see you another day.¡± No one knew how long that ¡°another day¡± would be. Lin Ge had toplete the curriculum at the elite school during the day, attend hobby sses in the evenings and weekends. He wasn¡¯t the type to enjoy going out, and his mother didn¡¯t allow him to go out and y recklessly. He would stay at home continuously doing homework if there was nothing else to do. One day, he sat at his desk by the window, writing a test paper. The sunlight poured onto the table as the young boy nervously worked on his math problems. A stone lightly hit the ss. No response on the first hit. Lin Yan picked up another stone and threw it. Still, no response. He was too absorbed in what he was doing. So the short-armed and short-legged child held arge stone in her hands, straining to tiptoe and with a big thud, she hit the window. Lin Ge was startled, then looked up at the window, where a little head was swaying. He stood up, opened the window, and the child tiptoed, trembling, ced a ss bottle on the windowsill. It was the bottle left over from the candy he had given her that day, now filled not with candies but with colorful butterflies fluttering their wings. The young boy was briefly amazed by the beauty of it. The child let go, took two steps back, and said, ¡°For you, thank you.¡± After saying that, she ran off in a sh. Lin Ge examined the ss bottle for a while, only to btedlye back to his senses, threw down his pen, and chased after her. ¡°Wait¡­ wait for me! Where did you catch the butterflies?!¡± The slightly chubby young Lin Ge, who had been wearing sses since a young age, ran with a wheeze.
Chapter 131-3 Chapter 131-3 The final battle (5) I dont want to Lin Yan tried to get up but was pushed back down. Song Yuhang leaned in and nted a kiss on her forehead. Listen to me. With that, she grabbed her gun and rushed out. Just as Song Yuhang peeked out, a spray of bullets came flying towards her. She quickly dodged back, sparking off metal shelves. During the opponents reload, she swiftly flipped forward, keeping her gun steady and firing rapidly. Lin Ge also rolled to the ground, taking cover in the nearby shelves as the bullets struck the barrels of industrial materials behind him, creating a loud bang. Perhaps hearing the gunshots from inside, the security personnel outside the door tried to rush in. Lin Yan made a quick stride towards them, kicking the first intruder who entered out of the way. Someones guarding the door, shoot them! This is not good!Her pupils suddenly contracted, and she hugged her head, crawling on the ground. Bullets flew past her scalp, turning the iron door into a sieve, allowing rays of light to filter in, with dust floating in the air. Lin Yan! Hearing themotion from the other side, Song Yuhang inevitably became distracted, slowing down while reloading. Lin Ge leaped from the top of the shelves, a long gun in hand, crossing over to firmly grip her neck, pulling her back and forcing her to suffocate. Forced to take a few steps with him, Song Yuhang came to her senses and swiftly mmed her right elbow backward, hitting him squarely in the abdomen. Caught off guard, Lin Ge was struck in a vital spot, stumbling back, unable to maintain his grip on her. Seizing the opportunity, Song Yuhang rose and delivered a punch to his face, shattering his sses. Lin Ge staggered back, blood pouring from his nose. Filled with hatred and nowhere to vent it, while Lin Yan might show mercy to him, but she wouldnt. With a swift kick, the force resembling the sound of bones breaking, she sent him flying into the clutter, industrial material barrels scattered across the floor in the corner. Hey on the ground, his fingers touching something cold and slippery. It was industrial material seeping out of the barrel, a scent of alcohol filling the air. Song Yuhang clenched her fist and walked up to him. You cant beat me. I will avenge Lin Yan, Chu Nan, Xiaowei, my sister-inw, and all the innocent people who died unjustly. Revenge.
Report, arge number of criminals armed with heavy firepower have been discovered inside an abandoned stic factory in Zhongjing Industrial Port. Requesting orders for heavy firepower, over. (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) Themunication device crackled with electric noises. Zhao Junfeng picked it up swiftly. Pass on my orders,unch a full-force assault, ensureplete capture! Feng Jianguo quickly stood up. No, the satellite images havent returned yet. The enemy is unidentified. We cannot rashlyunch a strong attack. So we just watch as the drug traffickers board the ship and escape into international waters?! Zhao Junfeng retorted loudly. I am themander-in-chief. If anything goes wrong, I take full responsibility! Attack! With hismand, the special police officers surrounding the stic factory exchanged nces. The team leader gestured, and two team members rushed forward, tearing off smoke grenades and tear gas canisters from their tactical vests, swiftly pulling the pins and throwing them into the distance. Smoke billowed out, choking the criminals inside the courtyard, making them cough uncontrobly. The special police team leader kneeled down, and a team member used his shoulder as a stepping stone to leap into the courtyard, using the cover of smoke to open the courtyard gate. A burst of gunfire rang out, and most of the criminals fell, with sporadic retaliatory shots. Inside, Lin Ge, who had been incapacitated by Song Yuhang and was spitting blood, knew from themotion outside that the situation was lost. He raised the corners of his lips, smiled faintly, and looked towards Lin Yan. You still havent told me, what have you been treating me as all this time? I Lin Yan was about to answer when several desperate thugs rushed in. At first sight of Song Yuhang standing in the middle of the corridor, they didnt hesitate and grabbed their knives, charging towards her. Young master, were here to save you! Lookout! Song Yuhang hastily turned around, only to see a slender figure blocking her path. Lin Yans body swayed slightly as she tightly gripped the de, blood dripping from her wrist. Lin Yan! Song Yuhang cried out in shock, turning to embrace her. The de had already pierced three inches into her chest. She winced in pain, sweating profusely with a pale face. With tears in her eyes, Song Yuhang clenched her teeth and, catching sight of the two individuals still lunging towards them, grabbed the gun that had fallen from Lin Ges grip and pulled the trigger, sttering blood as the criminals fell to the ground. Song Yuhang held her tightly, cradling her face, her voice trembling as she spoke in a panic. Ill take you away, to the hospital, well go to the hospital, youll be fine, youll be fine Lin Ge gently closed his eyes, understanding it all now. There was no need for answers anymore. Lin Yan could show mercy to him, but she wouldnt sacrifice herself for him. Her love for Song Yuhang was genuine. What did that make him after all these years? After all the scheming and calctions, it ended up being nothing. Not only did he lose her trust, but he also lost himself in the process. Lin Ges lips curved slightly with a hint of irony. Summoning hisst ounce of strength, he stood up unsteadily, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a lighter. Since youre here, dont leave. Lets die together. The smell of alcohol in the warehouse grew stronger, and Lin Yan also sensed that something was amiss. From the corner of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of a barrelbeled Ethanol among the industrial materials. rm bells rang in her head. Ignoring her bleeding wound, she pushed Song Yuhang towards the exit. Lets go, hurry! (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Lets go together! Song Yuhang supported Lin Yans arm, holding her tightly at the waist, inching towards the door. Do you think you can still leave? Lin Ge dragged his injured leg, advancing step by step like a demon. A quick nce by Song Yuhang revealed that there was no time to react. If Lin Ge ignited the lighter in his hand, the flickering me would instantly ignite the air, causing an explosive mixture. It would be impossible for anyone to escape then. She had no certainty, especially with Lin Yan injured and unable to fight back. She swiftly disarmed him of the lighter, which would spark the explosion, even though the gun in his hand was out of bullets. Throwing the gun to the ground, she crouched down, lifted Lin Yan on her back, and ran outside. Lin Ges speed increased, and just as they were about to burst out of the door, Song Yuhang felt someone grab her leg tightly. She couldnt break free, so she turned around and viciously kicked his head. Lin Ge gritted his teeth, his mouth and nose bleeding but refusing to let go. His eyes flickered with an excited and bloodthirsty light as he raised his head to strike her abdomen. Song Yuhang winced in pain, staggering as her grip slipped and she lost hold of Lin Yan, who fell to the ground. Song Yuhang lunged forward, grabbing Lin Yan tightly in her arms. Lin Yan, Yanyan she murmured, tears welling up in her eyes. Lin Yan shook her head, coughed twice, smiled faintly, and grasped Song Yuhangs hand. Im okay lets go go With the door inches away, both of them were nearing their physical limits. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth and climbed up, dragging Lin Yan towards the exit, but Lin Ge clung to them like a sticky gum. Dizzy and disoriented, with numerous broken bones and internal bleeding, he coughed incessantly. Despite his deteriorating state, his mind was consumed by one mad and paranoid thought. He couldnt let them leave Lin Yan was his they must die together! In his final moments, he chewed on these words, a profound hatred bursting forth in his eyes. Dragging his maimed leg, he stood up, roaring as he lunged towards them and forcefully pulled them back. With a click, he ignited the lighter. Lin Yan, dont go, apany me to hell. The mes soared into the sky, scorching his hair and turning his whole visage a golden hue. The fireball in Lin Yans pupils grewrger andrger, causing her to cry out in anger and fear, her voice trembling slightly. Brother! It was an instinctive exmation, but Lin Ge suddenly froze. Brother. The word seemed to drift into his heart like a gentle rain, softly reminding him of childhood memories the little girl who used to run after him, calling out Brother, Brother. Although Lin Yans mouth moved, he could no longer make out what she was saying. In that moment, he was taken back to the year when he left home to study abroad. They had met in the garden under the same starry sky, on the same grassy field. It was midsummer, no longer the season of butterflies, but of fireflies dancing in the night sky. The young girl handed him a painting she had made with her own hands. Lin Ge: You painted really well. What do you want to do in the future? Lin Yan shook her head: I dont know, I have no goals. Another five years passed, she had grown a little older, her slender figure emerging, but she still did not smile. (Support me at ) Lin Ge reached out and caught a firefly, cupping it in his hand as he teased her, Guess what this is? Lin Yan chuckled, Just another childish trick to fool kids. Though she said that, the girl was still slightly moved when she saw the firefly flying out from his fingertips. Lin Ge smiled, Take your time to think about what you want to do in this lifetime. Following his lead, Lin Yan also caught a firefly and then released it. And what about you, what do you want to do? she asked. I Lin Ge hesitated for a moment, then smiled, patting her head. I dont have any grand wishes. As long as I can protect the ones I love, thats enough. With the conversation reaching this point, Lin Yan seemed to half-understand. He nced at his watch, realizing it was time to catch his flight, so he bid her farewell. Yanyan, I have to go. Kicking a stone on the ground, Lin Yan replied, Go on, once you leave, donte back. The girls mischievous nature didnt bother him. He waved and turned to leave, but heard her softly murmur behind him. Brother, you will always be my brother, no matter how far apart we are. Lin Yan! Seeing the fiery explosion about to engulf her, Song Yuhang pushed her down, holding her tightly. Have you found someone who can protect you now? Thats good. Lin Ge let go, then clenched his fists. Before the mes could consume them, he pushed them out. Lin Yans heart-wrenching cries echoed outside the door. Brother!!! Its good to still hear you call me that way. Lin Ge gently closed his eyes, a faint smile on his lips as he fell backward, engulfed by the mes.
Chapter 132-1 Chapter 132-1 The final battle (6) Lin Yan reached out his arm, watching helplessly as he was engulfed by the sea of fire, unable to save him. She grabbed her waist and pulled her back, pressing her tightly underneath him, using his back to shield her from the explosion¡¯s aftermath. As the loud boom echoed not far away, the Supreme Lord sat up straight, turning his head to see mes shooting into the sky. He gritted his teeth, ¡°Kuba¡­¡± Kuba maneuvered the steering wheel, driving at full speed, not daring to ck off for a moment. ¡°Supreme Lord, we can¡¯t go back. We just barely escaped the police. We¡¯re only two kilometers away from the pier. Once we get on the boat, no one will stop us.¡± Even Kuba understood this logic. How could the Supreme Lord not understand, but¡­ After a moment, the Supreme Lord narrowed his eyes slightly, his jaw trembling. ¡°Let¡¯s go, to the pier.¡±Kuba stepped on the gas, pushing the horsepower to the maximum. As they neared the pier, a motorcycle rushed out from the side, chasing them relentlessly. Song Yuhang¡¯s only mission was to follow Tiger and not engage inbat upon reaching the Zhongjing Industrial Port, to provide external support for Lin Yan. However, when he saw them about to escape, his inherent courage surged, and Duan Cheng, with red eyes, drove the motorcycle out. Even if he was alone, he had to stop them! The repeated practice at the shooting range finally paid off. The big boy aimed the pistol¡¯s sight at the tires of the car in front of him. Without much time to hesitate, he decisively pulled the trigger. However, the result was not as expected, as the bullet hit the car body with a bang, shattering the windshield. Tiger pushed down the Supreme Lord to take cover, saying, ¡°F*ck, the cops just won¡¯t give up, they¡¯re catching up again.¡± He pulled back the gun bolt and shot through the car window. Seeing the lone figure on the other side, a disdainful smile appeared on his lips. ¡°Who does he think he is? Just a wet-behind-the-ears kid, eat my bullet!¡± Seeing him stick his head out, Duan Cheng felt something was amiss. He swiftly swerved to the right with a hard brake on the motorcycle, executing a perfect drift to avoid the bullet that flew past his heel. Due to the inertia, he was thrown from the vehicle andnded heavily on the beach. Tiger holstered his gun and said, ¡°Second Master, you go on ahead. Let me deal with him.¡± With someone covering their rear, it was naturally a sought-after option. (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) Kuba gently pressed the brake, ¡°We¡¯ll wait for you at the pier for fifteen minutes. If you don¡¯t show up in fifteen minutes, we¡¯ll¡­¡± The Tiger pushed open the car door lightly, ¡°No need for fifteen minutes, to deal with this trash, five minutes will be enough.¡± Once finished, he leaped down,nding with an extremely standard posture, almost unscathed. Duan Cheng staggered and felt dizzy from the fall. Before he could even stand up steadily, a punch came at him, sttering blood from his nose. He stumbled back a few steps and fell into a puddle of water. The rising tide washed over his face, his vision blurred as Tiger rushed at him once more. With studdedbat boots, he ruthlessly stomped on his stomach. Duan Cheng raised his hand to grab his leg, gritting his teeth as he let out a roar from the depths of his throat. Despite the pain, he managed to sit up and pushed the person away, flipping them over. ¡°F*ck.¡± Tiger reacted unexpectedly. Being a seasoned fighter, he quickly recovered, leaping up with a swiftness in his movements and a smirk on his lips. ¡°Trash, you stillck the strength of a man, are you trying to tickle me?¡± Furious, Duan Cheng, his eyes red, lunged forward with raised fists. His punches were like the wind, swift and effective. If it were an ordinary person, they would have been knocked down long ago. Unfortunately, his opponent was Tiger, a boxing champion who had held a golden belt since childhood. Duan Cheng acknowledged his skills, but he realized they were not enough against him. He attacked effectively, while he was defensively passive, blocking with his forearms. Breathing heavily, Duan Cheng was caught off guard by a w, as his opponent grabbed his shoulder, pressed down, and simultaneously drove a knee into his vital abdomen. In pain, Duan Cheng¡¯s vision darkened, and before he could react, Tiger¡¯s arm struck like lightning on the back of his neck, causing him to bend over. As he leaned down, Tiger grabbed his clothes and lifted his knee, which collided with his chin. A crisp sound echoed, bones cracked, and blood and teeth spilled out. Tiger seized the opportunity and fiercely kicked him in the chest. Duan Cheng staggered back several steps, a burst of stars shing before his eyes, his ears ringing. Before he could get into a defensive position, Tiger used the momentum from the first flying kick to leap into the air and viciously smash another kick towards his head. Duan Cheng spat out fresh blood, flying and crashing heavily onto the beach, too weak to even lift his fingers. The setting sun bathed him in its light. Duan Cheng squinted, his vision bing increasingly blurry. Is it¡­ getting dark? Why¡­ Why can¡¯t I see anything clearly? He blinked his eyes a couple of times, his eyelids almost swollen shut from the beatings, only hearing the sound of the waves crashing against his body. Through this small opening, he caught a glimpse of the light. ¡°Duan Cheng, you¡¯re on the next dissection. You¡¯ll handle the machine.¡± ¡°Sister Lin¡­¡± he murmured. The scene shifted, and a tall, handsome police officer stood in front of him. ¡°Better to do something meaningful now, than be regretfulter. Make yourself stronger to better protect those you care about.¡± ¡°Captain Song¡­¡± His eyes moistened slightly. ¡°I¡­ still can¡¯t do it.¡± A woman¡¯s slightly urgent voice echoed in his ears. ¡°Duan Cheng,e back alive!¡± That was before they departed, after he kissed Fang Xin and turned to run, only to be suddenly stopped. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Come back¡­ alive. He mulled over these words, as if a surge of strength, or perhaps the power of love and faith, filled his entire being, prompting him to move his fingers, grit his teeth, and slowly crawl forward. Even as an intern, he was still in his police uniform, with the national emblem on his cap and the lights behind him. Even if he was not on the front lines of investigation, Lin Yan¡¯s actions were the best interpretation for him. What does it matter if I¡¯m useless? I¡¯ve lived my whole life without any lofty ambitions. Does this world only have room for big shots? Even ordinary people can make a ssh. He gritted his teeth, endured immense pain, a resolute light shining in his eyes, and slowly crawled towards that figure with determination. ¡°F*ck, can¡¯t take a hit.¡± Tiger spat on the ground, and seeing him motionless, he turned to leave. But not long after taking a few steps, someone grabbed his leg. Duan Cheng raised his head, his face covered in blood, yet he smiled like a man, his eyes wild and intense. ¡°I¡¯m here. No one is walking away.¡±
¡°Lin Yan, Lin Yan¡­¡± Someone shook her shoulder in a daze, urgently calling out her name in her ear. ¡°Cough¡­¡± Lin Yan coughed out the ash in her throat, and opened her eyes somewhat confused. Song Yuhang burst into tears and hugged her tightly. ¡°Yanyan, it¡¯s so good that you¡¯re okay.¡± Lin Yan regained her senses,boriously raised her hand to touch her face, wiped away her tears for her, and through the crack in the embrace, she saw that the warehouse that had juste out had beenpletely destroyed, causing her eyes to redden instantly. ¡°Lin Ge¡­¡± She looked at her with a hint of hope in her eyes. Song Yuhang silently shook her head. It was hard to say if they could findplete bodies amidst such a massive explosion. If it weren¡¯t for Lin Ge pushing them at thest moment, using his body and the iron door to shield them from the aftermath, they might have faced the same fate by now. Lin Yan¡¯s throat moved slightly, and tears fell down: ¡°Brother¡­ brother¡­¡± She struggled to sit up and crawl towards the rubble. Song Yuhang pressed her down, hugged her tightly, cradled her face, looked into her eyes, and said word by word. ¡°Lin Yan, the Supreme Lord has not been caught, the mole has not been found out. I believe this matter is not so simple. Even though Lin Ge was extremely guilty and unworthy of pity, there must be deeper reasons behind his actions. At thatst moment, he must have wanted you to live well and not do foolish things.¡± ¡°I know¡­ I¡­¡± Lin Yan buried her head into her chest, clenching her clothes tightly, trembling all over, trying her best to not make a sound crying, but there was still a suppressed sob that leaked out between her lips. Song Yuhang felt extreme sorrow, gently patting her back off and on, silentlyforting her. She knew that at this moment, no matter what words were spoken, they would be redundant. How could human nature be soplex? Because of his twisted emotions, Lin Ge had strayed down the wrong path, hurting Lin Yan¡¯s best friend, causing the pain of her early life, yet at the moment of death, he was awakened by the subconscious call of ¡°brother¡± from Lin Yan, stirring his remaining conscience. Beyond hatred, there is also sorrow andment. However,pared to these, what she was most heartbroken about was Lin Yan. Within one day, two close rtives had passed away one after another. She feared that she would lose heart, she feared that she would me everything on herself, she feared that she would be overwhelmed by it all. ¡°Lin Yan, it¡¯s okay, it¡¯s all over now, I¡¯m here, I¡¯m here, from now on, I am your family.¡± No one had told her to hold back, but with someone offeringfort, tears flowed like a flood bursting through the gates. (Support me at ) Lin Yan clung tightly to her clothes in front of her chest, kneeling in the rubble, crying loudly and bitterly, the sound tearing at the hearts of those who listened. Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes reddened as well. She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, tightly embracing her, giving her all her love and warmth with her own body. She didn¡¯t rush her, just patiently waited for her to let it all out, gently patting her back all the while. Finally, the sobbing ceased. Lin Yan, with teary eyes, raised her head and softly said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Song Yuhang lifted her by the waist, not waiting for them to turn and leave, the officers who had snapped out of their daze from the explosion surrounded them in a tight circle, to be precise, they encircled Lin Yan. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s expression was calm, with a hint of sharpness, shielding Lin Yan behind her. The captain of the special police team was relentless, ¡°Captain Song, this person is on the wanted list. Are you nning to betray us?¡± Great, she was immediatelybeled with such a heavy usation. Song Yuhang smiled faintly but not warmly, ¡°Her name is Lin Yan, the former chief forensic investigator of the Technical Investigation Department of Jiangcheng Public Security Bureau, codenamed ¡®Nail.¡¯ She infiltrated enemy ranks to carry out top-secret missions. You, at your level, naturally wouldn¡¯t know. Step aside and let her through!¡± As she spoke, her tone had subtly intensified. The captain of the special police team grit his teeth, nced at her, then at Lin Yan, still feeling that something was suspicious. ¡°Just wait, we need to contact headquarters to confirm.¡± Lin Yan was so angry that she shouted, ¡°If you had time for that, you would have already caught the Supreme Lord, damn it!¡± Song Yuhang lightly squeezed her hand, and Lin Yan understood. She nodded and took advantage of the moment when he was talking to his subordinates to request contact with headquarters. She suddenly made her move, punching him in the face, causing him to stagger, then delivering a sweeping kick that knocked him to the ground. Her strikes were not heavy, but they bought a precious moment of time for the two of them to break out of the encirclement. ¡°Captain! Captain!¡± Other team members rushed forward, but the two had already escaped. Just outside the courtyard, there happened to be a police car parked. Song Yuhang pulled open the door and jumped in, with Lin Yan following closely behind. She quickly closed the door and fastened her seatbelt. The car key was still in the ignition, and Song Yuhang swiftly turned it on, speeding away before they coulde to their senses and give chase. The captain of the special police wiped the blood from his face, cursing under his breath: ¡°Damn it, we fell for their trick.¡± ¡°Get in the car, let¡¯s keep chasing!¡±
Chapter 132-2 Chapter 132-2 The final battle (6) The car key was still in the ignition, and Song Yuhang swiftly turned it on, speeding away before they coulde to their senses and give chase. The captain of the special police wiped the blood from his face, cursing under his breath: Damn it, we fell for their trick. Get in the car, lets keep chasing!
Report, report, no enemy activity has been found in Yunzhong Ind. The reconnaissance team that went to Yunzhong Ind reported back with real-time satellite images. The entire ind was calm and peaceful in the night, with waves crashing against the white sandy beach. The only flickering red dots on the thermal imaging device were a few small animals, and there were no suspicious individuals. Therge helicopter hovered over the ind, causing the trees to sway with the fierce wind from its rotor des. The pilot lowered the altitude, turned on the searchlight, and scanned the calm ind below with the night vision system, from the jungle, bushes, to the shallow shore nothing escaped his eyes. In the end, he signaled to the groundmander, and they both gave a thumbs-up. Report to headquarters, no target found. 027 requests to return.027, 027, the weather is good, you can return. Themunication device crackled with static as the pilot began maneuvering the helicopter to retreat, gaining altitude, making a left turn, and flying away from the area. Meanwhile, the ground team, under themand of themander, boarded the assault boat: Retreat! Not long after they left, the Supreme Lord and his group had already arrived at the boarding point near the port of Zhongjing Industrial Port. Kuba lifted the stic tarp, pulled out a speedboat, and struggled to push it into the shallow water by the beach. Supreme Lord,e. He stood on the side of the boat, reached out his hand to the Supreme Lord, and helped him up. Two or three other men also climbed aboard. Just as they were about to escape, Pei Jinhong, bound and limping, also rushed forward, intending to board the boat. Supreme Lord, Supreme Lord, take me with you, take me with you, Ill be your servant The Supreme Lord nced back, pulling his lip slightly. Kuba understood, raised the rifle in his hand, and Pei Jinhong, realizing the situation was turning against her, turned pale, turned around, and ran back, only to stumble over a reef and fall to the ground. (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) With a loud bang, the woman quietlyy on the beach, motionless, and the blood seeping from under her soaked the white sand. Sir, should we still wait for Tiger? Kuba hesitated for a moment before starting the engine. The Supreme Lord was helped to sit in the cabin by his men, and his cane was ced to the side. Wait for what, lets go straight. Kuba nodded, no longer hesitated, started the engine, gripped the steering wheel, and quickly elerated, creating a trail of white waves behind the boat as they headed towards Yunzhong Ind. ording to the n, they didnt actually arrange for anyone to be there. They had just hidden the boat beforehand, stocked it with fresh water and food needed for the voyage. Within 24 hours, they would be able to escape from within China, head to international waters, and someone would naturallye to pick them up. The Supreme Lord nced at his watch, stroking the incrediblyrge cowhide suitcase, which was filled to the brim with money. A smug smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. By this time, all the police officers should have withdrawn from Yunzhong Ind. No one could stop him now. He would take this immense wealth to another country and enjoy his senior years in peace. Lin Youyuan was dead, and the police had suffered heavy casualties. How could he not feel ted? He had been dreaming about this day for so long. The Supreme Lord let out a faint sigh, then opened his eyes and gazed at the horizon. This was the first time in over thirty years that he hoped for the day to break as quickly as possible.
Damn it, the ghost is still haunting! Tiger muttered curses. Just as he was about to kick the person away, the headlights in the distance suddenly brightened. A police car came racing towards them, siren ring. The bright light was blinding, and instinctively, he raised his hand. Song Yuhang mmed her foot on the gas pedal and drove straight towards him. Motherf*cker! In an instant, the rushing wind was right in front of him. Acting on instinct, Tiger leaped outwards, narrowly avoiding the front of the car and rolling onto the beach. Song Yuhang mmed on the brakes, bringing the car to a halt steadily in the shallow water. Both of them pushed open the car doors and got out. Duan Cheng, who was lying on the ground, quickly welled up tears in his eyes. Captain Song, Sister Lin, you finally came. Lin Yan reached out to help him up: Well done, youve worked hard. This was the first time she had praised him, and the big boys mouth curved, wiping away tears. Wuwuwu, if you hadnte any sooner, I wouldve gone down with him. If it werent for the difference in gender, he probably would have started crying in her arms in the next second. Three ck lines instantly appeared on Lin Yans forehead. Song Yuhang patted his shoulder: Leave the next steps to me. No, Lin Yan raised her head and walked confidently to her side. Its right to leave it to me. Song Yuhang frowned in surprise, No, you are still injured. Lin Yan dipped her fingertips into a bloodstain on her chest wound, licked it lightly, her eyes both sinister and mboyant. Its alright, you go, there are many people around the Supreme Lord, Kuba is also there, be careful. As for me, she flexed her wrist, just loosening up my muscles. Song Yuhang knew that Lin Yan had ced most of her hopes on herself. Kuba was the Supreme Lords number one expert. Only by defeating him could they sessfully capture the Supreme Lord. And as for Lin Yan, did she not yet realize her current skills? She was not as good as half as she used to be. This was a fight where life and death werepletely disregarded, a solitary courage of knowingly heading into danger. However, if they didnt do this, when they went to chase after the Supreme Lord, Tiger would definitely block them. If Lin Yan alone couldnt beat Tiger, could she really beat the Supreme Lord? (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Song Yuhang gritted her teeth and tightened her fist. On the other hand, Lin Yan seemed more rxed: Sometimes we have to believe in something called miracles. Duan Cheng limped forward as well, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, clutching his shoulder. Captain Song, go with peace of mind. I will stay here with Sister Lin to stop him. With us here, no one can leave. You all Song Yuhangs eyes moistened slightly, her voice trembling. After a while, she finally clenched her teeth, made this difficult decision, and turned to get in the car. Be careful. Hey. Just as she was about to leave, someone called out to her. Lin Yan smiled charmingly: Give me back my things. Song Yuhang was taken aback, her gaze falling on the mechanical stick at her waist. She swiftly drew it out and tossed it to her. Lin Yan caught it steadily, swung it crisply, her smile fading from her face, her expression turning cold. She raised an eyebrow lightly and said to Song Yuhang in a daring and proud tone. Dont strike too quickly, dont be too ruthless, so you dont kill someone in one fell swoop. I still want to personally settle with my enemies. Song Yuhang nced at her, a hint of smile on her lips, but her eyes inevitably carried some grave concern. After squeezing her hand back, she jumped into the car. Dont worry, I guarantee the mission will bepleted, you take care Wait for me toe back. As soon as she finished speaking, she stepped on the gas to reverse. The wheels sank into the soft sand, but with the strong power, the car dashed out and sped towards the distance. After listening to their boasts for a while, Tiger was already impatient. Now, seeing her swagger off in front of him, he was infuriated. He drew a dagger from his leg strap and pounced. Stop right there! Dont even think about running! With a ng, the mechanical stick shed against the gleaming de, Lin Yan gritted her teeth and pushed the person away with force. Your opponent is me. And me! Duan Cheng also raised his fists and rushed forward. Tiger held the knife and assumed a tactical posture, eager to try his hand. One waste, one heavily injured, overestimating yourselves. No matter how many more there are, Im not afraid. Come at me together! Lin Yan and Duan Cheng exchanged a nce and rushed forward together.
Following the tire tracks on the beach, Song Yuhang chased all the way to the pier. She quickly jumped out of the car, looking around for any boats. Finally, not far away, she spotted an abandoned boat. With a swift stride, she rushed over, wading into the seawater and mbering on board. She started the engine, and the boat roared to life, still functional. Feeling ted, she hopped off, pushed it a few steps, then leaped back on to press the engine button. The boat dashed out onto the sea. (Support me at ) The snow-white waves stretched out behind her, the fierce wind lifting strands of hair before her face. Song Yuhangs expression was resolute as she gazed at the small ind not far away. She increased the throttle, and like an arrow released from a bow, she shot out towards the ind.
Tiger initially thought Lin Yan was a weak woman who couldnt put up a fight, even with weapons, it was just a useless show. With an intentional move, he aimed a direct punch at her face. Lin Yan instinctively raised her stick to block, a glint passing through Tigers eyes. This was the moment he had been waiting for. He firmly grabbed her stick, intending to snatch it with brute force. Lin Yans lips curved into a mocking smile. With a sudden burst of power, she twisted to the left, but Tigers grip remained tight. Then, in a lightning-fast move, she twisted back, simr to forcefully turning a steering wheel while driving. In an instant, the explosive force flung Tiger out. As the stick returned to her hand, she fiercely swung it towards his temple. Tiger staggered back a few steps, feeling dizzy. Duan Cheng, standing by, delivered a whip-like kick to his head. He raised his hand to block, then retreated a few steps, spitting a mouthful of blood on the ground. Damn, youve got some skills. Lin Yan twirled her stick, shifting her footwork, searching for the right attack distance and angle, keeping calm. You tter me. If not for studying forensic medicine, I could probably make it into the top ten in the country. Tiger sneered, his lips curling up in a cold smile. Too bad, today youre going to die here. Who dies is not yet certain! The best defense is offense, even though the previous strike had already made her qi and blood surge, causing weakness in her limbs, Lin Yan boldly rushed forward. Duan Cheng followed closely behind. Although he was not as strong as the two of them, they excelled inbat experience, agility, and unexpected moves, working in perfect synchronization with each other. Tiger was pushed back repeatedly for a moment, struggling to defend himself but unable tounch an effective counterattack. Breathing heavily, Lin Yan thought to herself: This cant go on like this. Both she and Duan Cheng were injured, they couldnt keep this up, they needed to end this quickly. Perhaps sensing her slightly erratic breathing, a cunning look shed across Tigers face. Deliberately creating an opening for her, Duan Cheng lunged forward, intending to grab his head and knee strike. In a swift motion, Tiger reached out his hand, the gleaming de shing past. Look out! Lin Yan shouted with all her might, using the stick to block the knife aimed at his abdomen, giving it a slight lift. Tiger let go, a cold smile ying at the corner of his lips as he sent Duan Cheng flying with an elbow strike. He then hooked Lin Yans leg, sweeping hard to make her knee down on the ground. A punch as heavy as a thousand catties came crashing down on her, causing her head to turn, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Her hand weakened, releasing the mechanical stick, which fell to the ground. Tiger didnt give her a chance to catch her breath. With a kick to the chest, he toppled her backwards, grabbed the fallen dagger from the ground, and lunged towards her eyes. Suffering consecutive blows, the wounds on her body reopened, oozing blood. Lin Yan coughed weakly, unable to even lift her fingers. The glint of the de in her eyes grewrger andrger.
Chapter 133-1 Chapter 133-1 The end of a blue duckweed (1) (LP: Duckweed is a tiny aquatic nt that floats on the surface of water. Blue duckweed refers to the smallest or thinnest duckweed at the end of a growth cycle, often used metaphorically to describe something or someone insignificant or unimportant.)
The phone call wasn¡¯t answered and was hung up immediately, a sense of foreboding rose in the man¡¯s heart. He gritted his teeth slightly, turned to nce at themand vehicle not far away in the woods, made up his mind, took out and broke the SIM card from his phone, then threw the phone into the nearby pond. Putting on a mask himself, preparing to leave, he was suddenly held at gunpoint. His whole body stiffened, slowly turning back, to find a soldier in green camouge standing behind him, their face stern. ¡°Officer Zheng,e with us.¡± The sound of rustling footsteps came from the woods, a group of people surrounded him, pointing guns at him. Zheng Chengrui forced a smile and raised his hands.
¡°Shoot on the spot.¡± Hu Senji thought of Zhao Junfeng¡¯s order, and coldly waved his hand. To his surprise, no one seemed to listen to him anymore. In a moment of desperation, he suddenly grabbed someone else¡¯s gun and aimed it at the Supreme Lord, slightly pressing the trigger with his thumb. ¡°No!¡± Seeing the situation turning dangerous, Song Yuhang rushed forward, lifting the gun barrel slightly. The bullet shot up into the sky with a bang. As if awakened by the gunshot, the armed police officers in camouge outfits around her all aimed their guns at her. Hu Senji¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°What does this mean?¡± Song Yuhang chuckled coldly, ¡°Go exin to the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security and the Commission for Discipline Inspection yourself.¡± ¡°Take him away!¡± She raised her hand slightly, and led by Xue Rui, the criminal police advanced to restrain him and dragged him out. ¡°Song Yuhang, you are just a local cop, what authority do you have to arrest me¡­¡± Hu Senji was still struggling, his angry roars echoed far, but no one paid him any attention. Watching the farce in front of him, the Supreme Lord smirked slightly. (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) The box in his hand, filled with money, had spilled out due to the sudden gunshot. He subconsciously raised his hand to protect himself, causing the colorful banknotes to scatter all over the ground. Only a small portion of them were genuine Chinese yuan, the rest were all paper money. Without needing to think, his overseas ounts must have been frozen as well. He thought he had wonpletely, but ended up losing terribly. Song Yuhang saw his expression freeze instantly, his face turning grayish-white, and she slightly smirked. ¡°Take him away.¡± As soon as the words fell, a figure emerged from the crowd, stumbling and running towards them. Lin Yan kicked him in the chest, knocking him to the ground, then pounced on him, grabbing his cor tightly and shaking him, her eyes red with anger. She punched him relentlessly, saying, ¡°Give back my father, give back my brother, give back Chu Nan¡¯s life!¡± Caught off guard, no one expected her sudden attack. The Supreme Lord was struck, blood sttering from his nose, and he foamed at the mouth. Lin Yan pulled out a dagger from behind her, the one used to kill Tiger, still emanating a bloody scent, and fiercely stabbed it into his chest. Song Yuhang¡¯s pupils shrank, hastily running over in three quick steps, tightly embracing Lin Yan¡¯s waist and pulling her back. ¡°Lin Yan!¡± Someone grabbed her, and the rest of the people rushed forward to help the fallen Supreme Lord up, handcuffing him, crossing his hands behind his back, and escorting him onto the speedboat. Lin Yan continued to struggle, roaring hysterically, eyes wide open as she watched her father¡¯s killer walk past her calmly, board the police boat, and copse on the ground in exhaustion, unable to speak. Song Yuhang also knelt down, pressing her head into her chest, caressing her hair as tears streamed down. The real-time satellite footage abruptly stopped here. Zhao Junfeng let out a long sigh, took off his reading sses, rubbed his forehead, seeming somewhat regretful, yet also feeling a sense of relief. Feng Jianguo stood by his side, about three to five steps away, and the other leaders in themand room also surrounded him. Themand vehicle was already surrounded by the armed police. Inside his heart, he also let out a quiet sigh. ¡°Director Zhao, let¡¯s go, don¡¯t make things difficult for us.¡± The old man smiled bitterly, ¡°When did you find out?¡± ¡°At Zhongjing Industrial Port, under the arrangement of the Ministry of Public Security, Lin Yan was executing a top-secret mission. Only I and she had direct contact, and anyone who knew this address was either a drug dealer or a mole.¡± It was probably even longer, starting from the ambush faced by Song Yuhang and Lin Yan when they returned to Jiangcheng City. Zhao Junfeng thought he had crafted a wless n, but his subordinates had hastily left the scene, overlooking two rubber bullets on the vehicle. Song Yuhang retrieved those two bullets, and no one knew she had met with him, including Lin Yan. The setup probably began around that time. However, no one anticipated Lin Ge¡¯s interference. Lin Yan¡¯s faked death was also a stroke of luck. Initially keeping it secret from Song Yuhang was due to her fragile health conditions and the need for secrecy in the operation ¨C the fewer people who knew, the safer Lin Yan would be. The decision to conceal the truth from Song Yuhang also had Lin Youyuan¡¯s approval. Feng Jianguo still remembered what he had said at that time. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) The old man, lying sick in bed, had a hint of a smile in his eyes. ¡°If they can still be together after this ordeal¡­ cough¡­ then I¡­ can rest assured.¡± Feng Jianguo asked in return, ¡°But what if they can¡¯t?¡± Lin Youyuan let out a long sigh, ¡°Then it will be their fate. But Lin Yan¡­¡± When he mentioned his daughter, he paused slightly. ¡°To defeat the Supreme Lord, to grow rapidly, perhaps in the future, there will be no one or nothing that can harm her. It¡¯s fine if they can¡¯t be together. A person without vulnerabilities will be invincible forever.¡± His words made Feng Jianguo hesitant to agree, yet he also felt his fatherly deep love for his children, even if it was expressed in his own way.
Lin Yan had thought that everything would settle down, and she would be overjoyed. However, now her heart was filled only with sorrow. The sea breeze howled, blowing her hair into disarray. She refused medical help, walked away alone, and sat on the beach with her knees hugged to her chest. The wavespped at her ankles, her lonely figure stark against the deste beach. Song Yuhang and the provincial police hadpleted their handover and she nced over in their direction, dropping what she held and running over. Someone approached her from behind, but she remained unaware. Song Yuhang patted her face, adjusted her clothes, regted her breathing, and fixed her expression so her smile was not so grudging. Then, she sat down beside her. Lin Yan nced at her, tears still swirling in her eyes. Her gaze was vacant and lifeless, piercing Song Yuhang¡¯s heart like a knife. Song Yuhang reached out and embraced her shoulder, gently rubbing her head against her chin. Lin Yan did not resist, allowing her actions. She truly didn¡¯t have the mood, unsure whether she should cry orugh. She gazed at the still dark night. ¡°Do you think, will the light reallye?¡± Or perhaps, is there really light in this world? Song Yuhang turned her head slightly and gently kissed her forehead. ¡°There is.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe it.¡± A tear rolled down Lin Yan¡¯s cheek. Song Yuhang wiped it away for her, her expression unusually gentle. Her eyes were dazzling, like the stars in the sky, and they exuded a vibrant vitality, akin to the mountains, rivers, flowers, and trees. From her, Lin Yan saw a word: Vitality. Perhaps, beauty was meant to describe people like her. ¡°Then close your eyes, and when I count to three, you will see the light.¡± (Support me at ) Lin Yan contemptuously curled her lip but instinctively closed her eyes when Song Yuhang¡¯s hand covered them. Song Yuhang watched as the thick clouds on the horizon were pierced by the morning light, the sun trying its best to rise out of the sea. The process was so long and moving that it brought tears to one¡¯s eyes. She softly counted, ¡°One.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s long eyshes trembled in the palm of her hand. ¡°Two.¡± She held her breath slightly, feeling a bit nervous. ¡°Three.¡± Song Yuhang released her hand and leaned forward. Before Lin Yan could see the sunrise, she first saw a familiar face. The first rays of light in the morning danced at the corners of her eyes and brows, turning her ck hair into a chestnut hue. She was slightly stunned, her red lips slightly parted, as she was covered by someone. This kiss was gentle, unlike the past confrontations where they had always been at odds with each other, trying to prove a point with hostility. Instead, it contained all of Song Yuhang¡¯s love and warmth. Her expression was so sacred and devout. Lin Yan forgot to breathe and forgot to close her eyes, staring straight into her pupils. Song Yuhang released her, a shy smile on her face. ¡°Ask me what light is.¡± Lin Yan didn¡¯t understand the meaning behind it, feeling somewhat puzzled. ¡°Ask.¡± Unable to resist her persistence, a hint of a smile finally appeared at the corner of Lin Yan¡¯s lips. ¡°What is light?¡±
Chapter 133-2 Chapter 133-2 The end of a blue duckweed (1) Song Yuhang released her, a shy smile on her face. ¡°Ask me what light is.¡± Lin Yan didn¡¯t understand the meaning behind it, feeling somewhat puzzled. ¡°Ask.¡± Unable to resist her persistence, a hint of a smile finally appeared at the corner of Lin Yan¡¯s lips. ¡°What is light?¡± The two of them were talking side by side, and Song Yuhang gently pulled her head over and nted a kiss on her forehead. ¡°Just know that I love you.¡± As the medical staff lifted Duan Cheng onto a stretcher, he took ast nce back.The backlight only left their silhouettes, blurring their faces. The scene was too beautiful and peaceful, with the uncleaned battlefield behind them and the morning sun in front, creating a striking contrast. Duan Cheng smiled slightly, almost impatiently wanting to see his beloved Fang Xin. The group returned to the pier. Zhao Junfeng had been taken away by the Public Security Bureau personnel, with all his shoulder badges and rank insignia removed. He even took off his usual attire, wearing only a thin undershirt. The sea breeze blew his face slightly pale, but Song Yuhang was not sure if it was because he saw her. As Zhao Junfeng passed by her, his footsteps hesitated, and his lips moved slightly. Song Yuhang thought he wouldn¡¯t say anything, but when the armed police took him away, he suddenly turned around and said, ¡°Don¡¯t tell my wife that I got arrested.¡± This sentence sounded more like he was talking to everyone. She silently took a step back, gritted her teeth, clenched her fists, and never looked at him again. As the ambnce door was about to close, a girl stumbled out of the crowd. (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) Fang Xin looked like she had run all the way from the city center, her hair disheveled, still wearing theboratory uniform. ¡°Duan Cheng, Duan Cheng, where are you?¡± Through the narrow opening of the door, Duan Cheng heard her calling and saw her shoes. He, wearing a simple breathing apparatus, struggled to lift his body. The medical staff tried to push him, but someone climbed onto the car window. ¡°Duan Cheng, Duan Cheng, are you okay?¡± The urgent call of the girl came from outside the car, and the doctor hurriedly opened the door, looking somewhat anxious. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Who are you to him? He¡¯s injured badly and needs to be quickly taken to the hospital for further treatment.¡± Fang Xin focused her gaze on his bloodstained clothes and then on his face. The man smiled, revealing two big white teeth. He struggled to raise his right hand, extended his thumb towards her, indicating that he was okay. Fang Xin¡¯s eyes immediately turned red. ¡°I¡­I am his girlfriend.¡± After a brief rest, the two were taken to the hospital together. During this process, Song Yuhang held her hand tightly, only reluctantly letting go when they needed to do examinations. The expression at that moment was extremely reluctant and sad. After the examinations, the two were quickly arranged for surgery, and the lights in the two adjacent operating rooms were turned on simultaneously. Mother Song anxiously paced outside the door, while Ji Jingxing softlyforted her. Before long, the doctor came out and removed their mask. ¡°Who is the family member of the patient in 13th bed?¡± ¡°I am, I am her mother,¡± Mother Song hurriedly stepped forward. The doctor¡¯s face showed a hint of regret, ¡°The patient is 36 years old, still very young, but she suffered a heavy blow to the abdomen, with a significant uterine bleeding. We tried to suture it, but if the bleeding continues uncontrobly, then we can only¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Mother Song¡¯s eyes went nk, and she copsed on the ground. ¡°Mom! Mom! Help, someone!¡± Ji Jingxing knelt down and supported her, shouting anxiously. Several medical staff rushed over with a gurney to transport her to the emergency room. When Mother Song woke up in the hospital room, the surgery had already ended, her uterus was saved, but her fertility was permanently damaged. Song Yuhang eventually learned the news. She touched her stomach, not feeling much. It was actually Mother Song and Ji Jingxing who shed tears, especially Mother Song, who was on the verge of crying. She gently held her mother¡¯s hand tofort her, wearing an oxygen mask. When she saw Lin Yan lying on another bed not far away, a smile appeared on her lips. The doctor said she didn¡¯t have any major issues or lingering effects. The external wounds on her shoulders had been sutured and stopped bleeding. The only thing needing close attention was the series of infections that might arise from Guiin-Barr¨¦ syndrome. However, the doctor also mentioned that her recovery from the previous treatment was good, and she was expected to return to a normal life ¨C probably referring to her recovery process during the period when she feigned death. As long as she followed the doctor¡¯s orders, took her medication on time, maintained cleanliness, paid attention to food hygiene, infections could be controlled. Song Yuhang looked at her, asleep, with a pale face. Her lips gradually gained color, her vital signs stable. The curve at the corner of her lips grew wider and wider until she couldn¡¯t help but smile like a child. To lose and regain, the best gift given to her at the age of 36. On the day when the police sealed off the Lin family¡¯s residence, Lin Yan struggled to get out of bed to go see what was happening. Song Yuhang had always been strong and recovered faster than her, but she couldn¡¯t persuade her, so she had to apany her. Both of them were dressed in patient gowns, with Lin Yan sitting in a wheelchair being pushed onto the car by her. At the other end of the estate was Lin Ge¡¯s vi, with police officers going in and out, some wearing uniforms with the words ¡°Crime Scene Investigation.¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Lin Yan slightly closed her eyes, her hands trembling, took a deep breath, and looked at Song Yuhang. She understood, stepped forward to negotiate, and, upon receiving permission, pushed her upstairs. The second floor was Lin Ge¡¯s study. She had been there before but had never noticed the human skeleton standing in his room. There was a police line at the doorway, and a few forensic experts in protective clothing were collecting samples. Fang Xin was also examining the scene. After a while, she noticed someone at the door, raised her eyes and nced at her. Lin Yan¡¯s eye sockets were red, her jaw trembling, tightly clenching her fists, nails digging deep into the palm of her hand. A forensic expert repeatedly touched the skeleton, frowning and saying, ¡°Preliminary corpse examination shows this is the skeleton of an 18-year-old adult female. It will be taken back to the office for further autopsy to confirm the cause of death.¡± An intern forensic expert opened the body bag, and a few people carefully lifted the skeleton and ced it inside. Just as they were about to zip it up, Lin Yan suddenly rushed forward. Unable to stand up, she fell outside the police line, stretching out her arm to reach for her best friend in her life. ¡°Chu Nan, Chu Nan, don¡¯t leave¡­¡± It turns out, the person she had searched for tirelessly for fourteen years was right beside her. It turns out that the murderer she had tirelessly searched for for fourteen years was right beside her. Over these fourteen years, what had she done? Her good friend¡¯s injustice remained unavenged. She doubted her father but wholeheartedly trusted Lin Ge. For the sake of revenge, she had turned herself into someone unrecognizable. If it weren¡¯t for Song Yuhang, would she have also walked down this path? Thinking back on the countless opportunities she had to uncover this secret, yet missed them every time. Lin Yan¡¯s heart felt like it was being twisted by a knife, wishing she could p herself hard across the face. With a ¡°click,¡± the dark body bag was finally sealed. Several police officers lifted it and walked out. ¡°Chu Nan, Chu Nan, look at me, don¡¯t go¡­ Don¡¯t¡­ go¡­¡± Lin Yan struggled to crawl over, but Song Yuhang held her tightly, lifting her up and covering her eyes with his hand. ¡°Lin Yan, Lin Yan, don¡¯t look, I¡¯m here, I¡¯m here, don¡¯t be afraid.¡± It was on this day that news came from the psychiatric hospital, saying that Aunt Chen¡¯s breathing was failing and that she might not make it. When Song Yuhang and Lin Yan rushed to the hospital, they only had time to see her onest time. Aunt Chen, thin as a rail,y on the bed, her hands as rough as chicken ws tightly holding onto her wrist. She struggled to lift her body, as if trying to say something. Lin Yan gently removed the oxygen mask for her. In the eyes of someone who had always been confused and unaware, there was a rare moment of rity, and a hint of a smile appeared on the olddy¡¯s face. ¡°Thank¡­ thank you¡­¡± With just two words, she let go and passed away, and the heart rate monitor next to the bed tlined. Lin Yan stared nkly as Aunt Chen¡¯s hand slipped from her own palm, stunned for a while. In disbelief, she gently shook her shoulders. ¡°Auntie, Aunt Chen?¡± Chu Nan¡¯s mother peacefully closed her eyes, never to wake up again. Medical staff came in to cover her with a white cloth, removed the breathing machine, and took away the heart rate monitor. The rolling bed was moved away from her sight. Lin Yan sat on a wheelchair, hand covering her lips, shoulders shaking violently. (Support me at ) Song Yuhang walked up to her, squatting down to gently hold her hand, offering her silentfort. ¡°These are the elderly woman¡¯s personal belongings. Since she has no family left, they will be handed over to you.¡± The doctor handed over a cardboard box. She had stayed here for a long time, and as everyone had developed a bond while taking care of her, he let out a sigh. ¡°This morning, the elderly woman was in good spirits, not crying or causing any trouble, she even washed her face and took her medication by herself. Our nurse helped her with her hair, changed her clothes. Who would have thought that in the evening¡­¡± ¡°Well, I heard her daughter¡¯s case was solved, right? It¡¯s no wonder. She held on for so many years, it finally came to an end.¡± ¡­¡­ Song Yuhang nodded with a smile, and only after the doctor had walked away did she open the box. Inside, there weren¡¯t many things ¨C a few old clothes, socks with patched holes, an old photo frame, a few train tickets she had kept from her travels in search of Chu Nan, and a leather envelope. Song Yuhang took out the envelope, on which it was written: To Lin Yan. The handwriting was elegant and beautiful. Aunt Chen had never been to school, so most likely it was Chu Nan¡¯s handwriting. She ced the envelope back as it was, then carried the box towards Lin Yan, who was sitting on a bench. She squatted down in front of her, held her hand, and handed her the letter. ¡°This is for you. Do you want to read it?¡± When her eyes fell on those words, Lin Yan felt as if she had been burnt by fire. She shrank back and her shoulders started to shake, murmuring under her breath. ¡°It¡¯s my fault, it¡¯s my fault¡­ It¡¯s me who caused harm to them¡­¡± Song Yuhang gripped her hand tightly, slightly raising her voice, ¡°Lin Yan, it¡¯s not true, it¡¯s not your fault.¡± ¡°It¡¯s me¡­ it¡¯s all because of me¡­ If I hadn¡¯t met her, we wouldn¡¯t have be friends, Lin Ge wouldn¡¯t have killed her, Aunt Chen wouldn¡¯t have gone mad¡­¡± ¡°Lin Yan!¡± Song Yuhang grasped her shoulders firmly, forcing her to look up at her. Her expression was unwavering, her tone resolute. ¡°People always talk about the guilt of the victims, but what wrong did the victims do? The encounters between people are not factors that can be controlled by human will. The changes in Lin Ge are also not factors you can control. If there is any fault, it is all his fault. He will never understand that life is like a long river, nobody will always stand still. If he cannot cross this river and remains in the same ce, then he has taken the wrong path. One wrong step leads to more wrong steps.¡± ¡°Over the years, you have done enough for Chu Nan and Aunt Chen. That¡¯s why she finally said ¡®thank you¡¯ to you. Do you understand the meaning behind this?¡± Lin Yan, tearful, gazed at her, tightly holding onto the letter in her hand. ¡°It means she has let go and can rest peacefully now. The doctor said she even had her hair done, changed into new clothes. She wanted to go see her beloved daughter. Before that, she wished for you to live well and have a peaceful, healthy life forever.¡± Chapter 133-3 Chapter 133-3 The end of a blue duckweed (1) ¡°Over the years, you have done enough for Chu Nan and Aunt Chen. That¡¯s why she finally said ¡®thank you¡¯ to you. Do you understand the meaning behind this?¡± Lin Yan, tearful, gazed at her, tightly holding onto the letter in her hand. ¡°It means she has let go and can rest peacefully now. The doctor said she even had her hair done, changed into new clothes. She wanted to go see her beloved daughter. Before that, she wished for you to live well and have a peaceful, healthy life forever.¡± Song Yuhang finished speaking, her eyes turning red, as she gently embraced the person in her arms. ¡°And one day, we will all meet the departed in that world.¡± She didn¡¯t cry when the Supreme Lord was arrested, and when she found Chu Nan¡¯s remains at Lin Ge¡¯s house, she cried but not hysterically. However, at this moment, holding this letter from her good friend, she cried non-stop, gasping for breath. These were tears of regret, tears of a long-cherished wish finally fulfilled, tears of justice for her friend, and also tears of liberation. Song Yuhang didn¡¯t move, letting her cry her heart out as she clung to her, her tears and snot smearing all over her chest.After a while, the medical staff around them turned their heads, and Lin Yan finally felt a bit embarrassed. She let go of her waist. Song Yuhang gently touched her nose, ¡°Had enough crying?¡± Lin Yan was still sobbing, ¡°I still¡­still want to cry.¡± ¡°Good girl, we still have a lot of things to deal with. Cry on me when we get back to the ward tonight.¡± The procedures on the police side, the arrangements for Mrs. Chen, the arrangements for Lin Youyuan, the future direction of the Jingtai Group¡­ When she was unconscious, she didn¡¯t feel the weight of these matters, but now that she was awake, it felt like a mountain pressing down on her. Lin Yan knew it wasn¡¯t a time to be weak, but her eyes still turned slightly red, ¡°Okay.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s gaze fell on the envelope in her hand, ¡°What about this letter¡­¡± Lin Yan gently ced it into the nearby box. (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) ¡°I¡¯ll read itter. I¡¯ll open it when I have the courage to let go of everything.¡± When Lin Yan was able to walk again, the autopsy results for Chu Nan were also released, confirming her identity without a doubt. The teeth found in the crystal ball in Lin Ge¡¯s room were tested for a faint DNA match, consistent with the samples left by Chen Chu Nan herself. With this, the long-standing ¡°6.18 Fenyang Wharf Dismemberment Case¡± spanning fourteen years was dered solved. As for his basement, arge amount of bloodstains and untreated fresh body parts were discovered, revealing more victims. News about this ¡°serial killer¡± spread like wildfire on social media. Lin Yan buried Chu Nan and Mother Chen together in a well-chosen graveyard, nestled by the mountains and waters, with evergreen pines and cypresses. With red eyes, she scattered paper money into the sky, while Song Yuhang ced a bouquet of white chrysanthemums in front of the tombstone. The two stood in silence. After a while, Song Yuhang asked, ¡°Have you read the letter?¡± ¡°I have.¡± ¡°What did she say?¡± ¡°She said thank you.¡± The ending of that letter from Chen Chu Nan read: ¡°You stingy person, from junior high school to high school, unconsciously we have known each other for six years now. In these six years, I watched you grow taller and more beautiful, slowly, of course, your character is still so arrogant~¡± ¡°I often wonder, if I hadn¡¯t met Lin Yan, what would my life be like? Probably just like my mom¡¯s, following the routine, a life that you can see the end of at a nce. Just like my mom, reaching a certain age, working, getting married, having children, raising the children, and repeating the same life cycle¡­¡± ¡°But because I met you, my life started to gradually have a little bit of possibility from what was impossible.¡± ¡°You used to skip ss with me to y video games, letting me know that there are more interesting things in the world than just studying; you secretly took me to watch a movie, letting me know that there are ces farther than Jiangcheng City in the world; you showed me the colorful side of this world, making me change from not longing for it to longing for it. I want to go out and see the world like you, make a lot of money in the future, eat delicious food, and buy a big house for my mom.¡± ¡°After this summer, we will each go our separate ways, but whenever I think of you, you will be the most vivid color in my youth, your best friend Chen Chu Nan. This will never change.¡± ¡°Wuwuwu, I didn¡¯t intend to cry, but as I kept writing, it became more emotional. Alright! Today is your birthday, so I¡¯ll wish you a happy birthday first, and finally¡ª¡± The girl drew a big smiley face. ¡°I hope your future is like a beautiful brocade, peacefully, happily, and contentedly living your life, and¡ª¡± The girl paused with her pen, ¡°Thank you, Lin Yan.¡± It was onlyter that Lin Yan understood, that the word ¡°thank you¡± could also be used as a form of goodbye. The woman leaned slightly forward, touching the photo on the tombstone, a hint of a smile ying on her lips. ¡°Thank you too, Chu Nan, for helping me be a better version of myself.¡± In the afternoon, before they could return, personnel from the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau came to escort them back, and the two of them got into the police car returning to the city together. The interrogation room was neat and tidy, with the uniformed criminal police officers waiting solemnly. They were all unfamiliar faces, probably from the provincial office or the Ministry of Public Security. To avoid suspicion, Feng Jianguo was not present. Song Yuhang held her hand, looking worried. On the contrary, Lin Yan seemed moreposed, holding her hand back, gently squeezing it, and striding confidently into the room, sitting down opposite them. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) The iron door closed, blocking her view. Just as Song Yuhang was about to tiptoe and peek inside, a police officer came over and called her, saying that Director Feng had requested her presence. She had no choice but to follow the officer to the office, ncing back every three steps. ¡°Name?¡± ¡°Lin Yan.¡± ¡°Age?¡± ¡°33 years old.¡± ¡°upation?¡± ¡°Former Chief Forensic Doctor of the Technical Investigation Department of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau.¡± ¡°Why did you choose to go undercover?¡± Lin Yan answered the previous questions smoothly, but hesitated slightly at this point. The investigators were all watching her. After a long silence, even the criminal police officer sitting opposite her began to show impatience, lightly tapping the table with a pen. Only then did shezily lift her gaze, her voice sounding a bit impatient yet firm. ¡°To protect the living and seek the truth for the dead is my duty.¡± A few of them exchanged nces, and then someone asked, ¡°Were youpromised by enemy infiltration during the undercover operation?¡± The conversation continued ording to protocol. The other party¡¯s attitude was neither particrly good nor bad, so she mechanically answered the questions, neither warmly nor coldly. Until¡­ ¡°Now that the criminal suspect has been brought to justice, why did you rush forward to assault him? Do you realize that, as a public servant, your actions also vite the ¡¶Criminal Law¡·.¡± Lin Yan fell silent, staring at the bright deskmp where a moth fluttered frantically, only to collide with it and get scorched by the hot bulb, falling lifelessly onto the table. The investigators showed impatience, one of them heavily tapping the table with a pen. ¡°Answer the question.¡± Lin Yan gently tugged at the corner of her lips, looking up at him. The questioner was young, about the same age as her. ¡°You have parents, right?¡± He paused for a moment, then she turned to look at another slightly older detective. ¡°You have children, right?¡± (Support me at ) ¡°When the dayes that your parents, spouse, children, friends, siblings are all murdered, can you still sit calmly here and ask such questions?¡± ¡°The ballisticparison results for this gun are out, and it matches exactly the one your father lost years ago.¡± Feng Jianguo handed her the gun in an evidence bag. ¡°What is this?¡± Song Yuhang held it in her hand, examining it closely. There was a hint of sadness in the old man¡¯s expression. ¡°The gun Lin Yan¡¯s father used tomit suicide.¡± Song Yuhang was taken aback, her expression turning serious and a mix of surprise, ending with aplex array of emotions. The interrogation continued into the evening, and Lin Yan was eventually released unharmed. Song Yuhang breathed a sigh of relief and approached her, ¡°Yanyan¡­¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Lin Yan smiled. ¡°They said I can go back to work anytime.¡± ¡°Do you want to?¡± Song Yuhang gently took her hand. Lin Yan shook her head, ¡°I don¡¯t want to, I¡¯m a bit tired.¡± Song Yuhang put her arm around her shoulder and they walked out together. ¡°Alright, then let¡¯s not go.¡± As they walked out of the Public Security Bureau, there were already people waiting for them. Ji Jingxing stood under the street light with Xiaowei and Mother Song. On this autumn night, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse, with camphor tree leaves covering the sidewalk. She smiled, ¡°It¡¯s Mid-Autumn Festival today, and you¡¯re both discharged from the hospital. Mom has cooked meat and stewed ribs. Let¡¯s go home together for dinner.¡± Chapter 134-1 Chapter 134-1 The end of a blue duckweed (2) ¡°Yanyan,e on, eat more dishes.¡± ¡°Try the braised pork cooked by Auntie, as well as the ribs. These potatoes are cooked so tender and delicious, full of vor.¡± Mother Song said as she scooped dishes into her bowl. Lin Yan looked up, forced a smile and said, ¡°Thank you, Auntie.¡± After that, she fell silent and focused on eating. In the past, she was not the most active at the dining table, at least there would be some talk andughter. But now, aside from responding to questions, she was unusually silent most of the time. Mother Song¡¯s face looked a bit dim, she sat down again with a sigh. Song Yuhang patted her mother¡¯s hand tofort her, then squeezed Lin Yan¡¯s hand, taking a big mouthful of food from her bowl, saying, ¡°If you can¡¯t eat much, then don¡¯t force yourself.¡±Lin Yan also remained silent, simply nodding at her words, mechanically stuffing rice into her mouth. Ji Jingxing gave Xiaowei a signal, the child hesitated for a moment, then with her mother¡¯s encouragement, she put down her chopsticks and ran into her room. She came out holding an iron box, handed it to Lin Yan, and opened the lid. ¡°Auntie Lin, are you feeling too sad, too hurt? When I was hospitalized before, I felt the same way, but my mom said, when you¡¯re feeling down, just eat a piece of candy.¡± Due to the trauma she sufferedst time, the child¡¯s temperament changed greatly. She was no longer as lively as before, and her voice became soft and weak, with a hint of shyness and restraint on her face. Lin Yan was stunned, but she saw the child reaching out her hand continuously, her eyes were so pure and clear, like a clear blueke, untainted by any dust. She lowered her gaze to the box, filled with colorful candies ¨C fruit-vored, milk-vored, soft candies, all vors that children love. ¡°Lin Yan, this jar of candy is for you. When you¡¯re feeling sad, just eat one.¡± She inexplicably recalled the first year she arrived at the Lin family¡¯s house, the little Lin Ge standing in front of her, just like this, devoutly holding out a piece of candy and passing it to her. Lin Yan¡¯s lips quivered slightly, tears quickly welling up in her eyes. She picked out a fruit-vored candy from the jar, meeting the child¡¯s hopeful gaze. ¡°Thank you.¡± Xiaowei¡¯s face also broke into a big smile, her eyes almost narrowing into slits. Taking advantage of Lin Yan¡¯s distraction, she simply shoved the jar of candy into her hands. ¡°Auntie, you should eat. Xiaowei is fine, she doesn¡¯t need it anymore. Things she doesn¡¯t want should be left for those in need. Auntie Lin, please get better soon¡­¡± The child spoke, puffing up her cheeks and sneakily ncing at Song Yuhang. ¡°Only like this can Auntie get better too.¡± (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) Lin Yan¡¯s face turned slightly red. ¡°Who taught you to say that?¡± Song Yuhang cleared her throat and held Lin Yan¡¯s hand. ¡°Eat, let¡¯s finish eating and hurry home.¡± Ji Jingxing couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, waving for Xiaowei toe back. The child obediently ran back and nestled beside her. ¡°Xiaowei, eat quickly. After eating, it¡¯s time to do your homework.¡± Mother Song had a smile on her face as well, specifically choosing soft and nourishing dishes for her to aid digestion. She also served her a full bowl of pig trotter soup to replenish her nutrients. Song Yuhang didn¡¯t receive this treatment, calling out in protest. The second half of the meal was harmonious and enjoyable. After the meal, Mother Song and Song Yuhang went to wash the dishes. The television in the living room was on, Xiaowei sat on the side ying with her toys, while Ji Jingxing kept herpany. Lin Yan watched as the female host on the television moved her bright red lips, opening and closing. ¡°ording to insider sources, Mr. Lin Youyuan, the chairman of Jingtai Group, has reportedly passed away. However, the police have not yet disclosed specific details about the cause of death to our news agency. The stock price of Jingtai Group plummeted to its lowest valuest week, and thepany dered bankruptcy. Now, tens of thousands of employees face an uncertain future¡­¡± The screen switched to Jingtai Building, the camera zooming in on the ss doors with caution tape across them. Apart from arge group of employees demanding unpaid wages, the ce was deserted, devoid of people. Lin Yan¡¯s mind drifted momentarily, as if she could still see the ss doors wide open, a group of well-dressed elite individuals surrounding Lin Youyuan as he walked out. She blinked, and the image disappeared. Xiaowei picked up the remote and changed the channel, switching to an animated show. Lin Yan¡¯s gaze shifted towards her, and to her surprise, Ji Jingxing was also looking at her. There was nothing in her eyes, not even disgust. She no longer disliked her, she simply said calmly. ¡°My husband passed away almost eight years ago, Song Yuhang lost her father thirty years ago, Mother has spent nearly half her life alone, raising her and her brother. We still live on, strong and hopeful. Lin Yan, I hope you can too.¡± Even inforting others, she carried a strong sense of preaching. Lin Yan thought to herself: Whatparison is there to make? But even if she felt disdain in her heart, Lin Yan slightly lifted the corner of her lips, turned her head away, and tears welled up in her eyes. She continued to put on a tough front, ¡°Hah, why wouldn¡¯t I be strong? The days with Song Yuhang are still long ahead. Some people, better give up early.¡± Ji Jingxing gritted her teeth, ¡°Isn¡¯t that in the past? Why bring up old matters again?¡± Lin Yan retorted, ¡°Past? The p you gave me is not forgotten.¡± Song Yuhang peeked out from the kitchen, ¡°What are you all talking about?¡± Both of them said in unison, ¡°Nothing, go wash your dishes.¡± After everything was tidied up, when it was time to leave, Mother Song got up and walked them to the door, reminding them over and over. ¡°Yanyan, remember to take your medicine on time. Yuhang, make sure she does.¡± Song Yuhang nodded in agreement. ¡°This is the braised chicken feet and beef we cooked this afternoon. Take it back and let Yanyan snack on it.¡± Simply by adding a few more chopsticks at the dining table, Mother Song silently noted it in her heart. She packed a food container, handing it to them, and repeatedly instructed them to put any leftovers in the refrigerator. ¡°There are also fruits. You just got out of the hospital, definitely didn¡¯t have time to buy them. Take them with you.¡± ¡°Red dates, raisins for nourishing qi and blood. Take some wolfberries to steep in water, and also some chrysanthemum flowers. The autumn is dry, moisturize your throat and clear your internal heat.¡± ¡­¡­ Watching the increasing pile of items in their hands, Song Yuhang¡¯s mouth twitched. She quickly freed a hand to stop her from continuing to take things out. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°Mom, mom, don¡¯t be so busy. This is already enough for us to eat for a long time, besides, we still have food at home.¡± Mother Song stamped her foot, ¡°Oh, how can that be? Both of you are injured, especially you¡­¡± Song Yuhang gently pulled her aside, and Mother Song stopped talking in time. ¡°Both of you are quite seriously injured, take good care of yourselves while you¡¯re young. Don¡¯t leave behind any seque when you get older.¡± (LP: Seque ¨C a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease or injury.) Song Yuhang patted her hand and reassured her with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, mom, we¡¯ll head back now.¡± Lin Yan also bid farewell to Mother Song, with a hint of genuine gratitude in her eyes. She seemed much better than before, not as distraught. ¡°Goodbye, Auntie.¡± Mother Song felt emotional, she held onto Lin Yan¡¯s hand and gave her some careful instructions. Lastly, noticing her scarf wasn¡¯t tied properly, she tremblingly reached out and fixed a knot for her. Having lived for half a lifetime, Mother Song¡¯s hands were rough and covered with age spots, but when they touched the skin, there was a faint warmth. The time spent with her mother in childhood was too short, so much so that her appearance had long be blurry in memory. Lin Yan looked at the white hair at the temples, the face covered in wrinkles, feeling a tinge of sadness in her nose. She thought to herself, ¡°If my mother were still here, she would probably look like this.¡± ¡°Auntie, take good care of yourself.¡± The person who hadn¡¯t said much since entering suddenly showed concern for her, leaving Mother Song pleasantly surprised. Tears welled up in her eyes, she pinched Lin Yan¡¯s hand before letting go. ¡°Well, make sure toe by often. Let me know if you want anything to eat, Auntie will make it for you.¡± The group lingered around, and Mother Song found another opportunity to sneak a few nutritional supplements into her hands. She also mentioned bringing them thick nkets since the room over there hadn¡¯t been upied for a while and it gets cold. With both hands full and feeling overwhelmed, Song Yuhang¡¯s scalp tingled, wanting to slip away unnoticed. ¡°Mom, mom, we¡¯re leaving.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s mouth twitched as well, quickly opening the door for her. Xiaowei heard themotion and dropped her toys to run over. ¡°Goodbye, Auntie, goodbye, Auntie Lin.¡± Lin Yan always had a soft spot for children, especially this child who had just given her candy, so she gently patted the child¡¯s head. ¡°Goodbye, Xiaowei.¡± Ji Jingxing stood up and opened her mouth. Lin Yan turned her gaze, tightly shutting her mouth like a m, without acknowledging her. Ji Jingxing gritted her teeth, also choosing not to speak to her. ¡°Yuhang, drive slowly. We¡¯ll meet another day.¡± Song Yuhang subconsciously responded, ¡°Goodbye, sister, goodbye, Xiaowei, Auntie is leaving.¡± Xiaowei stood at the door, waving goodbye to them, watching as they went down the stairs. Song Yuhang stuffed all the misceneous items into the trunk, then turned around and pressed the person between the car and herself. She bent down and said, ¡°Yanyan, kiss.¡± With so many people at the hospital, even though they were sharing the same hospital room, they couldn¡¯t be too reckless, right? Song Yuhang had been holding back for a while, wanting to give a kiss, but Lin Yan quickly covered her mouth. ¡°Not kissing, go away.¡± ¡°Why? Just a kiss¡­¡± Song Yuhang felt wronged, she pulled down Lin Yan¡¯s hand, and nuzzled against her neck like a big golden retriever. Lin Yan felt ticklish and a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, still raising an eyebrow. ¡°Calling her ¡®sister¡¯ so affectionately.¡± (Support me at ) ¡°Even more affectionate, can I be affectionate with you?¡± Song Yuhang muttered, now knowing what the problem is. This guy is jealous. Her head nestled against Lin Yan¡¯s neck, and she just kissed along the fair skin, finally gently nibbling on her earlobe. Lin Yan¡¯s fingers suddenly wrinkled her clothes. Song Yuhang pinched her nape, forcing her to tilt her head back to receive her kiss, just as she was about to touch her lips. The parking lot security blew the whistle, and a beam of shlight was shining from afar. ¡°Who¡¯s there, what are you doing!¡± This scene is like being caught by the teacher during the early stages of middle school puppy love. Song Yuhang chuckled, pulled her up and got into the car, leaned over to peck her lips, then shifted gears to drive. ¡°Let¡¯s go, heading home.¡± Lin Yan wiped the lingering warmth off her lips, her face slightly flushed. Dammit, taken advantage of again. Back at home, upon pushing open the door, Lin Yan saw a picture of Song Yuhang¡¯s parents ced next to her own photo. She quickly rushed over, closed the frame with a chuckle. ¡°You go take a shower first, it¡¯s been a long time since you¡¯ve been back to stay, I¡¯ll tidy up.¡± Lin Yan put down her bag. ¡°I¡¯ll do it with you.¡± Song Yuhang pushed her away, ¡°No need, no need, you go take a shower quickly, the doctor said you shouldn¡¯t overwork yourself.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± She had just been discharged from the hospital recently too. Song Yuhang found clean towels and pajamas, and handed them over to her with a slight smile. ¡°There¡¯s no ¡®but¡¯, as long as you cane back, I can do anything.¡± After she made the bed, cleaned the room, and Lin Yan finished bathing, she sat cross-legged on the bed counting her bank cards, with a whole row of themid out in front of her. She furrowed her brow, looking somewhat troubled. Song Yuhang walked over, patted her head, and gently said, ¡°Just do whatever you want to do, you don¡¯t have to consider me.¡±
Chapter 134-2 Chapter 134-2 The end of a blue duckweed (2) After she made the bed, cleaned the room, and Lin Yan finished bathing, she sat cross-legged on the bed counting her bank cards, with a whole row of themid out in front of her. She furrowed her brow, looking somewhat troubled. Song Yuhang walked over, patted her head, and gently said, ¡°Just do whatever you want to do, you don¡¯t have to consider me.¡± The next morning, several ck luxury cars parked outside the Jingtai Building. Lin Yan got out of the car and was immediately surrounded by a group of reporters. ¡°Miss Lin, is it true that your father has passed away?¡± ¡°Miss Lin, how do you view the announcement of Jingtai Group¡¯s bankruptcy?¡± ¡°Miss Lin, didn¡¯t the official statement from Jingtai previously im that you had passed away and would not inherit a huge fortune?¡± ¡°Miss Lin, Miss Lin¡­¡±Lin Yan today rarely dressed in formal attire, wearing a ck suit with a white shirt underneath, matching suit pants, and high heels. She wore a precious quartz watch on her wrist, with no other decorations on her, looking simple, neat, and stylish. Without casting a sideways nce, she walked in confidently. When the reporters tried to follow, they were blocked outside by a wall of police officers who arrivedter. The major shareholders were all waiting in the conference room in a serious manner. As soon as Lin Yan walked in, all the eyes turned towards her. She nced around the not-sorge conference room and noticed an empty seat at the top, which turned out to be where Lin Youyuan used to sit. She directly walked over and sat down, with the people who came with her standing behind, holdingptops under their arms. ¡°Let¡¯s begin.¡± As soon as she finished speaking, a shareholder spoke up, ¡°Miss, the most urgent task at hand is for you to take out your share of the inheritance to subsidize thepany¡¯s finances. Only then can we have a chance to make aeback.¡± Many people below echoed, each offering suggestions ¨C some proposed restructuring ns, some demanded her to give up shares, and some coveted her wealth¡­ With a variety of opinions, spit sttered on the table in front of her. Lin Yan let them continue speaking, waiting until they had almost finished before slightly leaning forward, resting her chin on her hands. ¡°I think you may have misunderstood. I didn¡¯te here today to revive thepany, but¡­¡± She raised her eyes slightly, ¡°Dissolve Jingtai.¡± There was a moment of frozen silence, and someone mmed the table. ¡°What?! Director Lin¡¯s hard work for most of his life will be ruined by you. How can he rest in peace?!¡± ¡°What about my stocks, options? Will youpensate me?! This young girl doesn¡¯t have a clue and just follows whatever the board says. Jingtai cannot be dissolved!¡± (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) ¡°Yes, yes, we can¡¯t dissolve it. We rely on the group for our livelihood!¡± ¡­ The crowd was filled with anger and indignation. Normally polite and courteous individuals stood up one by one, hurling insults at her, even cursing her ancestors for generations. Lin Yan sarcastically curled her lips, looking at them all dressed up in suits and expensive watches, exuding an air of arrogance. Those who relied on Jingtai for their livelihood should be those people outside, she thought. With a clear and cold voice, she said. ¡°I willpensate. I have deliberately invited the Municipal Audit Bureau toe and inspect the ounts together. If there are no issues with the department¡¯s ounts, I will settle the severance pay on the spot and pay double ording to the length of employment. Of course, if there are any discrepancies in the ounts, whoever embezzled the funds must own up.¡± Upon hearing this, the crowd seemed to be choked, and collectively fell silent. Lin Yan took the lead and spoke, ¡°As for the shares and options you hold, I am willing to buy them back at the original price. Jingtai will be dissolved today, no matter what.¡± The auditors who apanied her opened theirptops and sat down at some empty seats, nodding to her in agreement. ¡°Miss Lin, we are ready. We can begin now.¡± Lin Yan leaned back in her leather chair with crossed arms, slightly furrowing her brow. ¡°Who wants to start?¡± The crowd looked at each other, and an elderly man with white hair tremblingly stood up and dropped a teacup in front of her. ¡°Lin Yan, I have been with Director Lin for 20 years, starting from nothing to building the thriving business empire we have today. We have endured hardships and suffered for this sess. Dissolving it so easily disregards the youth and sweat we have put into thispany. Half a lifetime of effort has been poured into Jingtai, and your actions today neglect us, the old staff, and disregard Director Lin¡¯s lifelong dedication¡­¡± The elderly man grew angrier as he spoke, angrily poking his cane on the ground. The teacup smashed on the table, sshing tea all around and the broken pieces grazed by her hand. Lin Yan remained unfazed as he continued to curse at her. ¡°I would rather die than see Jingtai fall into the hands of someone like you!¡± Under his leadership, more and more people stood up, ring at her and hurling insults in her direction. Among them were those who truly cared for Jingtai, speaking with genuine emotions. As they spoke, some welled up with tears, berating her with heartfelt sincerity, like that old staff member. Lin Yan remained silent, silently enduring it all. She sat there unmoving, emotionless on her face. She didn¡¯t argue back, didn¡¯t act, didn¡¯t even urge them on. She let them vent their anger and curse at her for over three hours. Many grew hoarse from talking, but seeing her unmoved stance, some felt a chill in their hearts. It seemed that Lin Yan was determined to dissolve Jingtai this time. The elderly man, red-faced and out of breath from cursing, saw that she remained unmoved. Unable to continue, he leaned on his cane and stood up, lifting his hand to scatter the meeting records papers on the table. Countless white papers fluttered in the air, illuminated by the fluorescent light, as Lin Yan¡¯s gaze turned cold and sharp like frost. The old man continued to curse, then mmed the door and left. ¡°Lin Yan, can you face your father with what you¡¯ve done?!¡± The rest of the people looked at each other. Many were hoarse from cursing, while others harbored suspicions and didn¡¯t want the auditors to inspect the ounts. They left with the old man. However, a few individuals voluntarily handed over the ounts of their respective departments before leaving. The auditors got busy as they began their work. It wasn¡¯t until the afternoon that the ounts were finally inspected and reconciled. All necessary bookkeeping was done, payments were settled, and any financial issues were directly reported to the Economic Investigation and Support Detachment of the Municipal Public Security Bureau. Once everyone had left the room and even the auditors had gone out to eat and take a break, Lin Yan sat alone in the empty conference room, running her hands over the expensive leather chair. It was then that she felt a hint of loneliness. ¡°Miss, here you go.¡± Someone quietly handed her a cup of hot tea. Lin Yan raised her gaze for a brief nce. ¡°It¡¯s you.¡± The secretary smiled wryly. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± ¡°You resigned, didn¡¯t you?¡± Due to bankruptcy, thepany couldn¡¯t afford to pay sries anymore, leading to many employees resigning. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°I heard you came back, so I came to take a look.¡± Lin Yan slightly curved her lips, took a sip of the hot tea to soothe her throat, and ced the paper cup back on the table. ¡°Good that you¡¯re here. Let¡¯s call in all those outside.¡± The secretary hesitated for a moment but then followed the orders and went outside. Before long, a cash transport vehicle stopped at the entrance of the Jingtai Building. Bank employees dressed in ck suits and white gloves walked in, carrying briefcases that they ced on the table. They proceeded to open the cases one by one, counting the contents. The news about Lin Yan distributing sries and severance pay on-site quickly spread, leading to a long line forming outside the conference room. ¡°Name?¡± ¡°Wang Wei.¡± ¡°Years of service?¡± ¡°Ten years.¡± The secretary pushed her sses up her nose and typed on the keyboard, verifying and calcting the amount ofpensation. Lin Yan counted out the money and handed several stacks of RMB to him. Unexpectedly, the middle-aged man took a few steps with the money, then suddenly turned back and bowed to her. ¡°Although I don¡¯t know why Miss is dissolving thepany, we respect your decision. Director Lin is truly the best leader I have ever seen. I remember when I just graduated from university and started working here, my mother fell ill at home. My department supervisor wouldn¡¯t give me time off, so I secretly hid in the break room crying. Director Lin saw me and not only paid me my sry early but also reimbursed my travel expenses so I could go home to see my mother.¡± ¡°He is truly a very kind and good person. I hope everything goes well for you too.¡± After the man finished speaking, he hurriedly left. Lin Yan slightly pursed her lips, her eyes slightly red. ¡°Next.¡± ¡°Name?¡± ¡°Wu Juan.¡± ¡°Years of service?¡± ¡°Five years.¡± Lin Yan handed the money to her, but the young woman hesitated to leave, her eyes red. ¡°Miss, is Director Lin really gone? I was promoted as the department manager by him. When I was being harassed by my former supervisor, he was the one who stood up for me. He even had someone apany me to file a report¡­¡± Lin Yan remained silent, and the girl, disappointed, eventually walked out with the money. As the crowd slowly shifted, from the perfect sunlight to dusk and then to deep nightfall, the number of people lined up outside the conference room decreased. The money in the boxes dwindled gradually, andter, Lin Yan had some funds transferred from her personal ount to continue distributing. Thest person to enter was an elderly janitor. ¡°Miss¡­¡± The secretary helped the person sit down on a chair. The elderly man, around 50 years old, with a slightly stocky build, had a kind and gentle demeanor. ¡°I¡¯m not here for money; I just want to ask, is Director Lin really gone? Where was he buried? I want to go see him.¡± ¡°When my wife passed away, my son and daughter-inw didn¡¯t want to take me in. They kicked me out of the house in the dead of winter. I had no choice but to find a job myself. I tried at severalpanies, but they either thought I was too old or because I came from the countryside and had clumsy hands and feet. Only Director Lin was willing to take me in. He said thepany had a special program specifically for widowed, widowed, lonely, or elderly people to work, with tasks like cleaning, organizing, and cafeteria dishwashing.¡± ¡°Every month, we not only got paid a few thousand yuan, but we also got insurance coverage. Suddenly, life became more stable.¡± Tears welled up in the old man¡¯s eyes as he spoke, and he eventually grasped her hand, ovee with emotions, wanting to kneel before her. ¡°Director Lin was like a benefactor to me. Now that he¡¯s no longer here, I don¡¯t want thepany¡¯s money. I just want to pay my respects to him.¡± (Support me at ) Lin Yan trembled her lips, helping the man to stand up, unable to find the right words to say. She raised her hand and instructed the secretary to give him the money. The old man took the money and took a few steps before turning back. In the end, he bent down. ¡°Miss, if you ever need a servant at home, just say the word. This old man is still willing to work for you.¡± Lin Yan waved her hand, signaling for him to leave quickly. The old man expressed his gratitude repeatedly, taking the money and bowing a few times before turning and slowly walking away. Lin Yan covered her eyes with her hand, her shoulders trembling slightly. The secretary cautiously handed her another cup of hot tea. ¡°Miss¡­¡± She sniffled,ing back to her senses. ¡°Oh, and you too, the money is over there, please take it yourself.¡± The once bulging suitcase that came in was now nearly empty. The secretary counted out what she was owed, walked over to her, and bowed slightly as she handed over the money. Lin Yan sarcastically tugged at the corner of her lip. ¡°So, did Director Lin Yuanyuan also offer you some benefits?¡± The secretary shook her head, stood up, and as she reached the door, she spoke. ¡°Miss, if you ever start anotherpany and need help, just let me know. I would still be willing toe.¡± Lin Yan waved her hand, indicating for her to leave as well. After the others left, the conference room was left with only the stark fluorescent lights and a mess on the floor. Lin Yan looked around at the emptiness. She wanted tough, wanted to say that she had finally been liberated, but she couldn¡¯t hold it back. Although her lips curved into a smile, tears rolled down her face as she covered her mouth, silently choking back sobs. ¡°Knock, knock¡ª¡± Someone tapped on the ss door. Lin Yan quickly wiped away her tears. ¡°Who is it? Come in.¡± A tall police officer walked in from the doorway, her warm smile shining like the winter sun. ¡°Director Lin, it¡¯s time to go off duty. I¡¯m here to take you home.¡± Lin Yan curved her lips, but tears welled up more and more in the corners of her eyes. She choked up, ¡°What Director Lin? I¡¯ve gone bankrupt, sold off several of my favorite cars, you¡¯re the one who¡¯ll takes care of me.¡± Song Yuhang walked over and pressed her head into her chest, ¡°I¡¯ll take care of you, you¡¯re my wife after all.¡± One sat while the other stood. Lin Yan clung tightly to her waist, tears and snot smeared all over her clothes. LP: I¡¯m still conflicted about Lin Youyuan, he¡¯s good with others but not with Lin Yan. I understand that if he showed affection towards her, the Supreme Lord will surely target her but still¡­ it¡¯s still dumb¡­ Chapter 135-1 Chapter 135-1 The end of a blue duckweed (3) When she walked out of Jingtai Building, it was alreadyte at night, but there were still reporters outside. As soon as they saw hering out, they swarmed around her, surrounding her in a circle with all kinds of cameras and microphones pointed at her. ¡°Miss Lin, Miss Lin, say a few words.¡± ¡°Miss Lin, Miss Lin¡­¡± The crowd pushed and shoved each other to get closer to her. Lin Yan could barely move a step, perhaps because they could see that she had just been crying, her eyes still red. The camera shes started to flicker uncontrobly, making it impossible to keep her eyes open. All of a sudden, she couldn¡¯t hear anything, her mind went nk, she broke out in a cold sweat, her hands and feet were shaking. All she could see were the faces of the people around her, their mouths moving but she couldn¡¯t make out what they were saying. In the midst of her confusion, a strong hand gently grabbed her. Song Yuhang forcefully pulled her out from the crowd, put her arm around her shoulder, and led her away. When Lin Yan came to her senses and looked up, she saw Song Yuhang, with a furrowed brow, a pained and restrained expression on her face. Finally unable to bear it when the reporters caught up, she turned around and shouted, ¡°Stop chasing, this is the person involved¡¯s privacy. We don¡¯t ept interviews. Not every public figure needs to expose their wounds to others!¡±She clenched her fist tightly, her eyes turning red, ¡°If you continue to chase her, I will call the police and arrest you for provocation and causing trouble!¡± Lin Yan was stunned, watching their retreating figures, roaring like a child, standing up for her against all the world¡¯s malice. Unable to hold back, she finally curved her lips into a smile. Song Yuhang turned around and interlocked her fingers with hers, the anger still not fading from her face. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Until she managed to squeeze the person into the car, Song Yuhang¡¯s face remained tense, gripping the steering wheel with tightly furrowed brows. Lin Yan couldn¡¯t help but burst outughing, pinching her cheek. ¡°Come on, give me a smile. It¡¯s just paparazzi, I really don¡¯t care what they say.¡± Song Yuhang turned her face. ¡°Before, was it like this too?¡± Lin Yan knew what she was referring to, shrugged nonchntly, pretending to be rxed. ¡°Mm, it¡¯smon, you don¡¯t know how excessive they were before, saying I was fickle, changing my mind all the time¡­¡± Her words trailed off as her voice gradually lowered. Song Yuhang had been watching her all along, tears slowly welling up in her eyes, her mouth drooping as tears cascaded down like golden beans. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡­ I didn¡¯t know before¡­ I won¡¯t let you face this alone in the future¡­¡± The resolute and courageous police officer, who appears strong in front of others, seemed to only reveal her weakness and childishness in front of herself. Lin Yan¡¯s heart was soaked in these tears, her nose starting to feel sour, and she abruptly pulled down her cor. ¡°Song Yuhang.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± The police officer sniffed, crying intermittently, perplexed. Lin Yan gently closed her eyes and offered her lips, ¡°I love you.¡± Not to mention confessing, she rarely took the initiative to kiss her. Song Yuhang was suddenly stunned, overwhelmed with emotion, unsure where to put her hands and feet. After a moment, as she was about to withdraw, she turned her shoulder, pulled her in, and kissed her deeply. (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) How could someone who has tasted the sweetness easily give up? Compared to Lin Yan¡¯s earlier brief kiss, Song Yuhang¡¯s was much more passionate. Lin Yan kept retreating, unable to resist, cing her hands on Song Yuhang¡¯s shoulders and gently pushing her away. ¡°Um¡­¡± Song Yuhang became even more intense, speaking incoherently, ¡°I¡­ love you too.¡± When they finally separated, both of them were breathing heavily. Lin Yan¡¯s face was flushed, her eyes glistening with tears, and the corners of her lips held something suggestive. Song Yuhang¡¯s breathing suddenly became heavy again, then leaned over once more, with a clear goal in mind. Her actions were direct and simple, reaching out to unbutton Lin Yan¡¯s clothes. ¡°Lin Yan, I want¡­¡± Lin Yan swung her bag open and pped away her hands, furious as she scolded, ¡°Get lost, shameless!¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Song Yuhang winced in pain, retracting her hand in grievance. She reluctantly watched as Lin Yan popped open the buttons of her shirt, licking her lips with a tinge of reluctance. God knows how long it¡¯s been since shest touched her, okay? She yearned for it even in her dreams. If Lin Yan continued to resist her touch, she felt like she was going to explode right there. Tears silently welled up in Song Yuhang¡¯s heart, shifting into gear and driving away. Seeing the look in her eyes, Lin Yan knew exactly what she was thinking. Her face reddened slightly, and the corners of her lips lifted high. ¡°Step on it, I¡¯m tired and want to get home early.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes lit up, a yful mood on, and she stepped on the gas pedal, speeding off. ¡°Alright, Miss Lin said it, so be it. If she says don¡¯t touch, then I won¡¯t touch. If she says touch¡­ hehehe!¡± Lin Yan blushed, raising her bag. ¡°Who said I¡­¡± Song Yuhang dodged to the side, hands firmly on the wheel, lips curving into a wide grin. ¡°Hey hey hey, driving here, heading home to have some fun, heading home to have some fun, right?¡± As for how to have ¡°fun¡± at home, that was definitely up to her to decide.
Upon opening the door, Song Yuhang pushed her inside, locked the room behind them, and haphazardly ced the things she was holding on the coffee table, causing the sofa to sink slightly. Lin Yan nudged her shoulder, ¡°Um¡­ Let¡¯s go take a shower first.¡± Song Yuhang took off her coat, teeth undoing the buttons of her shirt, and lifted her hands above her head. Lin Yan felt a weightlessness as she was lifted up. ¡°Let¡¯s shower together.¡± The shower head sttered hot water, two pairs of bare feet on the floor, the bathroom¡¯s heater warming up, quickly causing steam to fog up the ss window. Lin Yan¡¯s originally pale face turned as red as if she were bleeding, burying her head in Song Yuhang¡¯s neck, fingers gripping her arm tightly. Song Yuhang freed a hand to pinch the back of her neck, ¡°Can¡¯t stand up?¡± ¡°Mm¡­¡± a soft hum like a cat. Song Yuhang felt her heart melting, the bathtub next to them filling up with water. She turned around, lifting Lin Yan up in her arms. Just when Lin Yan thought this long tug-of-war was finallying to an end, she was suddenly ced into the bathtub. Her longshes trembled, leaning against the edge of the tub, looking somewhat ecstatic. With a long reach, Song Yuhang pulled her into her arms. Lin Yanzily raised her eyes, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Besides her neck, it seemed she had found a new source of amusement. Song Yuhang kneaded the hollow of Lin Yan¡¯s waist, where there was a dip with a small waist groove, hoarsely saying, ¡°It¡¯s still early, let¡¯s soak a bit more.¡± Her palms were rough and calloused, causing goosebumps to quickly rise wherever they touched. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Lin Yan shivered all over, lightly biting her lip, her rational mind telling her to refuse, ¡°Song¡ª¡± Before she could finish speaking, her lips were sealed. Ripples appeared on the water¡¯s surface. Water droplets slid down the ss door of the bathroom. On the floor were two pairs of neatly arranged slippers. Song Yuhang said, ¡°Less talking, more action.¡± As Lin Yan was being carried to the bed again, she feltpletely drained. The loss of water made her throat parched and unbearable. Song Yuhang poured a cup of warm water and offered it to her lips, feeding her small sips. After she gulped down most of the cup of water, Song Yuhang took the ss from her hand, brought a hairdryer, and started blow-drying her hair. Lin Yany on the pillow, the warm air making her drowsy, her fingers unconsciously hooking onto the hem of her clothes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ve spent most of the money and didn¡¯t leave any for you.¡± Song Yuhang focused on blowing dry the slightly damp strands of hair in her hand, asionally massaging her scalp. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I can earn money on my own.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Lin Yan bit her lip slightly. The two billion yuan that Lin Youyuan originally left for her was probably intended for her to use the money to revive the Lin family business. With the business thriving, the employees¡¯ sries could be paid, and Lin Yan would have enough wealth to livefortably for the rest of her life. However, what he did not expect was that Lin Yan took drastic action. She took the money, but dissolved thepany. Not only did she not get a single penny, but also suffered some losses. After all, the money distributed was only a small portion at that time. More funds from various branches would be transferred over these days. Others may not understand the reason for her actions, but Song Yuhang did. She touched her head gently. ¡°Money is a double-edged sword. It can motivate people to work harder, but it can also lead to moral downfall. Instead of having immense wealth, I hope you can be a happy ordinary person.¡± The sound of the hairdryer stopped, and Lin Yan felt warm all over. She turned over and snuggled under the nket, her voice slightly drowsy. ¡°But¡­ I haven¡¯t bought you arge house, luxury car, diamond ring¡­¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes welled up, dimmed the bedsidemp, and hugged her from behind. ¡°One person is worth more than all the riches in the world.¡±
¡°Number 0378, someone is here to see you.¡± The iron gate nged open. Zheng Chengrui did not expect anyone to visit him at this point. He had trimmed his hair and appeared thinner. He numbly got up and followed the prison guard as they walked out. Duan Cheng sat waiting for him on the other side of the wall. The prison guard unlocked his handcuffs as Zheng Chengrui sat down. Then, they put on the handcuffs and ankle cuffs. Dressed in dark blue prison clothes with blue and white stripes on the back, it was often jokingly referred to as the ¡°zebra suit¡± by the detectives. The color difference between this outfit and the police¡¯s dark blue uniform was like night and day. Duan Cheng looked at him, feeling a bit unfamiliar. He stared at the spot on Zheng Chengrui¡¯s chest where a police badge should have been worn, but said nothing. Zheng Chengrui was surprisingly calm. ¡°You¡¯re here.¡± Duan Cheng replied indifferently, lifting his gaze to look at the stubble that had grown on Zheng Chengrui¡¯s chin. His face now faintly showed traces of the handsome and refined features of the past, but hisplexioncked the previous rosy hue due to the poorer food in the detention center. ¡°You¡¯ve lost weight.¡± Zheng Chengrui smiled slightly, still as honest as before. ¡°I haven¡¯t been snacking, so naturally I¡¯ve lost weight.¡± Duan Cheng took out a stic bag from below and handed it to the prison guard standing nearby for inspection. ¡°You can¡¯t bring in any food, and it¡¯s almost autumn. I¡¯ve brought you some warm clothes and daily necessities.¡± Through a transparent ss partition, Zheng Chengrui watched as the prison guard ced therge stic bag on the table and thoroughly inspected it, feeling through every item, including theyers of clothes inside. He shifted his gaze back, observing the increasingly mature features of the young man in front of him. ¡°Thank you. Are you and Fang Xin?¡± At the mention of Fang Xin, Duan Cheng also smiled. ¡°I¡¯ve introduced her to my parents, and they really like her. It¡¯s just her parents who haven¡¯t agreed yet.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great. I wish you both a harmonious and evesting marriage in advance.¡± His sentence had not been handed down yet, but given the multiple charges, it was unlikely to be lenient. He just wondered if it would¡­ (Support me at ) At this thought, Duan Cheng¡¯s eyes welled up, and he slightly turned his body to the side. Zheng Chengrui, slightly older than him, had grown indifferent to such matters since he embarked on this path, long prepared for the ruin of his reputation. He simply said, ¡°Go back, live a good life with Fang Xin, and don¡¯te here again.¡± Given his particrly serious charges, it was not good for him to frequent this ce. Duan Cheng lifted his head, his eyes red as he asked, ¡°Do you regret it?¡± Zheng Chengrui seemed surprised by the question, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly shook his head. ¡°The most important thing for a person is to always look forward, how can one always be looking back.¡± Duan Cheng seemed to have anticipated his response, slightly curling his lips, turning his head to smile, with red eyes still. Visiting time was almost up, and the guards started urging them. He pulled out a photo from his jacket pocket, passed it through the crack at the bottom of the ss. ¡°Sister Lin asked me to give this to you, found it at Pei Jinhong¡¯s house.¡± It was a yellowed ck and white photo, torn halfway, leaving only a little girl with braided hair smiling sweetly, standing quietly. The girl¡¯s hand was slightly raised, probably trying to pull a family member, but the other half was missing. The cold and numb expression on Zheng Chengrui¡¯s face finally showed a crack as his hand holding the photo began to tremble. His lips quivered, he nced at Duan Cheng, then back at the little girl in the photo, shaking more intensely. Duan Cheng stood up, with a hint of pity and regret in his eyes. ¡°You say you have no regrets, but do you know, you sold the information to Lin Ge, who then informed the Supreme Lord. It almost got Lin Sister killed, and it also led to your¡­¡± He propped his hand against the ss, seeming reluctant to continue, closing his eyes slightly as his fingertips clenched into a fist. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for¡­ she could still be alive.¡± Trembling all over while holding the photo, Zheng Chengrui shook uncontrobly. Even those who had seen him getting arrested and imprisoned had never seen him with red eyes. He tried to stand up, but was held back by the interrogation chair, unable to break free, his wrists grinding on the table. Two burly prison guards rushed over to restrain him, pressing him back down, his head hitting the table. With his eyes wide open, Zheng Chengrui¡¯s sses fell off, tears streaming down his cheeks and dripping onto the table. A sound akin to a wild beast¡¯s roar escaped his mouth. Duan Cheng couldn¡¯t bear to watch any longer. He loosened his tightly clenched fist from the ss and turned away. Behind him came the sounds of a man wailing, crying in desperation. Even as he walked out of the detention center gate, Duan Cheng felt dazed. The cries seemed to linger in his ears, impossible to shake off. He stepped into the mud puddle and finally noticed that it had started raining outside, though he didn¡¯t know when it had begun.
Chapter 135-2 Chapter 135-2 The end of a blue duckweed (3) Behind him came the sounds of a man wailing, crying in desperation. Even as he walked out of the detention center gate, Duan Cheng felt dazed. The cries seemed to linger in his ears, impossible to shake off. He stepped into the mud puddle and finally noticed that it had started raining outside, though he didn¡¯t know when it had begun. He was feeling anxious, so he took a cigarette from the pack. But it quickly got wet from the rain, and the lighter wouldn¡¯t ignite. Duan Cheng thought of the despairing look in Zheng Chengrui¡¯s eyes before leaving, and a sourness rose up in his eyes. He dropped the cigarette on the ground. A pair of high-heeled shoes walked closer from afar. He looked up at the owner of the shoes, and the rain had stopped. Fang Xin was holding an umbre for him.After receiving Lin Yan¡¯s beauty secret recipe, Fang Xin took off her thick sses, put on contact lenses, and started to let down her long hair, learning to do makeup and dress herself up. Under the dim yellow streetlights, she lightly applied makeup, her appearance not particrly stunning but still elegant and pleasant. Her presence here freed him from that atmosphere of sorrow, especially when she said. ¡°Let¡¯s go, my father is calling us back home for dinner.¡± Duan Cheng was stunned for a moment, then fiercely embraced her, burying his head in her neck, his shoulders trembling. Fang Xin took a step back to steady herself, holding the umbre with one hand and embracing him with the other, gently rubbing the sweater on his back. After a while, he finally regained hisposure, wiped his face, ran his fingers through his hair, and took the umbre from her hand. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go buy something.¡± Fang Xin nced at the cigarette box in his hand, ¡°My dad has bronchitis¡­¡± Duan Cheng tactfully threw the cigarette box into the nearby trash can, ¡°I quit.¡± ¡°My mom has a bad temper, she loves to nag¡­¡± ¡°Whatever the mother-inw says is always right.¡± Fang Xin angrily retorted, ¡°We haven¡¯t even gotten married yet!¡± Duan Cheng put his arm around her shoulders, both of them holding the same umbre, the streetlight casting a picture of them cuddled together. ¡°It¡¯s just a matter of time.¡±
After Zhao Junfeng was arrested, Song Yuhang also went to the provincial capital to see her mentor¡¯s wife, Lin Yan apanied her. She originally didn¡¯t want to ask Lin Yan to go, as the journey was far and it was after all Zhao Junfeng¡¯s wife. She was afraid that Lin Yan might feel ufortable. (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) She was considerate in everything, but unexpectedly, Lin Yan smiled slightly. ¡°You always think for others, but have you ever considered yourself? I have a thousand reasons not to go, but there is only one reason I must go, and that is to apany you.¡± This door in front of her, she used toe here often when she was in school, but now she felt a bit hesitant, unable to knock on it. Song Yuhang hesitated for a while. Just as she was about to ring the doorbell, the door opened from the inside. An elderly person appeared behind the door, with a head full of silver hair, eyes slightly dull andcking vitality. Upon seeing them, she gave a faint smile, a smile that appeared weak and feeble. ¡°It¡¯s Yuhang.¡± Song Yuhang took a step forward, ¡°It¡¯s me, Mentor¡¯s wife.¡± She shifted her gaze towards Lin Yan, who was standing beside her. ¡°Who is this?¡± Since Zhao Junfeng¡¯s arrest, people have beening to the house frequently for investigations, so the elderly woman¡¯s expression showed a hint of confusion and wariness. ¡°She¡¯s my friend.¡± Song Yuhang replied this way, holding the person¡¯s hand and pulling her inside, while Lin Yan ced the things she was holding on the table. When she was in school, she often came here to eat, but she never brought any ssmates or friends with her. The old woman suddenly realized, then nced at Lin Yan again, she must be a very important friend who knows everything about her. But she has been living in a daze recently, her mind not very clear. The old woman turned around again, numbly walking inside, muttering to herself. ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯vee, it¡¯s good that you¡¯vee. Besides the police, nobody has beening heretely.¡± She didn¡¯te today as a police officer, so she had enough reason to feel sad. Song Yuhang followed her inside, ¡°We¡¯vee to see how you¡¯re doing. Is there anything you need help with?¡± The old woman shook her head, picked up the electric kettle to pour them water to drink. ¡°No, no, people from themunitye by every few days to check on me. I still have a bag of rice fromst month that I haven¡¯t finished.¡± After pouring water for a while, the kettle was still empty, so the old woman awkwardly put it down. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve finished cooking breakfast already. Drink up, and stay for dinner tonight. Mentor¡¯s wife will make delicious food for you.¡± As the old woman spoke, she opened the refrigerator door again. Lin Yan noticed that the power behind the refrigerator was not plugged in. Upon opening it, a strong smell of rotting vegetables hit her face. The old woman looked puzzled and rummaged through a stic bag for a while, ¡°Oh, they¡¯re all spoiled, can¡¯t eat them. How about I cook noodles for you?¡± Song Yuhang stopped her, saying, ¡°Mentor¡¯s wife, don¡¯t bother. We¡¯re not hungry.¡± The old woman turned around sadly, ¡°Look at me, my memory is getting worse. By the way, how is Old Zhao doing inside?¡± As she said this, a hint of longing overflowed in her eyes as she tightly held her hand. Song Yuhang pulled the person to sit on the sofa, then prepared a pot of hot water using an electric kettle, filling up the hot water bottle. Lin Yan casually plugged in the refrigerator¡¯s power cord. ¡°He¡¯s doing well, just that it¡¯s almost autumn, the weather is dry, causing a bit of a cough.¡± Before she could finish speaking, the old woman suddenly stood up trembling and unsteadily walked towards the inner room. ¡°Then I¡¯ll find him some warm clothes, and you help me deliver them to him.¡± Until the court verdict is issued, the person is kept in the detention center, and except for thewyers and investigators, no one else is allowed to visit, not even family members, especially for high-profile cases like this. Duan Cheng was allowed to visit Zheng Chengrui as per the arrangements from higher-ups, in order to get him to reveal the truth as soon as possible. ¡°Okay.¡± Song Yuhang agreed and followed her inside. The old woman¡¯s hands trembled slightly as she opened the wardrobe and pulled out arge stack of clothes. She didn¡¯t pay much attention to her daily life, often forgetful, but knew all the details about Zhao Junfeng¡¯s daily life, like the back of her hand. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°Sigh, I don¡¯t know if the food in there is any good. He loves the dumplings with cabbage and pork filling that I make.¡± ¡°These are a few pieces of autumn clothes, bought at the material exchange event that year, at the square, twenty yuan for three pieces.¡± As the old woman spoke, it seemed as though she was lost in memories, a slight smile appeared at the corner of her mouth as she picked out the clothes and set them aside. ¡°I don¡¯t know when the review will bepleted. Maybe I should bring a few sweaters.¡± ¡°And this, the coat issued by the unit, I¡¯ve washed it all nice and clean for him.¡± Song Yuhang noticed that the colors of a few buttons on the cuff were slightly different, probably because they had fallen off and the old woman had sewn them back on. Feeling a pang in her heart, she said, ¡°Mentor¡¯s wife, find arge bag, I¡¯ll pack them all up.¡± ¡°Ah, okay, under the wardrobe in that drawer, see if there¡¯s any knitting bag.¡± The old woman said, unable to free up her hands. Song Yuhang walked over to help her search, but couldn¡¯t find the knitting bag. Instead, she found arge stack of medical records, medical imaging data, various types of medicine bottles, and insulin pens, filling up a whole drawer. Lin Yan leaned against the door, arms crossed, watching her take out a test report with trembling lips, ¡°Mentor¡¯s wife, what is this?¡± Lin Yan turned her gaze to the old woman, her expression a mix of pity and indescribable meaning. The old woman didn¡¯t seem to be too concerned, continuing to organize clothes for Zhao Junfeng, ¡°Ah, diabetes. I¡¯ve had it for decades. The doctor originally said I wouldn¡¯t live for so many years, but Old Zhao didn¡¯t believe it. He insisted on taking me to hospitals all over the country, and insisted on using that insulin pen, which costs a few hundred yuan per shot, every day¡­¡± Song Yuhang gripped the test report, ¡°When was this diagnosed? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± The old woman didn¡¯t look up, continuing to tidy up a few pieces of intimate clothing for Zhao Junfeng. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s all in the past. You were still in school when it happened. There¡¯s no need to worry yourself about it by telling you.¡± Tears welled up rapidly in Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes. She rambled on about something else, but Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t make out what she was saying anymore. After packing up, Song Yuhang insisted on taking her out for a meal, but the old woman refused. ¡°I¡¯ll just stay here, not going anywhere. In case hees back, there needs to be someone to open the door for him.¡± At the end, the old woman held her hand again, asking: ¡°Yuhang, can you tell me what exactly he did wrong? Why is the review taking so long?¡± She still didn¡¯t know the news that Zhao Junfeng had been arrested, which was already considered a lenient approach from the organization towards him. Song Yuhang forced a smile, ¡°Just wait a bit longer. I¡¯ll try to apply to see if you can visit him.¡± The old woman¡¯s eyes lit up with joy, her cloudy gaze suddenly bing lively. She escorted them to the door, warmly inviting them as usual. ¡°Ah, okay, Yuhang, bring your friend over next time to y. By then, Old Zhao should be back. He¡¯s even hiding a bottle of Wuliangye to drink with you. Mentor¡¯s wife will make some delicious food for you.¡±
After returning from the provincial capital, the two of them lived a peaceful life for a long time. Song Yuhang was idle at home, and Lin Yan didn¡¯t want to go back to work. There was even a period of frequent nightmares; a person who had never feared any bloody corpses in the past would now tremble at the sight of horror scenes on the TV, experiencing physiological disgust. The scene of Lin Youyuan and Lin Ge¡¯s death kept reying in her mind. The doctor said that in her current condition, she needed to take good care of herself and avoid external stimuli. Feng Jianguo returned the key to the Qingshan Vi to her. It was far from the city center, tranquil, and held many memories for the two of them. So, Song Yuhang moved there with her. The autumn sunlight was gentle and not ring, with a pleasant temperature. Lin Yan moved a lounge chair to the courtyard to bask in the sun. Song Yuhang was tending to the nts in the nursery, wiping the sweat from her forehead and pointing to an empty piece ofnd. ¡°Lin Yan, what are you nting here?¡± ¡°Sunflowers.¡± Lin Yan heard the voice, slightly turned her head, and a hint of a smile appeared on her lips as she looked at her. The police officer stood in the tillednd, wearing a slightly old camouge short-sleeved shirt. The hem of the shirt was tucked into matchingbat pants. With a slim waist and broad shoulders, tall with long legs, a white towel hung around her neck. Sunlight sprinkled on her, setting off the setting sun behind her, nestled by the green mountains, making her look even more radiant. Song Yuhang was stunned, recalling how Lin Yan used to nt sunflowers everywhere, inside and outside the courtyard. Could there be some special meaning behind it? ¡°Why sunflowers?¡± Lin Yan squinted her eyes and smiled mischievously, like a sly and yful fox. ¡°I¡¯m not telling you.¡± (Support me at ) Song Yuhang looked at her nestled in the rattan chair, wearing a loose white cashmere sweater that made herplexion appear even paler. The past few months of care had given her a bit of energy, and when she smiled, it was like a well-painted ink wash slowly unfolding, with affection in the corners of her eyes and eyebrows. She felt a stir in her heart, so she tossed the hoe aside and washed her hands under the nearby water pipe. Shaking off the water droplets, she walked over to Lin Yan, slipping her hand under the thin nket covering her legs to warm her. ¡°To tell or not to tell? To tell or not to tell? To tell or not to tell, hmm?¡± Lin Yan dodged around, teasing her and causing her tough uncontrobly, panting before finally stopping. Their eyes met. Song Yuhang looked into her pupils, where she saw her own reflection. The first time she met her, those eyes were filled with countless negative emotions: arrogance, contempt, irrationality, disdain, aloofness¡­ In the subsequent period of time together, she also witnessed the sadness, reluctance, heartbreak, and despair in those eyes. In fact, after Lin Yan returned, she also had many sleepless nights like her. How should she put it? There was always a sense of emptiness, fearing that this was all just a dream she had created. If she woke up from the dream, Lin Yan would no longer be there. It wasn¡¯t until this moment, in the tranquil afternoon of autumn, that she found herself in her eyes, and also found love in her eyes. Song Yuhang always thought that apanying her would heal her, but she realized that it was also healing herself. She quietly sighed in her heart. The crack that had grown in her heart due to Lin Yan¡¯s absence seemed to have healed, and even became stronger than before. She had thought she would never be okay again in this lifetime. Feeling a warmth in her heart, Song Yuhang reached out to hug her. Lin Yan thought she was going to pat her on the head, so she naturally lowered her head, but unexpectedly found herself being embraced. Her chin rested perfectly on her shoulder. The thin nket slipped off, revealing a pair of slim and straight legs, typically d in light and thin attire at home. She was still barefoot. Song Yuhang nced over and calmly lifted her up in his arms. ¡°It¡¯s getting chilly outside, let¡¯s go inside.¡± Lin Yan still missed her sunflowers, sunshine, and rattan chair. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s not cold here, it¡¯s actually quite warm¡­¡± Song Yuhang reached behind to lock the living room door and drew the curtains, causing the sunlight to shrink to a corner of the floor. ¡°The sofa is warmer.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s resistant voice grew softer. ¡°I want to be on¡­ mmm¡­ top.¡± ¡°In a moment¡­¡± her voice was slightly hoarse. ¡°If I have the strength, I¡¯ll give it to you.¡±
Chapter 136-1 Chapter 136-1 The end of a blue duckweed (4) On the day the verdict came down, it was just a regr weekend. Song Yuhang taught her how to cook. Lin Yan stood in the kitchen, sunlight streaming in through the ss window, her delicate pale fingers pressing down on a carrot. She was following Song Yuhang¡¯s instructions, cutting it meticulously with a kitchen knife. Used to the thin sharpness of a surgical knife, the kitchen knife felt a bit bulky in her hand and not as easy to handle as she had imagined. Lin Yan¡¯s forehead started to sweat slightly, biting her lip slightly, her eyes reddening with frustration. Seeing her struggle, Song Yuhang nervously offered. ¡°Why don¡¯t I just do it, Yanyan?¡± Lin Yan raised her head, ring coldly at her, still a bit annoyed. ¡°I don¡¯t need your help, I want to learn.¡±Song Yuhang sighed, remembering how a few days ago at the Song family¡¯s dinner, she had casually praised the delicious food cooked by Ji Jingxing. Lin Yan had been fixated on it ever since, not only refusing to let her into the bedroom that night, but also withholding other privileges. And now, when she finally had the chance to take control and push Lin Yan onto the bed, Lin Yan used her same tactics, using scarves and handcuffs to restrain her. After all, it was her fault to begin with, so Song Yuhang reluctantly half-pushed, half-pulled, unable to voice her bitterness, feeling ¡°unbearably painful.¡± After that incident, she thought it was all settled, but little did she know it had just begun. Song Yuhang watched as the shining de of the knife glimmered on her delicate fingertips, making her scalp tingle. She swallowed nervously, ¡°Yanyan, Yanyan, how about I go buy some white mice, rabbits, and pheasants for you to practice on?¡± Song Yuhang meant well, but Lin Yan read the hidden message: you¡¯re not suited for this, so let¡¯s just forget about it. Lin Yan became enraged, the knife slipped, and the carrot on the cutting board flew into the sink. ¡°Be careful!¡± Song Yuhang rushed over in one swift move, grabbing her hand and without hesitation, putting it in her mouth, gently sucking on it. Her fingertips were enveloped by the warmth of the mouth, not only did it not hurt, but it also brought a strange and wonderful sensation. Lin Yan looked up at her. Song Yuhang kept her head down, focused on licking the wound for her. Stray hair strands partially covering her eyes, she looked both anxious and serious, as if she had some serious illness. ¡°Are you alright?¡± (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) Feeling the gaze of her lover, Song Yuhang finally came back to her senses, released her fingers, didn¡¯t even notice if she had tasted the blood, and was about to get a band-aid for her. Lin Yan grabbed her, a slight curve forming at the corner of her lips, a proud and teasing expression on her face, with a slightly annoyed tone. ¡°Come back, no need, I¡¯m not that fragile.¡± Song Yuhang was puzzled, ¡°Huh?¡± She shook her fair fingers. ¡°Look closely, no wound. Honestly, didn¡¯t you taste any blood even after licking it yourself? I¡¯m the one who handles knives with precision¡­?¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Song Yuhang had been gazing at her all along. Her eyes were filled with tenderness and a hint of indescribable heartache. ¡°Do you really want to learn?¡± Lin Yan¡¯s voice gradually lowered, ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Song Yuhang turned around, hugged her waist, and pushed her to the kitchen counter, holding her hands out together to wash them. Her palms were broad enough to envelop hers. The dense foam overflowed in the palms, coating both the palm and back of the hand. A joyful smile gradually appeared at the corner of Lin Yan¡¯s lips. After the foam was rinsed off her hands, Song Yuhang put the cutting board back in ce and took out another cleaned carrot. Lin Yan grabbed the knife first, and Song Yuhang gently covered her hand with hers, following suit with the other hand. ¡°Like this, cut from here, it won¡¯t slip easily¡­¡± Song Yuhang taught her hand in hand, exining and demonstrating with patience, meticulousness, and focus. Lin Yan was learning very seriously, not lifting her head, cutting one slice after another along the force. ¡°Is it like this?¡± Outside the window, sunflowers were flourishing. Her fair side profile resembled white jade, with faintly visible veins, except for the prominent teardrop mole at the corner of her eye. Rather than calling it a teardrop mole, it was more like a scar left from her undercover career. Lin Yan had burned it with wire herself. In order topletely disguise herself as Pei Jinhong, for the sess of the mission and her own safety, she had sacrificed too much, including altering her once proud appearance with cosmetic procedures. Despite Song Yuhang repeatedly emphasizing that she didn¡¯t mind these changes, she still had them corrected before being discharged. At that time, Lin Yan sat on the hospital bed, wearing a blue and white patient gown, smiled faintly, her smile appearing pale and weak. She said, ¡°I used to really dislike the identity of Lin Yan, and I tried every way to escape from it. This is the only time I have longed so much to live under the sun, to spend my life with you using the name Lin Yan.¡± Song Yuhang felt an indescribable heartache, but also respected any decision she made. The surgery was sessful, but the burned scar, due to being pierced too deeply at the time and getting infected, was not easy to fade for a while. As she looked, almost instinctively, she lightly touched it and felt the uneven texture under her fingertips, then opened her mouth. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Lin Yan thought she was asking about identally cutting her finger just now, not lifting her head, ¡°It¡¯s fine, it doesn¡¯t hurt anymore.¡± The hand resting on her own back lost its strength. She looked up in confusion and fell into a pair of light brown pupils. Ever since returning from her undercover mission, she always looked at her with this kind of gaze. Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes spoke volumes, full of vast seas and stars, overflowing with love in every move Lin Yan made. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) She always had the illusion that no matter what she asked her to do, even if it meant death, she would willingly do it. Lin Yan¡¯s heart was filled with joy, yet at the same time, she felt a secret panic. How could she ever deserve such love and care? Isn¡¯t it said that a good horse matches a good saddle, that a nanny can only match a security guard? A person covered in mud like herself actually doesn¡¯t deserve such grand and sincere love. Their eyes met. Song Yuhang understood her thoughts. Nothing could escape her gaze. She gently touched the raised scar, her voice soft and slightly hoarse. ¡°Lin Yan, let¡¯s get married. I want to give you a home.¡± A home enough to make her forget all current unstable thoughts, the sense of ceremony was secondary. She wanted to give her a sense of security, to stop those eyes from being startled, from suffering, from crying, from panic, from feeling inferior. She deserved the best that this world had to offer. The sliced carrot rolled onto the floor. Lin Yan didn¡¯t respond for a while, her eyes turning red, and she opened her mouth. Song Yuhang nervously watched her every expression and movement. ¡°I¡­¡± she barely uttered a monosyble. The television buzzed, the light morning music reced by live news. ¡°Recently, the High People¡¯s Court of Binhai Province publicly sentenced the former Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, and Director of the Public Security Department, Zhao Junfeng, in a ck crime case. The defendant, Zhao Junfeng, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for crimes including bribery, sheltering and conniving with criminal organizations, and abuse of power, among ten charges. He was deprived of political rights for life and all illegally obtained personal property was confiscated. Zhao Junfeng expressedpliance with the judgment and waived his right to appeal in court.¡± The TV screen showed a bright-mouthed female host, and his photo along with a video yed. An elderly man, with white hair and bent posture, d in prisoner¡¯s clothing, made a public apology before the camera. Song Yuhang¡¯s hand supporting Lin Yan¡¯s waist slowly slipped down. The female host took a news script from the table, raised her head, and passionately expressed her indignation. ¡°The former Director of the Binhai Province Drug Enforcement Bureau, Hu Senji, the Deputy Captain of the Criminal Investigation Detachment of the Binhai Province Public Security Department, Nie Bin, the Deputy Director of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau, Li Wei, and the Technician of the Cyber Security Team of the Technical Investigation Department of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau, Zheng Chengrui, among ten others, were sentenced to life imprisonment or up to fifteen years in prison.¡± ¡°With this, thergest ever ck crime case since the establishment of Binhai Province has been cracked, with 256 individuals, including members of criminal organizations, sentenced. Their leader, Lin Jueshui, was sentenced to immediate execution and deprived of political rights for life.¡± It turns out the mole wasn¡¯t just one ¡°person,¡± but many. No wonder she had been searching for the truth fruitlessly for so many years. Until this moment, Lin Yan finally felt a sense of closure. Her eyes burned, she slightly raised her head, and tears began to fall. Song Yuhang embraced her, and Lin Yan trembled slightly in her arms, biting her lip to stifle her sobs. She gently stroked the back of her head, her eyes filled with a hint of sadness, looking at the sunflowers outside, then kissed her forehead. ¡°It¡¯s okay, cry if you want to, it¡¯s good to let it out.¡± ¡°Why cry¡­ I should¡­ smile.¡± She buried her face in her embrace, a smile on her lips, trying to cheer herself up, but tears welled up more and more, eventually holding her tightly and crying heartbreakingly.
After the verdict was announced, Zhao Junfeng was transferred to the Binhai Province prison to officially serve his sentence. (Support me at ) Song Yuhang apanied her mentor¡¯s mother to visit him. The two of them anxiously waited outside the door. ¡°Zhao Junfeng, someone is here to see you.¡± The iron gate creaked open, and an elderly man with gray hair, hunched back, and wearing a ¡°zebra suit¡± walked out. He suddenly raised his head, saw them, his body trembling slightly, lips quivering, handcuffs on his wrists, and then turned to walk away. ¡°Can¡¯t see, can¡¯t see¡­¡± He repeated the words. Before Song Yuhang could react, her mentor¡¯s mother had already rushed forward, pounding on the ss window. ¡°Old Zhao, Old Zhao¡­¡± The faint and feeble call finally came through the loudspeaker. Zhao Junfeng stopped in his tracks, still not turning back. ¡°Go back¡­¡± He struggled to speak, then turned to walk away. Song Yuhang also took a step closer. ¡°Mentor¡­¡± As the words left her mouth, she gritted her teeth and quickly changed her tone. ¡°Your sentence has been handed down, and we don¡¯t know if there will be a chance to see you again in the future.¡± The old woman also leaned against the ss, watching his retreating figure, unable to hold back her tears. The sound of sobbing seemed to be a condemnation towards him. Zhao Junfeng clenched his hands tightly, his knuckles turning red, eventually pulling the handcuffs inward and tucking them into his sleeve. He then turned around and locked eyes with his loved one through the window. The old woman covered her mouth, tears streaming down freely. Song Yuhang supported her, gently patting her back tofort her. Zhao Junfeng walked slowly, his steps unsteady, and slowly reached the window, his fingers touching it as if trying to reach her white hair. Perhaps due tock of rest in recent days, his eyes were red, and his voice was hoarse. ¡°Go back, take care of yourself, take your medicine on time, and go for regr check-ups.¡± ¡°Did you receive the clothes that Yuhang asked me to bring for youst time? If you need anything else, let me know, I¡¯ll bring it for you next time.¡± Zhao Junfeng smiled, causing the handcuffs on his wrist to tter with movement.
Chapter 136-2 Chapter 136-2 The end of a blue duckweed (4) ¡°Go back, take care of yourself, take your medicine on time, and go for regr check-ups.¡± ¡°Did you receive the clothes that Yuhang asked me to bring for youst time? If you need anything else, let me know, I¡¯ll bring it for you next time.¡± Zhao Junfeng smiled, causing the handcuffs on his wrist to tter with movement. ¡°I still want to eat a dumpling you made, with cabbage filling.¡± ¡°Oh, okay, okay. When youe back, I¡¯ll make some for you to eat. I know, the skin should be thin, and there should be plenty of filling. You only eat the lean ones, not the fat ones.¡± The old woman nodded tearfully and gave him some warm clothes for protection against the cold, fussing over every detail. ¡°It¡¯s getting cold. I brought some ointment for your old cold legs.¡± ¡°And some warm clothes to wear underneath, to keep you warm.¡±¡°I brought two pairs of cotton slippers, alternate wearing them.¡± ¡°I also brought some toiletries. If it¡¯s not enough, you can ask someone to bring them for you.¡± Zhao Junfeng originally thought she would ask why he was in prison, but she didn¡¯t mention it at all. Instead, she just kept urging him to take care of himself, which made his eyes slightly reddened. He took a step back. In just a few months, he had aged too much, his body swaying as if about to fall, and his hands began to tremble. ¡°I understand¡­ You should go back too, don¡¯t let peopleugh at you.¡± The visiting time is almost up, and the prison guards have started urging. The old woman was almost copsing on the ground, relying entirely on Song Yuhang¡¯s support. He nced up at her and moved his lips, ¡°All these things were done by me alone, and have nothing to do with her. If you have time, please go see her for me.¡± Song Yuhang didn¡¯t respond. A hint of irony flickered at the corner of Zhao Junfeng¡¯s lips. He shook his head and turned to leave. At this point, what right did he have to ask her to do anything? Song Yuhang handed the old woman over to the prison guard waiting on the side, then leaned closer to the microphone and said in a deep voice, ¡°I¡¯ll do it. After all, I¡¯ve eaten plenty of dumplings too. But can you tell me why you did this?¡± Her gaze was sharp as a sword, staring fixedly at his back, hoping for a turn or an answer. Zhao Junfeng gave a bitter smile, lifted his foot, and continued walking forward. Song Yuhang clenched her fists tightly, her knuckles turning white. ¡°Do you still remember what you said to me the first time you met me?¡± (Originally tranted on , let''s go!) The time rewinds to when she was eighteen years old. She had just been admitted to the police academy. Despite having experience inbat sports on the provincial sports team, in this ce where there are hidden dragons and couching tigers, she was just a drop in the ocean. In the first ss, whether it was freebat, ten-meter pistol shooting, or physical fitness, she was brutally defeated. A male ssmate joked, ¡°What do women still want to be detectives for? You might as well take a civil service exam and find a stable job.¡± Song Yuhang, with red eyes, clutching her injured arm, limped away, while behind her, the crowd burst intoughter. By nightfall, her ssmates had all returned to their dormitories to rest, but she stood alone on the tform punching the sandbag, without gloves, until she waspletely exhausted, blood oozing from between her fingers. Her knees gave way, and she knelt on the ground, slowly tilting backward until shey on the ground, gasping for breath. The echoes of her ssmates¡¯ughter from earlier in the day still resounded in her ears. ¡°Get up, aren¡¯t you the provincial champion?¡± ¡°What champion? Must be rigged!¡± ¡°Let me tell you, don¡¯t botherpeting with us for spots. You¡¯d better go home early and get married to have children.¡± ¡­¡­ Song Yuhang gritted her teeth, tears swirling in her eyes. The originally dark gymnasium suddenly lit up, and she instinctively raised her arm to shield her eyes from the ring light. A somewhat stern voice came over. ¡°Get up.¡± She looked in astonishment at the middle-aged man standing in front of her. He was wearing an old jacket and had a resolute Chinese character face. ¡°Who are you?¡± She had never seen him at school before. The man repeated again, ¡°Get up.¡± For some reason, he stood with a straight back, exuding an aura of authority that made people instinctively want to obey him. Song Yuhang struggled to prop herself up on her arms. Seeing her trembling, the man¡¯s lips curved into a slight smile as he reached out to help her up. Once Song Yuhang steadied herself, she still had some doubts. ¡°This is the police academy, not a ce where just anyone cane and go. Who are you?¡± The man didn¡¯t answer her question. He just said, ¡°This is the police academy, and there are only two types of people here: police officers and reserve police officers.¡± Song Yuhang was taken aback. He had already turned and was walking away, about to disappear at the door. The young woman took a few steps after him. ¡°Hey, who are you exactly?¡± The man stopped in his tracks, turned slightly, and the light and darkness divided his figure. ¡°You¡¯ll find out in the future.¡± The next day, in thebat ss. ssmates changed into their white Taekwondo uniforms, bustling with activity, and whispers floated around. ¡°Hey, did you hear? A new instructor ising today. They say he¡¯s a second-level police supervisor from the provincial anti-drug brigade, with numerous achievements. He even once captured drug traffickers in Southeast Asia. Quite impressive.¡± Generally, such glossy resumes raise suspicions of being fabricated. Song Yuhang remained nomittal, pursing her lips as she wrapped her hands with bandages. Suddenly lifting her head, Zhao Junfeng walked in. He was dressed in a brand-new navy blue uniform, standing tall with a straight back, wearing a broad-brimmed hat, adorned with two four-cornered stars and a silver olive branch on his shoulders. Back then, he didn¡¯t have any gray hair at his temples, his physique hadn¡¯t changed, and his fingers were close to the seam of his pants. He saluted as he raised his hand. ¡°Hello, everyone. My name is Zhao Junfeng, a guest lecturer at the Binhai Police Academy. In theing days, I¡¯ll be the instructor for the course ¡¶Police Fitness and Tactical Skills Training¡·.¡± At that time, his vigor and vitality contrasted sharply with his current aged and weary appearance, especially with the prison uniform he was wearing, which was even more striking. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth. ¡°You said, in the police academy, there are only two types of people: police officers and reserve police officers.¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°Later, when I graduated and started working, you specially came from the provincial department to Jiangcheng to attend my appointment ceremony. It was also you who said¡­¡± She paused slightly, tilting her head slightly upwards to prevent tears from falling. ¡°Once you¡¯re in the Public Security Bureau, there are only two types of people: those who have already sacrificed themselves as police officers, and those who are ready to sacrifice themselves at any moment.¡± ¡°And what about you? Which one are you?¡± This question left him speechless. Zhao Junfeng fell into a long silence, staring at the bright handcuffs on his wrist. Song Yuhang kept watching his figure, waiting for an answer. Zhao Junfeng slowly lifted his foot, still walking forward in silence, while the prison guard had already opened the iron gate. ¡°Master¡­¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s heart tightened, her eyes reddening, her voice hoarse as she called out. Zhao Junfeng¡¯s steps paused slightly, and his back straightened again. As the end approached, the old man thought that in his life, besides his beloved, there was nothing else that could stir waves in his heart. Song Yuhang was an exception. The young woman was steady, intelligent, and ambitious, but most importantly, she had a heart as resolute as gold, never giving up. In the police academy, female students were few in number, and those with single-minded determination to join the front lines were even rarer. Attending his ss naturally meant enduring strict discipline. With a certain casualty rate in practical training, Song Yuhang often ended up bruised and swollen, yet after ss, she would stay behind alone, practicing untilte into the night. Sometimes, when Zhao Junfeng returned to the gym to lock up, he would still see her punching the sandbag, panting heavily, sweat dripping down her short hair. He stood below the tform, watching her. ¡°Why push yourself so hard? Isn¡¯t logistics work good enough?¡± Breathless, Song Yuhang punched the sandbag, sending it flying. ¡°Why give up? Isn¡¯t being on the front lines good?¡± Zhao Junfeng shook his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s very dangerous.¡± ¡°Eating carries the risk of choking to death, drinking water carries the risk of drowning, even sleeping at home carries the risk of sudden death. Just because there¡¯s risk, does that mean we stop eating, drinking, and sleeping?¡± An unexpected answer. Moments of valor like this perhaps ur in the youth of every police officer. With one hand supporting himself, Zhao Junfeng climbed onto the tform. ¡°Your movements are incorrect. Take another step back, wait for the sandbag to swing back, then strike.¡± ¡°Yes, left hook.¡± ¡°To the right, low route, roundhouse kick. Treat the sandbag as the enemy, don¡¯t let it get close to you.¡± ¡­¡­ Song Yuhang followed his instructions, sweating profusely. An hourter, shepleted the entire set of movements not only efficiently but also with deep insight. She slumped to the ground, panting heavily. The middle-aged man smiled faintly and handed her a can of c. ¡°Not bad.¡± Song Yuhang looked up at him, reached out and took the can of c, pulled open the tab, and drank it in big gulps. After a while, she wiped her lips. ¡°Thank you, Instructor Zhao.¡± From that day on, whenever Song Yuhang came to the boxing gym in the evenings, she would often encounter him. Sometimes Zhao Junfeng would spar with her, sometimes he would give pointers on her techniques. Her address for him changed from instructor to teacher, and finally to master. Zhao Junfeng was the person she admired most throughout her student years, her ideal, lighthouse, and guide. This address as ¡°master¡± awakened long-dormant memories within him. (LP: I may have¡­ mistranted ¡®master¡¯ as ¡®mentor¡¯ before, if so, I¡¯m sorry ? ? ?) He remembered the day she graduated, the two of them agreed to have onest boxing match, from the beginning when she couldn¡¯t beat him, to being evenly matched, and finally to him admitting defeat. (Support me at ) It took Song Yuhang a whole four years. Throughout these four years, she had been eagerly anticipating this day. But when she finally knocked him down, Song Yuhang felt a twinge of sadness. It meant she had grown up, while Zhao Junfeng was growing old. At that time, a few strands of white hair had already appeared at his temples, and he wasn¡¯t as agile as before. After she knocked him to the ground, he couldn¡¯t get up for a while. Song Yuhang reached out and helped him up. ¡°Master¡­¡± Zhao Junfeng waved his hand repeatedly. ¡°No need, no need, my arthritis is acting up again¡­¡± She helped him sit down at the edge of the tform. Zhao Junfeng pulled out two cans of c from his bag and handed her one. ¡°Here, congrattions on graduating.¡± Song Yuhang was taken aback, then opened the tab and clinked it with his. Foam spilled out. ¡°Congrattions on graduating.¡± In the end, the young woman felt a bit dissatisfied. ¡°After four years, you¡¯re just treating me to this?¡± Zhao Junfengughed heartily and patted her shoulder firmly. ¡°The police academy has regtions. Students are not allowed to drink alcohol.¡± Song Yuhang muttered, ¡°Sounds like as if you can drink once you¡¯re on duty.¡± Speaking of work, Zhao Junfeng¡¯s smile faded, his expression bing somewhat meaningful. ¡°Starting work marks the beginning of your career.¡± Song Yuhang set the soda can aside and stretched her shoulders. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for this day for a long time.¡± Zhao Junfeng smiled faintly, took a sip of c, then stopped drinking. His doctor had advised him against consuming high-sugar, high-calorie drinks. ¡°A detective¡¯s career isn¡¯t as easy as you imagine. You¡¯ll encounter danger, experience setbacks, and even¡­¡± He hesitated slightly. ¡°There are many invisible temptations.¡± Song Yuhang seemed to understand, then picked up the soda can and took a sip. ¡°Have you experienced all of these things you mentioned?¡± Zhao Junfeng fell silent for a while, nced at his watch. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. I should go back.¡± Song Yuhang stood up to see him off, helping him up from the seat. Zhao Junfeng picked up his backpack and dusted it off. ¡°No need to apany me. Aren¡¯t you going to report tomorrow? Go back and rest early.¡± For some reason, Zhao Junfeng today gave her a feeling of being unpredictable.
Chapter 136-3 Chapter 136-3 The end of a blue duckweed (4) Song Yuhang stood up to see him off, helping him up from the seat. Zhao Junfeng picked up his backpack and dusted it off. ¡°No need to apany me. Aren¡¯t you going to report tomorrow? Go back and rest early.¡± For some reason, Zhao Junfeng today gave her a feeling of being unpredictable. Song Yuhang didn¡¯t know where this feeling came from. She just ran out of the boxing gym and stood at the entrance, waving to him under the setting sun. ¡°Master, goodbye.¡± Zhao Junfeng¡¯s steps paused slightly. She cupped her hands like a trumpet: ¡°Take care of yourself. No matter how far I go, wherever I am, you¡¯ll always be my master. I¡¯lle back to see you!¡± It was like a scene from a movie ying back in slow motion. She would always remember the way Zhao Junfeng slowly turned around that dusk.Just like this moment. Two prison guards, one on each side, supported him. The old man struggled to turn around, and in that instant, she saw a long-lost smile on his face, sweeping away the air of decadence and defeat. Just like when she was 22. Zhao Junfeng also smiled back then as he lightly tapped his temple with his finger, the action full of vigor and agility. He said, ¡°Yuhang, keep going. If you have trouble, find your master. Who dares to bully you in Jiangcheng City, let theme to me.¡± Song Yuhang chuckled. With her current skills, not being bullied by others was already a blessing. Before she could say anything else, Zhao Junfeng quickly turned and left, waving to signal her not to apany him any further. His figure disappeared into the campus. Some say that 18 is the age of adulthood, but Song Yuhang always felt that the year she started working was. After that, she encountered many setbacks and difficulties, but she gritted her teeth and persevered. Although she never went to find Zhao Junfeng, she always remembered his words. Treating a 22-year-old adult as a student gave her great warmth andfort. That memorysted for many years. Until now, facing the detective who was already capable on her own, Zhao Junfeng could no longer say words of care for her, nor could he raise his hand as confidently as he did back then. There was a hint of mncholy in his eyes, tinged with a trace of hope. ¡°Yuhang, I can¡¯t get up anymore, but¡­ you can.¡± As soon as he called out her name, Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t help it. She pressed her head against the ss and clenched her fists tightly. ¡°Why¡­ why is this happening?¡± The old man shook his head sadly. ¡°If you don¡¯t go into the tiger¡¯s den, you won¡¯t catch the tiger¡¯s cub. If you want to fight against the darkness, you must delve deep into it.¡± (Originally tranted on , let¡¯s go!) ¡°Is that why you colluded with the Supreme Lord?!¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes were bloodshot as she roared through gritted teeth. Zhao Junfeng trembled all over, lips quivering as he slowly turned his head. ¡°You won¡¯t understand¡­ It¡¯s better if you don¡¯t¡­ Go back¡­ Just go back¡­ Don¡¯te again¡­¡± Song Yuhang watched his retreating figure and roared, ¡°I fight against the darkness because I wear the police uniform, with the national emblem on my cap, carrying justice on my shoulders. If I collude with the darkness, then I¡¯m no different from a criminal!¡± Zhao Junfeng paused for a moment, said nothing more, and let the prison guards lead him away with handcuffs on. The iron gate closed again before her eyes. Song Yuhang felt drained, sinking into the chair, hands covering her eyes, shoulders trembling slightly. What she didn¡¯t expect was that when Zhao Junfeng said not toe again, it was indeed a farewell. The day after she returned to Jiangcheng City, she received a call from the prison. He had a sudden cerebral hemorrhage and died on the way to the hospital. The receiver slipped from Song Yuhang¡¯s hand, and she swayed slightly. Lin Yan quickly steadied her. ¡°Yuhang!¡± She came to herself, looking into her lover¡¯s worried eyes, and forced a smile. ¡°I¡¯m okay¡­¡± While saying she was okay, tears welled up in her eyes. Lin Yan nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s go, we¡¯ll drive.¡± After taking care of Zhao Junfeng¡¯s affairs, Song Yuhang received his urn from the funeral home. As she walked out of the gate, an old woman waiting nearby rushed over and snatched the box from her hands. The old woman, hunched over with white hair, hadn¡¯t had the energy to care for herself due to days of exhaustion. Her hair clumped together in strands. She wore a dirty old cotton jacket and stepped in cotton shoes, her movements unsteady as she walked away. She muttered, ¡°Old Zhao¡­ Old Zhao¡­ Going home¡­ Going home¡­¡± On the way back to Jiangcheng City, Lin Yan drove. While waiting at traffic lights, Song Yuhang kept ncing at the roadside convenience store. A van was parked there unloading goods, workers carrying crates of drinks, bustling in and out. Lin Yan nced over. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Song Yuhang replied, ¡°I feel like drinking Coke.¡± When they arrived home, she twisted open the Coke bottle, took the first sip, and tears welled up. Lin Yan embraced her from behind, resting her head on her shoulder and tightening her arms around her.
After Zhao Junfeng passed away, Song Yuhang visited his wife once a week,e rain or shine, unwavering in hermitment. On a particr Friday, as she was preparing to leave, she received a call from themunity: the elderly woman had been hospitalized due to alzheimer¡¯s disease. Hurriedly, when she arrived in the provincial capital, Zhao Junfeng¡¯s wife no longer recognized her. She clung to other elderly men, repeatedly saying, ¡°Old Zhao, Old Zhao, I¡¯ll make dumplings for you to eat.¡± The staff at the nursing homeined, ¡°The olddy couldn¡¯t stay at home alone. She kept running out every day, even picking up garbage to eat. Themunity couldn¡¯t handle it, so they sent her here. What¡¯s the matter with you children¡­¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes reddened. ¡°I¡¯m not¡­¡± Her voice was low, and the staff didn¡¯t hear clearly. ¡°What?¡± Song Yuhang spoke up confidently, suddenly turning her head. ¡°She has no children. They¡¯ve long passed away. Take good care of her. I¡¯ll pay whatever it takes.¡± The staff was startled, watching her walk away, unable toprehend. ¡°Is she crazy¡­¡±
With the Supreme Lord executed and Zhao Junfeng deceased, and the rest facing consequences, everything had settled. However, one major issue still lingered on Mother Song¡¯s mind. That was Song Yuhang¡¯s marriage. Seeing both of them getting older, especially Song Yuhang, who had kept her injury a secret from Lin Yan, was a headache-inducing matter. Although their rtionship was stable now, as people grew older, they tended to think more. She had only one daughter, and she wanted to see her in a wedding dress. So, there were frequent subtle hints and asional visits for constion. Lin Yan not only had to endure the physical assaults every time the olddy came, but also the magical attacks brought by her resentful gaze. She couldn¡¯t resist or argue back, sitting there as if on pins and needles, walking on thin ice, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. (If you¡¯re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Song Yuhang was feeling even worse. Lin Yan had long made up her mind: no marriage, no kids. She had proposed to her more than once, but she never budged. Seeing that she couldn¡¯t convince Lin Yan, Mother Song wasn¡¯t as kind to her own child. She scolded and disciplined her. More than once, Lin Yan had woken up in the middle of the night to find Song Yuhang sitting in the living room, listening attentively to Mother Song¡¯s teachings. ¡°When are you two going to get married?!¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s face was mournful. ¡°Mom, you should ask Yanyan about that!¡± ¡°Asked already, and every time it¡¯s just ¡®wait a little longer¡¯. You never stop to think if you¡¯ve done something wrong to upset her. Why else would it take this long to get married?!¡± Mother Song¡¯s spit was almost flying onto her face. Song Yuhang was flushed with embarrassment, almost ready to kneel down. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s really not because of me¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care. I don¡¯t have many years left. I want to see you two get married in my lifetime, living happily together.¡± Got it. The ultimate move was unleashed. In an instant, silence filled the air, apanied by tears. Lin Yan lost even the thought of going to the bathroom. As things progressed, Ji Jingxing also joined the matchmaking army, along with Xiaowei. With thisbined force, Song and Lin were pushed into a corner. Lin Yan gritted her teeth and held on desperately, ¡°You haven¡¯t even had a second marriage. What right do you have to talk about me?¡± Ji Jingxing beamed, ¡°Who said I haven¡¯t had a second marriage? I¡¯m close to it, just need you two now.¡± The three of them were chatting in the living room when the front door opened, and a middle-aged man entered, holding Xiaowei¡¯s hand. Song and Lin turned their heads simultaneously. He actually had the key to Ji Jingxing¡¯s house! Mother Song peeked out from the kitchen, ¡°Xiaoliang, you¡¯re here! Come, have a seat, have a seat!¡± Xiaowei broke free from his grasp, backpack on her back, covered in snowkes, and rushed into her mother¡¯s arms. ¡°Mama, Uncle Liang yed with me downstairs in the snow for a while beforeing up. He even bought me a snowboard and said he¡¯ll take us skiing at the ski resort this weekend.¡± The man, a few years older than Ji Jingxing, looked very kind and honest, standing to the side with a snowboard in his hand, smiling at them. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Liang Shi. I used to work with Jingxing at thew firm.¡± The two exchanged nces, both thinking: This is happening way too fast. Later, Liang Shi went to help Mother Song cook, kicking the olddy out of the kitchen, and donning an apron to fry, stir-fry, and deep-fry. The four women gathered around the stove, cracking melon seeds. Song Yuhang only found outter that Liang Shi had secretly admired her for many years. He also had a failed marriage and a son from his previous wife, who was already in junior high school and didn¡¯t interact much with him. Perhaps it was because of their simr experiences. During Ji Jingxing¡¯s most helpless days, when she was taking care of Xiaowei¡¯s illness while still working to support the family, Liang Shi not only provided her with a lot of work, but also helped take care of Xiaowei. The two gradually came together, and now their wedding date was almost set. As the conversation ended, Mother Song and Ji Jingxing both turned their hopeful gazes towards them. ¡°Now we¡¯re just waiting for good news from you two.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s scalp tingled, and if it weren¡¯t for Xiaowei pulling her back, she would have fled. As things progressed, Fang Xin and Duan Cheng also joined the matchmaking army. Whenever the four of them managed to get together, marriage was all they talked about, especially Duan Cheng, who enthusiastically draped his arm around Fang Xin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Sister Lin, look, you and Captain Song have had so many close calls. It¡¯s high time you got married.¡± ¡°Even though same-sex marriage isn¡¯t recognized in the country, it¡¯s still important to have a ceremony for each other.¡± ¡°Fang Xin and I have already met each other¡¯s parents. Ding ding ding! We even have engagement rings.¡± (Support me at ) Duan Cheng grabbed his girlfriend¡¯s hand and shook it, the tinum ring almost blinding Lin Yan¡¯s eyes. Lin Yan¡¯s lips twitched, tempted to sew his mouth shut with a needle and thread. Duan Cheng continued bbering, ¡°Let me tell you, Captain Song has been through a lot. You have no idea. When you weren¡¯t around, she wore a frown every day, crying her eyes out, and even went to the detention center¡­¡± That¡¯s it. Before Lin Yan could act, Song Yuhang had already pounced over. ¡°You can¡¯t stop talking even with Western food!¡± Duan Cheng caught the bread roll she threw at him and happily chewed on it, even feeding a spoonful of sd to his girlfriend. After the meal, they started heading back. Because of paying the bill, Song Yuhang and Duan Cheng were left behind. He patted her shoulder, ¡°Captain Song, don¡¯t me me for not telling you, dealing with someone like Sister Lin requires catching her off guard.¡± Song Yuhang took back her card, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Duan Cheng nced around and, seeing Lin Yan wasn¡¯t nearby, he motioned for her toe closer by curling his finger. After listening to him, Song Yuhang blushed, ¡°Can that work?¡± Duan Cheng raised his eyebrows, ¡°How would we know if we don¡¯t try?¡± Song Yuhang replied, ¡°You young people have so many tricks up your sleeves.¡± Duan Cheng shrugged, ¡°Oh, just picked up a few from readingics. It¡¯s called learning by doing.¡±
That night, it¡¯s unclear what Lin Yan went through exactly. Anyway, when Duan Cheng and Fang Xin saw them again, it was 7 dayster. Song Yuhang beamed, ¡°We¡¯ll fly to Canada first to register our marriage, then have the wedding in Saipan while honeymooning. Make sure to get your visas ready in time, and we¡¯ll have an ind getaway together.¡± Lin Yan seemed as lethargic as an eggnt hit by frost, letting out a tired yawn andzily lifting her eyelids. ¡°Don¡¯t forget toe.¡± It¡¯s said thatter, when Song Yan and Lin Xi were 4 or 5 years old, they hit their mischievous phase. They dug out a bunch of mysterious toys from a drawer deep inside the closet, including handcuffs, blindfolds, whips, gags, feather sticks, and more. They even took them to kindergarten to y house with other kids, only to be hurriedly picked up by Song Yuhang and Lin Yan, resulting in a chaotic scene at home. The intensity of that night¡¯s battle was quite evident. However, that¡¯s a story for another time. The immediate priority is still the significant life event of getting married.
LP: Sorry for the no upload yesterday, my work schedule changed so I¡¯m adjusting right now. I used to trante before work in the morning, but now I¡¯m tranting after work. Thank you for your understanding~ And, kids?!
Chapter 137-1 Chapter 137-1 The end of a blue duckweed (5) ¡°Passport, ID, visa, marriage application¡­¡± After receiving the reply email from the city hall of British Columbia, Canada, the two are about to fly to Vancouver soon. Song Yuhang is packing at home, muttering to herself. Lin Yan, wearing a pair of ck-framed sses and a loose robe, holding aptop, walks over to her. ¡°Song Yuhang, how about wearing this?¡± Song Yuhang steals a nce at the screen and turns green. A snow-white strapless trailing wedding dress. The corner of her lips twitches, ¡°You wear it, you wear it.¡± Lin Yan persists, ¡°I¡¯ve already chosen.¡± Song Yuhang puts down the clothes in her hand and walks over, ¡°Which one?¡±Lin Yan slides the touchpad twice, revealing a new tuxedo for women under a luxury brand, priced at forty-eight thousand. Song Yuhang is unwilling, ¡°Why do I wear a wedding dress and you wear a suit?¡± Lin Yan grins triumphantly, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say, as long as I agree to marry, any condition can be met for me?¡± Song Yuhang feels provoked and insulted about her family status, ¡°Except for that, anything else is fine.¡± She has never worn a dress since she was a child, and it¡¯s hard to imagine, if Mother Song, Ji Jingxing, Fang Xin, Duang Cheng, Feng Jianguo, and others see her in a wedding dress, they would probably burst intoughter. Just the thought of it makes her scalp tingle, losing all dignity. Lin Yan insists, ¡°No, I want you to wear this.¡± Song Yuhang stares at her snow-white neckline and grits her teeth, ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Absolutely sure¡­¡± Before she finishes her sentence, she is lifted up from her waist, Lin Yan hasn¡¯t even had time to pick up theptop, feeling dizzy. ¡°Hey¡ª¡± She sinks into the soft sofa, Song Yuhang presses her and tickles her, ¡°Say it again, say it again, hmm?¡± Lin Yan couldn¡¯t dodge in time, panting heavily, a faint blush appearing on her pale face. (Originally tranted on , let¡¯s go!) ¡°Stop¡­ Ah¡­ It¡¯s so itchy¡­¡± The more she protests, the more Song Yuhang bes determined, and the two y around until they finally settle down. Lin Yan pushes against her shoulders to block her approach, her loose clothes even looser now, revealing her slender corbones and a hint of charm. Song Yuhang¡¯s throat feels dry, swallowing hard, gently cupping her face and looking into her eyes. Their noses touch, Lin Yan¡¯s lips brushing against hers teasingly, stirring up desire. As Song Yuhang leans in, Lin Yan smiles, knowing that if they continue like this, today will likely pass in a blur again. While resisting, she lifts the hem of her shirt, her nails tracing the muscles on her back. At the same time, she bends her knees, lightly rubbing against her waist with the most tender part of herself, her eyes full of seduction. ¡°We¡¯re leaving for Vancouver in a few days¡­¡± ¡°I know.¡± Song Yuhang, feeling a bit breathless from her teasing, leans down again to find her lips. Lin Yan couldn¡¯t dodge in time, caught off guard. Her voice is somewhat muffled. ¡°All the¡­ stuff¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± It¡¯s already sote, and she¡¯s still worrying about these things. Song Yuhang chuckles, patientlyforting her. ¡°Passport, visa, marriage application, wedding officiant, marriage celebrant, everything is arranged, except for one thing¡­¡± She finally lets go of her, rubbing her nose against hers. ¡°The bride.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s face blushes slightly, ¡°You shameless thing, I don¡¯t want to get married at all, if it weren¡¯t for you¡­¡± Song Yuhang squints her eyes, her gaze sharp, her hand sliding down along the leg wrapped around her waist. ¡°Hmm? Go on.¡± Lin Yan suddenly tenses up, swallowing her words. Song Yuhang is quite satisfied, lifting her up to sit on herp, ¡°Be good, rx a little, I¡¯ll¡­¡± Lin Yan buries her head in her shoulder, taking a deep breath, ¡°Hold on.¡± Song Yuhang stops, her face filled with patience. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Lin Yan¡¯s voice is intermittent, ¡°The¡­ the ring hasn¡¯t been bought yet¡­¡± At the mention of the ring, Song Yuhang¡¯s heart skips a beat. These days have been too blissful, she even forgot about this matter. The wedding ring she bought for Lin Yan still rests on an unidentified female corpse¡¯s hand. Thinking back to her somewhat crazy actions at that time, Song Yuhang wishes she could find a hole to hide in. She clears her throat, ¡°Yan¡­ Yanyan¡­ that¡­¡± Now it¡¯s Lin Yan¡¯s turn to look displeased, ¡°Hmm?¡± Song Yuhang closes her eyes, ¡°I bought the ring, but¡­ let me exin!!!¡± (If you¡¯re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) After she finishes her hesitant exnation, Lin Yan¡¯s face turns into a colorful mix of emotions. Song Yuhang looks into her eyes and says cautiously, ¡°How about¡­ we buy a new pair?¡± Despite her words, the trip to Vancouver is imminent. After all, they can¡¯t just bail on the city hall. Moreover, Lin Yan still has an unfinished wish to fulfill before getting married. She also knows that Song Yuhang must have spent a lot of money buying that pair of wedding rings, so it¡¯s probably unrealistic to ask her to buy another pair. Lin Yan feels sweet in her heart that Song Yuhang would go to such lengths for her, but at the same time, she feels a bit jealous. Her ring, meant for her, is worn by another woman, and she even felt jealous of that ring. Just thinking about it makes her heart ache with sourness. She wasn¡¯t really a magnanimous person to begin with. Seeing her remain silent, Song Yuhang holds her close, straightens out her disheveled clothes, and rests her forehead against hers. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I really thought at that time¡­¡± She remembers those days with lingering fear. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to describe the feeling of knowing about your ¡®misfortune¡¯, everyone was lying to me. No matter how tough my first half of life was, I never despaired, until that moment, I truly felt like the sky was falling.¡± As Song Yuhang speaks, she furrows her brows slightly, a hint of pain on her face. Seeing Lin Yan¡¯s gaze fixed on her, she forces a smile. ¡°Of course, I understand you. I didn¡¯t me you for deceiving me, I know, I appreciate it. When ites to pain, who could be more agonized than you? I just regret not being able to stand by your side and fight with you at that time.¡± ¡°When I sent out the ring, I was thinking that once the truth was revealed and justice was served for you, I would go down to apany you.¡± Song Yuhang smiles faintly, her eyes reddening. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought it would turn into such a big mistake, butpared to all that, I just want you to live well.¡± Song Yuhang has always been disciplined andw-abiding, and the few times she acted impulsively were all for Lin Yan¡¯s sake. Even if she faced punishment, she never regretted it. Lin Yan¡¯s heart is moved by such devotion, and she can¡¯t help but be touched by this deeply affectionate person. Just as Song Yuhang can¡¯t stand to see her cry, Lin Yan can¡¯t stand to see her with red eyes either. Being a proud youngdy who¡¯s used to being pampered, she doesn¡¯t know how tofort others. Gritting her teeth, she thinks to herself: It¡¯s clearly her fault, so why am I feeling so upset? That jerk, Song Yuhang! As she thinks about it, she throws a punch, hitting her shoulder de lightly, not putting much force into it, not painful nor itchy. Song Yuhang leans back slightly but still happily holds her, and Lin Yan throws herself onto her. ¡°It¡¯s okay, as long as you can vent your anger, you can hit me as much as you want.¡± ¡°Get lost, you thick-skinned, hitting you hurts my hand!¡± Lin Yan curses loudly, struggling, but is held tightly. Song Yuhang: ¡°By the way, I haven¡¯t asked you yet, who was the person who died?¡± Lin Yan is taken aback, her yful hands against Song Yuhang¡¯s shoulder gradually losing strength. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It wasn¡¯t my doing. ording to Feng Jianguo, she was an unidentified homeless woman. When she was brought to the hospital by a good Samaritan, she was already at death¡¯s door. No one tried to save her, and nobody imed her body, so¡­¡± Song Yuhang grabs her hand,forting her. ¡°It¡¯s okay, someone like her probably had a rough life. Maybe no one even lights incense for her after death. Now she has a grave and a ce, it¡¯s also considered a good deed.¡± (Support me at ) Lin Yan¡¯s eyes are slightly mncholic. ¡°She was about the same age as me.¡± Song Yuhang knows there¡¯s more to this, so she holds her hand and kisses it gently. ¡°What do you want to do?¡± Lin Yan still feels a bit sore, but after some thought, she grits her teeth. ¡°I don¡¯t want that ring anymore. Give it to her.¡± Perhaps that nameless woman never received love orpassion in her life, let alone being used as a scapegoat for another¡¯s actions. Lin Yan feels a twinge of guilt whenever she thinks about it. How could she bear to disturb her peace by exhuming her grave and dissecting her body? The person who seems most cynical on the surface is often the softest at heart. Song Yuhang smiles and tousles her brown curls. ¡°Be good, I¡¯ll save up some money and buy you a new one.¡± Lin Yan snorts coldly, still somewhat dissatisfied. ¡°And what about your ring?¡± Song Yuhang rubs her forehead against hers. ¡°Stingy, I haven¡¯t worn it for a long time.¡± A slight curve forms at the corner of Lin Yan¡¯s lips, but she doesn¡¯t want to let it show too much, so she quickly puts on a straight face. ¡°That¡¯s about right.¡± ¡°I rub your ears and temples everyday, have you ever seen me wearing it, huh?¡± Clearly, she wants to hear a few nice words from her. Song Yuhangughs and wraps her arms around her waist. Lin Yan pushes her head buried in her chest away, gritting her teeth. ¡°I just want to hear you say it, is that not allowed?¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s voice is muffled. ¡°Fine, but in bed.¡± Lin Yan grabs onto her short hair, narrowing her eyes slightly. ¡°Dream on. Pack your stuff for me!¡± Song Yuhang, feeling helpless, says, ¡°Yanyan, we¡¯re going to Vancouver in a few days, and Mom and the others will be there too. It¡¯s not convenient.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care. I¡¯m angry. For the next few days, you better behave yourself and stop thinking about it.¡± With that, Lin Yan pushes away from her, gets out of her arms, fixes the slipping pajamas on her shoulders, puts on slippers, grabs a ss of red wine, and walks away gracefully. Song Yuhang reaches out to grab her, but misses, so she grabs a cushion from the couch in frustration. Damn it, Yanyan, the cooked duck, has flown.
LP: No sexy times for you
Chapter 137-2 Chapter 137-2 The end of a blue duckweed (5) Lin Yan¡¯s unfulfilled wish led her to a small vige hidden in the Yunnan¨CGuizhou teau, a ce not marked on any map. She and Song Yuhang drove for hundreds of kilometers, day and night, leaving the highway for provincial roads, which eventually turned into rough gravel roads. After crossing several mountains, they found themselves on a muddy dirt road impassable by car. The two had to disembark and continue on foot, carrying their belongings. Lin Yan spotted a farmer carrying bundles of firewood on the mountain path and approached him with a photo in hand to ask for directions. ¡°Hello, have you seen this family?¡± The photo was quite old; at that time, Liu Zhi was still a boy of fourteen or fifteen, dressed in his father¡¯s worn-out blue shirt, as thin as a pole. Standing beside him were his parents. On the stool in front of him sat a seven or eight-year-old girl. Among this family, filled with worry, she was the only one who smiled, extending her hand towards the camera and making a victory sign. After pondering for a while, the farmer suddenly pped his forehead and began speaking rapidly in the local dialect. Lin Yan didn¡¯t understand, but she grasped the direction he pointed to. She nodded slightly in thanks before heading towards the mountain. Song Yuhang quickly caught up with her, carrying their belongings, and used one hand to help her up the slope. ¡°Which way should we go? Are you tired?¡± Suddenly faced with two questions, Lin Yan shook her head, slightly out of breath. ¡°Let¡¯s climb the mountain first. I didn¡¯t understand what that person said earlier.¡± As she spoke, she grabbed onto branches and started climbing upwards. Luckily, she hadn¡¯t worn high heels when they set off, or else climbing this mountain would have been impossible. While pondering this, Lin Yan nced back at Song Yuhang. ¡°Fortunately, I can manage. Let me carry some for you.¡± Song Yuhang shook her head, carrying arge travel bag on her back and holding fruits, milk, and other gifts for Liu Zhi¡¯s family. ¡°No need, it¡¯s just a small gesture.¡± Following suit, she grabbed onto tree roots and pushed herself up with one hand, while Lin Yan helped the person up. Navigating through the dense forest on the mountainside, both of them had dirt on their faces, yet they exchanged a smile at this moment. Walking and chatting along the way, Song Yuhang said, ¡°Do you remember when we went to Xiaohe Vige? It was just like climbing a mountain like this.¡± Lin Yan cast a disdainful nce at her, her smile somewhat chilly. ¡°Yeah, back then, Captain Song took advantage of me quite a bit.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s face flushed, and she touched her nose. ¡°Then¡­ let me make it up to you.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s mouth twisted in annoyance, and she flicked the branches along the way towards her. ¡°Get lost!¡± Lin Yan rarely gets the upper hand, as she often finds her victories turned against her afterward. When ites to holding grudges, who can truly forgive the other? Song Yuhang lifted her elbow to block, noticing another uphill climb ahead, and gave Lin Yan a hand. ¡°But thinking back to that time, you, me, Fang Xin, Duan Cheng, Old Zheng, we were all there. Despite the tough conditions, it¡¯s still quite interesting to reminisce.¡± They still remembered that night on the mountain when they were suddenly caught in a downpour. The group, including two police officers from the Wuli Town Police Station, huddled in a mountain hollow, chatting around a campfire. After returning home with the old grandmother, Lin Yan helped her with various chores: nting vegetables, fertilizing, herding sheep, and chopping wood. It was also there that she and Song Yuhang had their first intimate encounter. At that time, neither of them probably imagined so much would happenter on. Bringing up those memories, Lin Yan¡¯s mind briefly wandered, a faint hint of bitterness appearing at the corner of her lips. ¡°Yeah, those were¡­ good times.¡± Seeing her disappointment, Song Yuhang hurriedly walked up to her, then stopped. ¡°Come, I¡¯ll go ahead and scout the path. You hold onto my clothes, and I¡¯ll lead you up.¡± Lin Yan was momentarily stunned, a slight curve forming at the corner of her lips. Feeling yful, she grabbed onto her clothes. ¡°Drive!¡± No matter how many different faces she showed to the outside world, how aloof or cold-blooded she appeared, in reality, only Song Yuhang knew that the 33-year-old Lin Yan had a heart as pure and untainted as a child¡¯s. ¡°Sit tight. The terrain ahead is t. Let¡¯s speed up, turn right, and enter the dense forest¡­¡± And so, the 36-year-old Song Yuhang, with one hand pretending to steer, joined her in a game that only children would enjoy. The two of them chatted and climbed the mountain, reaching halfway up in no time. The vige was indeed small, with only six households. They visited each one, showing the photo, until they found Liu Zhi¡¯s family nestled deep in the mountain hollow. It was breakfast time, in the midst of winter. The old man was dressed thinly, his hands exposed to the cold, as he picked up firewood from the ground and stuffed it into the earthen stove. Arge iron pot sat atop the stove, emitting steam. Lin Yan approached slowly, her throat feeling dry. ¡°Um¡­ is this Liu Zhi¡¯s home?¡± The old man looked up, noticing two elegantly dressed women standing at the doorway of the thatched hut. He stared nkly for a while, scanning the person from head to toe, but still couldn¡¯t recognize who it was. His family was poor, and the farthest he had ever ventured was to the town market. He had never seen such a figure before. The old man stuttered and stumbled, managing only a few monosybic sounds. ¡°Ah¡­ ah¡­¡± Lin Yan furrowed her brow slightly, observing his movements and expressions. ¡°So, he¡¯s mute¡­¡± Song Yuhang pulled her aside. ¡°Hello, we¡¯re from Liu Zhi¡¯spany. With the year-end approaching, he¡¯s swamped with work and couldn¡¯te himself, so he asked us toe and check on you.¡± The old man seemed to snap out of it at this point. His gaze fell on the things they were carrying in their hands. Suddenly, he tossed the firewood aside, a hint of joy appearing on his weathered face. Limping, he walked into the house, muttering continuously. Song Yuhang lifted the curtain and followed him inside. Inside, the smell of moldy grain mingled with the odor of a long-term bedridden patient, somewhat pungent. It wasn¡¯t much warmer than outside, and there was hardly any furniture. The doors and windows leaked, many patched up with newspapers. A dim yellow light bulb hung from the ceiling, surrounded by cobwebs. The old woman was nestled in bed, coughing a few times, unable to conceal her joy. ¡°Liu¡­ Liu Zhi hase back?¡± The old man who was tending to the fire stood by the bed, speaking earnestly with gestures, his hands busy drawing strokes in the air. The woman understood and shifted her gaze to them. Her initial excitement settled, reced by a hint of disappointment. However, her eyes remained warm and kind, with a touch of rural simplicity and shyness. ¡°Please, sit down. Look at how messy this room is. Liu Zhi didn¡¯t even give us a heads-up before sending someone over¡­¡± Lin Yan could tell she wanted to sit up, but her legs buried under the nket were so weak and powerless that she couldn¡¯t even muster the strength to move them into a proper position. ¡°Your legs¡­¡± The woman smiled, her hair half white, her face not very clean, and her hands still showing a few frostbite scars. Even the mattress was pitifully thin. ¡°Oh, didn¡¯t Liu Zhi tell you? Years ago, before he went out to work, he broke his leg while chopping wood in the mountains.¡± The woman seemed more optimistic than her, warmly weing them. ¡°Sit, please sit. Old man, pour them some water.¡± The old man scooped water from the iron pot boiling outside into enamel cups, tremblingly carried them over, and wiped the only bench in the room with his sleeve. He eagerly gestured for them to sit. Song Yuhang took the water and ced it on the table. The cup, both inside and out, wasn¡¯t very clean, and it was hard to tell how long it had been used, but it was one of the few everyday items in the house that seemed worth using. Lin Yan and Liu Zhi hadn¡¯t known each other for long, and their positions were different, so they wouldn¡¯t talk about such things. Their purpose ining was simply to check on his parents. ¡°We won¡¯t stay long. We¡¯ll be leaving soon,¡± Lin Yan declined the offer politely. Then, remembering he had a sister, she looked around the room. ¡°Where¡¯s his sister?¡± At this point, tears welled up in the woman¡¯s eyes. ¡°A few years ago, she fell ill and passed away.¡± The old man stood beside her, sighing heavily and wiping his eyes. Before Lin Yan came, she had mentally prepared herself for their poverty and misery, but she hadn¡¯t expected it to be this dire. Two elderly people, one paralyzed, the other mute, and now their daughter had unexpectedly passed away as well. It was difficult for Lin Yan to even speak. ¡°Did you¡­ tell him?¡± The woman shook her head, wiping her tears with her hands. ¡°No, we didn¡¯t. He¡¯s working hard outside all by himself, and it¡¯s already so tough for him. We didn¡¯t want to burden him with this news, besides¡­¡± The old woman paused briefly, sounding somewhat mncholic. ¡°We can¡¯t even contact him. Every month, he sends money to the post office in town without fail, and his father goes to collect it. We wanted to send him something, or write him a letter, but we can¡¯t read or write.¡± Life¡¯s struggles force one onto the edge, leaving many things beyond their control. Not contacting family is the greatest protection for them. Lin Yan suddenly recalled theirst conversation. She stared at the gradually brightening sky outside the window and asked him. ¡°Do you have any particr ce you want to go back to?¡± A slight smile appeared on the young man¡¯s face. ¡°Yes, I want to go home.¡± His family, his elderly parents, were still worrying about him, but he could never return home again, never marry a wife. Lin Yan lowered her gaze, concealing the fleeting glimmer of tears in her eyes. Song Yuhang ced her hand on her shoulder. Lin Yan turned to look at her, forcing herself to muster a smile, not letting the elderly couple catch on. Song Yuhang took the things over and then took off her backpack to retrieve items from inside. ¡°Four sets of warm clothing, an electric nket, two boxes of milk, some fruits, bread, snacks, nutritional supplements¡­¡± This was already the maximum they could bring up themselves. Lin Yan also rummaged through her wallet. ¡°Take this money too.¡± The elderly couple looked overwhelmed, attempting to interrupt several times but failing to find the right moment. Seeing Lin Yan starting to take out money, the woman hurriedly sat up from the bed and grabbed her wrist. ¡°We can¡¯t ept this, we¡¯re already very grateful for your visit. We absolutely cannot ept the money.¡± The elderly man beside her shook his head vigorously, gesturing his agreement. Chapter 137-3 Chapter 137-3 The end of a blue duckweed (5) The elderly couple looked overwhelmed, attempting to interrupt several times but failing to find the right moment. Seeing Lin Yan starting to take out money, the woman hurriedly sat up from the bed and grabbed her wrist. ¡°We can¡¯t ept this, we¡¯re already very grateful for your visit. We absolutely cannot ept the money.¡± The elderly man beside her shook his head vigorously, gesturing his agreement. Lin Yan held a red bill in her hand, neither advancing nor retreating. Setting aside her previous temper, she would just throw the money after leaving, but facing this family, could she bear it? Could Liu Zhi bear it? Song Yuhang walked over and took the money from her hand, neatly folded it, and stuffed it into the old woman¡¯s pocket. ¡°Take it, this money is not from us, it¡¯s from Liu Zhi to you. This is her sry and year-end bonus.¡± She emphasized repeatedly, and the elderly couple reluctantly epted it. The woman looked at them, and then thought of the money, the amount of which was much more than what he had sent back before. For some reason, there was a slight sense of unease in her heart. ¡°Why¡­ why didn¡¯t hee back¡­ and sent you instead?¡± Lin Yan had never lied in her life, this was the first time. Looking at the elderly couple¡¯s dark cheeks and reddened eyes, she told a white lie out of kindness: ¡°He¡­ he works very hard¡­ does a great job¡­ the factory can¡¯t do without him¡­¡± Upon hearing this, a look of relief appeared on the woman¡¯s face. ¡°Not bad, it¡¯s considered progress. Tell him to work hard and not rush back. There¡¯s nothingcking at home.¡± As they spoke, the food the old man had been cooking in the pot was ready. However, the noodles, after just a few bites, broke into pieces and were scooped into copper bowls and offered to them. There wasn¡¯t much oil in the bowls, and only a few pieces of pickled vegetables floated in the broth. Since the food had already been brought out, Lin Yan prepared to leave. She took out a photo from her wallet and ced it on the bed. ¡°We won¡¯t eat, it¡¯s time to go. Here¡¯s the photo, for you.¡± That was the only family portrait Liu Zhi took before he left, and now it finally returned to its rightful owner. The woman gently caressed the child¡¯s face and kept flipping through the photo. On the back of the photo was his family¡¯s address and a small wish: toe home. There was no signature, thus no return date. As soon as Lin Yan and Song Yuhang stepped out of the hut, Lin Yan couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. She slightly curved her lips, desperately looked up, and tears welled up in her eyes. Song Yuhang embraced her shoulders, using one hand to wipe away her tears. As they walked away, there was movement behind them. The elderly man limped over, stuffing a packet of shoe inserts into Lin Yan¡¯s hand, his expression somewhat anxious as he gestured. Lin Yan was momentarily stunned, lowering her gaze to see the exquisitely crafted shoe inserts wrapped in a stic bag. The stitches were fine and the material felt thick and warm to the touch. ¡°What is this¡­¡± Seeing her ept it, the old man¡¯s face lit up with a smile. Despite being smelly, poor, and dirty, dressed without any dignity, every wrinkle on his face overflowed with genuine gratitude. He turned around again and disappeared into the mountains and forests, limping and hobbling. On the way back to Jiangcheng City, Lin Yan remained silent. Song Yuhang was driving, and she freed one hand to hold hers. ¡°We¡¯re getting married, be happy.¡± Lin Yan snapped out of her reverie and forced a smile. ¡°Yeah.¡± Luckily, she was there, and luckily, they were getting married. With everything settled, every day from now on would be a new life. Lin Yan nced out the car window, neon lights shing, bustling streets. She seemed to see Liu Zhi standing in the center of the lights, smiling and waving goodbye to her. She slightly lifted her lips and smiled back, then closed the car window. The next day, back in Jiangcheng City, they prepared to depart for Vancouver. They packed their things overnight. When Song Yuhang wasn¡¯t paying attention, Lin Yan secretly slipped a small box into the luggage. As soon as she turned around, she immediately closed the suitcase. Song Yuhang: ¡°Let me check again to see if there¡¯s anything missing.¡± Lin Yan pulled her towards the bedroom. ¡°That¡¯s enough, that¡¯s enough. We¡¯re tired. We¡¯re leaving early tomorrow morning. Let¡¯s go to bed.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± Song Yuhang looked back, feeling like there was something she was hiding from her. Lin Yan pushed her into the room, tiptoed, and kissed her lips. ¡°Shut up.¡± In February, the snow in Vancouver had not yet melted. As they stepped out of the car, cold winds mixed with snowkes struck their faces. Lin Yan wrapped herself tightly in a down jacket, stomping her feet on the frozen ground. The breath she exhaled turned into white vapor. Song Yuhang took off her own scarf and tied it around Lin Yan¡¯s neck, then took the luggage from her hand and turned back to open the rear door. Xiaowei was the first to jump out. ¡°Wow, snow! Such big snowkes!¡± Ji Jingxing also helped Mother Song out of the car. ¡°Mom, we¡¯re here.¡± Hotel staff came to greet them, and the group walked gingerly inside, one step at a time. Xiaowei asionally grabbed snow from the roadside to y with. Inadvertently, she covered Lin Yan all over, and snowkes slipped into her neckline. Lin Yan shivered, and without hesitation, retaliated, ¡°You¡¯re asking for it, Xiaowei!¡± The two of them got into a scuffle, with Xiaowei hiding behind Ji Jingxing. Lin Yan threw a snowball at her. Ji Jingxing¡¯s face turned green with anger. ¡°Lin Yan, Ji Weiwei, have you had enough?!¡± Lin Yan shrugged. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t me me. You chose to stand there.¡± Although the two had long reconciled, she never missed a chance to tease Ji Jingxing over trivial matters. It¡¯s strange; Ji Jingxing was gentle and indifferent in her dealings with others, but she always had conflicts with Lin Yan. Now, as the luggage was set aside and sleeves rolled up, she beckoned, ¡°Xiaowei,e on!¡± Song Yuhang was at the front desk checking in. When she turned around, she saw that the courtyard had already turned chaotic.????????????????????????.?????? She shook her head helplessly, a faint smile curling her lips. ¡°Hey, hurry up ande in. Let¡¯s go have dinner.¡± After finishing dinner, the group¡¯s battlefield shifted from the snowy field to the hot springs. Eventually, even Song Yuhang was forced to join the fray, dodging the sshes of watering from all directions. Mother Song, being older, easily got dizzy from soaking too long. She went ashore early, wrapped in a thin nket, holding one of those toys that p when you press a button (hand ppers), cheering on from the sidelines. ¡°Quick, quick, over there! Xiaowei, Yanyan, she¡¯s running over there!¡± Just as Song Yuhang emerged from the water, she was sshed right in the face. ¡°Mom, Who¡¯s side are you on? Bleh¡­ Bleh bleh bleh!¡± They yed until they were exhausted, and only then did Lin Yan yawn and follow her to the room to sleep. As soon as they entered the room, Song Yuhang lifted her up, and Lin Yan wrapped her arms around her neck, then was ced into the bathtub. After finishing washing up, she was already yawning incessantly, so tired that she couldn¡¯t keep her eyes open. She was carried to bed by someone, still half asleep. Song Yuhang pulled the nket over her andined, ¡°You¡¯re still adjusting to the time difference. I told you to rest early, but you insisted on ying.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s longshes fluttered as she scratched her hand. Just after her bath, not only was her skin rosy, but her eyes also faintly shimmered with moisture. She scratched her hand again. ¡°Itchy.¡± Song Yuhang peeled back the nket and saw arge patch of redness on her fair skin, likely from the cold snow. The officer grumbled as she went to find medicine for her, ¡°Can¡¯t you be more careful next time? Hm?¡± Lin Yan buried her face in her arms, ¡°Mmm¡­¡± This woman had her ways of asserting authority, but when she acted spoiled, she was even more adept. Lin Yan couldn¡¯t help butugh and cry. After applying the ointment for her, she wiped her hands with a wet towel, turned off the bedsidemp, slipped into bed, and hugged her, gently patting her back. ¡°Sleep tight, goodnight.¡± After enduring a day of jetg, the two arrived at the city hall to submit their marriage application. The staff quickly stamped it with a red seal and requested that theyplete the wedding ceremony within 90 days. Upon returning to the hotel, Song and Lin and Mother Song consulted the almanac for a long time and finally settled on an auspicious date. One weekter. The two woke up early and walked into the city hall together. The officiant was a government employee from the Province of British Columbia, who was already waiting for them. With blue eyes and white hair, the foreign judge watched as the two neers walked in side by side. Today in Vancouver, the rare sunshine illuminated the City Hall, a building with a few years under its belt, designed in a church-like style. Snow piled on the eaves, and sunlight filtered through stained ss windows, casting its warmth upon them. Lin Yan wore a white tailcoat suit, tall and graceful, slender yet statuesque. Her hair was neatly arranged, with a slight hint of a charming smile on her face as she linked arms with her. Song Yuhang wore a matching ck suit, her hair impably styled. Lin Yan had personally tied the tie for her this morning. Being naturally tall, her suit pants were straight, and as she stepped in her leather shoes, she appeared even more dignified and upright, exuding a noble and heroic aura. There was a slight tremble in the hand holding Lin Yan¡¯s, a hint of excitement. Song Yuhang turned her head to look at her, their eyes meeting. Both couldn¡¯t contain their joy. The short red carpet, just a few dozen steps, brought back vivid memories. From knowing nothing about each other to facing off, and then to standing by each other¡¯s side, knowing each other deeply, until they finally stood before the officiant. Lin Yan¡¯s eyes were slightly moist. Song Yuhang was the same. The judge¡¯s voice was solemn: ¡°We are gathered here today in the sight of God, and in the face of this assembly, to join together Song Yuhang and Lin Yan in holy matrimony.¡± The judge opened the Bible and recited the lines. On the spectator seats beside them, Mother Song¡¯s eyes were brimming with tears as she covered her mouth with her hand. ¡°Song Yuhang, do you take Lin Yan to be yourwful wedded wife, to live together after God¡¯s ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, fort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?¡° Song Yuhang looked into Lin Yan¡¯s eyes and said without hesitation, ¡°I do.¡± When it came time to ask Lin Yan, she hesitated for a moment. The judge was looking at her, Song Yuhang and her mother were looking at her, and Song Yuhang was a little nervous, licking her lips. Lin Yan¡¯s lips curved into a smile, her face slightly flushed. ¡°I do.¡± The officiant closed the Bible with a look of contentment. In theory, it was time for them to fill out the marriage registration form face-to-face, for the judge to announce them as officially married, and for Song Yuhang to finally kiss her wife. But no one spoke. Suddenly, Lin Yan dropped to one knee, pulled out a ring box from her suit jacket, opened it, and held it out in front of her. Her eyes sparkled. ¡°Although I used to say I didn¡¯t want to get married, didn¡¯t want to be emotionally tied to anyone¡­¡± ¡°But seeing you protect me, risk your life for me, work so hard for our wedding, and now seeing you in this dress standing here, I suddenly feel like marriage might not be a bad thing after all.¡± She raised an eyebrow at her, the smile on her lips undiminished. ¡°Do you remember when I said I¡¯d give you a diamond ring?¡± ¡°Song Yuhang, marry me.¡± Chapter 138-1 Chapter 138-1 The end of a blue duckweed (6) When Lin Yan spoke those words, Song Yuhang knelt down as well. It was a scenario she had imagined countless times, but it waspleted by the other party. Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes brimmed with hot tears, overwhelmed with joy, as she let the other person slip the ring onto her ring finger. Both of them exchanged smiles through tears, and what followed was kissing each other and filling out the marriage documents. After the ceremony, Ji Jingxing led Xiaowei out of the city hall, and the two of them sat on a bench by the street. Xiaowei swung her legs, gazing at the distant city hall¡¯s golden roof standing quietly in the sunset. Here, peoplee every day to register for marriage, men in suits escorting blondes past them. ¡°Mom, weddings on TV are always between a man and a woman, why can aunties do it too?¡± There¡¯s a hint of confusion in the child¡¯s eyes, full of innocence and iprehension. Ji Jingxing gently patted her head, speaking with earnestness, ¡°This question used to puzzle Mom too, Xiaowei, you must remember, in this world, regardless of nationality, gender, race, or status¡­ as long as it¡¯s two people who love each other, they can get married.¡± Xiaowei suddenly understood, ¡°So Mom and Uncle Liang decided to get married because they love each other, right?¡± Ji Jingxing blushed slightly, gently tapping her nose, ¡°You¡¯re wise beyond your years.¡± Xiaowei giggled, hopping off the bench and grabbing her hand, nting a kiss on it, ¡°Mom, whoever you marry, I wish you happiness, just like Auntie and Aunt Lin.¡± Ji Jingxing¡¯s eyes welled up, pulling her close into an embrace. ¡°Silly child, you¡¯ve been through so much these years.¡± The news always talks about how tough it is for single moms, but how happy are the kids born into single-parent families, really? Because of work, she could never make it to the parent-teacher meetings, always thest to leave after school, because there¡¯s no one at home to take care of her, leading to endless tutoring sses. Most importantly, the ever-missing love. But fortunately, all of this is finallying to a satisfying end. Ji Jingxing thought to herself, tears streaming down. A somewhat abrupt, yful voice interjected. ¡°Xiaowei, after we return to the country, I¡¯ll take you out for a feast, free passes to the amusement park for life, and thetest Barbie doll set. Call me aunt and listen up.¡± Lin Yan was still wearing that white suit, slender and tall, her long hair coiled up, revealing a snowy white neck, arms crossed, exuding a powerful presence. Ji Jingxing nced at her, released the child, wiped her eyes, and stood up. Xiaowei¡¯s eyes were filled with excitement, ¡°Aunt¡­¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Song Yuhang strode over, pressing Lin Yan¡¯s head down with force. Not heavy-handed, but the tone was somewhat gritted teeth. ¡°Xiaowei, don¡¯t listen to her, call me aunt. No need to wait until we¡¯re back in the country, I¡¯ll take you skiing now!¡± Lin Yan was indignant, pushing her shoulder, being dragged forward by her. ¡°Xiaowei, call me. You like snow, don¡¯t you? I¡¯ll take you to Siberia, even to the Arctic.¡± ¡°Russia is so cold, what¡¯s fun there? I¡¯ll take you to the aquarium to see beluga whales.¡± Lin Yan gritted her teeth, frequently turning her head, ¡°Xiaowei, I¡¯ll sponsor you with a year¡¯s worth of extracurricr books and cartoon drawings, all sorts of new clothes and shoes, and an unlimited supply of toys.¡± Song Yuhang threatened, ¡°Xiaowei, don¡¯t you dislike doing math homework? I can¡­¡± Ji Jingxing pulled Xiaowei away with them, watching as the conversation veered further off course, angrily saying, ¡°Can¡¯t you two teach her something good?¡± Xiaowei covered her mouth with her hand, bursting intoughter, then looked up sweetly at the two of them, calling out, ¡°Auntie~¡± After that, they spent about two weeks in Vancouver, strolling through the oldest neighborhoods, sipping coffee outdoors; biking in Stanley Park, overlooking the majestic Lions Gate Bridge; visiting Capno Suspension Bridge Park, experiencing the world¡¯s most thrilling 140 meters. Below was the rushing valley, making Lin Yan¡¯s heart pound, she clutched her clothes and refused to move. Xiaowei, Ji Jingxing, and Mother Song had already crossed over and waved at them from the bridge. Song Yuhang chuckled, ¡°Scared?¡± The entire suspension bridge was made of wooden nks, swaying in the wind, looking like it was in a state of disrepair for years. Lin Yan shook her head like a rattle drum, shrinking backward, ¡°Scared¡­ scared of what?! I¡­ I don¡¯t want to y, I¡¯ll wait for you outside the park!¡± As she spoke, she turned to run outside, but Song Yuhang grabbed her back, pulled her into her arms, her tone gentle. ¡°If you¡¯re scared, just close your eyes.¡± Before Lin Yan could utter a curse, she suddenly felt light, lifted up by Song Yuhang, and screamed from the depths of her throat. ¡°Ah ah ah ah ah ah!¡± As she ran, the bridge swayed more violently. Lin Yan was tossed around, forced to close her eyes and cling tightly to her neck. ¡°Song Yuhang, f*ck you! f*ck you! Ahhhh, you wait for me!!!¡± Ji Jingxing and Xiaowei on the opposite side wereughing uncontrobly. After safely crossing the bridge, Lin Yan got off her back and squatted down, retching on the side, trembling as she raised her hand, ¡°I hate it!¡± ¡°Lin Yan, look.¡± Even so, she still lifted her head. The morning sun spilled over the mountain valleys, with rushing rivers beneath her feet, and distant nameless mountains still dusted with thin snow. Song Yuhang leaped onto a towering rock, cupping her hands into a trumpet shape, shouting towards the sunrise, ¡°Lin Yan, I love you!¡± The echo of ¡°I love you¡± reverberated in the valley, spreading far away. ¡°Are you childish or what?¡± Lin Yan shook her head, teasing, but a smile curved her lips. Xiaowei also let go of her mother¡¯s hand and shouted, mimicking her, ¡°Mom, I love you!¡± Perhaps she was moved by the scene and emotions. Ji Jingxing¡¯s face also showed a hint of excitement as she shouted into the canyon, ¡°Xiaowei, Mom loves you too!¡± ¡°And, I¡¯m getting married!¡± After a round of shouting, Mother Song gave up. After all, she was getting older, and such childish things were really beyond her. Several people turned their gaze to Lin Yan, the only one who hadn¡¯t spoken. Lin Yan looked at the vastness of the sunrise, swallowing mountains and rivers, and blurted out. ¡°I¡¯m Lin Yan, to hell with the darkness, I want the human world!¡± After that, the group visited many more attractions, including Granville Ind, the University of British Columbia, Canada ce, and Queen Elizabeth Park¡­ A weekter, they rented a car and drove from Vancouver to Banff, passing through the majestic Rocky Mountains, with colorful autumn leaves, forests, snow-capped mountains, ciers, and waterfalls along the way. After arriving in Banff for a brief rest, they would transfer from the nearby Calgary International Airport to Saipan for theirwn wedding and ind tour. One weekter. Saipan Ind. ¡°Come, look here.¡± Song and Lin stood back to back, Song Yuhang in a tailored ck suit, hands in her pockets, appearing even more upright and handsome, slightly tilting her head to look at the camera. Lin Yan wore a pristine white wedding dress, holding a bouquet of flowers, her hair neatly coiled up, revealing her snowy white neck and slender corbones. Her figure was slender where it should be and full where it should be, very eye-catching. The photographer pressed the shutter, capturing this moment. As the clicking sound continued. Sometimes Lin Yan reached to pinch Song Yuhang¡¯s ear. Song Yuhang gently lifted her face with a smile to kiss her. The two of them held hands and watched the sunset by the sea. Lin Yan lifted her skirt and ran, turning around with a radiant smile. Song Yuhang held a blooming firework in her hand and kissed her cheek from behind. Although she said she didn¡¯t want to wear a wedding dress, she ended up wearing a trailing gown, and even lifted her horizontally. Lin Yan leaned into her embrace, nodding slightly, her cheeks flushed, her smile so sweet. She spun around with her in her arms, the apuse from the guests thundering below, even Feng Jianguo was slightly moved. Mother Song¡¯s eyes welled up with tears. It¡¯s unclear who started it, but someone let out a loud cheer, and the young people from the Municipal Public Security Bureau all ran up together. Just as Song Yuhang had set Lin Yan down, she was lifted up into the air by the crowd surging towards her. Everyone¡¯s emotions had been stretched taut for too long; no one tried to stop the revelry. Feng Jianguo raised a ss of wine, toasting towards the distant east, to the one who had already passed away and didn¡¯t have the chance to attend such a wedding. As the situation was about to get out of control, the photographer, sweating profusely, said, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s take a group photo!¡± A group of people dispersed in a hurry again. Song Yuhang fell on her butt, looking helpless as she got up from the ground. It¡¯s unclear who started it, but someone put on a police uniform, and everyone changed into uniforms. The young faces squatted in the front row, while the older ones stood in the back. Song and Lin were squeezed in the middle. Lin Yan held a bouquet of flowers, dressed in summer casual wear. Her light blue standard shirt finally had its cor buttoned up and she wore a neatly tied tie. Song Yuhang wore spring and autumn casual wear, with a properly tied tie, a smile ying at the corners of her lips as she embraced Lin Yan by the waist. The photographer waited until everyone was ready, ¡°Everyone is ready¡ª¡± At the mention of this, everyone reflexively tensed up, some already cing their hands on their temples. He chuckled, ¡°Look here, say eggnt!¡± Everyone shouted together, ¡°Eggnt!¡± (LP: ÇÑ×Ó (Qi¨¦zi), meaning ¡°eggnt¡±. The pronunciation of this word is notably simr to that of the English word ¡°cheese¡±) The camera captured each person¡¯s lively smile, bing an eternal memory. After the wedding video waspleted, it was time for a buffet dinner. Lin Yan was chatting with Fang Xin and the others when suddenly she looked up and saw a man in a suit standing at the end of thewn. She couldn¡¯t be more familiar with that exaggerated red hair. Lin Yan¡¯s expression changed suddenly. She handed her wine ss to the waiter, patted Fang Xin on the shoulder, signaling them to enjoy themselves, then hurriedly walked over. She pulled him aside. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Jingzhe smiled, with a backpack on his back. ¡°I¡¯m going back to Boston to say goodbye.¡± After Lin Yan had her ident, she didn¡¯t have the chance to see him again, so naturally she wouldn¡¯t ask him to return the mechanical stick to Song Yuhang. She just assumed he had gone into hiding. So, who ordered him to do this? Chapter 138-2 Chapter 138-2 The end of a blue duckweed (6) Jingzhe smiled, with a backpack on his back. ¡°I¡¯m going back to Boston to say goodbye.¡± After Lin Yan had her ident, she didn¡¯t have the chance to see him again, so naturally she wouldn¡¯t ask him to return the mechanical stick to Song Yuhang. She just assumed he had gone into hiding. So, who ordered him to do this? It¡¯s as if something shed through her mind. Lin Yan took two steps back, looking somewhat incredulous. ¡°You¡­¡± Jingzhe nodded, took off the backpack on his back, and reached into the outer pocket to take out a USB sh drive, handing it to her. ¡°Mr. Lin asked me to give this to you.¡± Lin Yan gritted her teeth as she looked at the pitch-ck USB drive. ¡°Are you his person?¡±At this point, there was nothing for Jingzhe to hide. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid I¡¯ll kill you?!¡± Lin Yan suddenly approached, grabbing his cor and lowering her voice as she roared. Jingzhe gently brushed away her hand, prying open the hand clenched into a fist, cing the USB drive inside, and then closing it into a fist again. ¡°You won¡¯t. Everything you want to know is inside.¡± Jingzhe stepped back a few paces and put on a duckbill cap. ¡°Mr. Lin said that when the timees, when the Supreme Lord has died and you have found your own ce to settle, then this secret will be passed on to you.¡± Lin Yan suddenly understood his meaning. This was a bted farewell, the moment when Lin Youyuan should truly leave. When she was young, she had countless times wanted to break free from this family, from his shackles, but never had she felt such a strong reluctance. Even if she didn¡¯t want to admit it, her father would no longer offer her any protection. Since the thing had already been delivered, it was time for Jingzhe to leave too. He turned and left. ¡°Miss, my mission is also over. Please take care in the days toe.¡± Lin Yan held the USB drive, her eyes slightly reddened. ¡°Will we meet again?¡± A faint smile curved Jingzhe¡¯s lips. ¡°We will, in the streets of Boston, the grand cathedral of Florence, or on some fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico.¡± ¡°As long as we¡¯re in this world, we¡¯ll meet again eventually.¡± Lin Yan pondered over his words, finally a hint of a smile curved her lips as she watched his departing figure. ¡°Hey, if things don¡¯t work out for you,e back and be my bodyguard.¡± Jingzhe waved without looking back, jumped onto a speedboat, and vanished into the azure sea.
¡°Taste this, it¡¯s delicious.¡± Song Yuhang was chatting with several colleagues when another group of waiters in Western-style vests approached with dishes. The dishes prepared for the wedding were all carefully selected by Lin Yan, covering various cuisines from ancient to modern times, both domestic and international. Several tes were set down, obviously featuring delicate Cantonese cuisine. Song Yuhang was taken aback, and the leading waiter bowed slightly. ¡°Please enjoy.¡± The voice sounded somewhat familiar. Song Yuhang stared at his profile, and in a sh, something struck her mind. She abruptly set down her wine ss, grabbed his shoulder, ¡°Guo¡­¡± The surrounding crowd was bustling, with colorful lights and wine. She was slightly excited, restraining herself, lowering her voice, ¡°You¡¯re not dead?!¡± Guo Xiaoguang stared at her face for a long time, then looked her up and down, finally recognizing her true identity through the heavy makeup and foundation. A surge of uncontroble excitement washed over his face: ¡°Officer Song!¡± Taking another look at the wedding venue, he noticed the red silk flower pinned to her chest, suddenly realizing. ¡°Congrattions, congrattions!¡± A hint of a smile appeared on Song Yuhang¡¯s lips. She nced around and gestured for him to follow. ¡°Over here.¡± The two of them went up to the second floor of the hotel, standing by the railing, gazing out at the sea level. In the distance, faint sounds of ship whistles could be heard as ships passed by, with the lighthouse and the moon hanging in the sky together. Song Yuhang: ¡°I always thought¡­¡± Guo Xiaoguang gave a bitter smile. ¡°After we parted ways, my mother and I were ambushed. At that time, I thought it was the end for me too.¡± A hint of doubt flickered in Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes. She and Lin Yan had always believed that Zhao Junfeng didn¡¯t want the Chu Nan case to be reopened, so they had to eliminate all those who knew about it at the time. Guo Xiaoguang and his mother were just one of them. Otherwise, how else could one exin why both she and Lin Yan had been attacked multiple times? Driven to madness to this extent, even though Zhao Junfeng was dead, she still couldn¡¯t forgive him for what he had done. Guo Xiaoguang continued, ¡°But those people just locked us in a warehouse, served us good food and drink, and after spending a day and a night there, we were released.¡± He still felt grateful when he recalled that scene. When the sunlight shone into the dpidated warehouse, dust swirled in. Guo Xiaoguang instinctively raised his elbow to shield himself, and the firm footsteps stopped in front of him. The person reached out to him, ¡°Guo Xiaoguang, get up, you can leave now.¡± He stood against the light, unable to see the person¡¯s face clearly. Guo Xiaoguang was momentarily stunned, and the person, seeing him hesitate, took out a letter from his pocket and stuffed it into his hand. ¡°Take it, go to the nearest police station. You can¡¯t use the name Guo Xiaoguang anymore. After changing your registration, take your mother and leave Binhai Province. Don¡¯te back.¡± When he came to his senses and chased after him, the person had already gone far away. Guo Xiaoguang shook his name tag, which bore the name of the hotel where he worked, followed by his name and position. He had indeed changed his name, and now he was called Guo Yi. ¡°After my dad¡¯s incident, for the sake of my schooling, my mom had also gone to the police station several times to request a name change, but each time she was sent back with excuses. Who would have thought it would be so easy this time¡­¡± Upon hearing this, Sonmg Yuhang¡¯s eyes reddened slightly, and she turned away, leaning on the railing. Guo Xiaoguang stopped. ¡°Officer Song, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Song Yuhang forced a smile. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Did that person at the end tell you his name?¡± Guo Xiaoguang thought for a moment. After he chased the man out of the factory and finally caught up with him, he repeatedly begged him to tell his name so he could repay him in the future. The person under the duckbill cap revealed a tuft of white hair and finally turned around slowly. ¡°My surname is Zhao. There¡¯s no need for repayment. It was me¡­ I¡¯m sorry for what happened to you.¡± Thest half of his sentence was ambiguous. Guo Xiaoguang didn¡¯t hear clearly. By the time he wanted to ask again, the old man had already opened the door of a car parked by the roadside and got in. The car quickly drove away from his sight, and he couldn¡¯t even remember the license te number. Guo Xiaoguang kept talking incessantly, perhaps because he was influenced by the festive atmosphere, or because he had seen his lifesaver. The man¡¯s face was full of joy and excitement. ¡°It¡¯s thanks to the elder surnamed Zhao that I was able to turn over a new leaf and even enter arge hotel as an apprentice with my skills.¡± ¡°At that time, the head chef brought us over to cook, saying it was a wedding banquet. I didn¡¯t pay much attention, but I didn¡¯t expect it to be you and¡­¡± ¡°Anyway, congrattions, congrattions. Lovers finally be family!¡± ¡°Also, thanks to your and Dr. Lin¡¯s blessings, my father was able to clear his name. We saw the news. My mother was so excited that she threw away her crutches and took a few steps. She said if she could see you two again, she would definitely kowtow to you.¡± He knew these two didn¡¯tck money, and Lin Yan had even helped them before. Looking at the lively and harmonious atmosphere around him, Guo Xiaoguang licked his lips excitedly. ¡°So,ter I¡¯ll go to the kitchen and make a few signature dishes. It¡¯s free, just consider it my heartfelt gratitude, a treat for you to enjoy.¡± Song Yuhang leaned her elbows on the railing, her shoulders shaking violently, tears silently streaming down her face. Guo Xiaoguang finally noticed something amiss. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Song Yuhang waved her hand repeatedly, choking back tears. ¡°N-nothing, I¡¯m just¡­ happy.¡± Guo Xiaoguang finally caught on and felt a hint of regret. ¡°Do you know that elder surnamed Zhao?¡± Song Yuhang shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± Guo Xiaoguang¡¯s eyes dimmed slightly. ¡°He¡¯s really a good person. I was hoping that one day I could repay his kindness in person.¡± Song Yuhang smiled but remained nomittal. That night, she never told him who was responsible for his father¡¯s wrongful imprisonment. Not that she couldn¡¯t, but because she couldn¡¯t bear to. There are too many cruel things in this world. Let his heart keep itsst piece of purity. If time could turn back, Song Yuhang also wished that Zhao Junfeng would forever remain the Zhao Junfeng in her heart, a figure akin to both a mentor and a friend, as well as a fatherly presence, and also the good man in Guo Xiaoguang¡¯s eyes. Unfortunately, the time had passed, and he would ultimately have to pay the price for his actions. Otherwise, how could the spirits beforted? How could the lonely souls beforted? How could the mad beforted? How could those who carried pain and still chose to live on beforted? After Guo Xiaoguang left, Song Yuhang stood alone by the railing, blowing the sea breeze for a long time. Until someone tapped her shoulder and handed her a ss of wine. Feng Jianguo was still wearing the same clothes he had on when taking photos. Song Yuhang noticed the silver olive branch wrapped around half of the national emblem on his epaulettes, indicating his rank as Deputy Chief Police Inspector. She raised her champagne ss and clinked it with his. ¡°Congrattions.¡± Feng Jianguo smiled and leaned on the railing. ¡°Where does the joye from? It¡¯s just about cleaning up the mess. If there¡¯s time, I¡¯d rather go back and spend more time with my granddaughter.¡± Song Yuhang also smiled, her eyes still red. ¡°I know you. You may say you¡¯re unwilling, but you¡¯ll still contribute. You deserve this position, and the police officers and ordinary people below can rest assured.¡± Feng Jianguo chuckled, not touching the wine in his ss, just holding it. ¡°A little love affair has made you so eloquent.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s lips finally curled into a slight smile as she took a sip of whisky, leaning on the railing and letting the sea breeze tousle her hair. Feng Jianguo turned around to look at her. ¡°It¡¯s been almost a year. How long do you n to stay idle?¡± Song Yuhang smiled, turned around, and leaned on the railing, looking at the brightly lit city skyline on the distant opposite coast without answering. Feng Jianguo handed her a sealed document. ¡°Give me your answer when you¡¯ve made up your mind.¡± Song Yuhang lowered her eyes and looked at the sealed part of the document, stamped with an official seal. She was all too familiar with this ¡ª it was a transfer letter from the provincial headquarters. Song Yuhang was slightly surprised. ¡°Feng¡ª¡± Feng Jianguo paused his steps. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re thinking, whether you want toe back to work or give up this profession to live an ordinary life. But I believe that we police officers are people who walk in the dark, like the stars in the sky, standing on the roadsidemps.¡± ¡°The more people like us, the more the sparks gather into a vast starry river, and eventually, light will drive away the darkness. What do you think?¡± Song Yuhang tightened her grip on the transfer letter, nodding slightly. ¡°Thank you, I will consider it carefully.¡± Feng Jianguo¡¯s lips curled into a smile as he walked away briskly. ¡°Alright, on such a joyous day, go and spend time with your wife.¡±
LP: I¡¯ve been busy with work, I apologize _(:3¡¹¡Ï)__
Chapter 139-1 Chapter 139-1 The end of a blue duckweed (7) ¡°Sister Lin,e on, one more, one more!¡± Before she even descended the stairs, Song Yuhang heard cheersing from below. She leaned over the railing to take a look downstairs. Lin Yan, annoyed at losing the game, was punished to dance pole dancing. ¡°Isn¡¯t this inappropriate?¡± The woman leaned against the bar tablezily, standing there with a cup of wine in her hand, her eyes swirling as if a little tipsy. The crowd whistled and cheered, ¡°May the loser ept their fate.¡± ¡°Sure, it¡¯s rare that Captain Song isn¡¯t here right now.¡± ¡°Besides, it¡¯s just a dance, isn¡¯t it? Just now, Xiao Wang lost and even lifted Lao Zhang face to face.¡± The two men, both face to face, have been circling the room for a while. On such an asion today, Lin Yan didn¡¯t want to dampen everyone¡¯s spirits.Lin Yan, annoyed, ced her wine ss on the table, flipped her long hair, loosened her tie, and even undid the disciplinary button, revealing her slender, fair neck. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve been active, let¡¯s loosen up.¡± The music started ying, and Lin Yan stepped onto the stage, her high heels tapping on the ground like lotus blossoms blooming with each step. With every move she made, her shirt became slightly disheveled, the uniform buttons unable to contain the spring scenery eager to burst out. Combined with her fiery gaze, every gesture emitted the lethal charm of a mature woman. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth. Damn it, she disappears for a moment, and she¡¯s off flirting again! The crowd below joined in, cheering and apuding, raising their phones to take pictures, waving their shlights. Lin Yan was in the heat of the moment when suddenly she felt like there was a wall behind her. Her eyes swiveled around, and she released the pole, seizing the opportunity to climb up. Her slender hand gently traced across her shoulder, from left to right. Lin Yan smoothly bent down in her arms, her waterfall-like long hair gently flicking outwards. The hem of her shirt was also pulled out, revealing perfect mermaid lines. The audience below almost couldn¡¯t believe their eyes. Song Yuhang frowned, grabbed her waist slightly, and lifted her up again. Lin Yan leaned into her arms, breathing slightly, her pupils dark and bright, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips, gently extending her tongue to lick her lips. F*ck. Song Yuhang swallowed, a thinyer of sweat forming on her forehead. Clearly, she hadn¡¯t done anything, yet her heart pounded like a drum. Sweat trickled down her chin. Lin Yan lightly scratched her nails over her Adam¡¯s apple. Song Yuhang¡¯s breath suddenly became rapid, gripping her hand tighter. Lin Yan pushed her away again. Song Yuhang staggered back two steps, watching her spin and move around the pole, itching with frustration. She took the initiative to approach, bing the pole herself, embracing her waist from behind, swaying along with Lin Yan¡¯s movements. Song Yuhang gritted her teeth beside her ear, ¡°Wait for me in the room.¡± Instead of avoiding, Lin Yanplied with her. ¡°Wait? I¡¯ll wait. What new tricks can youe up with anyway?¡± Song Yuhang squinted slightly and made a movemonly seen in partner dances ¨C a hip bump. ¡°Last time, seven days¡­¡± Lin Yan¡¯s face reddened, and she stomped her high heels. ¡°Shut up!¡± Song Yuhang chuckled, lifting her up sideways, and leaped straight off the stage. The onlookers became discontented, moring loudly. Duan Cheng teased, ¡°Captain Song, Captain Song, you¡¯re not being fair. Sister Lin is willing to ept the oue of the bet. This is such a rare opportunity. We won¡¯t get to see it again in the future, will we?¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right!¡± ¡°She deserves to be punished!¡± Song Yuhang set Lin Yan down, picked up the ss of wine that Lin Yan had not yet finished, raised it boldly, and downed it in one gulp. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll drink!¡± Lin Yan rolled her eyes several times in frustration. Whenever she tried to lift her ss, it would inevitably be snatched away by someone. During the second half of the game, she didn¡¯t even finish a single drink, all of them intercepted by Song Yuhang. The group didn¡¯t return untilte at night, still in high spirits. Lin Yan helped her move step by step, while Song Yuhang walked along the wall, asionally bending over to vomit. While scolding her, Lin Yan patted her back, ¡°You can¡¯t handle alcohol, yet you drank so much. What if you have an allergyter?¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s lips curled slightly, perhaps due to being quite drunk, her eyes shimmering with moisture. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m happy¡­ Besides, I¡¯ve¡­ stopped being allergic¡­¡± Lin Yan was taken aback, remembering what Duan Cheng had told her. ¡°After you left, Captain Song often drank alone. Several times, our police officers had to bring her back from bars or the streets.¡± For someone who didn¡¯t drink much and was allergic to alcohol, what kind of emotions led her to drink those drinks? When she copsed drunk on the street, was there a moment when she just hoped to sleep like that forever? Lin Yan¡¯s eyes welled up with tears. She helped Song Yuhang up, supporting her as they stumbled towards the room, muttering curses. ¡°For god¡¯s sake, you¡¯re happy now, on our wedding night¡­ and you¡¯ve gotten yourself this drunk¡­ and I have to take care of you¡­¡± Song Yuhang thought she was genuinely angry. She lifted her up and pressed her against the door, forehead against forehead, offering a conciliatory smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ hic¡­ I¡¯ll listen¡­ to you¡­ I won¡¯t¡­ I won¡¯t do it again¡­¡± Lin Yan turned her head away with disgust, pinching her nose. ¡°Get away from me, you stink.¡± Song Yuhang held her with one hand, and with the other, turned the doorknob, backing into the room unsteadily. Lin Yan¡¯s heart raced. ¡°To the left, there¡¯s a shoe cab, go right! Don¡¯t bump into the coat rack! The bed! The bed is over there!¡± After a few twists and turns, Lin Yan was afraid she might drop her. Song Yuhang carried her around the room for a while, finally reaching the edge of the bed. With a bend of her knee, she let Lin Yan fall backwards onto it. With Lin Yan acting as a cushion, she was fine. Before Lin Yan could even get up, Song Yuhang flipped her over and began to nuzzle against her like arge canine, her tone affectionate. ¡°Lin Yan, Lin Yan, Lin Yan¡­ Yanyan¡­ wife¡­ we¡¯re married.¡± Lin Yan was sessfully disgusted. A blush spread across her face as she pinched Song Yuhang¡¯s ear. ¡°Tsk tsk tsk, Song Yuhang, your taste in alcohol is really poor.¡± Song Yuhang pped away her hand, then buried her head back into Lin Yan¡¯s chest, smacking her lips. Unable to tolerate it any longer, Lin Yan lifted her head and gritted her teeth. ¡°Get¡­ me¡­ to¡­ take¡­ a¡­ shower.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s gaze was unfocused, as clear as a mirror in her mind. ¡°Let¡¯s go together.¡± Lin Yan could almost see the tail wagging behind her. ¡°Do you still want to go to bed?¡± she sneered. Song Yuhang nodded eagerly, ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you hurrying up?¡± Lin Yan was furious, while Song Yuhang looked pitiful, ¡°But I want to be with you¡­¡± Lin Yan grabbed a pillow and hurled it towards her, ¡°Do you think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re thinking?! Who wants to soak with you smelling like that! Finish your shower first!¡± Song Yuhang heard the first half pitifully, but her eyes lit up at the second half, and she scrambled to get up. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going now!¡± Behind her, Lin Yan roared, ¡°The bathroom is over there!!!¡± ¡°Oh¡ª¡± Song Yuhang drew out the sound and withdrew her hand, intending to open the closet. Instead, she leaned against the wall and slipped into the bathroom. After she left, Lin Yan picked up the phone and called the hotel front desk, asking them to bring up a bowl of hangover soup. Soon, the doorbell rang. Lin Yan took it from the waiter¡¯s hand and felt that it wasn¡¯t too hot. She furrowed her brow but didn¡¯t say anything, letting the person leave. She then turned and ced it in the microwave, setting the time and temperature, ready for when she finished her shower and could drink it. The sound of rushing water came from the bathroom. While waiting for her to shower, Lin Yany idle on the bed and caught sight of a document on the bedside table. The document was stamped with the seal of the Binhai Province Public Security Bureau. Lin Yan reached out and took it. When Song Yuhang came out of the shower, the document remained untouched on the table. She wrapped herself in a bathrobe, drying her hair as she walked out. Lin Yan sat on the bed, ying with a USB sh drive, without even looking up. ¡°The hangover soup is in the microwave, drink it.¡± Song Yuhang obediently walked over and took it. The temperature was just right, perfect for consumption. She gulped down the soup in a few mouthfuls, then rinsed her mouth thoroughly before returning to sit on the edge of the bed. After a shower, she was mostly sober. Song Yuhang: ¡°Have you seen Jingzhe?¡± Lin Yan didn¡¯t avoid her, still ying with the USB sh drive, spinning it between her fingertips. ¡°How did you know?¡± Song Yuhang smiled faintly, plucking a strand of red short hair from her shoulder. ¡°This is the evidence.¡± Lin Yan nced sideways. ¡°Wow, not bad. Suitable for our technical investigation team.¡± Song Yuhang narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze turning somewhat dangerous. ¡°However, this also means that you¡­ had close contact.¡± It might have been picked up when she grabbed the other person¡¯s cor. Lin Yan raised her head and smirked provocatively at her. ¡°Since you¡¯re so clever, why don¡¯t you guess the extent of our close contact?¡± Song Yuhang gritted her teeth. ¡°Lin¡­ Yan.¡± Knowing that she disliked it, yet still insisting on provoking her, this woman really needed to be taught a lesson. Before she couldunch a retaliatory attack, Lin Yan had already grabbed her cor and pulled her closer. Like a trained dog, she sniffed at her neck, her gaze as sharp as a sword. ¡°Your sudden disappearance from the banquet must have had apelling reason. Besides the scent of shampoo, there¡¯s also a hint of cheap men¡¯s cologne. The person¡¯s family isn¡¯t wealthy, likely one of the waiters here today. Tell me, who is he?¡± ¡°And, exin this document.¡± Song Yuhang was dumbfounded. She had already taken a shower, yet Lin Yan could still discern this?! Lin Yan pushed her away with a cold snort. ¡°After so many years as a forensic examiner, do you think I¡¯m just pretending?¡± Song Yuhang could onlyugh and cry. It seemed that in the marriage of two police officers, there were destined to be no secrets.
Chapter 139-2 Chapter 139-2 The end of a blue duckweed (7) Song Yuhang was dumbfounded. She had already taken a shower, yet Lin Yan could still discern this?! Lin Yan pushed her away with a cold snort. ¡°After so many years as a forensic examiner, do you think I¡¯m just pretending?¡± Song Yuhang could onlyugh and cry. It seemed that in the marriage of two police officers, there were destined to be no secrets. ¡°It¡¯s Guo Xiaoguang, and I also saw Director Feng. The documents were also given by him.¡± Thinking of what Guo Xiaoguang said to her, the smile on Song Yuhang¡¯s face faded slightly, with a hint of mncholy. ¡°He and his mother are still alive. Zhao Junfeng helped them to change their identities, starting anew.¡± She shifted her gaze back to the document. ¡°And there¡¯s one more thing, I¡­¡±Lin Yan knew what she wanted to say: ¡°You¡¯re hesitating, aren¡¯t you?¡± Song Yuhang nodded, taking her hand and holding it in his own palm. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to take care of you properly, in case something happens and I leave you alone.¡± She was able to bring back this document, which means she already had thoughts in her heart, but she hesitated to make a decision because of her concern for her. Lin Yan knew that at this moment, it was necessary to give her some confidence and encouragement. Looking at their intertwined hands, she nced into those deep eyes, and a faint smile of pleasure appeared on her lips. ¡°But I still like the way you look in uniform when you¡¯re catching people, especially handsome.¡± Also particrly dashing, it¡¯s the light in her heart, as well as her faith. Song Yuhang¡¯s throat moved slightly as she pulled her into her arms, stroking her hair intermittently. ¡°And what about you? What will you do?¡± ¡°Me?¡± Lin Yan grabbed her clothes, nuzzling against them affectionately, taking a deep breath of the faint fragrance emanating from her. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°Although the Chu Nan case has been solved, I often think, there are still many people like Auntie Chen and Guo Xiaoguang and his mother. Their faces often appear in my mind, and I am still willing to strive for the truth.¡± ¡°If the world is destined to be dark, I want to be the sword that cuts through the chaos.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes were slightly moist as she kissed the top of her head. ¡°I¡¯ll be with you.¡± After a while, she noticed that she was still ying with the USB sh drive. Song Yuhang lifted her face. ¡°Given to you by Jingzhe?¡± Lin Yan replied lightly with a ¡°Mm.¡± It must be rted to Lin Youyuan. Song Yuhang knew that this was a hurdle in her heart. ¡°Do you want to see it?¡± Lin Yan remained silent. Song Yuhang gently patted her head. ¡°No rush. If you want some time alone, I¡¯ll go out and smoke, and wait for you.¡± Lin Yan still didn¡¯t respond, her eyes somewhat profound. So Song Yuhang got up, tied the belt of her robe, and took a lighter and cigarette box from the bedside table. Lin Yan reached out and hooked her clothes corner, holding onto it tightly like a lifesaving straw. ¡°Don¡¯t go, stay with me.¡± As she inserted the USB sh drive into theputer, Song Yuhang nced back at her, and Lin Yan nodded slightly. She then opened the file. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) After a lengthy period of darkness, the past began to unfold.
The summer of 1966. Lin Youyuan, twenty years old, relied on his father¡¯s government position to thrive in the bustling area. He was a born ruffian, bullying the weak and fearing the strong, not knowing how many young girls he had gotten pregnant. Finally, he made a mistake. He offended another rich second generation, who had eyes on a woman with a beautiful face and graceful figure, a renowned opera performer. This wealthy second generation, with money and power, had long set his sights on her as his mistress, but Lin Youyuan got there first. That night, as he staggered out of the tavern, disheveled from drink, he was blocked at the alley entrance. The other side brought quite a few people. Lin Youyuanzily raised his eyes, tightening his belt: ¡°Hey, what¡¯s up? Wanna fight?¡± The other side rushed forward with sticks. Lin Youyuan, still feeling the effects of alcohol, was dizzy and took several hits. Lin Youyuan kicked away the people in front of him, turned around to pick up the wooden stick on the ground, but unexpectedly, he was heavily hit on the back of his head. He fell to the ground all of a sudden,nding face down. ¡°F*ck it,e on, hit me!¡± The rich second generation couldn¡¯t contain his anger and kicked down. Sharp whistle sounds came by the ear: ¡°What are you doing?!¡± A beam of shlight shone on his face, and a patrol officer in dark brown-green uniform ran over. ¡°Why are you fighting? Whatever the issue is,e back to the police station with me to resolve it.¡± The group of delinquent youths slung their sticks over their shoulders, looking at him andughing. The leader of those attacking him took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and blew a smoke ring towards the young patrol officer. ¡°Do you know who I am? Mind your own business. I¡¯m going to beat him to death today.¡± Lin Youyuany on the ground, spat out blood-stained saliva, his teeth were knocked out, all spat out together. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) The young patrol officer waved away the smoke, looked at him, and shook his head honestly and innocently. ¡°I don¡¯t know you. You guys assaulted someone. Come with me to the police station to exin.¡± The man threw the cigarette on the ground. ¡°Damn it, you don¡¯t know what¡¯s good for you. Beat him!¡± The young patrol officer probably hadn¡¯t snapped out of it yet, looking at this person dressed neatly and appearing respectable, how could he justy hands on him like that? By the time he snapped out of it, he was already surrounded by a group of people. The man lit another cigarette, watching as the patrol officer was besieged, asionally cheering along. Lin Youyuan picked up a brick from the ground and went straight for the back of the rich second generation¡¯s head. ¡°Damn it, you bastard, how dare you hit me!¡± The brick split in half in his palm, and the rich second generation fell straight down. The young patrol officer, bruised and swollen within the encirclement, turned back. Lin Youyuan spat on the ground. ¡°Phew!¡± The rich second generationy motionless on the ground, whether alive or dead was unclear. The group of people looked at each other, and the hands that had been hitting the patrol officer slowly stopped. Lin Youyuan nced coldly at the scene. Several people stepped back, swallowed hard, dropped their wooden clubs, and ran. Lin Youyuan grabbed one of them and stumbled towards them, rolling up his shirt sleeves to his elbows. The shirt was stained with mud and blood fromst night¡¯s rain. ¡°Come on!!!¡± The young man roared loudly, causing several people to nce back and then flee in all directions. He spat in their direction again, ¡°Cowards!¡± Turning around, Lin Youyuan looked at the patrol officer with a disdainful and carefree expression. ¡°With this level of skill, you dare toe out and be a police officer? Aren¡¯t you afraid of getting beaten up by thieves?¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) The young patrol officer smiled innocently, handcuffed Lin Youyuan¡¯s wrists, clicked them shut, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm in his words. ¡°Not afraid, anyway, I have thick skin.¡± Lin Youyuan let his guard down, caught off guard, and was suddenly handcuffed by him. He immediately started cursing loudly, ¡°F*ck, unlock these for me! Do you know who I am? Do you know who my dad is?¡± The young patrol officer shook his head and called for backup on his walkie-talkie. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but since you assaulted someone, you¡¯ll have toe with me.¡± When they arrived back at the police station, the man had also regained consciousness. His injuries weren¡¯t serious; he had a bandage wrapped around his head and was sitting down. Lin Youyuan didn¡¯t spend much time in the interrogation room before someone came in, bowing and offering him a cigarette. ¡°Sorry, Master Lin, the people under mymand were shortsighted and didn¡¯t recognize Mount Tai. They didn¡¯t know you¡¯re the second son of Secretary Lin. Please forgive us for any inconvenience caused.¡± Lin Youyuan nonchntly propped his legs up on the table in front of him and epted the cigarette. ¡°Has my brother arrived?¡± ¡°He¡¯s here, he¡¯s here, the young master is waiting for you at the door.¡± With that, he stood up, shrugged on his coat, and followed the person out. As they exited the interrogation room, they had barely taken a few steps when a tall man in a gray suit stood in the lobby talking to the people from the police station with his back to them. His profile was as smooth as jade, with a hint of apology. A hint of joy spread across Lin Youyuan¡¯s face. ¡°Brother.¡± The man turned around and tapped him on the head in front of everyone. ¡°Fighting again? Come home with me.¡± Lin Youyuan¡¯s forehead turned red, muttering to himself, but dared not protest loudly: ¡°Fine, let¡¯s go home. Are you going to report me again?¡± Lin Jueshui bid farewell to the station chief, offering a few precious cigarettes before leading his undisciplined younger brother out. ¡°Hah, who needs me to report you? Your reputation as the second young master of the Lin family has long spread throughout half of Jiangcheng City.¡± Lin Youyuan retorted, ¡°What did I do wrong? I just like a woman. It¡¯s consensual. No one can interfere. But that kid didn¡¯t know his ce and wanted to fight me. Naturally, I won¡¯t let him get away with it!¡± As he spoke, he kicked at the stones on the road, rolling into a corner. Lin Youyuan followed the gaze and saw two figures standing in the shadows of the second floor of the police station. The officer delivering the reprimand was simultaneously tapping his head while scolding him, while the patrol officer stooped over, his hat had even fallen off.
LP: Idk, Lin Youyuan¡¯s ratings in my heart is still in the negatives (?_?¡±)
Chapter 139-3 Chapter 139-3 The end of a blue duckweed (7) Lin Youyuan retorted, ¡°What did I do wrong? I just like a woman. It¡¯s consensual. No one can interfere. But that kid didn¡¯t know his ce and wanted to fight me. Naturally, I won¡¯t let him get away with it!¡± As he spoke, he kicked at the stones on the road, rolling into a corner. Lin Youyuan followed the gaze and saw two figures standing in the shadows of the second floor of the police station. The officer delivering the reprimand was simultaneously tapping his head while scolding him, while the patrol officer stooped over, his hat had even fallen off. ¡°Do you have any idea who the two individuals you brought back tonight are? One is the second son of the mayor, the other is the young master of Xinhui Industries. If they have any trouble catching their breath, the whole city of Jiangcheng will shake!¡± ¡°You¡¯re all talk and no action. You, a little nobody, always causing trouble for me!¡± His scolding intensified, causing the patrol officer to shrink back. He picked up his fallen hat from the ground, brushing off the dust from the national emblem. ¡°But¡­ they engaged in armed fighting and vited¡­¡±Another p from the superior officer. The young patrol officer turned his head away, his eyes reddened. ¡°Let them fight then. It¡¯s just dogs biting dogs. As long as we clean up the mess, that¡¯s all we need to do. Why are you poking your nose into this? You¡¯re causing trouble for nothing. Couldn¡¯t catch a fox and ended up with a mess!¡± Lin Jueshui halted, waiting for him. ¡°What are you looking at? Mother cooked dinner at home, waiting for us to return.¡± Lin Youyuan lost interest and withdrew his gaze, mentallybeling this person: either crazy or foolish. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, let¡¯s go.¡± As the two walked to the car, the secretary opened the door for them. Just as Lin Youyuan was about to get in; The rich second generation limped out from inside. His gaze was fierce and malicious, sticking to the two brothers like a venomous snake. ¡°Lin Youyuan, your arrogance won¡¯tst long. Sooner orter, you¡¯ll kneel before me and call me ¡®master¡¯.¡± Lin Jueshui furrowed his brow, feeling that the other¡¯s gaze held deep meaning, causing his heart to skip a beat at his words. As he was about to speak, Lin Youyuan began to whistle. ¡°Hey, Mr. Rabbit? Are you good at massage or singing?¡± The other person became furious, shot him a fierce re, then stormed off and got into his own car. The Lin family¡¯s car slowly drove away. Lin Jueshui turned to look at his brother, who spent his days idly, not focusing on his work, and frowned slightly. ¡°Why did you have to provoke him? Just for a woman¡­¡± Lin Youyuan shrugged off his coat, sat up straight with a lick of his lips, and spoke animatedly. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°You have no idea, that Xinhui young master is a pervert, not only¡­¡± Lin Jueshui¡¯s gaze became more severe. Lin Youyuan cleared his throat lightly, swallowing back the words that were about toe out, which were inappropriate, and instead gestured. He held up three fingers with his left hand to indicate a number, then with his right hand, he pped over and caught the finger, kneading and shaping it. ¡°What kind of woman would end up in his hands and have a good ending?¡± Lin Jueshui chuckled, then turned away. ¡°But it¡¯s none of your business.¡± Lin Youyuan leaned forward and climbed onto the front seat. ¡°Sigh, I don¡¯t want to meddle either, but when a beauty sheds tears, looking so pitiful, I can¡¯t help but¡­¡± Lin Jueshui shot him a nce. ¡°You better think about how to exin this to father when we get back.¡± The thought of this gave him a headache. Lin Youyuan gritted his teeth in frustration. ¡°Why bother exining to him? He¡¯s hardly ever home anyway, not for weeks on end.¡± Lin Jueshui yfully tapped his brother¡¯s forehead again, this time much lighter than before. ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense. When we get back, Dad will scold you for backtalking.¡± Lin Youyuan still had his mind on what he had just said about their mother having cooked dinner and waiting for them at home. ¡°Forget about that. What delicious food did Mom make?¡± Lin Jueshui smiled faintly. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just got back from school and hadn¡¯t even reached home when I received your call.¡± Lin Youyuan grumbled, ¡°So, you didn¡¯t go home? I thought you might bring me something to eat.¡± ¡°Hungry?¡± Lin Jueshui pulled out a bag of lotus seed pastries wrapped in a handkerchief from his coat pocket and handed it to him. ¡°Here you go, brought it back from the gate of the Polytechnic University.¡± Lin Jueshui attended university in Shanghai. During his enrollment, Lin Youyuan had apanied him, and they had once tried lotus seed pastries at the entrance, which Lin Jueshui loved ever since. Despite the long queues and limited avability at the renowned pastry shop, Lin Jueshui never failed to bring back lotus seed pastries whenever he returned. For so many years, he had never missed a chance. At that time, he was still a half-grown child, and now his height was almost as tall as his. Lin Youyuanined with his mouth, but his eyes were looking: ¡°I¡¯m not a child anymore¡­¡± Lin Jueshui folded the handkerchief: ¡°Fine, if you don¡¯t want to eat.¡± The person sitting in the backseat snatched it over with a swipe of his hand: ¡°I¡¯ll eat, I¡¯ll eat, thanks bro!¡± At that time, the Lin brothers still didn¡¯t know that what awaited them at home was not their mother¡¯s sumptuous meal or their father¡¯s stern criticism, but a disaster. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Lin Youyuan paused here, his hands gripping the armrests of the wheelchair, trembling slightly. Lin Yan noticed him closing his eyes, seeming reluctant to recall the scene from many years ago. ¡°That night when I returned home¡­¡±
¡°Mom, Mom, I¡¯m back! What delicious food have you made this time?¡± Lin Youyuan swung his coat over his shoulders, excitement filling his eyes, and pushed open the intricately carved iron gate of his home with a bang. Lin Jueshui smiled and shook his head, following behind him. What they saw made both brothers¡¯ blood run cold. Soldiers filled the courtyard, their arms adorned with red armbands, turning their heads in unison, each holding a long rifle. Kneeling before them were the servants and maids of the household, clutching their heads, their faces ashened, many of them in tears. The teenager¡¯s blood boiled, throwing off his coat and rolling up his sleeves, ready to charge forward. ¡°F*ck, dare to touch our people!¡± The opponent¡¯s rifle butt struck him on the head. Lin Youyuan staggered back two steps, feeling the blood on his head, gritting his teeth, and wanting to charge forward again, but Lin Jueshui grabbed him tightly. He held onto his brother¡¯s arm tightly, his face as calm as water. ¡°Brother, don¡¯t pull me back. Who are they? How dare theye to our house and act recklessly, even daring to hit me?!¡± Lin Youyuan spat on the ground with contempt. ¡°What are you? This isn¡¯t over today!¡± The other person replied in a strange tone, ¡°We¡¯re dealing with counter-revolutionaries.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Lin Youyuan felt a surge of anger rising to his head, about to charge again, when the vi door opened. Several military police officers escorted his father, who was tied up, out of the vi, followed by his mother stumbling and crying. As she was about to run down the stairs, several rifles blocked her path. In Lin Youyuan¡¯s memory, his mother had always been dignified and elegant; he had never seen her cry so heartbreakingly before. His heart was also torn apart by such crying. With youthful spirit and blood boiling, Lin Youyuan pushed aside the people blocking him and rushed over. ¡°Mom, Dad! Let them go!!!¡± Lin Jueshui also rushed over, raining punches on the two of them like a storm. The mother¡¯s crying became increasingly hysterical. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Lin Youyuan was beaten to the ground, blood dripping from his lips, his face bruised and swollen. Through the puddle of water in front of him, he saw his father, who had always been dignified and majestic in their hearts, kneel down and beg for mercy. ¡°Stop, please stop! I beg you to spare my family. It was all me, I admit it. They knew nothing. Please don¡¯t hurt my family.¡± The pounding sound echoed in his heart. Lin Youyuan¡¯s head was being stepped on, tears rolling down his face. The leader, having beaten and cursed enough, nced over the gold and silver jewelry they had found, picked up a string of pearl ne, and stuffed it into his own pocket. ¡°Alright, I believe Secretary Lin¡¯s words are all true. Let the others go.¡± Only then did the person holding him release his grip. Lin Jueshui crawled over and helped him up. ¡°Dayuan, are you alright? Are you hurt?¡± Dayuan was his childhood nickname, called that since he was young. Lin Youyuan, with a hoarse voice and a shifting gaze, said, ¡°Brother, Dad, Mom¡­¡± Father Lin¡¯s gaze turned over, his lips trembling. ¡°I beg you, please have mercy, let me say a few more words to them.¡± The man wiped the snuff bottle he had found while ransacking, held it up to the streetlight, and said, ¡°Alright, anyway, your family ising with us tonight. If the women can¡¯t go, then the men will. If the older ones can¡¯t go, then the younger ones will. We have plenty of time to spare.¡± This meant that besides Father Lin, one more person had to go with them for questioning. Father Lin turned his face, looking at his two sons. The elder son was studying in Shanghai, about to graduate from a top university with a promising future. The younger son was a wastrel, indulging in drinking, whoring, and gambling, doing nothing useful, just waiting to die. It was a choice both easy and difficult to make. Lin Youyuan finally opened his eyes. ¡°It should have been me, but Lin Jueshui volunteered to go. This was the first thing I did wrong by him.¡± ¡°After that, Father was imprisoned, he went for questioning, and we were not allowed to visit him. There was no news, and our house was ransacked, leaving nothing behind. Mother and I barely survived, finding shelter in a shabby hut.¡± ¡°Mother¡¯s health was poor, worsened by the shock. I sold everything valuable on me to buy medicine for her, but she still passed away in the midst of hunger and cold.¡± ¡°Before Lin Jueshui left, he said that if it was short, he would be back after he finished his lotus seed cake. If it was long, it would be three months, and by then, he would take me and Mother to Shanghai to live near the university and eat lotus seed cakes every day.¡± ¡°But he broke his promise. Until the day I wrapped Mother¡¯s rotting corpse in a broken straw mat and threw it into a mass grave, he didn¡¯t return to see her onest time.¡± ¡°That was the first thing he did wrong by me.¡± ¡°After that, I met two people, one was your mother, and the other¡­¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) He paused slightly, as if he could see through the lens who was sitting next to Lin Yan. ¡°You must have guessed it, he was Song Yuhang¡¯s father.¡± Song Yuhang shuddered, recalling what Feng Jianguo had said when he handed her the gun. ¡°The ballisticparison results are out. This gun is exactly the same as the one your father lost back then.¡± Lin Youyuan continued, ¡°Looking back now, though we were in dire straits, those were still happy days. In a street fight, I was seriously injured and was taken to the hospital by Song Yuhang¡¯s father, Song Yiwu. There, I met your mother, who was an ordinary nurse at the Central Hospital¡­¡±
¡°Bed 13, the stitches are removed. Remember not to get the wound wet for three days. Come back if you feel ufortable.¡± The nurse said, gently pressing his head and removing the gauze wrapped around it. From this close, Lin Youyuan saw the simple name on her badge: Su Yue. He could also smell the faint fragrance on her. Since the Lin family fell from power, all the women who used to flock around him had vanished, and he hadn¡¯t been near a woman since. The young man swallowed, his mind wandering, and said a few lewd words, making the young nurse blush and throw the gauze into the tray before turning away. ¡°Head nurse, the patient in bed 13 again¡­¡± ¡°Sigh, that guy is a notorious rascal, even the police can¡¯t handle him. Just discharge him quickly.¡± Listening to the whisperedints of the medical staff behind the curtain, Lin Youyuan proudly whistled, putting the wallet he had just swiped from the young nurse into his pocket. Soon, the young nurse came back. ¡°The discharge procedures are done, you can leave now.¡± Lin Youyuan limped out of the room, but before leaving, he remembered something and asked. ¡°What about my medical fees?¡± The young nurse replied angrily, ¡°The officer who brought you in paid them.¡± Lin Youyuan felt a sharp pain in his mrs. ¡°Look, it¡¯s that officer.¡± Song Yiwu, still in his yellowish-green uniform, was walking over with a notebook in hand. Lin Youyuan brushed past him, leaning on the wall. ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be grateful just because you paid my medical fees. You did it willingly, so I won¡¯t repay you.¡± Song Yiwu stopped, shaking his head with a bitter smile, remembering the scene in the police station where he had been so arrogant. He had been reprimanded for it, but the young man didn¡¯t take it to heart. He was open-minded and cheerful. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to repay me, but the people you fought with haven¡¯t been caught yet. We need your cooperation in the investigation.¡±
Chapter 139-4 Chapter 139-4 The end of a blue duckweed (7) Lin Youyuan brushed past him, leaning on the wall. ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be grateful just because you paid my medical fees. You did it willingly, so I won¡¯t repay you.¡± Song Yiwu stopped, shaking his head with a bitter smile, remembering the scene in the police station where he had been so arrogant. He had been reprimanded for it, but the young man didn¡¯t take it to heart. He was open-minded and cheerful. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to repay me, but the people you fought with haven¡¯t been caught yet. We need your cooperation in the investigation.¡± Before the words had finished leaving his mouth, Lin Youyuan was already supporting himself against the wall, walking away. The officer shook his head, tapping his notebook twice in the palm of his hand. The young nurse, seeing that it was really him, approached with a look of joy on her face. ¡°Officer, our department discussed it, and we can¡¯t ept your money. We¡¯ll give it back to you.¡± Song Yiwu waved his hand, stepping back: ¡°No, no, it¡¯s not right. You can¡¯t get medical treatment without paying¡­¡±Su Yue suddenly remembered her wallet. She reached into her pocket and found it gone, her face turning ashen. ¡°The money¡­ the money¡­ the money is gone¡­¡± Song Yiwu frowned: ¡°Don¡¯t worry, take your time and tell me what happened?¡± The young nurse stammered: ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve been in the hospital all morning, I didn¡¯t go out¡­ The wallet was in my right pocket. It also contained donations from other colleagues that were to be returned to you¡­¡± Song Yiwu bit open the cap of his pen, listening and taking notes at the same time: ¡°From this morning until now, who have you been in contact with? Especially those who could get close to you, outsiders.¡± As the young nurse listened, she suddenly remembered that when she was changing a patient¡¯s dressing earlier, Lin Youyuan had leaned against her chest, his hands restless. She had thought he was just taking advantage of her, but who knew it was¡­ The young girl blushed deeply. Song Yiwu looked down the hallway, thinking about the figure that had just walked by, and suddenly closed his notebook, running off. ¡°Catch the thief!¡± Su Yue also ran behind him, shouting. Lin Youyuan heard themotion behind him and started to run, stumbling down the stairs and falling at the hospital entrance. He got up and ran forward. But being injured, he didn¡¯t get far before he was pinned down by the flower bed. Song Yiwu snatched the wallet from his hand and handed it to the nurse beside him: ¡°Here, check it. Is anything missing?¡± The wallet was a handmade velvet pouch. Su Yue held the worn and dirty pouch, opened the drawstring, and cried with joy. All the money was there, and most importantly, the two-inch photo inside was still there. It was the only picture of her deceased mother. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) The young girl took it out and looked at it repeatedly, brushing off imaginary dust before putting it back in. ¡°Not a single cent is missing. Thank you, Officer Song.¡± Song Yiwu cuffed Lin Youyuan: ¡°You, always up to no good, either stealing or fighting. Do you think doing this can fill your stomach? Huh?¡± By this time, the young man was already deste, his hair a tangled mess, wearing the hospital gown that was too short, exposing his frostbitten hands and ankles. Not having bathed for a long time, he emitted a foul odor. Lin Youyuan, eyes red, roared: ¡°Mind your own business! Who the hell do you think you are¡­¡± Before he finished speaking, a luxury car stopped at the hospital entrance. A wealthy young man opened the car door, helping out a well-dressed woman, who happened to be the opera singer. When their eyes met, the woman looked away ufortably. The man threw his cigarette butt at Lin Youyuan¡¯s head: ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t this the famous Second Young Master Lin of Jiangcheng? How did you end up like this? Even got yourself handcuffed. Tsk tsk, how pitiful.¡± ¡°Just wondering, will your father or brother stand up for you this time?¡± The mention of his family sparked overwhelming hatred in Lin Youyuan¡¯s heart, making his blood boil. He struggled to crawl forward, his eyes bloodshot. ¡°Was it¡­ was it you who framed my father and brother?! Why hasn¡¯t my brothere back?!¡± ¡°Who knows? Maybe he¡¯s dead. But what does that have to do with me?¡± The man said, squatting down and patting Song Yiwu¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Officer, this guy has a record. His father and brother are still under investigation. Don¡¯t be careless, make sure to investigate thoroughly. If you do well, promotions and a bright future¡­¡± Before he finished speaking, the young girl ran over, eyes wide and a hint of anger on her face. ¡°Just because he has a record doesn¡¯t mean hemitted a crime now. This is a misunderstanding, the wallet is still here. He didn¡¯t steal it. If you falsely use him, you¡¯re breaking thew!¡± The young girl¡¯s words were driven by her memories of her unjustly used mother, a shared sense of injustice. Lin Youyuan hadn¡¯t expected anyone to speak up for him. He was stunned, looking at her small figure, feeling a surge of immense power that shook his heart. Perhaps in youth, expressing gratitude and affection for someone was always clumsy and cautious. Lin Youyuan started to think about her, often hanging around the city hospital, waiting for her to get off work, and silently apanying her for a while. ¡°Why do you keep following me?!¡± The girl was angry. Lin Youyuan smirked: ¡°I live around here too.¡± ¡°Liar! Officer Song said you don¡¯t live here. If you don¡¯t leave, I¡¯ll call the police.¡± Lin Youyuan gritted his teeth. Damn it, it¡¯s him again, haunting me and ruining his chances. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°I didn¡¯t live here before, but that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t move here. Thew doesn¡¯t forbid moving, does it?¡± Lin Youyuan, with his dyed yellow hair, holding a cigarette, smiled slyly, blocking her way. The young nurse stomped on his foot, hit him with her bag, and walked on: ¡°Rogue, scoundrel!¡± Lin Youyuan raised his cigarette, watching her back,ughing mischievously: ¡°Hey, the rogue likes you. What do you say, consider it?¡± The girl had already disappeared without a trace. Lin Youyuan tossed the finished cigarette on the ground before turning to leave. Not long after that. A rainyte night. Su Yue was getting off work as usual, and he didn¡¯t follow her this time. The girl breathed a slight sigh of relief but encountered a knife-wielding robber on her way home. At the critical moment, Lin Youyuan rushed out and subdued the assant. When Song Yiwu responded to the public¡¯s emergency call, he took both of them back to the police station. The girl sat inside, giving her statement. Song Yiwu poured him a ss of water, nced inside, and nodded his head. ¡°It¡¯s rare that you¡¯re in here not because of stealing or fighting. So, do you like her?¡± Lin Youyuan bit the paper cup, took a sip of water, and slouched in the chair, sitting and standing without any proper posture. ¡°Bullsh*t, would I like her? I just saw injustice and acted, isn¡¯t that allowed?¡± Song Yiwu smiled slightly and patted him on the shoulder. ¡°Honestly, if you really want to pursue a girl, you need to get your act together. Without a proper job, it won¡¯t work.¡± Lin Youyuan muttered, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me? I¡¯m fine on my own, no one else to feed¡­¡± The iron door nged open. The girl came out. Lin Youyuan noticed her out of the corner of his eye, quickly put down the paper cup, and stood up in a sh. Song Yiwu escorted them to the door: ¡°Recently, there¡¯s a theft gang roaming around this area. Be careful. Here¡¯s my contact information¡ª¡± He handed each of them a business card, but thetter part of his words was directed at Lin Youyuan. ¡°If you have any clues, you can also reach out to me.¡± After all, he mingled in the streets and alleys, interacting with all sorts of people and having wide sources of information. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Lin Youyuan took the business card, flipped it over and looked at it, still acting nonchnt: ¡°So, if I help the officer catch a criminal, is there a reward?¡± Song Yiwu smiled slightly: ¡°Since it¡¯s a wanted case, if the tip-off helps catch the criminal, there will naturally be a reward.¡± Outside the police station, Lin Youyuan swaggered ahead, and the light rain began to fall again. He looked up, only to have an umbre cover his view. The girl handed him a blue handkerchief: ¡°Here, take this, wipe yourself.¡± Lin Youyuan wiped the wound on his forehead, seeing blood on his fingertips, he smiled: ¡°No need¡­¡± Before he finished speaking, the soft cloth was already shoved into his hand. The girl¡¯s face was slightly red: ¡°Thank you for today.¡± That was the first time Lin Youyuan felt the joy of being a good person. The young man¡¯s eyebrows curved, but not wanting her to see too clearly, he struggled to suppress the smile on his face and turned away. ¡°Hmph, no need to thank me. I said I lived around here too. I was just passing by and lending a hand.¡± ¡°The rain¡¯s getting heavier. I¡¯ll walk you home first.¡± The girl held the umbre handle, walking the same way as him. Lin Youyuan, with hands in his pockets, stared at the puddles in front of him sshing raindrops: ¡°What kind of man lets a woman walk him home? You go on ahead, I¡¯ll walk myself.¡± ¡°No way, you¡¯re injured. What if it gets infected?¡± Lin Youyuan frowned, snatched the umbre from her hand: ¡°Why so much talk? Lead the way. I¡¯ll walk you home first, and then take the umbre. I¡¯ll return it another day.¡±
¡°After that, Song Yiwu, your mother, and I became good friends. Later, Zhao Junfeng joined us. He had just started his job then, and because he was from the countryside, he was taciturn and not very talkative. As Old Song¡¯s partner, he went through thick and thin with us a few times and quickly became one of us¡­¡± In his slow recounting, Lin Yan seemed to see that time filled withughter, blood, and tears. Lin Youyuan used the information he gathered from mingling in the streets to help them, and even the police, capture many wanted criminals, theft gangs, murderers, and more. Living on the edge of both the underworld and thewful society, he was naturally not well-liked and was often beaten ck and blue. But only when injured did he receive some special treatment. On nights off, they would meet at Su Yue¡¯s house, bring a few bottles of wine, pool money to buy some meat and vegetables, and have her cook a meal. They would sit around the table drinking and ying games, even the usually introverted Zhao Junfeng would often drink until his face was red. Su Yue, wearing an apron, busied herself at the stove, the smoke from the rustic stove filling the air. The nging of pots and pans, she would chop a big handful of chili and scallions, dumping them all into the hot oil, coughing and bringing out the dishes at the same time. There were braised meat, chicken legs, and a te full of river shrimp, allid out on the table. ¡°Oh, not bad, we even have shrimp today. Did you get a raise or something?¡± Lin Youyuan had just picked one up, but before he could eat it, someone knocked it away with chopsticks. ¡°Shoo, you¡¯re injured, no shrimp for you. Have some vegetables. Here¡¯s some radish soup just for you.¡± Su Yue ced arge bowl of soup on the table. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Song Yiwu lit a cigarette and smiled: ¡°Su Yue is right, better avoid it. It¡¯s not even the New Year yet, just a bit of extra allowance, so we thought we¡¯d have something nice to treat everyone.¡± Zhao Junfeng grabbed a shrimp with his hand, devouring it, making everyone¡¯s mouth water. ¡°This morning, Brother Wu and I went to the farmers¡¯ market. Fresh, tasty, Yueyue¡¯s cooking is really good!¡± Lin Youyuan gritted his teeth and knocked his hand with chopsticks, ¡°Eat, eat, eat, all you know is eating, can¡¯t you save some for me!¡± Su Yue brought out a dish from the kitchen and kicked him. ¡°All you do is bully honest people, drink your soup!¡± Lin Youyuan reluctantly sat back down. After a while, he winked and made a face: ¡°Hey, you spend all your sry on feeding us. Where will you get the money to marry a wife?¡± Song Yiwu wasn¡¯t young anymore, and his family was worrying about this matter. He stubbed out his cigarette on the table and hit him with the sole of his shoe: ¡°Eat your food and stop talking so much, will you?¡± One chased while the other fled, and Zhao Junfeng was forced to join the fray. When the room was in chaos. Su Yue pointed out the window: ¡°Look, fireworks!¡± The group of boys rushed up to the rooftop. Su Yue¡¯s home was by the river, an old house left by her grandmother. At that time, the riverside wasn¡¯t yet developed into expensive riverside properties. The residents were either fishermen or poor people. Her mother had taught at the vige school, and like Lin Youyuan¡¯s father, had been taken in for investigation and never released. As for her father, he had fallen into the water while fishing and was found tangled in fishings when he was pulled out. Since then, Su Yue had never left this ce. She stayed in the old house, waiting for her parents to return. They leaned on the rusty railings. The fishing vige below had few lights on, with asional dog barks. A group of children ran through the alley, pushing iron rings. A man next door was scolding his wife. In a house with lights on not far away, a ck-and-white TV was ying, with faint soundsing through. A long whistle sounded from the river. Fireworks rose into the night sky, lighting up the opposite shore, making it as bright as day. There were already tall buildings there, homes for the wealthy, a stark contrast to this side, and it was also where Lin Youyuan¡¯s old home had been. The boy watched, his eyes growing misty. He smashed his beer bottle and pointed to the sky. ¡°I, Lin Youyuan, will definitely be rich!!!¡± Su Yue also faced the wind, imitating him and shouted: ¡°I, Su Yue, will definitely have a good marriage!!!¡± Song Yiwu put his fingers to his lips and whistled: ¡°I, Song Yiwu, will definitely be a good police officer!!!¡± Zhao Junfeng scratched his head: ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t have big wishes, just hope my family stays safe and sound.¡± At that moment, the boys, who met during their humble beginnings, these lonely and fragile souls, drew closer together. In that instant, looking at each other¡¯s flushed faces, they all believed they would be lifelong friends. But what they didn¡¯t know was that on that winter night in 1967, the boys who stood on the rooftop, making wishes to the river and fireworks, would eventually see their wishese true, but they would all betray their original intentions.
Chapter 140-1 Chapter 140-1 The End of Memories (1) ¡°Not long after the beginning of spring, I didn¡¯t expect Lin Jueshui toe back. That day, Song Yuhang and I coordinated with the inside to destroy a drug den¡­¡± Lin Youyuan remembered that day¡¯s events clearly.
After the people were caught and locked up, Song Yiwu found his superior and handed him a cigarette. ¡°Captain Li, you see, Xiaolin has been an informant for so long, it¡¯s quite dangerous, following the brothers in life and death situations. Why not bring him in officially? We are short-handed anyway.¡± The superior nced at the low-quality cigarette and pushed it back with a fake smile. ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to bring him in, you know his background is special, his family¡¯s social standing is poor. Let me advise you, it¡¯s fine to use him as an informant, but don¡¯t get too close to him.¡± Zhao Junfeng, who was listening nearby, clenched the documents in his hand and suddenly spoke up. ¡°How long has it been? Besides, his father¡­¡±Before he could finish, he was smacked on the head with the file folder, the metal clip leaving a red mark on his forehead. ¡°Is it your ce to interrupt when the superior is speaking? Don¡¯t forget who brought you in as a special recruit. Now get back to work!¡± Zhao Junfeng picked up the scattered papers from the ground, his eyes red as he left. Lin Youyuan waited outside the police station for a long time before he finally saw theming out. He threw away his cigarette: ¡°How did it go?¡± Song Yiwu was silent for a moment, then patted him on the shoulder: ¡°I¡¯ll think of another way, see if I can arrange for you to see your dad and brother.¡± Lin Youyuan knew that his chances of joining the police force were slim. He wiped his face and turned away to calm his emotions. ¡°Dayuan¡­¡± Song Yiwu called his name. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Lin Youyuan waved his hand to indicate he was fine. When he turned back, he noticed the mark on Zhao Junfeng¡¯s face. ¡°What happened to you?¡± Zhao Junfeng stepped back two steps, touched his face, and stammered: ¡°N-nothing¡­¡± Their superior¡¯s habit of bullying lower-ranked officers wasn¡¯t new. Lin Youyuan flew into a rage and was about to charge in: ¡°I¡¯ll beat the crap out of him!¡± Zhao Junfeng grabbed him by the waist: ¡°Brother Xiaolin, don¡¯t go, don¡¯t go. He doesn¡¯t like me, it¡¯s none of your business!¡± Song Yiwu also came to pull him back: ¡°Enough, enough. If it doesn¡¯t work this time, we¡¯ll try again. I¡¯ll find a way to help you. There¡¯s no use making a scene here. Come on, today we got paid, let¡¯s call Yueyue and go to a restaurant!¡±
¡°Before we even finished that meal, Lin Jueshui came back with my father¡¯s body. Because he was still a criminal, the funeral couldn¡¯t be grand, and he was buried in a mass grave with my mother¡­¡± At that time, Lin Youyuan watched as he shoveled a scoop of dirt onto the coffin, his eyes red as he angrily punched him. ¡°Why did youe back?! Didn¡¯t you say¡­ didn¡¯t you say it wouldn¡¯t be more than three months, and you would take me and mom to Shanghai? Didn¡¯t you say you would take good care of dad inside? Huh?!¡± Lin Jueshui, dressed in all ck, with his hair cut shorter, looked thinner than before, turned his head away after being hit. Su Yue quickly held him up: ¡°Dayuan, talk it out, don¡¯t hit him¡­¡± Lin Jueshui nced at the girl, his dark eyes more striking under the rain. Unlike Lin Youyuan¡¯s unruly temperament, Lin Jueshui¡¯s pale lips and rain-soaked hair made him look fragile, easily arousing protective instincts. Su Yue was taken aback by the dead look in his eyes. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Lin Jueshui regained hisposure and forced a smile: ¡°It¡¯s fine, thank you. Your name is¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m Su Yue.¡± At that time, immersed in grief, Lin Youyuan didn¡¯t realize that he had been with Su Yue for a long time, and she had never told him her name. She and Lin Jueshui had just met for the first time. Song Yiwu also stepped forward to pull him: ¡°Dayuan, the priority now is toy your father to rest.¡± Zhao Junfeng had already picked up the fallen shovel and started filling the grave, silently shoveling dirt into the pit. The rain fell harder, and Lin Youyuan knelt in the mud, calling out his father¡¯s name onest time. The sound was so heart-wrenching that even Su Yue couldn¡¯t help but turn away to wipe her tears. That night, Lin Jueshui took him to a new ce to stay. Lin Youyuan clutched his tattered quilt. Lin Jueshui made his bed and dusted off the dirt with a feather duster: ¡°I checked your basement, it leaks everywhere when it rains, you can¡¯t live there. Stay here for the night, we¡¯ll head to Shanghai in the morning.¡± Lin Youyuan looked around at the ornate windows: ¡°Is this your house?¡± Lin Jueshui paused in his tidying, not turning back: ¡°A ssmate¡¯s, borrowing it for a few days. Don¡¯t just stand there, there¡¯s food on the table for you, and some new clothes. Try them on, see if they fit¡­¡± Lin Youyuan quietly watched him: ¡°Brother, I¡¯m not a child anymore.¡± Lin Jueshui still didn¡¯t turn around, continuing to fix the pillow: ¡°Of course I know that. If the clothes don¡¯t fit, we¡¯ll alter them.¡± Lin Youyuan threw his quilt aside and grabbed his cor: ¡°You know what I mean. Don¡¯t y dumb. Where have you been all this time? How did dad die? After you were imprisoned, I went to your ssmates for help. They avoided me like the gue. Who was so kind to lend you this house? Huh?!¡± Lin Jueshui hung his head, letting him vent without responding. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Lin Youyuan shoved him away, grabbed his bag on the table, and threw it on the ground. The contents scattered, and a few pieces of cake rolled out of an oiled paper bag. ¡°And these things, where does a just-released prisoner get the money? Tell me! Exin it to me!¡± Lin Youyuan knew his temper; if he didn¡¯t want to speak, beating him to death wouldn¡¯t make a difference. After a long standoff, he picked up his dirty quilt, turned around, and mmed the door as he left: ¡°I don¡¯t want anything tainted.¡± After he left, Lin Jueshui slowly squatted down, picked up the scattered pastries from the floor, and gently put one into his mouth, tasting it. After a while, he shook his head and smiled. ¡°Heh, he really has grown up, but that temper of his hasn¡¯t changed a bit.¡± The next day, the four of them met by the river. Song Yiwu handed him a jar of cheap liquor: ¡°So, you¡¯re going to Shanghai?¡± Lin Youyuan took a sip and was so choked up he couldn¡¯t speak. He turned his head to see them all looking at him in unison. He couldn¡¯t stand their gazes and waved his hand repeatedly: ¡°Hey, hey, hey, what¡¯s with that? Haven¡¯t you all had enough of my bad temper? Besides, what am I going to do in Shanghai? There¡¯s no¡­¡± As he spoke, his voice lowered. He nced at Su Yue and then looked away, taking another sip of the liquor before passing the bottle to Zhao Junfeng. They were all poor, unable to afford even a jar of cheap liquor each. Zhao Junfeng, being the youngest, usually drank the most, but this time he waved it off: ¡°No, I¡¯m injured. I won¡¯t drink. Give it to Brother Yiwu.¡± Lin Youyuan squinted: ¡°Did that bastard boss of yours hit you again?¡± Song Yiwu took a swig and handed the bottle back to him. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°Relying on his rtives in the city, he only bullies the newbies.¡± Zhao Junfeng¡¯s eyes reddened with grievance, but he wiped his face and forced a smile: ¡°Forget it, after all, he¡¯s the one who promoted me. I¡¯ll endure until I get permanent status.¡± Often, the principles we live by are just ¡°forget it¡± and ¡°endure it,¡± thinking that retreating will bring peace, but fate never gives you the chance to retreat. Not long after, Lin Jueshui found him again. ¡°Really not going to Shanghai with me?¡± Lin Youyuan was busy unloading drinks from a truck, a white towel hanging around his neck: ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then if you stay here, are you nning to do odd jobs all your life?¡± Lin Youyuan was so exasperated heughed, throwing the box he was holding heavily into the truck bed: ¡°Our parents¡¯ bodies aren¡¯t even cold yet, and you¡¯re in such a hurry to leave them?¡± Lin Jueshui licked his lips and defended himself: ¡°Of course not. Jiangcheng is our home; we wille back eventually.¡± Lin Youyuan turned back to unloading, gritting his teeth: ¡°You finally said something human. It¡¯s not eventually, it¡¯s forever. Dad died unjustly, and Mom died of a broken heart. I have to stay and seek justice for them.¡± Lin Jueshui followed him, his lips almost dry from talking. ¡°You can stay, I won¡¯t force you to go with me. The problem is, how long are you going to live this hand-to-mouth life? I found you a job at themune¡­¡± Lin Youyuan shoved him aside with the crate: ¡°I like it. Working one day and resting the next, is there anything easier?¡± Lin Jueshui stepped aside, watching him busy: ¡°Is it because of your friends?¡± Lin Youyuan¡¯s movements paused. He ced the crate in the truck bed, wiped his sweat with the towel, and finally called him ¡°Brother¡± for the first time. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯m not the little tail that used to follow you around begging for candy anymore. If you want to go to Shanghai, go. I¡¯m staying in Jiangcheng.¡± In the end, Lin Jueshui couldn¡¯t return to Shanghai. He couldn¡¯t go back because of their father¡¯s matter; the university made a decision to expel him. Because of this, Lin Youyuan always felt a twinge of guilt towards him. It wasn¡¯t until muchter that he realized that Lin Jueshui¡¯s decision to stay wasn¡¯t because he couldn¡¯t continue his studies or to apany his only brother, but for another unspeakable reason.
Chapter 140-2 Chapter 140-2 The End of Memories (1) ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯m not the little tail that used to follow you around begging for candy anymore. If you want to go to Shanghai, go. I¡¯m staying in Jiangcheng.¡± In the end, Lin Jueshui couldn¡¯t return to Shanghai. He couldn¡¯t go back because of their father¡¯s matter; the university made a decision to expel him. Because of this, Lin Youyuan always felt a twinge of guilt towards him. It wasn¡¯t until muchter that he realized that Lin Jueshui¡¯s decision to stay wasn¡¯t because he couldn¡¯t continue his studies or to apany his only brother, but for another unspeakable reason.
Shortly after Lin Jueshui was imprisoned, his wealthy ssmate found him. ¡°A form for a life, it¡¯s worth it, don¡¯t you think? Research can always be redone, but if you¡¯re gone, you¡¯re really gone.¡± Lin Jueshui, a chemical engineering graduate, certainly understood what he was talking about. That was his life¡¯s work, his graduation project. If sessful, the drug could save lives, but it could also harm countless people. He gritted his teeth and said, ¡°In your dreams.¡± His ssmate patted him on the shoulder through the bars and turned to leave. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I have plenty of time for you to think it over. But I wonder if your elderly father, your homeless mother, and your younger brother can wait.¡±Usually gentle and refined, Lin Jueshui, eyes red with fury, lunged forward, stretching his arms through the bars and screaming. A guard came over and struck him back with the rifle¡¯s butt. As he had said, his elderly parents indeed did not live to see the day he returned. Lin Jueshui was toote when he burst out of his cell. ¡°The prisoner was identally hit on the head by a falling rock while doingbor reform and died despite rescue efforts.¡± The doctor¡¯s mouth moved as he spoke. An old man, already in his sixties, was assigned to the heavybor of mining in the dead of winter. This wasn¡¯tbor reform; this was murder. Lin Jueshui held his misshapen, now cold body and wailed in anguish. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°Leave,¡± his ssmate ordered. ¡°Yes.¡± The doctor respectfully bowed and turned to close the door. The man handed over a set of keys. ¡°The house is at 3 East Gate Street. The money has already been given to the driver; he¡¯ll hand it over to you soon. Go see your brother.¡± Lin Jueshui suddenly turned his head, gritting his teeth. ¡°What¡­ what do you want the form for?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. It¡¯s a lucrative business. By the way, I¡¯ll assign someone to ¡®protect¡¯ you. If anything speciales up during the preparation process, I¡¯ll need your guidance.¡±
¡°Of course, at the time, I didn¡¯t know he had already made a deal with drug dealers. Being my only rtive in the world, I was naturally happy he could stay in Jiangcheng.¡± After a brief period of grief and anger, Lin Jueshui¡¯s presence even gave him a slight sense of home. The two brothers drank and yed games like they used to, getting along so well they could sleep in the same bed. Su Yue, thinking that these two formerly pampered young masters couldn¡¯t cook, often brought them food. Gradually, gatherings with Song Yiwu and others also shifted to the house at East Gate. The deceased were gone, but the living still had to go on. Lin Jueshui learned to cook, with Su Yue in the kitchen as the teacher and head chef, watching him cut chili peppers skillfully. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to learn so quickly.¡± Lin Jueshui put the chopped chili into a bowl. ¡°If I learn, you won¡¯t have toe as often, and Dayuan can have a hot meal when he gets back from work at night.¡± Su Yue smiled. ¡°You¡¯re really good to him.¡± Lin Jueshui smiled bitterly, picking up the oil can and pouring oil into the pan. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°Is it this much? No choice, he¡¯s my brother. With our parents gone, I have to take on more responsibility¡­¡± Su Yue, adding firewood to the stove, stood up. ¡°Hey, wait¡ª¡± Before she could finish, the wet pan sizzled with steam. Lin Jueshui stepped back, his hand reddened. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± ¡°Oh no!¡± Su Yue rushed over, grabbed his hand, and doused it with cold water. Though older, Lin Jueshui had never frequented nightclubs, and this was the first time a girl had held his hand. Su Yue, always warm-hearted, didn¡¯t think much of it until their eyes met, and both blushed, releasing their grip quickly. ¡°S-sorry¡­¡± Lin Jueshui smiled. The spot she touched was still hot. ¡°It¡¯s fine, let¡¯s continue.¡± While they were cooking in the kitchen, Song Yiwu looked around the house, knocking on the beams. ¡°Wow, not bad. This house must have cost quite a bit. What does your brother do?¡± Lin Jueshui opened a jar of wine, poured a bowl for him. ¡°He studied chemical engineering in college. Somepany in Jiangcheng hired him as a technician despite everything. This house isn¡¯t his; it¡¯s borrowed from a ssmate.¡± Song Yiwu circled around and sat back at the table. ¡°That¡¯s good. You two brothers can take care of each other.¡± Lin Youyuan clinked his porcin bowl with his. ¡°Where¡¯s Xiao Zhao? Why isn¡¯t he here today?¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Song Yiwu sipped his liquor, pursing his lips. ¡°We got a report about suspicious people entering and exiting a house in the district, with a strong chemical smell. Xiao Zhao and the others are staking it out.¡± Lin Youyuan frowned, about to speak when Su Yue and Lin Jueshui brought out the dishes. Song Yiwu set down his wine bowl and prepared to leave. Su Yue: ¡°Yiwu, stay and eat something before you go.¡± Song Yiwu smiled: ¡°No, I still have tasks to do, I need to take over for Xiao Zhao.¡± Lin Jueshui also said: ¡°That¡¯s right, no matter how busy work is, you still need to eat. During my absence, I really appreciate you all taking care of Dayuan. Try my cooking.¡± But it was Lin Youyuan who wrapped his arm around his shoulder and led him outside: ¡°Alright, you all eat first, I¡¯ll walk Yiwu out.¡± The summer in the southwest is often rainy. The two walked out the door, and the sky started to drizzle again. Lin Youyuan took an umbre from the shadow of the gatehouse and handed it to him. Song Yiwu stood under the rain with the umbre, looking at him, his features more defined by the rainwater. He lifted the corners of his mouth and smiled: ¡°I said, now that you have a ce to live, all you need is a proper job. Why not go back and take the university entrance exam again? Hurry up, a good girl like Yueyue, you better not¡­¡± Lin Youyuan spat at him: ¡°Enough, enough. How can a guy like you, over six feet tall, be more nagging than a matchmaker? Get lost.¡± Song Yiwu waved and left. Fortunately, he arrived in time that night, as Zhao Junfeng and two other colleagues who were staking out had their cover blown and were heavily retaliated against by criminals, resulting in serious injuries. The next time Lin Youyuan saw Zhao Junfeng was in the hospital. Su Yue was giving him an injection. Seeing hime in, Zhao Junfeng struggled to lift his body: ¡°Xiao¡­ Brother Lin.¡± Lin Youyuan pressed him down: ¡°F*ck, don¡¯t move. Who beat you this badly, I¡­¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Song Yiwu pulled him up: ¡°Let¡¯s talk outside, let Xiao Feng rest.¡± They walked to a quiet corridor. Song Yiwu lit a cigarette, frowning. ¡°The fact that he was staking out was only known by me and a few key leaders in the team.¡± Lin Youyuan¡¯s eyes turned red, his fists clenched with cracking sounds: ¡°Who the hell is so despicable?¡± Song Yiwu shook his head: ¡°This is not just a despicable act, this is serious. Xiao Feng risked his life to bring back a bag of white powder with very high purity. I must personally catch these people and bring them to justice.¡± Thinking of Zhao Junfeng lying immobile in bed, Lin Youyuan gritted his teeth: ¡°I¡¯ll gather some information over the next few days.¡± Song Yiwu patted his shoulder: ¡°Thank you for your hard work. When this matter is over, I¡¯ll definitely apply to the higher-ups to formally¡­¡± Lin Youyuan smiled and shrugged off his hand. ¡°Forget it, I don¡¯t care about that. I just want to avenge my good brother. He can¡¯t suffer such a serious injury for nothing.¡± After everyone left, Su Yue finished giving the injection and was about to leave. She gently tucked his hand under the nket. ¡°You won¡¯t let us tell your parents about such a serious injury. I¡¯ll bring some chicken soup tonight to help you replenish your nutrition.¡± Su Yue was genuinely good-hearted, truly kind, warm, and cheerful. Zhao Junfeng, although he called her Yueyue, always regarded her as a sister. His eyes warmed, and he nodded lightly. After Su Yue tucked him in, she left. Zhao Junfeng, however, couldn¡¯t sleep, staring at the ceiling, those words repeatedly echoing in his ears. The opponent had viciously kicked him in the ribs.
LP: I have a feeling that Su Yue is Mother Lin¡­ Lin Ge¡¯s mom (¡Ñ_¨‘)
Chapter 140-3 Chapter 140-3 The End of Memories (1) After Su Yue tucked him in, she left. Zhao Junfeng, however, couldn¡¯t sleep, staring at the ceiling, those words repeatedly echoing in his ears. The opponent had viciously kicked him in the ribs. ¡°Do you even know what kind of trash you are, and you still dare toe and investigate us? Oh, you still dare to re at me, boys, beat him up!¡± The other side had the advantage in numbers and strength, and after a round of punches and kicks. The leader of the men stomped hard on his finger bones, grinding his toe into the ground. ¡°Do you know why no one else came and you were the one sent? Because you¡¯re just a useless piece of cannon fodder.¡± ¡°Are you wondering why the top-secret operation was leaked? Guess who told us? Was it your good brother or yourrade brother?¡±A gleaming knife de was pped against his face. ¡°Kid, whoever cuts off my ie, I will kill their entire family. You better be smart, be a wise person, and also, don¡¯t look at me with those eyes. Get angry, feel uneasy, harbor hatred, you have to be stronger to kill everyone who stands in your way.¡± ¡°Today I¡¯ll give you a lesson¡­¡± The man made a cut on his face with the knife and withdrew his foot. ¡°Don¡¯t just run forward when you hear orders. Think about whether it¡¯s helping you or harming you. If you fall into my hands again next time, it won¡¯t be this easy.¡± ¡ª¡ªYou have to be stronger to kill everyone who stands in your way. Zhao Junfeng chewed on these words, his gaze sweeping across the room. An IV drip tube that Su Yue had just inserted was attached to the back of his hand, and the things Lin Youyuan and Song Yiwu had bought were on the bedside table next to him. The liquor was so expensive that they had previously only dared to look at it in the store. The boy smiled slightly; he knew it wasn¡¯t them. He didn¡¯t know the true identity of the thugs, nor did he know who had leaked the information, but the thug had one thing right: to protect the ones he loved, he had to be stronger than his enemies. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Brother Xiaolin, despite his father¡¯s achievements, did not receive fair treatment. Brother Yiwu had been in the police force for so many years, starting as a patrolman, and he was still just a team leader. His name never appeared on the promotion lists each year. Parents and rtives back home who were eagerly hoping he would make something of himself. Ordinary people like Sister Yueyue, who were kind-hearted and enthusiastic. They shouldn¡¯t have to be like this. ¡­¡­ The boy¡¯s throat moved, his bandaged hand crumpling the bed sheet, spots of blood seeping out. Who could have thought that decadester, Zhao Junfeng, who would be widely criticized online by the media as a ¡°bloodsucker,¡± ¡°corrupt official,¡± and ¡°scum among public servants,¡± had at this moment, his initial thought was merely to protect his friends.
¡°Lin Jueshui always traveled back and forth to Shanghai several times a month. He said it was for work, and I never doubted him untilter I found out he was forced to marry his ssmate¡¯s sister. Her family was wealthy, with a father who was in the import-export business and had some connections, and they were also entangled with foreign criminal gangs.¡± ¡°They valued his smart mind and skills. The best way to pull someone into their gang is not through coercion or inducement, but by making him truly one of their own.¡± ¡°They used freedom, the safety of his parents and me, to exchange for a shackle that Lin Jueshui could never escape for the rest of his life.¡± As Lin Youyuan spoke, his brow twitched slightly as if gritting his teeth, a hint of hatred shing in his eyes. ¡°The situation developed to this point, and it¡¯s still my fault. If it was me who went in at the beginning, he might not have faced such a difficult choice. But what he shouldn¡¯t have done was to fall in love with Su Yue¡­¡± Some say that there is always a strange connection between brothers and sisters. The tacit understanding between him and Lin Jueshui was not only in daily life but also in the people they liked. After all, who wouldn¡¯t like a girl like Su Yue? Calm as water, lively as a rabbit, understanding and gentle. Most wonderfully, she and Lin Jueshui had a bit of intellectual sympathy. After all, being the child of a teacher¡¯s family, the Su family was poor but never poor in education. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Su Yue had been well-read since childhood, knowledgeable and with a good memory. When she talked with Lin Youyuan, saying ¡°One or two miles away, four or five houses in the smoke vige,¡± he might only respond with ¡°Five chief heads, six six six, seven clever ones, eight immortals¡­¡± But it was different with Lin Jueshui. He had the schrly temperament she admired, capable of talking on grand topics as well as about small bridges and flowing water. At that time, Su Yue looked at his refined and gentle face and felt a soul connection, a feeling that made her heart beat faster. When she turned and ran out, she happened to bump into Lin Youyuan, who quickly hid the floral cloth he had torn behind him. ¡°Hey, why are you running so fast, are you rushing to be reincarnated?¡± Su Yue stomped her foot angrily, her face a bit red. ¡°If you can¡¯t speak properly, then shut your mouth. I made some braised pork for you this afternoon and brought it over. Good intentions are treated like donkey¡¯s liver and lungs!¡± With that, she ran off again in a sh. Lin Youyuan watched her disappearing figure and scratched his head with a smile: ¡°Silly girl, she never used toe so often.¡± Lin Jueshui heard themotion and came out of the house, seeing the floral cloth in his hand, a smile appeared at the corner of his lips. ¡°For Su Yue? You¡­¡± Lin Youyuan exaggeratedly made an O shape with his mouth: ¡°Me? Her? Bro, don¡¯t joke around. I would like anyone but her, that fierce shrew.¡± ¡°Fierce?¡± Lin Jueshui recalled her every smile and movement: ¡°A pretty gentle girl.¡± Lin Youyuan threw the cloth into his arms: ¡°This is just a thank you gift for taking care of me when I was injured. If shees by next time and I¡¯m not home, just give it to her for me. I don¡¯t want to owe people favors.¡± Lovees quickly and always inexplicably. Even though Lin Jueshui repeatedly warned himself to stay away from Su Yue, he still inevitably fell into love, especially after hearing his brother¡¯s response. He rxed inside, thinking of helping the people in Shanghai with thest batch of goods, then he¡¯d retire, divorce that woman, and openly pursue Su Yue, while also finding a good marriage for his brother. At that time, Lin Jueshui had not yet lost thest shred of hope for this world. He firmly believed that as long as he worked hard enough, he could break through the darkness and move towards the light. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) He just needed time before that. Three to five years passed in the blink of an eye. Song Yiwu followed his family¡¯s arrangement and got married. His bride¡¯s family was not wealthy,ing from a poor peasant background, but she was very cute, with a cheerful and lively personality. Lin Youyuan, munching on sunflower seeds, asked him, ¡°What exactly do you like about her?¡± The usually honest and straightforward man blushed, ¡°Just¡­ just¡­ well¡­ I don¡¯t know!¡± Zhao Junfeng chimed in, ¡°I know, I know! Before they got together, she would bring lunch to the police station every day¡­¡± Song Yiwu, dressed in his groom¡¯s attire, rushed over to cover his mouth, ¡°You know too much for your own good!¡± Su Yue pushed the dressed-up bride into the room, ¡°Time to pay respects, everyone make way!¡± They all drank quite a bit at the wedding that night. Lin Youyuan was catching his breath on his balcony when Song Yiwu brought in another jar of liquor and handed him a porcin bowl. The man nced up weakly, waving his hand, ¡°Hup, no more, I really can¡¯t¡­¡± Lin Youyuan, acting as the best man, had shielded him from a lot of drinks at the wedding banquet. Song Yiwu smiled faintly and poured some soup from the jar. ¡°Your sister-inw knew you drank a lot, so she made some sobering soup. The guest room is ready for you, drink this and get some rest.¡± ¡°Sister-inw cares about me,¡± Lin Youyuan squinted and smiled. Though he was holding sobering soup, he still clinked bowls with him as if it were wine. Song Yiwu took a sip of the sobering soup his wife made, leaning on the railing to catch the breeze, ¡°I heard that Xiaozhao also has someone he likes. What about you? Are you still¡­ with Su Yue¡­¡± Lin Youyuan turned over, leaning on the railing with his elbow, looking at the distant streetlights, ¡°You know, I¡¯ve mentioned it more than once.¡± Song Yiwu: ¡°What I mean is, why don¡¯t you formally express your feelings to her¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence. Lin Youyuan¡¯s gaze shifted to the circle of light under the streemp. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) In the long, quiet alley, two people stood silently. Su Yue handed an envelope to Lin Jueshui and, summoning her courage, stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. Lin Jue Shui was slightly stunned, and she turned and ran away. Song Yiwu tilted his head to look at him, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Lin Youyuan withdrew his gaze, turned around, and drank the sobering soup in the bowl in one gulp, tasting a hint of bitterness. He handed the bowl back to him. ¡°All full, time to go home.¡±
¡°After that, Lin Jueshui and I had the most intense argument we¡¯ve ever had. I wanted him to marry Su Yue, but he refused and wouldn¡¯t tell me why. In a fit of anger, I hit him, just as Su Yue was passing by after work and saw it¡­¡±
¡°Lin Youyuan, stop it, have you gone mad?!¡± The moment she rushed over, the stick he held up stopped mid-air. Lin Youyuan panted heavily, ¡°Get out of the way. Today I¡¯ll beat him to death¡­¡± Su Yue nced at the bloodied Lin Jueshui lying on the ground and rushed over to grab his arm, ¡°Why? What did your brother do to deserve this? He¡¯s so good to you!¡± Lin Youyuan shoved her away, ¡°Get lost, it¡¯s none of your business. If you try to stop me again, I¡¯ll beat you too!¡± Su Yue¡¯s eyes reddened with anger, ¡°Lin Youyuan, you¡¯re a lunatic!¡± Lin Youyuan also flew into a rage, ¡°I¡¯m a lunatic? Only a lunatic would like you! Hah! Look closely, what¡¯s so good about him? Flirting with you but not willing to marry you? Su Yue, are you out of your mind?!¡± Su Yue was stunned, her face turning pale, tears falling before she could speak. Lin Jueshui got up from the ground, pulled her behind him, ¡°Yueyue, don¡¯t interfere, this is between me and him.¡± Lin Youyuan looked at his bloodied face, then at Su Yue, who was silently crying but still resolutely standing by his side. He gritted his teeth, threw down the stick, and turned to leave. Lin Jueshui staggered and took a couple of steps after him, ¡°Dayuan, where are you going? Listen to me¡­¡± Lin Youyuan turned back to look at him, and through his figure, he also looked at Su Yue. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, take good care of her, or you¡¯ll answer to me.¡±
Chapter 140-4 Chapter 140-4 The End of Memories (1) He gritted his teeth, threw down the stick, and turned to leave. Lin Jueshui staggered and took a couple of steps after him, ¡°Dayuan, where are you going? Listen to me¡­¡± Lin Youyuan turned back to look at him, and through his figure, he also looked at Su Yue. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, take good care of her, or you¡¯ll answer to me.¡±
¡°After that, I was disheartened and decided to leave Jiangcheng. Before leaving, I went to bid farewell to Song Yiwu and asked him to take good care of Su Yue and not let anyone bully her.¡±
Song Yiwu smoked a cigarette, frowning: ¡°What kind of situation is this!¡± Zhao Junfeng, wiping his tears, walked forward: ¡°Brother Xiaolin, don¡¯t go. We¡¯ll help you get Sister Yueyue back.¡± Lin Youyuan sneered: ¡°What are you thinking? That¡¯s my brother.¡±If possible, he still hoped for happiness for them, if they were refraining from getting married because of him, then he would just leave. Song Yiwu extinguished the cigarette butt on the reef: ¡°It¡¯s good if you head south, there are more opportunities to make money there. Who knows, you might just hit it big. However, there¡¯s one thing¡­¡± Lin Youyuan, smart and perceptive, guessed it instantly. ¡°The case fromst time, right?¡± ¡°Yes, there are some leads. We followed their transport vehicle to Qiongzhou City. That ce is close to Southeast Asia. This is a big case, and the higher-ups don¡¯t want to alert them. We need an informant to ry information. However, I feel¡­¡± At this point, Song Yiwu frowned, as if he didn¡¯t want him to go, but Lin Youyuan readily agreed. ¡°I¡¯ll go. It¡¯s a chance to get rich, why not take it.¡± Zhao Junfeng: ¡°Brother Yiwu means it¡¯s not safe there. You¡¯re going alone, better not¡­¡± Lin Youyuan picked up the wine jar on the reef and took a swig, wiping his lips: ¡°The more chaotic it is, the easier it is to fish in troubled waters and make a name for myself.¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Song Yiwu smiled slightly and also took a swig. ¡°Knowing I can¡¯t dissuade you, this job is just right for you. But, Dayuan¡­¡± The man called him by his nickname and patted his shoulder earnestly. ¡°We brothers have been together for so long, you know what can be done, what can¡¯t be done, what money can be taken, and what can¡¯t. You actually understand this as clear as a mirror.¡± ¡°If you encounter difficulties, think of me, think of Xiaofeng, think of Yueyue, think of your brother. As a man, grit your teeth and get through it. Life is not just about money, you need to have other pursuits too. What do you think?¡± Lin Youyuan knew that he was worried he might go astray. It¡¯s strange, Song Yiwu should have been the type of person he disliked the most, butter, after being saved from danger by him several times, they gradually developed a mentor-friend rtionship. Later, when he achieved great sess and amassed wealth, Song Yiwu passed away. As he aged, even Song Yiwu¡¯s appearance became blurry. Lin Youyuan would still asionally recall their first meeting, how he wasn¡¯t afraid of authority and gently wiped the dust off the national emblem, and those memorable words that had pulled him back from crossroads countless times. He was different from Zhao Junfeng. Even when deeply mired, he still retained a faint spark of hope in his heart. At that time, Lin Youyuan thought, as long as he earned enough money, he would return, live with his good brothers, and continue their carefree days. And if he made meritorious achievements, perhaps his father¡¯s case would be redressed. As a child, if he took a tanghulu from a street vendor, his father would hit his palm. Even though many years had passed, he still firmly believed that his father was not a corrupt person. But he never expected that when he returned, everything had changed dramatically.
¡°I infiltrated Qiongzhou for five years, asionally returning to Jiangcheng. Various signs indicated that Lin Jueshui had numerous connections with the drug manufacturing and trafficking organization. Although I was reluctant to ept this reality, I had to stand against him.¡± Lin Youyuan said this while turning the green thumb ring, looking somewhat somber. ¡°Lin Yan, you must be wondering why a person like me, who is so greedy for money, doesn¡¯t engage in drug trafficking, making illegal deals, which is clearly the quickest way to get rich.¡± ¡°It¡¯s good that you think this way. It shows you haven¡¯t seen what real addicts are like, nor have you seen what true darkness is. Those who are addicted to drugs are not fit to be called human. They can do anything for a packet of drugs¡ªsell their children, rob their parents¡¯ lifelong savings, sell their bodies¡ªit¡¯s allmon.¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°I once witnessed a father in a small vige beat his daughter crippled, forcing her to beg to earn drug money for him.¡± ¡°A young couple in their twenties came to the city to work. The husband got addicted and passed it on to the wife. Due to sharing needles, they both contracted AIDS. Worse, the woman got pregnant. They had no money for an abortion or to block the transmission, nor money to buy milk powder, so they breastfed the child. The child was born an AIDS patient and an addict. When we rescued the child, he was clinging to his mother¡¯s cold body, refusing to let go, and normal milk powder couldn¡¯t feed him¡­¡± ¡°If you¡¯ve seen such things, you wouldn¡¯t want to be such a person either¡­¡± Lin Youyuan raised his head, his wrinkles rxing, and smiled at the camera. ¡°Of course, I hope you never see these things and never be such a person.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s shoulders trembled slightly, her hand tightly clutching the sheet, and Song Yuhang hugged her head, pressing her into her arms. ¡°If you feel upset, we can stop watching.¡± Lin Yan sniffed, then raised her head again, her eyes red. ¡°When he was alive, I couldn¡¯t understand him. Now that he¡¯s gone, I want to know.¡± Lin Yan wanted to understand how he and Lin Jueshui broke apart, how they ended up in such a situation, and the question she asked him when she was eighteen: Dad, do you love me? Song Yuhang thought the answers she sought were hidden in this video, and her own father was also rted to this past. She couldn¡¯t remain indifferent, she even empathized deeply. Song Yuhang kissed her hair, her voice hoarse. ¡°It¡¯s strange, isn¡¯t it? But it¡¯s okay. As long as you want, I¡¯ll be with you.¡± When they refocused on the video, perhaps because he had been sitting for too long, Lin Youyuan started coughing and sped up a bit, skipping some details. What he wanted to tell Lin Yan was what happenedter, about her mother, and his biggest regret in life. ¡°Zhao Junfeng got married. I saw her at the wedding. She had lost a lot of weight, looked haggard, and no longer had the bright smile she used to have. I asked her why she had be like this. She wouldn¡¯t tell me. Desperately, I found Song Yiwu and pressed him repeatedly until he reluctantly told me that about half a year ago, his wife took their child for a check-up and identally saw hering out of the obstetrics and gynecology department alone. That day, she had gone for an abortion.¡± Why did Song Yiwu know so clearly? Because in those days, premarital pregnancy couldn¡¯t be hidden, and she lost her job because of the hospital¡¯s disciplinary action. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Zhao Junfeng, upon learning this, was so enraged that he was ready to confront Lin Jueshui. Su Yue cried as she jumped off the bed and clung to his legs. ¡°I beg you, please don¡¯t go¡­ don¡¯t go¡­ I did it willingly¡­ and don¡¯t tell Dayuan¡­¡±
¡°But I eventually found out. Jealousy, anger, a chest full of hatred, and alcohol clouded my mind. I grabbed a knife and headed to Shanghai to find Lin Jueshui. Su Yue chased after me, crying and hugging me tightly from behind. That night¡­¡± Lin Youyuan fell silent for a moment, his expression slightly unnatural, a mixture of regret and sorrow etched on his face. Lin Yan understood. She probably came into this world as a fertilized egg at that time, which exined why her mother took her away as soon as she was born, preferring to wander rather than return to the Lin family. Even in front of the video, she couldn¡¯t help but blurt out, ¡°That old bastard¡­¡± The old bastard in the video started coughing again, taking a while before he spoke: ¡°It was around this time that I discovered some blue crystalline substances in Lin Jueshui¡¯s home. I was all too familiar with these things, having seen people smoking them while undercover in Qiongzhou. Yes, you guessed it right. Theposition of that stuff is 70% to 80% simr to the blue liquid in the test tube you had your subordinates analyze, so I have reason to believe that he produced it.¡± ¡°I once thought Lin Jueshui and I would be lifelong brothers. No, we were. But until that moment, discovering the girl I loved had been deceived by him and that he had been hiding illegal activities from me all along, I wavered. Before the police took action, I confronted him.¡± ¡°Lin Jueshui returned to Jiangcheng the next day, surprised to see me suddenly back. He was delighted but also a bit nervous, scanning the room before rxing and greeting me.¡±
He pulled things out of his bag with a joyful face: ¡°Why did youe back so suddenly? Haven¡¯t seen you in years, you¡¯re a bit tanned. Did you find a girl you like? Oh, I brought back some lotus pastries from Shanghai, originally for Su Yue. She likes sweet things just like you.¡± Lin Youyuan was pricked by this name, looking at him coldly: ¡°Why didn¡¯t you marry her?¡± Lin Jueshui paused, continuing to pull things out: ¡°Ah, Yueyue is a good girl, but I¡¯m not worthy of her.¡± Lin Youyuan rushed over, grabbing his cor, eyes wide with anger: ¡°Do you know, do you know what she¡­¡± Lin Jueshui finally looked into his eyes and said, ¡°I know.¡± Lin Youyuan punched him in the face, roaring hoarsely: ¡°Beast, what else are you hiding from me?!¡± Lin Jueshui couldn¡¯t answer, nor could he. He could only use silence to counter his brother¡¯s rage. In the unseen corner, his brother stood straight but clenched his fists tightly, trembling slightly until Lin Youyuan stormed out. Only then did Lin Jueshui copse into a chair, covering his face with his hands, shoulders shaking violently. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) He couldn¡¯t say it. Couldn¡¯t say he was already married and had a child. Couldn¡¯t say he was actually involved with a drug trafficking gang, manufacturing drugs abroad to make money. He used this money to buy houses, cars, and live in a mansion, giving Su Yue the life she wanted. When he found out she was pregnant, he thought of quitting the trade and divorcing the woman he had no feelings for. The woman¡¯s brother stepped on him, gun to his head, saying, ¡°Quit if you want, but thatst batch hasn¡¯t been tested yet. Use that woman for it.¡± Lin Jueshui, seeing Su Yue¡¯s photo in his hand, screamed hysterically, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch her!!!¡± Just as Lin Youyuan never expected him to make drugs, Lin Jueshui never expected his brother to betray him.
¡°They had factories in Shanghai, Jiangcheng, Qiongzhou, and other ces. Lin Jueshui thought I had returned to Qiongzhou, but I had been following him all along, uncovering most of their factory locations. Thus, I sold him out to the police.¡± When Lin Youyuan spoke about this, his face was expressionless, but Lin Yan could still hear a hint of pain and struggle in his slightly stiff tone. ¡°Unfortunately, things didn¡¯t go as nned. While I was guarding against Lin Jueshui, the others were also guarding against him. After realizing someone was tailing him, they quietly captured Su Yue, forcing him to choose between me and her.¡± ¡°Kill me and they¡¯ll let her go, and he could divorce his wife. Oh, his ssmate also called him the Supreme Lord back then.¡± ¡°Otherwise, he would have to watch Su Yue be tortured to death. The torture wasn¡¯t just mental but also¡­¡± At this point, Lin Youyuan¡¯s facial muscles twitched slightly, his teeth gritted. ¡°What man can stand to see the woman he loves being¡­ Lin Jueshui went mad, even contemting suicide. Of course, they wouldn¡¯t let him have his way, so they started beating me. My leg was broken during that time.¡± Lin Youyuan said this without much expression, but Lin Yan believed he had just be numb. ¡°He was a coward, unable to save his beloved woman or his brother. But at that time, one thing puzzled me. The police had clearly sent people to follow me but never showed up. I knew they had an internal problem. The team leader then was Song Yiwu, and Zhao Junfeng. Zhao Junfeng rose quickly in those years, and I didn¡¯t think much of it until¡­¡± Outside the screen, Song Yuhang swallowed lightly. She was young when her father died, and her mother rarely talked about it due to the pain. Later, she had searched the police intr, finding only fragments: Song Yiwu (1940-1973) male, Han ethnicity, second-level detective of the Criminal Investigation Brigade of Jiangcheng Public Security Bureau, Binhai Province, died heroically in a major operation in December 1973 at the age of 33. Like his colleagues, he had turned into a gray photograph, drifting in the vast sea of information, with ¡°sacrifice¡± being the only cold word left by the era. No one knew what had happened that day except for Lin Youyuan. Zhao Junfeng knew too, but he had to forget because his rapid rise was built on countless bones.
Chapter 141-1 Chapter 141-1 The End of Memories (2) ¡°Watching them force-feed Su Yue with the drugs he had personally made, Lin Jueshui wavered. He picked up the gun from the ground and aimed it at me. At this moment, reinforcements were still dyed. Zhao Junfeng probably didn¡¯t expect that in the few minutes he was held up, Song Yiwu would die.¡± ¡°At that time, the police higher-ups ordered them to stay put. Song Yiwu broke away from the main group to find me. As soon as the gunshots rang out, he rushed out.¡± Lin Youyuan, speaking up to this point, gently closed his eyes, his shoulders trembling slightly. Outside the screen, Song Yuhang clenched her teeth, her fingers tightly forming a fist. When Lin Yan freed her hand, there were already marks of blood in her palm. It¡¯s not hard to imagine how tragic the scene was back then. Lin Youyuan, dragging his already crippled legs, crawled over, blood flowing down his trousers, staining arge area beneath him. He propped up his head, ¡°Brother, Brother, Brother Yiwu, wake up! Wake up! Don¡¯t sleep, don¡¯t sleep! I¡¯ll take you to the doctor, your wife and children are still waiting for you toe home, Brother!!!¡± A man does not shed tears easily, but on that day, Lin Youyuan cried out all the tears of his life.Blood continuously gushed from his body. That shot hit his throat, piercing his vocal cords and the carotid artery, leaving a bowl-sized scar. Lin Youyuan tried to cover it for him, but Song Yiwu could no longer speak. With each cough, crimson and warm blood flowed through his fingers to the ground. With hisst bit of strength, he grasped his hand, barely uttering a few monosybles: ¡°Go¡­ you¡­ wife¡­ children¡­¡± Lin Youyuan wept bitterly, nodding frantically: ¡°I know, I know, Brother, don¡¯t talk, I¡¯ll take you away, take you home, you¡¯ll be fine, you¡¯ll be fine¡­¡± As he spoke, he tried to lift him up, but his legs werepletely powerless. Song Yiwu¡¯s arm slipped from his grasp, and the two of them fell into the mud together. ¡°Brother! Brother!!!¡± His desperate cries merged with the sound of sirens as the main force finally arrived. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) It was a chaotic battle. Gunshots, explosions, footsteps, the voices of people on walkie-talkies¡­ Lin Youyuan heard none of it. He only heard his own and Su Yue¡¯s crying. He cried for Song Yiwu, while Su Yue wept bitterly for another person who caused his death. ¡°No, Xiaofeng, no, don¡¯t kill him!¡± Zhao Junfeng was aiming a gun at him, his eyes reddened from smoke and fire. ¡°He killed Brother Yiwu, either surrender or die!¡± Su Yue rushed over and hugged Zhao Junfeng¡¯s leg: ¡°Xiaofeng, Xiaofeng, I beg you, let him go, let him go, okay? No one will see, I promise he won¡¯te back, he won¡¯t do evil again¡­¡± In Lin Youyuan¡¯s arms, Song Yiwu¡¯s body was already cold. The warm blood he shed couldn¡¯t melt the ice and snow, turning into ayer of hard frozen soil. His fingers dug into the blood-stained earth, finding a Molotov cocktail someone had thrown there, perhaps left by those criminals fleeing in panic. It was like a slow-motion rey of the moment Lin Jueshui pulled the trigger on him. Lin Jueshui¡¯s pupils also reflected that ming bottle flying towards him. The eyes of the two brothers were filled with the same unwillingness, anger, shock, and pain. When he was engulfed in mes, Su Yue rushed over to die with him, but Zhao Junfeng held her back firmly. Lin Youyuan watched as his hair and clothes caught fire, struggling, shouting, staggering back, and finally falling into a pile of grain, immediately swallowed by the sea of mes. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) He cried and thenughed,ughed and then cried. Lin Youyuan looked up at the heavy snow falling, those snowkes with a bloody scent, at first he could still see the white, until finally, his vision turned red, turned red, until it was an endless ck. Thest thing he did before losing consciousness was to pick up Song Yiwu¡¯s gun and hide it in his arms.
¡°When I woke up, it was already half a monthter. During this half month, the doctors tried every possible way but couldn¡¯t stop the infection and inmmation in my legs. In the end, they had no choice but to amputate. After that, Zhao Junfeng came to see me. ording to the rules, the guns of fallen officers must be turned in. I don¡¯t know how he managed to keep Song Yiwu¡¯s gun, but clearly, by then, he already had that kind of power.¡±
The young man, in a brand-new uniform, looked like he had been promoted again. Zhao Junfeng ced the gun on the table: ¡°Brother Yiwu¡¯s gun, I saw you holding it when you were unconscious, so I brought it for you.¡± Lin Youyuan¡¯s dark eyes stared at him, unmoving. Zhao Junfeng felt uneasy under his gaze, rubbing his nose: ¡°I also brought you two jars of Huadiao wine, but let¡¯s be clear, you can only drink it after you recover.¡± Lin Youyuan¡¯s gaze fell on the wine jars, then numbly returned to his face. ¡°Why didn¡¯t youe earlier?¡± He had just woken up, his voice weak and hoarse. Zhao Junfeng didn¡¯t hear clearly and moved closer to cover him with a nket. ¡°Brother Xiaolin¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me brother!¡± The person lying in bed suddenly became agitated, grabbing his cor and pulling him close, eyes wide with rage. ¡°Why¡­ why didn¡¯t youe earlier?!¡± He panted heavily, his face flushed with abnormal redness from agitation, the IV stand shaking precariously. ¡°I¡­¡± Zhao Junfeng struggled to speak, but before he could finish, he copsed straight down, convulsing. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°Doctor, doctor,e quickly!¡± He stabilized him and turned to call for the doctor. Soon, a group of people in white coats rushed in, pushing him out and pulling the curtain to start emergency treatment. Zhao Junfeng looked futilely at his hands. Except for some calluses, there was nothing on them. Yet he always felt that from that day on, his hands were stained with invisible blood. After a while, the doctor came out and informed them that the rescue was sessful, and the hand hanging in mid-air slowly fell. Zhao Junfeng left a sentence, ¡°Take good care of him, and call this number if anything happens,¡± then turned and left. From that day until now, Lin Youyuan still didn¡¯t know where he had gone. Zhao Junfeng bought a couple of packs of the cheap cigarettes he used to smoke, costing five yuan each, and got two liang of liquor. He went to Su Yue¡¯s house, which was now empty. The dpidated door was covered with cobwebs, swaying in the wind. Through the window, the furnishings inside were still the same, but the young people who once drank and had fun together were gone. He went downstairs with the liquor, passed a few children ying with hoops, walked through the long alley, and came straight to the familiar riverbank. Before Lin Youyuan went to Qiongzhou, they had said their goodbyes here. In the cold wind, Zhao Junfeng lit a cigarette and ced it on the rock beside him. He also opened the seal on the liquor bottle to let it breathe. As dusk fell, he took a drag, and the cigarette on the rock was shortened by the wind. He recalled thest dialogue they had that day. Lin Youyuan was about to leave and patted his shoulder: ¡°Keep going, kid. When Ie back, I want to see you promoted and rich. Don¡¯t let anyone bully you again.¡± Song Yiwu, with his arm around his neck,ughed: ¡°Of course, Xiaofeng is smarter and more capable than me. If he bes an official, he¡¯ll be a good one.¡± How did the boy respond back then? ¡°Yes, if I be a big official, I¡¯ll clear Brother Xiaolin¡¯s name, and I won¡¯t let anyone bully you guys again!¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Now, five yearster, the boy had fulfilled his promise. He cleared his friend¡¯s father¡¯s name, personally presided over his good brother¡¯s memorial service, represented the organization in awarding him the title of ¡°Public Security Hero,¡± giving him the honor he never enjoyed in life, and even personally sent the captain who recruited him to prison. He had known for a long time that the person connected with the criminal gang was his captain. He had bided his time, waiting for this chance. The order to stay put was not his; he had just thought to wait for two minutes, just two minutes. If the criminals escaped because of this, his captain would be held responsible and never recover. It turned out he was right. Zhao Junfeng reported all the evidence he had collected directly to the higher authorities, and the captain was indeed imprisoned. Today was the day the prosecutor officially issued the arrest order for him. Thinking of this, Zhao Junfeng burned his finger on the cigarette butt. His tears rolled down. ¡°Brother Yiwu, I¡¯ve avenged you.¡± A gust of wind blew, making the cigarette butt on the rock flicker. The ashes, like bones, drifted into the river.
¡°After that, Zhao Junfeng achieved sess and fame, transferred to the Anti-Narcotics Brigade, and rose steadily. I sent people to look for Su Yue; she disappeared without a word. Using the connections I had umted from my former life in society, I started doing business. Because I had helped the police before, I was epted by both the ck and white sides, and soon my business flourished. Lin Cheng came to me at that time. Oh, he¡¯s not my biological son; I took him from an orphanage. His parents died from drug use.¡± ¡°I adopted him partly for my reputation and partly to atone for my past sins.¡± ¡°At that time, I thought Lin Jueshui was already dead. After all, the fire burned his body beyond recognition, so when Lin Ge¡¯s mother came to me with him, I didn¡¯t refuse. I looked at the child¡¯s innocent face and thought he was my only rtive in the world.¡± As the old man spoke, his masseter muscles twitched slightly, and Lin Yan could easily see he was gritting his teeth. ¡°But I never expected to raise a tiger. Do you remember when you were six?¡± What happened that summer was so painful that Lin Yan chose to forget it physically. She never spoke of it, but at Lin Youyuan¡¯s reminder, the memories came flooding back. It was her third year in the Lin family. She had a good rtionship with Lin Ge, and they attended the same prestigious school¡¯s primary and junior high sections.
LP: I was wrong, Su Yue isn¡¯t Lin Ge¡¯s mother¡­ good¡­ Also, it¡¯s pretty good that the characters are soplex, I¡¯m so conflicted in what to feel!
Chapter 141-2 Chapter 141-2 The End of Memories (2) ¡°But I never expected to raise a tiger. Do you remember when you were six?¡± What happened that summer was so painful that Lin Yan chose to forget it physically. She never spoke of it, but at Lin Youyuan¡¯s reminder, the memories came flooding back. It was her third year in the Lin family. She had a good rtionship with Lin Ge, and they attended the same prestigious school¡¯s primary and junior high sections. Due to the close distance, Lin Ge would conveniently pick her up after school. After the dismissal bell rang, Lin Yan waited for a long time under the banyan tree at the school gate with her schoolbag on her back. She waited until the sun set and everyone had left, but he still hadn¡¯te. The little girl, bored, dug at the dirt on the ground and used a twig to poke at the ants moving their home. Suddenly, a pebble struck her head out of nowhere. Lin Yan stood up, clutching her head, ¡°Who? Who hit me?¡±Lin Cheng jumped out from behind the tree, ¡°Hey, howe you¡¯re alone today? Not going home with Lin Ge?¡± ¡°None of your business!¡± The little girl angrily threw the twig at him, hitting his school uniform. The boy didn¡¯t get angry, just impatiently brushed the dust off his clothes, frowning. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s going to get dark soon. The weather forecast says it will rain tonight. Do you want toe home with me¡­¡± The girl, still remembering how he often bullied her, red at him angrily. Lin Cheng spread his hands helplessly, ¡°I don¡¯t get it. I¡¯m also your brother. Why do you only get along with him? Fine, if you don¡¯t appreciate it, I¡¯ll just go home by myself.¡± As he picked up his schoolbag and was about to turn and leave, a shadow fell over him. He looked up from his toes to see a burly man with a scarred face staring at him menacingly. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) He turned and shouted to Lin Yan, ¡°Run!¡± Before he could finish, the man knocked him out with a hand chop. The man grabbed Lin Yan by her cor and lifted her up. Lin Yan struggled violently and bit his wrist, causing him pain. She fell to the ground and started to run, but only took two steps before running into a human wall. She looked up and the person grabbed her cor, stuffing a drugged cloth into her mouth, making her lose consciousness quickly. When she woke up again, she was in an abandoned factory. Recalling this, Lin Yan bit her lip slightly, her eyes filled with tears, her body trembling. Song Yuhang cupped her face, wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes, softly saying, ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay, it¡¯s all over now, don¡¯t think about it¡­¡± Lin Yan shook her head, pulling down her hand and gripping it tightly, trying to draw some strength from it. She wasn¡¯t someone who liked to cry, but talking about this incident inevitably made her choke up. ¡°No, no, you don¡¯t understand¡­ Lin Ge has always been very punctual. He wouldn¡¯t miss an appointment without reason. He said the teacher kept him after ss, so he waste. But it turns out, it wasn¡¯t like that at all¡­¡± What was Lin Ge doing at that time? He was an exemry student and it happened to be his duty day. After all the students had left, he cleaned up, wiped the ckboard, and packed his bag to leave. Just after locking the ssroom door, he turned around and saw a man standing not far away, waiting for him. It was apletely unfamiliar face, wearing a baseball cap that obscured his features, except for a scar-covered chin. ¡°Who are you¡­¡± The boy looked at the empty corridor and retreated cautiously. The man, seeing his face that looked very simr to his own, tried to make his voice sound as gentle as possible. ¡°I know about your father. Come with me.¡± Lin Ge looked at the man¡¯s departing back, hesitated for a moment, then followed. During the half hour he talked with Lin Jueshui, Lin Yan experienced the first major cmity of her life. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) The boy knew nothing, immersed in the joy of learning about his father¡¯s past. His mother and Lin Youyuan never told him these things. As the man was leaving, he asked, ¡°Who¡­ who are you, what¡¯s your name?¡± Lin Jueshui turned back, seemed to want to pat his head, but felt it was too abrupt, and withdrew his hand. ¡°Call me Supreme Lord.¡± Lin Ge felt a strong sense of reluctance, ¡°Will we meet again?¡± The man replied ndly, ¡°Yes, whenever you need me. Also, don¡¯t tell anyone about today, especially your uncle. Be very wary of him, he¡¯s not as easygoing as he seems.¡± When Lin Ge hurried back to the school gate, the sun had already set, and Lin Yan¡¯s schoolbag was on the ground.
¡°Lin Cheng¡¯s death was indeed an ident. The autopsy report shows he was killed instantly by a blunt object to the temple during a struggle¡­¡± Lin Youyuan rubbed his forehead as he spoke. ¡°Forget it, let¡¯s not talk about it. Old people tend to reminisce about the past. Anyway, after you were rescued, the police checked the surveince around the school and found that during the time Lin Ge should have been meeting you to go home, he was seen walking with another man to a surveince blind spot. Although it was just a blurry back view, I still felt it might be him. He came back, and a great fear swept over me.¡± At this point, Lin Yan already understood. Lin Ge felt guilty towards her, which is why heter went to great lengths to be good to her, fulfilling every request, doing everything a brother could do, and even developed a twisted sense of protection and possessiveness due to this guilt, leading to all the subsequent tragedies, including Chu Nan¡¯s death. And Lin Youyuan, out of this unknown fear and to protect his only bloodline, was forced to sacrifice his family affection, gradually distancing himself from her. Is this really the truth? Lin Yan had actually only guessed half of it correctly. Clearly, several years had passed since her kidnapping, and she and Lin Ge had both transferred to different schools. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) But the boy still often heard suchments: ¡°Hey, Lin Ge, let your little sistere y with us. Anyway, there¡¯s nothing to do on the weekends.¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah, little junior girl, so tender.¡± someone chimed in. ¡°She has to go to cram school on weekends.¡± The boy calmly packed his books into his bag and got up to leave. The malicious ssmate grabbed his backpack strap. ¡°What are you pretending for? Everyone knows your sister was only in elementary school when someone¡­¡± Before he could finish, a fist struck his nose. The ssmate fell backward, knocking over several desks, wiping the blood from his nose, ¡°Damn it,e at me!¡± A flurry of punches and kicks ensued, Lin Ge fell to the ground, protecting his head. He didn¡¯t know who ruthlessly kicked him in the abdomen several times. His vision darkened, someone lifted a chair and smashed it onto his lower body. A surge of pain hit him, and the boy screamed in agony. Except for Mother Lin, no one knew about this incident. He never told Lin Yan the fact that he was actually disabled until his death. As for Lin Youyuan and her rtionship, he had thought about making amends, but he was too busy with work to spare the time. By the time he realized it, Lin Yan had grown up quickly, like wild grass swept by the wind. Lin Yan, who had experienced that incident, became even more difficult to approach. Coupled with entering adolescence, her personality became rebellious, arrogant, and disdainful of others. As for Lin Youyuan, a middle-aged man who had reached middle age but had not learned how to love someone, how could he educate his daughter? He racked his brains but could only resort to the ways of the business world, giving her money, giving her everything she wanted, even the stars in the sky. But at that time, these were precisely what Lin Yan scorned the most. The two drifted further and further apart in this way, never bing close even until death. Of course, it cannot be denied that Lin Youyuan intentionally allowed this gap to widen. Only in this way could Lin Yan be safer. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) He knew well that his abilities were limited, and even a hundred yearster, there would be no one to protect Lin Yan. She could only rely on her own strength. When eagles are born and can¡¯t fly yet, they are picked up by their eagle parents and thrown off cliffs. Only the eaglets that adapt to this change and sessfully take flight can survive. This is survival of the fittest, natural selection, and also a twisted and deformed form of love. This kind of love can make one powerful, but it can also ruin a person¡¯s life. Actually, upon hearing this, Lin Yan really wanted to ask him, ¡°Do you regret it? What if I had died from the fall?¡± The old man on the screen smiled, leaned back in his wheelchair, and a hint of peace appeared on his face. ¡°When Song Yuhang took you away from me that day, I was actually very happy, Lin Yan. You¡¯ve grown up and found your own ce in the world. You¡¯re no longer the fledgling eagle stumbling around.¡± After saying these words, he coughed lightly a couple of times and returned to the topic. ¡°Originally, I wanted to bid you farewell, but I ended up saying so much unintentionally. What I¡¯m going to say next, you should have guessed.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s pupils contracted, as expected. ¡°It¡¯s about Chen Chu Nan. You must be curious why I didn¡¯t kick Lin Ge out of the house to eliminate future troubles. But in fact, if you were my age, you would make the same decision as me. Firstly, there was no conclusive evidence to prove that the blurry figure was Lin Jueshui. Secondly, Lin Ge grew up with me since he was a child. I treated him, his mother, and you as family. For the sake of baseless suspicions, I couldn¡¯t abandon my loved ones. I couldn¡¯t do it.¡± As he talked about these things, Lin Yan had been trembling slightly all along. Song Yuhang had to hug her tightly, resting her chin on her head to give her strength. ¡°All I could do was send him abroad for studies, to keep him away from everything rted to you. Even during Chinese New Year, I didn¡¯t let hime back. But looking back now, I realize I gave you and him enough money but never enough care.¡± ¡°The summer when you turned eighteen was an exception. Lin Ge secretly booked a ne ticket toe back and celebrate youring-of-age ceremony with you. I guess you already know that Chen Chu Nan did indeed die at his hands, but Lin Jueshui was the actual aplice.¡± Lin Yan deeply remembered everything that happened that day. Even if her soul faded away, she wouldn¡¯t forget. June 18th, her birthday, also the day when the college entrance examination admission notices were issued. It had been raining steadily since morning, turning into pouring rain by the afternoon. After lunch, she went to the martial arts gym to practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu. About two hourster, she was supposed to meet Chu Nan at school, then go watch a movie and eat hot pot together in the evening. They had made ns to go drinking and karaoke afterward because they would go their separate ways after that summer.
Chapter 141-3 Chapter 141-3 The End of Memories (2) June 18th, her birthday, also the day when the college entrance examination admission notices were issued. It had been raining steadily since morning, turning into pouring rain by the afternoon. After lunch, she went to the martial arts gym to practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu. About two hourster, she was supposed to meet Chu Nan at school, then go watch a movie and eat hot pot together in the evening. They had made ns to go drinking and karaoke afterward because they would go their separate ways after that summer. Two hourster, the rain intensified. She opened her clothes to shield her head and stood under the eaves to avoid the rain. Her phone still had 5% battery left, and she made onest call to Chu Nan. ¡°Hello, Lin Yan?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me. Are you on your way to school?¡± She could hear the sound of raindrops hitting the umbre fabric. Chen Chu Nan hugged her backpack, trudging along, one foot deep and the other shallow. ¡°Yes, where are you?¡±¡°I¡¯m at the entrance of the martial arts hall. The rain is too heavy; I might be a littlete,¡± Lin Yan nced at her watch and answered. The other personughed. Even the torrential rain couldn¡¯t disturb her good mood; her voice remained as sweet as ever. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll be there soon. How about I pick it up for you? Then you don¡¯t have toe. After all, your house isn¡¯t far from the school; just go home directly.¡± ¡°That won¡¯t do. You¡¯re alone¡­¡± The girlughed, ¡°It¡¯s a special privilege for the birthday star.¡± The phone was about to die. Lin Yan looked at her watch and then turned her gaze to a bicycle parked not far away, unlocked. She gritted her teeth and ran over. ¡°Alright, then wait for me at my house. I¡¯ll have the butlere down to meet you.¡± After hanging up the phone, she wanted to call the butler. When she wiped the rain off her phone, she found it had already gone ck due to no power. ¡°F*ck.¡± Lin Yan cursed under her breath, put the phone in her pocket, and started riding the bicycle home. When she got home, the person she had been thinking about wasn¡¯t at the door. Lin Yan, soaked to the skin, ran inside. ¡°Chu Nan, where¡¯s Chu Nan?¡± ¡°Have you seen Chu Nan, my ssmate?¡± ¡°A girl about my age, tall and skinny. Have you seen her?¡± She asked the butler, the servants, and the cleaners. She even ran next door to ask Lin Ge, but the answer was always the same: no one had seen her, there was no such person. As she panicked, it was Lin Ge whoforted her. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Maybe the rain was too heavy, and she stayed at school. I¡¯ll send someone to look for her.¡± Lin Yan nodded nkly, changed to another phone, and kept calling her, but it was always turned off. At that time, she was too anxious to notice the faint bloodstains on his cuffs. She searched for a long time that day, from the school to the usual convenience store, bookstore, caf¨¦, cinema, and even the riverside, but there was no sign of her, and no one had seen her. Chen Chu Nan seemed to have vanished into thin air. That night, Chu Nan¡¯s mother reported it to the police. Three dayster, she saw her mutted corpse in the funeral home. Thest call Chen Chu Nan made to her was preserved by Lin Yan using technical means. She often yed it back repeatedly. ¡°Hello, Lin Yan?¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. After all, your house isn¡¯t far from the school¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s a special privilege for the birthday star.¡± ¡°Beep, beep, beep¡­¡± At that time, what had the girl who had just wished her experienced? This waster confessed by Lin Jueshui. That day, taking advantage of Lin Youyuan¡¯s absence, he brought his most sessful experiment to find Lin Ge, as usual. By then, Lin Ge had grown up and taken over some of the Lin family¡¯s overseas business. He needed to use this connection to sell things overseas for profit. In a secluded corner outside the Lin residence. Lin Ge pulled him aside, ¡°Why are you here again?¡± Lin Jueshui removed his mask. ¡°Why, can¡¯t Ie?¡± Lin Ge swallowed. ¡°Uncle Lin wille back today. If you have something to say, say it quickly. I need to celebrate my sister¡¯s birthday tonight.¡± The man took out a blue test tube and gave it to him. ¡°This, put it in your sister¡¯s drink, and she¡¯ll¡­¡± ¡°Excuse me, is this Lin Yan¡¯s house? Oh, isn¡¯t this Lin Ge? Looks like I found the right ce. I¡¯m here to deliver something to Lin Yan¡­¡± The girl identally stumbled upon their secret. Both of them turned around. Lin Ge immediately recognized her as Lin Yan¡¯s ssmate. He had asionally given her a ride when picking up Lin Yan from school. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) A sh of cold light, and Lin Jueshui already had a knife in his hand. Lin Ge pounced over. ¡°No! She¡¯s Lin Yan¡¯s friend!¡± ¡°But she saw my face!¡± The man growled angrily in a low voice. Chen Chu Nan¡¯s expression changed. She took out her phone from her pocket and started to run. Before she could make the rescue call, The man pushed Lin Ge away, took two steps in three, and stabbed her in the back. When the bodyguard patrolling near the Lin family house looked over, he dragged her into the bushes. The rainwater diluted the blood on the ground, quickly mixing with the dirty water and flowing into the sewer. When Lin Yan rode her bicycle back to the doorstep, she narrowly missed the garbage truck carrying Chu Nan¡¯s corpse. The driver was Lin Jueshui and his subordinate in disguise. That evening, Lin Yan was taken to the police station for questioning, while Lin Ge slipped away to Lin Jueshui¡¯s residence in Jiangcheng. He grabbed him by the cor and roared, ¡°Where did you hide her? Come with me and turn yourself in!¡± Lin Jueshui pped him away, adjusted his cor, and sneered, a brilliant idea forming as he looked at Lin Ge¡¯s frantic face. ¡°Killing that girl ys right into your hands, doesn¡¯t it? Don¡¯t think I haven¡¯t noticed your feelings for Lin Yan. I can turn myself in, but do you think you can get away with it? If you go to prison, how will you protect your sister? What about your money, your studies, your status? You¡¯re only twenty five years old; are you willing to throw your whole life away?¡± Seeing the young man stagger back, his face full of panic, Lin Jueshui smiled with satisfaction. He wanted to disgust Lin Youyuan to death. What could be more disgusting than having the child you raised with your own hands turn out to be a murderer? What could be more disgusting than a brother liking his own sister, even though they were cousins? The so-called brotherly bond had already burned away when Lin Youyuan threw a Molotov cocktail at him after he harmed Su Yue. The one who survived was a devil. He wanted Lin Youyuan to live the rest of his life in his shadow, with a broken home and a shattered family. With this thought, Lin Jueshui put an arm around his shoulders and led him inside. ¡°Great people don¡¯t sweat the small stuff. I heard you study medicine. Come, show me your skills. I¡¯ve already made arrangements. As long as we destroy the body and cover it up well, no one will ever know it was us.¡± What they did was indeed wless. In those days, surveince cameras were not widespread; there were no onsite surveince videos, no eyewitnesses, and no DNA testing. The traces left at the scene were washed away by the heavy rain. Lin Jueshui used his connections to find Butcher Zhu, who had a grudge against the Chen family, to take the fall. This was all arranged perfectly.
¡°I know it was an ident. Someone did see Lin Ge disposing of the body. The cleaner working near the trash cans saw everything and even lent a hand. In casual conversation, he revealed that Lin Ge had thrown away arge suitcase that day, filled with books, and it was incredibly heavy.¡± ¡°When I found out, I gave him some money and sent him back to his hometown to enjoy his old age. He passed away not long after.¡± Lin Youyuan said this, raising his eyes to look at her. ¡°A stranger you¡¯ve never met versus a nephew you¡¯ve raised with your own hands. If it were you, who would you choose?¡± Lin Yan could no longer hold back. She raised her hand and hurled theputer against the wall. It hit, fell to the ground, and shattered, the screen cracking like a spider web. With red eyes and heavy breathing, she screamed into the empty air, ¡°You hid this from me for fourteen years! Fourteen years! What was all my effort these fourteen years for?¡± ¡°Mother Chen searched everywhere for Chu Nan, only to return home deranged in the end. What was that for?¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°Dying at eighteen, never toe back to life, what was that for?¡± Even saying this wasn¡¯t enough for her. Seeing theputer still flickering, she leaped off the bed, trying to smash itpletely. ¡°You cherish your nephew whom you raised, but who will cherish Chu Nan? She was so good, so excellent, full of dreams for the future. She was only eighteen¡­ eighteen!¡± ¡°We promised to celebrate our birthdays together, stay in touch even if we went our separate ways, travel together every year if possible, buy houses next to each other, be lifelong friends. If we had children, one boy and one girl, they would be betrothed; if not, they¡¯d be sworn siblings¡­¡± ¡°Lin Youyuan, you¡¯re a murderer, a murderer!!!¡± Song Yuhang wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly to prevent her from getting hurt by the sharp fragments. Lin Yan kicked, punched, and bit, trying to break free, but eventually, she cried herself out. Song Yuhang gently patted her back, soothing her as they sat on the floor. The overburdenedputer emitted a dying electrical hum, its screen flickering, and Lin Yan gradually couldn¡¯t see his face clearly.
Chapter 141-4 Chapter 141-4 The End of Memories (2) Lin Yan kicked, punched, and bit, trying to break free, but eventually, she cried herself out. Song Yuhang gently patted her back, soothing her as they sat on the floor. The overburdenedputer emitted a dying electrical hum, its screen flickering, and Lin Yan gradually couldn¡¯t see his face clearly. ¡°Yanyan, Daddy is sorry. Come home. There¡¯s something for you under the swing set at the old house.¡± ¡°Lin Youyuan, you bastard! You¡­ don¡¯t go¡­e¡­e back!¡± Lin Yan stretched out her arm to reach him, but before her fingertips could touch the screen, theputer had already breathed itsst. ¡°Lin Youyuan, get back here! Come back and exin yourself! Why?! Why do you get to walk away after doing so many wrong things? Don¡¯t even think about it! Don¡¯t think you can get away! I won¡¯t let you be happy! I¡¯ll make sure you can¡¯t rest in peace even in death¡­¡± Lin Yan, self-righteously, grabbed whatever she could from the ground and threw it: ¡°Say something¡­ say something¡­¡±By the end, her words had already turned into sobs. ¡°Lin Yan!¡± Song Yuhang called her name with a heavier tone, holding her face to focus her gaze on hers. ¡°He¡¯s already dead. Lin Ge is also dead. Lin Jueshui has been executed, and Zhao Junfeng is dead too. They¡¯ve all paid the price for what they¡¯ve done. Lin Yan, stop tormenting yourself¡­ stop tormenting yourself¡­¡± When their eyes met, Lin Yan finally came to her senses from her somewhat crazed state. Seeing the tears shimmering in Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes, she began to cry uncontrobly again. Song Yuhang waited for her to cry it out, then carried her to take a bath. Lin Yan, like a delicate porcin doll, let herself be handled. Song Yuhang¡¯s fingers ran through her hair, drying it for her. Lin Yan: ¡°You said they all paid the price for what they¡¯ve done. They took bullets, but what about the others?¡± Lin Yan, in her quest for revenge, had turned herself into a ghostly figure for the first half of her life. Chen Chu Nan¡¯s mother, in her search for the truth, wandered across most of China, finally dying in her hometown in miserable circumstances. The butcher who died unjustly in prison, Guo Xiaoguang and his mother, living in fear and anonymity for the rest of their lives. Even those who had already died. Those she personally dissected, those written on the thousand paper cranes. Bai Ling. Wu Wei. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) He Miao. Ding Xue. Li Shiping. ¡­¡­ Who wouldpensate them for their youth and once vibrant lives? Song Yuhang had no words, put down the hairdryer, and embraced her, kissing the top of her head, offeringfort. She thought, perhaps the world¡¯s smartest philosophers, even Socrates, couldn¡¯t answer this question. But it didn¡¯t matter. She could say something else, like: I love you. Lin Yan, tired from crying and raging, finally fell asleep in her arms. Song Yuhang¡¯s phone, ced by the bed, vibrated. She reached for it. Outside, the sky was already bright. The photographer had sent over their wedding photos. She browsed through them, selecting the one where Lin Yan was smiling the brightest, and posted it: My dear forensicdy, don¡¯t cry. I am willing to pay any price to love you. This vow is valid for life, subject to review.
After returning from Saipan, Lin Yan soon received a call from the auction house. The Lin residence she had entrusted to them for auction had some progress, and they asked her toe over and sort things out. As the ornate iron gate slowly opened before her, Lin Yan could almost see the once bustling scene. Lin Youyuan was pushed out by the butler, followed by arge group of well-dressed elites. Two half-grown children yed in the garden, with the nanny chasing behind. ¡°Lin Ge, hurry up, let¡¯s y over there.¡± ¡°Miss, miss, stop running. You can¡¯t catch the goldfish in the pond. The master spent a lot of money to buy those¡­¡± Seeing the nanny about to catch up, the little girl sshed water from the pond onto her, clutching a lively goldfish in her arms and running away, only to slip on the moss and fall face-first. The goldfish flopped on the ground. The girl fell by the wheelchair, and someone lifted her up with one hand. Lin Youyuan, with a cold face, said sternly, ¡°Take her away, put her in confinement. Let her out only when she knows she¡¯s wrong.¡± ¡°Let go of me, let go of me¡­ bastard!¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡­¡­ In the blink of an eye, those scenes disappeared. Song Yuhang pulled her in: ¡°Where¡¯s the swing set?¡± Lin Yan lowered her eyes: ¡°In the back garden.¡± Behind the Lin family mansion, there is an artificial forest nted with osmanthus, camphor, birch, and ginkgo trees. Each season presents its own scenery, and the wind rustles through the leaves, creating a whispering sound. Due to theck of maintenance, the fallen leaves fromst autumn and winter have formed ayer of decaying and soft soil underfoot. The two of them walked through the forest, their steps uneven. The swing set was ced under the birch tree, covered in dust, swaying slightly in the air. Lin Yan touched the marks on the birch tree beside it and said, ¡°There wasn¡¯t a swing set here originally¡­¡± ¡°Then¡­¡± Song Yuhang asked curiously. Lin Yan smiled, ¡°When Lin Ge and I were kids, we yed here and suddenly thought of tying a swing with a hemp rope on the tree. We didn¡¯t take any safety measures, and ended up falling t on our backs.¡± ¡°The next day, this swing set was built.¡± Song Yuhang wiped the dust off the seat with a tissue, ¡°Want to sit on it?¡± Lin Yan¡¯s gaze fell from the swing to the thickyer of fallen leaves below and she said softly, ¡°No, let¡¯s dig.¡± Song Yuhang found a spade, and Lin Yan also found a thick tree branch to help dig the soil, but was pulled away. ¡°No need, you just wait on the side. It won¡¯t take long.¡± About ten minutester, beads of sweat appeared on Song Yuhang¡¯s forehead, and she could no longer dig with the spade. She threw the spade aside and started digging with her hands. ¡°Found it.¡± They uncovered a rusted iron box. Song Yuhang wiped the dirt off the box and handed it to her, ¡°This must be it.¡± Lin Yan reached out, then hesitated and pulled back her hand. After a moment, encouraged by Song Yuhang, she finally took the iron box and pried it open with effort. Inside were more than a dozen gold bars and a yellowed photo. The photo showed Lin Youyuan with his arms around the shoulders of his two good friends, standing on a reef. Su Yue stood leaning against the reef, pulling at Lin Youyuan¡¯s cor, making his expression a bit twisted and funny, but everyone was smiling. That unrestrained, bright smile made Lin Yan¡¯s eyes burn. She turned the photo over. On the back was a line of words: I¡¯m sorry, Lin Yan. This is the only photo of your mother that Daddy has. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Don¡¯t me your mother for the name she gave you. If she didn¡¯t love you, she wouldn¡¯t have given birth to you, and she certainly wouldn¡¯t have left you to me in her final moments.1 If you see this, it means Daddy is no longer here. The gold bars are for your emergency needs, but I hope you never have to use them. Finally, Yanyan¡­ Daddy loves you. It was signed with the three characters of Lin Youyuan. Lin Yan stared at it, her eyes quickly filling with tears. Song Yuhang, meanwhile, found a few wooden sticks and some tattered paper strips at the bottom of the box. ¡°This is¡­¡± With just one nce, Lin Yan recognized what it was. ¡°Lin Ge, do you think he would like it?¡±
Chapter 141-5 Chapter 141-5 The End of Memories (2) ¡°This is¡­¡± With just one nce, Lin Yan recognized what it was. ¡°Lin Ge, do you think he would like it?¡± ¡°Yes, thentern we made painstakingly is the most beautifulntern in the world.¡± ¡°ying with trifles ruins one¡¯s ambition. Throw it away. From today, you are not allowed to go out and y.¡± ¡­¡­ Thatntern, which should have been thrown into the trash can, appeared here. The red-painted paper had already started to fade, and thentern¡¯s frame was broken. It was no different from garbage, yet he ced it together with his gold bars, his treasures, solemnly burying it here, using this method to tell her the answer he had long wanted to give.Lin Yan held the box, kneeling on the ground, her shoulders trembling slightly. Song Yuhang pulled her into her arms, gently patting her back. ¡°Is there anything else you need to take?¡± Lin Yan shook her head. Song Yuhang lifted her face and wiped away her tears. ¡°Then let¡¯s go, Mom is still waiting for us toe home for dinner.¡±
One monthter. On the day Song Yuhang returned to the Municipal Public Security Bureau for debriefing, Lin Yan also got up early. She held a cup of coffee, leaning against the table, staring nkly at the dressing room. Song Yuhang walked past her from behind, cing a breakfast te on the table. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Breakfast is ready. Eat quickly, aren¡¯t you also going back to the Technical Investigation Departmentter?¡± Lin Yan: ¡°I¡¯m thinking about what clothes to wear.¡± Song Yuhang smiled, took the coffee cup from her hand, and rubbed her face: ¡°You look good in anything, of course, even better without¡­¡± Lin Yan¡¯s face flushed, a slight curve forming at the corner of her lips, pushing her away: ¡°You¡¯re about to be a bureau chief, and you¡¯re still so shameless.¡± Song Yuhang didn¡¯t get annoyed, pulled out a chair for her, and set the tableware: ¡°What bureau chief? In front of you, I only have one identity, and that¡¯s your lover.¡± Lin Yan picked up a sandwich and took a bite: ¡°Hmm, not bad cooking skills. If you ever stop being a policeman, you could be a chef.¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Song Yuhang served her a bowl of milk oatmeal porridge, her lips always holding a smile. ¡°Practice makes perfect. Eat more if it¡¯s good.¡± While washing the dishes after the meal, Lin Yan screamed from the dressing room: ¡°Song Yuhang, I¡¯ve gained weight again!!!¡± Her voice was filled with desperate frustration. Song Yuhang turned her head and shouted back: ¡°Gaining weight is good, healthy, better feel¡­¡± Before she could finish her words, she was suddenly stunned. Lin Yan was wearing her old police uniform, a light blue standard shirt with a tie, a disciplinary button fastened, and an autumn-spring uniform jacket over it. The clothes were neatly pressed, the waistline slightly cinched, making her long legs and slim waist even more striking. The color and style of the uniform were outdated, making anyone else look old-fashioned and restrained. But on Lin Yan, Song Yuhang wanted to tear it off. Lin Yan was still moving around, tugging at the extra threads on her clothes: ¡°This uniform fit me perfectlyst year, why does it feel so tight and ufortable this year?¡± Song Yuhang wiped the water off her hands, walked over, and picked her up, kissing her lips: ¡°Hmm, let me inspect. It¡¯s indeed time to get a new one.¡± Lin Yan was carried to the dining table, gasping as she lifted her head: ¡°We have a report at ten, and we still need to go to the cemetery.¡± Song Yuhang, reluctantly, licked her lips, fastening the buttons she had undone: ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll continue when we get back.¡±
Jiangcheng¡¯s Western Suburb Cemetery. Lin Youyuan was buried here. As Lin Yan walked over with a bouquet of white chrysanthemums, she didn¡¯t expect someone to already be there. Feng Jianguo opened a bottle of good wine, spilling a little, cing the rest in front of the tombstone. Lin Yan: ¡°What are you doing here?¡± He didn¡¯t turn around when he heard the footsteps behind him. ¡°Saying goodbye.¡± Lin Yan sneered, cing the white chrysanthemums in front of the tombstone, ready to leave. Feng Jianguo remained standing still: ¡°Can you still not forgive him? He might not have been a good father, but he was definitely apetent informant, an unsung hero.¡± Lin Yan stepped back and stood straight, looking at the ck-and-white photo on the tombstone, speaking indifferently. ¡°I can forgive him, but can my mother forgive him? Can the eighteen-year-old Lin Yan forgive him? Can Chu Nan and Aunt Chen, who died, forgive him? Can the butcher Zhu, who was wrongfully imprisoned, forgive him? Can Guo Xiaoguang and his mother, who lived half their lives in hiding, forgive him?¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°If he had exposed Lin Ge earlier, perhaps those innocent people wouldn¡¯t have died.¡± ¡°What right do I have to forgive him for these people?¡± ¡°When the crime is established and the body lies in front of me, it means a vibrant life has been permanently paused, whether it¡¯s him, Lin Ge, or anyone else.¡± ¡°I will never forgive.¡± Song Yuhang walked up behind her and gently patted her shoulder. Lin Yan turned her head and gave a bitter smile, then shifted her gaze to the tombstone, removing a medal from her chest. ¡°But, as a forensic doctor and a people¡¯s police officer, I sincerely thank him for all his efforts in eliminating the drug trafficking gang. Whether in the past or now, thousands and thousands of families have been spared because of him. This medal of honor should belong to him as well.¡± Lin Yan bent slightly, cing her medal of honor in front of the offerings. The candle mes flickered, the morning sun spread across the sky, and the three people in front of the tombstone raised their right hands in unison, cing them at their temples.
Municipal Public Security Bureau. The news that Song Yuhang was about to be appointed deputy director of the Jiangcheng Public Security Bureau had already spread like wildfire. This was a well-deserved promotion, and even before she arrived, a few people in the team were already gearing up to give her a good celebration. When she got out of the car and pushed open the office door, it was filled with fresh flowers, balloons, and ribbons, with a few people wearing wee sashes. The left sash read: ¡°The sea is wide for fish to leap, the sky is high for birds to fly. Congrattions to Captain Song on her rise to power, and best wishes for a grand future!¡± The right sash read: ¡°Today is better than yesterday, and each day will be even more wonderful. Captain Song, the liberated serf, sings with joy, happiness etched on her brow!¡± Lin Yan wasughing like crazy: ¡°What is all this nonsense!¡± Song Yuhang red at her, her face alternating between blue and white: ¡°This is a mess! Clean it up within three minutes. Everyone, meeting in the conference room. Anye will have their month¡¯s sry and performance deducted!¡± Everyone exchanged nces, dropped everything, and scattered like birds and beasts. ¡°Wait for me! Wait for me!¡± ¡°No, why can¡¯t I take this sash off!¡± Duan Cheng was sweating profusely: ¡°Fang Xin, Fang Xin, help me out! Xin! Xin!¡± In his wailing, Fang Xin had already slipped away, holding a cup of tea, and quickly walked toward the conference room. ¡°Shouting for help?! Do it yourself!¡± Duan Chengmented: ¡°But you were part of the nning¡­¡± Lin Yan picked up a pen and a folder from her desk, walked past Song Yuhang with a charming smile, and pped the folder onto her chest. ¡°Oh, Director Song, what a grand scene.¡± Song Yuhang smiled slightly, walked with her to the conference room, leaned in deliberately, and whispered in her ear: ¡°These little brats have been fooling around with me for too long. If I don¡¯t give them a stern warning, how will I manage them in the future¡­ during the meeting, give me some face.¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Despite her words, with Lin Yan¡¯s fiery temper, a sh of opinions during the meeting was inevitable, and it only took a spark to set her off. She was the only one who dared to confront Song Yuhang, a deputy director, while being a chief forensic doctor herself, their spit flying as they argued. It felt like they had gone back to their confrontational days two years ago. The onlookers below shivered: Who am I? Where am I? What is happening? Am I in a meeting or eating dog food? By the afternoon, Song Yuhang¡¯s office was also set up. A junior officer was about to take out a que. The new leader was young and likely wouldn¡¯t like these old-fashioned things, right? To his surprise, Song Yuhang stood right behind him, staring at the words on the que: ¡°With iron shoulders, uphold justice; with a red heart, build the soul of the police.¡± These were the words left by Zhao Junfeng to Feng Jianguo, who had hung it in the office until he transferred to the provincial office without taking it down. The junior officer struggled to turn the que around, about to carry it out when a hand firmly steadied him. Song Yuhang said, ¡°Leave it, hang it back up there.¡±
Chapter 142 Chapter 142 Passing the Torch (1) Three yearster. On a rainy day, a bus slowly drove up and stopped in the waterlogged street. The crowd filed on, and a girl closed her umbre and jumped on. In the summer morning¡¯s early bus, people were packed tightly. Even with the air conditioning on, their skin felt sticky. The girl held onto a strap with one hand, swaying with the vehicle¡¯s movement, while using her other hand to browse her phone for directions. Just as she typed out ¡°Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau,¡± the bus¡¯s onboard television started broadcasting. ¡°Early this morning, dozens of skeletal remains were unearthed at a construction site in the Jiangbei Development Zone of our city¡­¡± Her professional instincts made her abruptly lift her head and stare at the TV. The reporter, dressed in a raincoat, pointed ahead, and the camera followed: ¡°The excavator on site has now stopped working. Not far ahead, you can see a deep pit where dozens of skeletal remains were found at the Beixin Real Estate Company¡¯s construction site. Police are currently securing the scene, awaiting professional evaluation.¡±Raindrops pounded on the reporter¡¯s umbre, and the sound of police sirens could be heard in the background. ¡°ording to reports, the leadership of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau is taking this very seriously. Deputy Director Song Yuhang has already led a team to the scene.¡± A police car marked ¡°On-Site Command¡± sped to the front of the construction site,ing to an abrupt stop. The car door opened, and a pair of polished leather shoes stepped out, followed by an umbre being opened to shield the person from the rain and hold the door. Sharp-eyed reporters noticed and swarmed over. ¡°Director Song, Director Song is here! Director Song, can youment on this case?¡± ¡°Director Song, are these remains human bones?¡± ¡°Director Song, I¡¯m a reporter from Jiangcheng Daily. Can I have a moment for a brief interview about this case?¡± Deputy Director of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau, Song Yuhang, is a legend. Not only because she is one of the few women in the political arena but also because of her numerous achievements in solving bizarre cases and her courageous battles against drug traffickers. Her heroic deeds have been recounted in countless versions. Public lore has made her almost mythical, yet she rarely appears in public and never epts interviews, especially those that praise her. As she puts it: ¡°It¡¯s a waste of time. I¡¯d rather solve more cases and go home early to have dinner with Lin Yan.¡± It¡¯s well known that in the eyes of all the public security officers in Jiangcheng City, the heroic and mighty Director Song is, in essence, a wife ve. Someone who is rarely seen has finally made an appearance at the crime scene, causing the media to be eager to extract some sensational news from her. Song Yuhang stepped out of the car, shut the door with one hand, adjusted her broad-brimmed hat, straightened her uniform meticulously, and frowned with a stern expression. ¡°What are you standing around for? Seal off the scene!¡± The person holding the umbre for her was momentarily stunned, not having time to react before she strode towards the pit in the rain, pulling gloves from her pocket and putting them on swiftly and professionally. The first batch of local police officers who had arrived at the scene seemed toe to their senses, put up police tape, and pushed people back. The elite officers from the bureau who hade with Song Yuhang also gathered around, each getting drenched by the rain, their sharp eyes forming a human wall. ¡°Move back, move back, protect the scene! No unauthorized personnel allowed!¡± Xue Rui and several others jumped out of the car, pulling the police tape aside anding in, followed by Duan Cheng and Fang Xin. ¡°Director Song, Director Song.¡± Song Yuhang squatted by the pit, examining the situation below, and nodded slightly: ¡°Get to work.¡±
¡°Next stop, Jinhua Commercial Center.¡± The bus¡¯s announcement chimed as the vehicle came to a sudden halt at the station. The girl was jolted by inertia, nearly dropping her phone, snapping back to reality from the onboard TV, and grabbed her umbre, rushing out. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°Driver, driver, I¡¯m getting off, please move aside, move aside.¡± She finally squeezed out of the crowd, took a breath of relief, and looked at thepletely unfamiliar street scene, dumbfounded. No way¡­ Would she be fired for beingte on her first day reporting? She hesitated for a moment but took out her phone and called the person who had recruited her. ¡°Hello, Teacher Duan¡­¡± Before she could finish her sentence, the sound of rain and a man¡¯s roar came from the other end: ¡°Are you here yet? If not, don¡¯t go to the Public Security Bureau,e straight to the scene!¡± Then the call was abruptly hung up, leaving the girl staring nkly. Seeing a taxi approaching, she quickly hailed it and gave the address: ¡°Jiangbei Development Zone, Beixin Real Estate Company.¡±
Duan Cheng hung up the phone, wiped it dry on a dry spot on his sleeve, and put it in his pocket. Fang Xin, walking past him, nced at it. Although he didn¡¯t think much of it, Duan Cheng quickly raised both hands. ¡°Hey, this time it¡¯s not a young girl, it¡¯s a new forensic intern from the technical investigation. I asked her toe directly to the scene.¡± Fang Xin, carrying an investigation kit, carefully stepped between two skeletons: ¡°I have to say, making here to a crime scene on her first day is quite something.¡± Duan Chengughed, squatted down, and took out tools from the kit: ¡°Compared to Sister Lin pressing my head to observe gigantism on a corpse in the autopsy room, this is much gentler.¡± Fang Xin sneered, not bothering to banter, and focused on collecting trace evidence at the scene. Several technical officers taking photos around the skeletons whispered: ¡°For such a big case, do you think Sister Lin wille?¡± Someone shook their head, taking another close-up of the skeleton: ¡°Probably not, after all¡­¡± Before he finished speaking, there was amotion outside the police tape. ¡°Let me in¡­ I¡­ I¡¯m the new forensic intern today.¡± The criminal police officer in charge of clearing the area gave a sarcastic smile: ¡°A reporter, right? Next time,e up with a better excuse.¡± The girl blushed furiously, ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not, I¡¯m really not a reporter¡­¡± Duan Cheng stood up, nced over, and waved his hand, ¡°Let her through, she¡¯s new from the technical team.¡± The criminal police officer responsible for blocking her path rubbed his nose and opened the police tape for her, ¡°Go on in, it¡¯s not our fault, it¡¯s just that these reporters are really annoying¡­¡± The girl nodded, hugged her bag, walked to the edge of the pit, and took a nce down, her face instantly turning pale. The pit wasn¡¯trge, about a hundred square meters and more than a meter deep, with seven or eight technical officers in white protective suits working busily. With their patient clearing, more skeletal remains were being unearthed from the pit, scattered haphazardly. When she looked down, Duan Cheng spread out a blue sterile cloth next to him, gently cing a freshly cleaned skull on it. The dark eye sockets seemed to stare directly at her. The girl was startled, involuntarily stepping back. Duan Cheng called out, ¡°Get your gear ande down, can¡¯t you see we¡¯re busy? Come help!¡± ¡°Oh,ing,ing.¡± The girl took a mask and gloves from a nearby technical officer, deftly put on shoe covers, but as she descended the slope, she nearly tumbled down out of nervousness. The technical team turned their heads and chuckled softly. Duan Chengughed too, cing another cleaned bone on the sterile cloth, ¡°First time seeing a corpse?¡± The girl stammered, ¡°In¡­ in school¡­ I¡¯ve¡­ I¡¯ve seen cadavers.¡± Fang Xin elbowed him, giving a look to signal not to bully the intern. Duan Cheng cleared his throat, ¡°Alright, go help with the camera over there. You know how to take forensic photos, right?¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) The girl nodded vigorously, edging her way along the pit, ¡°Yes, yes, I can, Teacher Duan, don¡¯t worry.¡±
Xue Rui was taking statements from several workers operating the excavator. Song Yuhang was listening nearby. A local precinct officer wanted to offer her a cigarette, but she waved it away. She was famously unapproachable. The precinct chief looked embarrassed and quickly turned his head. The headlights of a new ¡°On-Site Investigation¡± police car illuminated the road in front of the construction site. Song Yuhang looked over. The person who had been stern-faced a moment ago suddenly revealed a helpless smile. ¡°Give me the umbre,¡± she took an officer¡¯s umbre and walked over, seemingly to greet someone. The forensic intern had been crouched down taking pictures for a while and finally stood up straight. Seeing the figure, she excitedly grabbed a colleague¡¯s sleeve. ¡°That¡­ that¡¯s Director Song¡­ I heard about her back in school¡­ She cracked the major drug trafficking case in Jiangcheng and the dismemberment case at Fengyang Pier seventeen years ago¡­¡± The colleague rolled his eyes. Here we go, another newbie star-struck by Director Song. ¡°We¡¯ve all heard the legends about her. Get to work, newbie, you¡¯ll soon learn that Director Song may be nice and good-looking, but she tolerates no ck when solving cases.¡± The forensic intern was still craning her neck to get a better look. Song Yuhang opened the car door and helped someone out with a gentle pull. ¡°Who has such influence that Director Song herself woulde to greet them in Jiangcheng¡­¡± The hand resting on Song Yuhang¡¯s wrist was a woman¡¯s, slender and fair. Following the hand, a woman in ck high heels stepped out of the car. The rain blurred her face somewhat. As she came closer, the rookie noticed she was also wearing a spring and autumn uniform, with silver olive branches and two four-pointed stars on her shoulder patches. Her brown curly hair was neatly tucked into her cap, tied into a low ponytail at the back. Her profile in the misty rain was fair as jade, with striking red lips. It was a kind of beauty that made one¡¯s heart race. The rookie stared in a daze, her mouth forming an exaggerated ¡°O.¡± Song Yuhang pulled her closer, tilting the umbre towards her. Soon, most of her own body was drenched. Sheined, ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to rest at home? Why did youe out again?¡± Lin Yan rolled her eyes, ignoring her. ¡°I received ten media calls this morning, five from the city government, three from the provincial public security department, and guess who thest one was from.¡± Song Yuhangughed, taking the investigation kit from her hand, carefully supporting her as they walked slowly towards the pit. ¡°Be careful, it¡¯s slippery. Was it Feng Jianguo?¡± Lin Yan snorted, ¡°That old geezer, his nose is sharper than a dog¡¯s. When he couldn¡¯t find you, he had toe to me.¡± Song Yuhang rarely checked her phone at crime scenes, too busy to pay attention. Lin Yan¡¯s rare day off was disrupted, given the special circumstances. Song Yuhang ground her teeth, ¡°I¡¯ll talk to the tel department and have our home¡¯s signal blocked.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s eyes crinkled with a smile, elbowing her, ¡°Don¡¯t be silly. How can a police director block her own home¡¯s signal? Get to work, let¡¯s get serious.¡± Song Yuhang didn¡¯t get upset, holding the umbre and taking two steps forward, her expression worried, ¡°Hey, you just got pregnant, and you¡¯re still running to the crime scene. How can I be at ease¡­¡± The rookie¡¯s eyes widened, noticing the slight bulge under Lin Yan¡¯s uniform. Her frame was slender; without a closer look, one wouldn¡¯t notice she was pregnant. Lin Yan red back, annoyed, ¡°Shut your crow¡¯s mouth. Give me the investigation kit.¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Despite the crowd, Lin Yan had no qualms about scolding Song Yuhang openly. The rookie swallowed, stumbling over her words, ¡°She¡­ she¡­ she is¡­¡± Lin Yan is the captain of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau¡¯s Criminal Investigation Team and the head of the Forensic Department. She¡¯s also a senior researcher at the Ministry of Public Security¡¯s Evidence Identification Center and has participated in numerous national-levelplex cases, making her a true textbook figure. While studying forensic science at Binhai University, the girl had attended her autopsy lectures. She never imagined meeting both of her idols at once, so excited that she couldn¡¯t speak coherently. Before she could say anything, Song Yuhang, supporting Lin Yan as they passed, casually dropped a lightment. ¡°She¡¯s my wife.¡± Then she jumped into the pit first, gently helping Lin Yan down. Lin Yan¡¯s voice came faintly through the wind, ¡°Song Yuhang, I can walk by myself. I¡¯m just pregnant, not crippled.¡± ¡°No way. What if you fall? It was hard enough for us to get pregnant.¡± Lin Yan red up, ¡°Can¡¯t you wish me well for once? Get lost and let me examine the bodies!¡± The forensic intern weakly thought while watching her idols, That, uh, senior, the police department has a rule: no flirting at crime scenes¡­
Chapter 143-1 Chapter 143-1 Passing the Torch (2) Eighteen yearster. ¡°Eventually, the young forensic doctor became a capable and independent chief forensic doctor. The teacher with the surname Duan who had introduced her to the profession also became an authority in the industry, and the master of her master, the renowned and unconventional beautiful forensic doctor, began to have white hair at her temples. Through the joint efforts of two generations, the Technical Investigation Division of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau transformed from a small office with only a few people into an outstanding team with dozens of elite members and top-tier national DNAbs, standardized chemicalbs, and video investigationbs. In today¡¯s era of highly advanced technology and ever-evolving criminal methods, they have be a sword that cuts through the darkness.¡± ¡°Speaking of which, we must mention Director Song. During her more than twenty years in office, every homicide case in Jiangcheng City was solved, with not a single unsolved case or wrongful conviction.¡± ¡°Today is the day they are retiring.¡± The newsstand owner, wearing sses and engrossed in a thick book, was suddenly approached by several young girls, chattering excitedly. ¡°Boss, boss, do you have the book ¡¶Chief Female Forensic Doctor¡·?¡± The owner quickly put down his book and brought out a new copy from the newsstand: ¡°Yes, yes, it just arrived yesterday, the final volume, the grand finale.¡± ¡°I want one, I want one!¡±¡°Me too, boss, give me two copies.¡± With colorful bills handed over, the owner couldn¡¯t stop smiling as he collected the money and handed the books to them in stic bags. ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go, the signing is about to start, we¡¯ll miss the seats if we¡¯rete.¡± The girls took the books, hugged them, and eagerly jumped onto the arriving bus. In the early summer morning, the central park was full of life. Young people jogging with earphones passed by the fountain, the mist forming a seven-colored rainbow. Elderly people practicing Tai Chi, middle-aged women dancing in the square, children running and ying, vendors selling hydrogen balloons, students practicing singing, and various ordinary people, all together creating a bustling scene. At the stroke of eight, the square¡¯s LED screen lit up. ¡°The morning news broadcast is over, thank you for listening. Next, it¡¯s entertainment time. The popr literary work ¡¶Chief Female Forensic Doctor¡·, serialized on several major domestic websites for six years, announced its conclusionst month and published its final volume. As a popr IP, ¡¶Chief Female Forensic Doctor¡· has not only been tranted into multiplenguages and sold overseas, but its film and television rights were also sold for millions. We believe that in the near future, Officer Song and Forensic Doctor Lin will appear before the audience in another form. Today is also the first time in six years that the author, Jie Lanzhou, will appear at a book signing event. Let¡¯s follow our cameras to the event¡­¡± The scene shifted to the long queue outside Xinhua Bookstore, crowded with people. As the green light turned red, a BMW approached and slowly stopped by the roadside, a slender white hand reaching out from the window. ¡°Boss, give me two copies of today¡¯s newspaper.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± The owner collected the money and handed over the newspapers. The woman closed the window, and he only had a glimpse of her beautiful side profile. The light soon turned green again. Song Yuhang shifted gears and nced at the passenger seat beside her. Lin Yan was flipping through the newspaper. In the lower right corner of the Legal Daily, a brief news item was published: ¡°This newspaper has learned that the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau will hold the 2030 annual police retirement and new police induction ceremony today at 2 PM at the Jiangcheng City Police Martyrs¡¯ Cemetery.¡± She folded that page and sighed softly. Song Yuhang freed a hand to pat her on the back of her hand: ¡°Last day of work, feeling strange?¡± Lin Yan snorted at her words. Decades had flown by in the blink of an eye. Although the woman had fine lines at the corners of her eyes, she still looked well-maintained and graceful. ¡°Ha, what¡¯s there to get used to? No more early mornings for work, I¡¯ll be waking up with a smile even in my dreams.¡± As she spoke, her voice lowered with a hint of regret: ¡°It¡¯s just that I don¡¯t know if Song Yan and Lin Xi will¡­¡± Early in the morning, one said they had something to do and would be back at night, the other said they were meeting ssmates and wouldn¡¯t be back. Although they were their children, because both parents were busy with work, Song Yan and Lin Xi spent more time with their grandmother than with them, and were even closer to Ji Jingxing than to them. This had always been a sore spot for Lin Yan, especially with Lin Xi, who had a temperament very simr to hers. She didn¡¯t want their parent-child rtionship to end up like hers with Lin Youyuan. As they talked, the Municipal Public Security Bureau was already in sight. Song Yuhang parked the car by the roadside, took advantage of the surroundings being empty, unbuckled her seatbelt, leaned over, and kissed her on the forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t think too much. The kids are grown up, they have their own ideas and ns, let them be.¡±
¡°Hey, did you read thetest chapter of ¡¶Forensic¡·? After six years, the corpse hiding case in the building was finally solved.¡± ¡°Of course, I read it. Wuwuwu, there¡¯s a signing today, I really want to go.¡± (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°I heard this is the author¡¯s first public appearance. Wonder if it¡¯s a man or a woman, if they¡¯re handsome. If it¡¯s a handsome guy¡­¡± A female officer holding the book pretended to be infatuated, her eyes sparkling. ¡°What if it¡¯s a beautiful woman?¡± a colleague teased. ¡°A beautiful woman? That¡¯d be great too. Just look at our Director Song and Forensic Doctor Lin. Especially our Sister Lin, her skin, I wouldn¡¯t believe she¡¯s over thirty.¡± A few colleagues were chatting, a lively male officer sitting on the desk. ¡°Hey, speaking of them, don¡¯t you think the prototypes of the forensic doctor and the detective in this book resemble them¡­¡± Several people exchanged nces, their eyes lighting up simultaneously. The male officer licked his lips, about to start a wild tale. Duan Cheng walked past the door, carrying a notebook under his arm and a cup of coffee: ¡°What are you doing, don¡¯t gather around, tidy up, and get ready for the meeting.¡± The male officer slid off the desk, stood up straight, and gave a slightly sloppy salute with a grin. ¡°Got it,ing right up!¡± When Song Yuhang came out of the locker room after changing her clothes, Lin Yan was already approaching with her team. The woman was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt issued to senior officers, with the disciplinary button still undone, revealing her slender corbone and a hint of allure. The short skirt hugged her waist tightly, her legs were straight and long, and she walked with confidence in her high heels. As they brushed past each other, Lin Yan, as usual, tossed a file folder onto her chest. ¡°For thest time, a pleasure working with you.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s lips curved into a smile. As usual, she gently lifted her elbow and let her go. ¡°Pleasure working with you, Forensic Doctor Lin.¡±
That day, Lin Yan, as usual, attended a meeting, listening to her subordinates¡¯ case reports. Herst case was concluded, and at the invitation of the new forensic doctor, she gave them her final anatomy lesson. Facing the body donor, she, as always, ced the scalpel vertically in front of her chest and closed her eyes slightly in silent tribute. Someone turned on the camera. After a long time, Lin Yan still hadn¡¯t opened her eyes. ¡°Teacher Lin¡­¡± someone called softly. In that moment when she closed her eyes, Lin Yan felt a hint of reluctance and a secret pain in her heart. Is it time to say goodbye to the autopsy table? Lin Yan opened her eyes and looked at the eager eyes in front of her, a faint smile appearing on her lips. But it was okay. She believed that someone would carry on this work, just as she had done back then. ¡°You can stand closer to observe. Don¡¯t rush to make incisions; observing the external state of the corpse is also a crucial part of forensic science.¡± ¡°After carefully recording the body temperature, livor mortis, rigor mortis, and the degree of dposition, observe the condition of the body¡¯s surface. Generally, the examination requires checking from head to toe, front to back, and left to right: the condition of the scalp and hair (checking for hematomas, lumps, and bald patches); whether the pupils on both sides are dted; whether the conjunctiva is congested (hemorrhaging); any discharge from the nasal cavity and external auditory canal; whether any teeth are missing; any bedsores on the back and sacral areas; whether the inguinal lymph nodes are erged; any injuries or scars on the limbs; any deformities on the body surface, all of which could be crucial clues for solving the case.¡± ¡°None of these examination steps can be skipped. In fact, in actual practice, we do even more. After you examine the external state, if there are any doubts or if the cause of death cannot be determined just by the external state, you can apply to higher authorities for an autopsy.¡± ¡°In the autopsy process, I have exined the methods countless times. Today, I will only emphasize the most important point¡ª¡± She suddenly raised her head, her gaze sharp and intense under the safety goggles, making everyone feel a jolt. ¡°Respect the deceased.¡± ¡°The person lying before you is not a cold, lifeless body donor, but a once-living being. Like you, they had parents, a spouse, children, siblings, friends, and they once lived with hope just like you.¡± ¡°When you first see a corpse at a crime scene, you may experience physiological difort, nausea, vomiting, cold hands and feet, a pale face, and sweating all over. This is normal. As you perform more autopsies, these feelings will lessen, but I hope that no matter how many scenes you attend, how many bodies you dissect, you will never, ever be numb.¡± ¡°Always remember the nervousness, fear, worry, and dread you felt when you first saw a deceased person. Remember this feeling, and then seek the truth for them.¡± As Lin Yan spoke, she demonstrated swiftly. Afterpleting the demonstration, she removed her gloves and, as usual, walked to the whiteboard and picked up a pen to write. Everyone held their breath, waiting for her conclusion, but she wrote eightrge characters: For the rights of the living, speak for the dead. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) A student was moved: ¡°Teacher Lin¡­¡± ¡°Teacher Lin, don¡¯t go, stay with us.¡± ¡°Yes, even after retirement, you can stille back.¡± ¡°Sister Lin, we¡¯ve been together for so long, we can¡¯t do without you.¡± Some had tears in their eyes. She turned around, looking at the faces that were either young or mature, a smile appearing in her eyes. She gently put down the pen, turned, and waved as she walked away. ¡°Goodbye.¡± The future of forensic science is now in your hands.
By the time she arranged her work andpleted the handover with Xue Rui, it was already afternoon. A few rays of sunlight filtered through the blinds onto the desk. Song Yuhang remained nestled in her office chair, unmoving. Xue Rui hesitated: ¡°Director Song¡ª¡± She seemed to snap back to reality: ¡°Oh, I trust you with the work. In the past, when leaders from other ces came to poach people, I didn¡¯t let them take anyone because I knew I could only retire at ease if you took over.¡± Xue Rui looked troubled: ¡°It¡¯s not really my ce to say this, but the brothers below, everyone is reluctant to see you leave. You still have a few more years¡­¡± Song Yuhang waved her hand to stop him: ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind. You can go now and close the door behind you.¡± Xue Rui had no choice but to salute and leave after putting on his wide-brimmed hat. After he left, Song Yuhang watched the light spot on the desk shrink smaller and smaller, lost in thought. Perhaps it was due to her age, but she increasingly found herself reminiscing about the past. Those days at the police academy, the times she drank and had fun at Zhao Junfeng¡¯s house, the early days of her career filled with struggles, and the life-and-death experiences with Lin Yan. Time flowed slowly. The photos on her desk changed from one person to two, then to a family of four. Those thrilling days as a detective had turned into medals in the drawer and certificates on the wall. Song Yuhang¡¯s gaze moved over them one by one:mendations from the Ministry of Public Security for cracking the ¡°Fenyang Wharf Dismemberment Case,¡± the ¡°Most Outstanding Police Officer¡± title from the Binhai Provincial Public Security Department, and banners from the public. One banner read: ¡°Upright and Unyielding, Law Enforcement as Steady as a Mountain; Guardian of Justice, Conscience of Society.¡± The note said it was presented to Director Song Yuhang of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau and all its officers by the family of a certain case. Such banners came every year. Song Yuhang carefully took it down from the wall and rolled it up, cing it into a cardboard box. Lin Yan had actually been standing there for a while, having heard her conversation with Xue Rui. Through the gap in the door, she saw Song Yuhang bathed in sunlight, bending over to pack her things, the few strands of white hair at her temples particrly striking. It¡¯s truly a wondrous thing that two people who once opposed each other so fiercely, as if locked in a life-or-death struggle, have walked such a long journey together and even ending up falling in love. Lin Yan thought this, her eyes growing hot as she pushed the door open and entered: ¡°I think Xue Rui is right. If you don¡¯t want to retire, you totally don¡¯t have to¡­¡± Only she would enter her office without knocking or reporting. Song Yuhang straightened up and looked at her lover. No matter how decisive and unsmiling she was outside, no matter how the name Song Yuhang was enough to strike fear into criminals, in front of her, she always revealed the softest side of the beast. Song Yuhang put down what she was holding, a slight curve appearing at the corners of her lips, as she walked over, opened her arms, and embraced Lin Yan, resting her chin on her shoulder. Even after so many years together, being held by her still gave Lin Yan a sense of peace and solidity. Her asional hugs and kisses were enough to move this woman who was getting on in years. Lin Yan was momentarily stunned, then slowly returned the hug, burying her head in Song Yuhang¡¯s shoulder, her voice somewhat muffled: ¡°Yuhang¡­¡± Song Yuhang gently patted the back of her head: ¡°It¡¯s okay. I just want to spend more time with you and the kids. Once summer is over, they¡¯ll be leaving home too.¡± Those little rascals hadn¡¯t made it easy for her from childhood to adulthood. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Lin Yan sniffed: ¡°It¡¯s good when they¡¯re gone, then it¡¯ll just be you and me at home, peaceful.¡± Song Yuhang cupped her face, forehead against forehead, encircling her waist, teasing: ¡°Then why are you crying?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not, I¡¯m not crying¡­¡± Lin Yan stubbornly argued, but her reddened eyespletely exposed her vulnerability. As she spoke, she choked up. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ it¡¯s just¡­ the kids have grown so much, and they don¡¯t evene to their own mother¡¯s retirement ceremony. And it¡¯s my birthday today too. Lin Xi and Ji Jingxing are closer to each other than to me, wuwuwu.¡± Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t help butugh, pulling some tissues from the desk to give to her, holding her and soothing her: ¡°Lin Xi was naughty when she was little, and we had never raised kids before. My sister-inw helped a lot. Besides, we¡¯re all family. What are you getting jealous about?¡± Lin Yan: ¡°I don¡¯t care, I just feel ufortable, it¡¯s killing me. Why are those little brats so disobedient? If I had known, I wouldn¡¯t have had them back then. It¡¯s all your fault¡­¡± It seems that the problem of getting nostalgic and grumbling as one ages wasn¡¯t hers alone. Song Yuhang, at a loss whether tough or cry, wiped her tears while coaxing and persuading: ¡°Alright, alright, we still have to attend the retirement ceremonyter, your makeup is all messed up.¡± rm bells immediately rang in Lin Yan¡¯s mind, and she shot up: ¡°Where? Is it obvious?¡± Song Yuhang pulled her to the window, lifting her chin gently into the sunlight, carefully examining: ¡°Your lip color is a bit faint, but it¡¯s okay, I¡¯ll fix it for you.¡± ¡°You? Where did you get lipstick¡­¡± Before Lin Yan could finish, her eyes widened in surprise, her pupils focusing on Song Yuhang¡¯s faceing closer and closer, until it finally covered her lips. So that¡¯s¡­ how she¡¯d fix it.
Chapter 143-2 Chapter 143-2 Passing the Torch (2) ¡°You? Where did you get lipstick¡­¡± Before Lin Yan could finish, her eyes widened in surprise, her pupils focusing on Song Yuhang¡¯s faceing closer and closer, until it finally covered her lips. So that¡¯s¡­ how she¡¯d fix it. She didn¡¯t have time to resist before Song Yuhang reached back with one hand and pulled down the curtains. ¡°Mm¡­¡± Their lips and teeth intertwined until she could barely breathe. Only then did Song Yuhang speak softly against her ear, ¡°Yuhang-brand lipstick, a brand with twenty years of history, do you still like it?¡± ¡°Get lost.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s face turned slightly red, as if blushed with rouge. She spat at her, but then buried her face into her neck, rubbing affectionately.Song Yuhang smiled and gently stroked her back tofort her. ¡°Haven¡¯t you always wanted to go to Canada? We have time now, or Australia, Northern Europe, New Zend¡­ wherever you want to go, I¡¯ll go with you.¡± As the two enjoyed their rare moment of solitude, a police officer knocked on the door. ¡°Director Song, the car is here.¡± ¡°Alright, have them wait a moment.¡± Song Yuhang raised her voice to respond, let go of the person in her arms, and tapped her nose. ¡°But for now, we need to attend the retirement ceremony first.¡± Lin Yan tugged at her clothes. ¡°Is my makeup smudged?¡± Song Yuhangughed. ¡°No, you¡¯re the most beautiful.¡± Before leaving, Song Yuhang took a coat from the rack, while Lin Yan picked up her phone from the table to use as a mirror. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a book titled ¡¶Chief Female Forensic Doctor¡· beside theputer. For some reason, she felt the cover and title looked familiar, but she couldn¡¯t recall where she had seen it before. The word ¡°forensic¡± caught her attention. Lin Yan picked it up and nced at it. ¡°You read this kind of stuff?¡± Song Yuhang draped the coat over her arm and pulled her along. ¡°Oh, Xue Rui just brought it over, said the author did a good job. They all are reading it, so I can pass the time with it when I have nothing else to do.¡± Lin Yan casually held onto it and quickly flipped through a couple of pages. ¡°Really? Suspense and detective novels like this usually have no factual basis. I can point out a hundred mistakes.¡± Song Yuhang smiled as the two walked down the corridor, their figures gradually receding. ¡°You think it¡¯s like writing an autopsy report? Ordinary people can¡¯t ess the cases we handle¡­¡±
Jiangcheng City Martyrs Cemetery. Every year, the induction ceremony for new police officers is held here. At the same time, a batch of senior police officers retire after conferring ranks to the young ones. Lin Yan still remembered many years ago, when Song Yuhang brought her here. At that time, she said, ¡°This ce is not only a separation of life and death, but also a transition between the old and the new. Generations of criminal police officers rest here, and generations of young officers step out from here¡­¡± She was right. They had conferred ranks on many young people here, watching them gradually grow into excellent police officers, and had also bid farewell to manyrades. Those who could stand here to attend the retirement ceremony were only the lucky few. After Song Yuhang led the group in sweeping the tombs of the veterans, everyone lined up again in front of the Martyrs Memorial. The world was silent, the cemetery¡¯s pines and cypresses stood evergreen, and the words ¡°Public Security Martyrs¡± hung on the wall of the distantwn. The prismatic stone pir engraved with the heroes¡¯ names stood alone, reflecting a cold light in the sunset. Witnessed by the 512 public security martyrs who sacrificed over the years in Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau and the 97 soon-to-be-retired seniors, the young officers raised their right hands to their temples and solemnly swore. ¡°I swear: I am willing to be a People¡¯s Police officer of the People¡¯s Republic of China, dedicated to the noble cause of the public security of the people, and determined to be loyal to the Party, serve the people, enforce thew justly, and maintain strict discipline, unafraid of sacrifice! I will strive for a lifetime to maintain social stability, promote social fairness and justice, and ensure the people live and work in peace and contentment!¡± No matter what they would face in the future, Lin Yan thought, at this moment, facing the police badge, the seniors, and the memorial, their hearts must be filled with aspirations, passion, and sincerity. Because she and Song Yuhang were once among them, the difference being they had changed from those needing to be conferred ranks to those putting epaulets on others. She followed Song Yuhang, helping the young officers with their epaulets and cor flowers, smoothing out their wrinkled cors. Almost everyone had tears in their eyes, stood upright, raised their hands to their temples, and saluted solemnly, ¡°Thank you, leader!¡± Song Yuhang and Lin Yan stepped back, stood straight, and returned a standard military salute. After the induction ceremony for the new officers, it was time for the retirement ceremony of the senior officers. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) Lin Yan had been annoyed by such formalities countless times, but when it was her turn, a police officer carrying a tray covered with satin approached her. Xue Rui saluted her. ¡°Comrade Lin Yan, we sincerely thank you for all you have done for the public security cause of our country. Please hand over your police badge, armband, epaulets, and cor flowers.¡± Lin Yan stood motionless, letting them take off her armband and ce it on the tray. The epaulets adorned with silver olive branches were also removed, followed by the cor flowers. During this process, some veteran officers couldn¡¯t help but silently shed tears. Xue Rui stood still. ¡°Forensic Doctor Lin¡­¡± She took out her police badge from her pocket and handed it over, her movements always a bit slow. The sunset danced at the corners of her eyes. Lin Yan stood backlit, and no one knew if she was crying. Xue Rui only saw her hand pause when about to ce the badge on the tray, her thumb gently brushing over the police badge before finally letting go. He picked up the medal from the tray and pinned it to her chest. Then, along with two other officers, he stepped back and solemnly saluted. ¡°Remove your hats!¡± The row of soon-to-be-retired senior officers in front of her all simultaneously removed their wide-brimmed hats and tucked them under their arms. The young officers behind them followed suit, raising both hands, the past and future converging at this moment. ¡°Everyone, salute the veterans!¡± After the retirement ceremony, Song Yuhang stayed behind alone. She carried a bottle of Moutai, pushed aside the weeds along the path, and walked slowly along the narrow stone steps. Along the way, herrades smiled at her. Song Yuhang stopped in front of Zhang Jinhai¡¯s tombstone, poured a ss of good wine for him, then got up and continued walking. As the grass grew denser, the dew dampened her trouser legs, and the scenery here was clearly more deste than before. Song Yuhang paused, squatted down in front of an aged tombstone, and gently touched the peeling words with her fingers, getting a handful of stone debris. Her throat moved slightly. She unscrewed the bottle cap, took a cup from her pocket, filled it, and raised it to her lips. One hand tilted, and the clear liquor sshed in front of the tombstone. ¡°Dad, brother, this one¡¯s for you.¡± She said, then tilted her head back and drank it all, wiping the corner of her lips, her eyes burning. ¡°Today, I retired, with Lin Yan. Lin Xi and Song Yan are about to go to college. Mom is still in good health, though her legs are not as good as they used to be. Xiaowei and sister-inw are doing well too. Oh, right, brother, sister-inw remarried. Don¡¯t be angry, Liang Shi treats her and Xiao Wei very well. She has had a hard time these years without you.¡± Song Yuhang said, pouring herself another cup. Just as she was about to drink it all, someone grabbed her wrist. She looked up to see Lin Yan standing in the grass, smiling. ¡°I knew you¡¯d be here.¡± Song Yuhang moved her lips, but before she could speak, Lin Yan took the cup from her, extended it towards the two tombstones, and said, ¡°Dad, brother, this one¡¯s from me. We¡¯re all doing well, don¡¯t worry!¡± With that, she raised her hand, downing the liquor in one go. Lin Yan wiped the corner of her mouth, turned the cup upside down to show she had finished, and the wind brought the scent of early summer¡¯s forest and the aroma of the liquor. Song Yuhang poured the remaining liquor onto the ground, slowly stood up, saluted her father and brother, then took Lin Yan¡¯s hand and started walking back. ¡°Today¡¯s your birthday. What do you want to eat?¡± Lin Yan: ¡°Anything is fine, let¡¯s go home first.¡± Song Yuhang smiled: ¡°That won¡¯t do, let¡¯s go shopping, and buy you a few nice clothes.¡± She thought Song Yuhang was joking, but once they got in the car, it indeed wasn¡¯t the way home. Lin Yan was suspicious: ¡°Are you hiding something from me?¡± Song Yuhangughed and turned the steering wheel to the left, merging into the city traffic: ¡°What could I be hiding from you? You can spot a single strand of someone else¡¯s hair on me.¡± Lin Yan snorted: ¡°That¡¯s right, I bet you wouldn¡¯t dare.¡± Song Yuhang chatted with her while driving: ¡°I just feel like we used to focus all our lives on work. Now that we¡¯re finally retired, I want to spend time with you and the kids, make up for the movies we didn¡¯t watch, the streets we didn¡¯t walk, and the dates we missed.¡±
The book signing event didn¡¯t end until the evening. Before the staff could find Jie Lanzhou to ask him out for dinner, he had already put on a mask and slipped out from backstage. To avoid being spotted by fans still waiting at the bookstore entrance, he discarded his jacket in a trash can, wearing only a hoodie, pulling the hood over his head, looking around while making a call. As soon as he saw a taxiing, he quickly hailed it. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) ¡°Hey, sis? I¡¯ming back, I¡¯ming back! Just finished up and heading home now. Did you pick up Grandma¡­¡± Before he finished speaking, he heard a cold voice on the other end: ¡°Song Yan, why are you so slow, are you crawling back?¡± Then the call was hung up. Song Yan was stunned, throwing his phone onto the seat. Damn you, Lin Xi, you can¡¯t go a day without scolding me, can you? Despite his thoughts, the boy checked the time, unsure how long mom could dy, his expression showing a hint of urgency as he instructed the driver. ¡°Sir, to Qingshan Vi, please drive faster.¡±
During the two hours Song Yuhang took her shopping, she checked her phone every ten minutes, buying clothes, shoes, bags, perfumes, and jewelry¡ªmore than a dozen items, and still not stopping. Lin Yan increasingly felt something was wrong, gritting her teeth and pulling her ear: ¡°Tell me, what trouble have those two rascals caused this time? Is it fighting, breaking windows, or a teacher¡¯s home visit, so you don¡¯t want me to go home?¡± ¡°It hurts, it hurts¡­ in public¡­¡± Song Yuhang winced, continuously smiling apologetically: ¡°Really not¡­ really nothing¡­ they¡¯re on vacation, how could the teacher make a home visit¡­¡± As soon as she finished speaking, her phone buzzed, Song Yuhang¡¯s eyes lit up, she nudged Lin Yan¡¯s hand away. ¡°Alright, alright, let¡¯s go home.¡± Lin Yan walked while cursing: ¡°You spoil them, you¡¯re in cahoots, covering for each other. Last time, Lin Xi¡¯s ssmate¡¯s parents came to the police station, didn¡¯t you learn a lesson?¡± Song Yuhangmented: ¡°Both the palm and the back of the hand are full of flesh¡­¡±
When they got home, and the vi¡¯s lights turned on, Lin Yan finally understood that Song Yuhang¡¯s meticulous effort was just to give her an unforgettable birthday. Even though they had been together for over twenty years, cases were unpredictable, often getting called out in the middle of the night, throwing on clothes and leaving wasmon, let alone having a birthday with the whole family. More often, it was a candle on a small cake in the car, office, or wilderness, with a birthday song. Moreover, birthdays were special for Lin Yan because her birthday was also Chu Nan¡¯s death anniversary. While she enjoyed family blessings and cake, her best friend could only rest underground. So, she avoided celebrating if she could, but today was an exception. When Song Yuhang released her hands from covering her eyes, the room was brightly lit, decorated with balloons and streamers on the windows. The dining table was covered with a white cloth, adorned with a bouquet of fragrant flowers, and a variety of dishes were prepared. Lin Xi walked out with a cake, candles flickering, gently burning. Ji Jingxing also pushed Mother Song out, Liang Shi and Xiaowei following beside her. Just like Lin Xi was close to Ji Jingxing, Xiaowei was particrly fond of this aunt. Having studied and worked abroad for years, Xiaowei¡¯s eyes were slightly red as she ran over to Lin Yan. ¡°Auntie!¡± Lin Yan was caught in a warm embrace, slowly raising her hand to touch the back of Xiaowei¡¯s head: ¡°Xiaowei, you¡¯ve grown up.¡± Xiaowei let go and hugged Song Yuhang: ¡°Uncle.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s facial expression copsed: ¡°Call her Auntie!¡± Xiaowei covered her mouth andughed, having grown much taller, bing more beautiful and lovely. ¡°Still the same as before.¡± Saying this, she pushed Lin Xi, who was holding the cake, towards Lin Yan. Lin Xi struggled, full of reluctance: ¡°Sis, don¡¯t push me¡­¡± ¡°Hurry up, you arranged all this, you followed the recipes and cooked the dishes. You¡¯ve done a good deed, your mom should know.¡± Lin Yan smiled, seeing the flickering candlelight and her daughter¡¯s height, almost as tall as her, standing there tall and graceful. She had European skin and hair color, but inherited Lin Yan¡¯s dark, bright eyes, with sharp, defined features, a bold and strong temperament, yet her fighting skills were like Song Yuhang¡¯s¡ªnever losing a fight. As Lin Yan looked on, her eyes grew moist. Before she could speak, she stepped forward, pulling her daughter into an embrace, gently patting her back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lin Xi, it¡¯s been hard all these years, mom¡­ loves you.¡± Lin Xi was stunned. If Song Yuhang hadn¡¯t quickly taken the cake, it might have been all over them by now. She never thought Lin Yan would hug her first. She was born five minutes before Song Yan. In those five minutes, Song Yan was in a breech position, nearly dying,ter staying in an incubator for over a month before recovering. Growing up, he frequently had colds, fevers, and headaches. Because of this, Lin Xi felt her moms focused too much love and care on Song Yan, leaving her with just a tiny bit. (If you''re not reading on , it means this has been stolen) She was angry, resentful, and felt wronged, acting out just like Lin Yan did as a child to get attention. Lin Yan noticed this change but was powerless or too busy to address their feelings. After all, she and Song Yuhang were very busy, but being busy was no excuse for neglecting the children, she knew. When she wanted to get close to Lin Xi, the child had grown up, hitting rebellious adolescence. She scolded and punished her, disappointed, and cried countless times, but Lin Xi didn¡¯t know. This was the first time she saw her mom cry. In her memory, Lin Yan was a strong woman. The seemingly tough Song Yuhang was much softer. In the police station, high-ranking and efficient, she was alsomanding at home, never asking for their opinions, always dictating under the guise of their good. Even a year ago, when Lin Xi put a boy in the hospital, and his parents caused a scene at the police station, Lin Yan didn¡¯t shed a tear. But now, this strong mom trembled slightly on her shoulder. Those burning tears fell into her neck, making Lin Xi feel sour, raising her hands to gently hug her back. ¡°Mom¡­ happy birthday.¡± Lin Yan smiled through tears, the flow increasing, but not wanting to loseposure before her daughter, she wiped her eyes and let go. ¡°Thank you for your hard work today. You must be hungry, let¡¯s eat. I bought you and Song Yan clothes and shoes while shopping, try them onter in your room.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Lin Xi nodded, speaking little, and went to set the table.
Chapter 143-3 Passing the Torch (2) Lin Yan smiled through tears, the flow increasing, but not wanting to loseposure before her daughter, she wiped her eyes and let go. ¡°Thank you for your hard work today. You must be hungry, let¡¯s eat. I bought you and Song Yan clothes and shoes while shopping, try them onter in your room.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Lin Xi nodded, speaking little, and went to set the table. Song Yuhang pulled her wife¡¯s shoulder tofort her: ¡°I know today is a somewhat special day for you, but if Chu Nan were alive, she would surely want you to live well.¡± Lin Yan ced her hand on top of hers and smiled gently: ¡°I understand, let¡¯s eat.¡± There were eight people in total, but Lin Xi took out nine sets of bowls and chopsticks. This was a family rule in the Lin household: during festivals and special asions, they would always set an extra ce, even if nothing was put in it. A ck-and-white photo of a young girl hung in the living room. The incense table was spotless, and Lin Yan changed the candles and offerings every day. When she was young, she didn¡¯t understand and felt it was improper to ask Lin Yan, so she went to ask her other mother instead. ¡°Mommy, is the girl in the photo in our living room a rtive of ours?¡± Song Yuhang shook her head: ¡°No.¡± Lin Xi, being precocious, was somewhat puzzled: ¡°Then is she Mom¡¯s ex-girlfriend? Like you.¡± Song Yuhang¡¯s lips curved into a soft smile as she lovingly patted her head: ¡°No, your mom and I, both in the past and now, have only had each other.¡± The child was even more confused: ¡°Then who is she? Why is her photo hanging in our living room?¡± Song Yuhang squatted down to be at eye level with her, holding the child¡¯s shoulder firmly yet gently: ¡°She was a very good friend of your mother, a very, very good friend.¡± ¡°How good?¡± Song Yuhang thought for a moment: ¡°Although they weren¡¯t rted by blood, they grew up together, yed together, and were as close as sisters. It¡¯s a bond that can never be severed, just like you and Song Yan.¡± With that exnation, young Lin Xi nodded somewhat understandingly. Song Yuhang patted her head again: ¡°Lin Xi, her name is Chen Chu Nan. Remember this name. Even if one day your mom and I are no longer here, her portrait must never be removed from our living room. You and Song Yan must always remember her and ce more offerings during festivals. Got it?¡± The little girl nodded crisply: ¡°Got it, Mommy!¡± Only then did Song Yuhang smile and took her hand, leading her outside: ¡°Let¡¯s go, your mom is working overtime today, let¡¯s get Song Yan and go have pizza!¡± From that moment on, Lin Xi remembered Song Yuhang¡¯s words. Lin Yan watched her ce a set of bowls and chopsticks on the empty seat, feeling a warmth in her eyes and a gentle smile on her lips. ¡°Let me do it, Lin Xi, you sit down, I¡¯ll serve the rest of the food.¡± Song Yuhang stood up and took the serving spoon from her hand: ¡°I¡¯ll do it, you sit down too.¡± ¡°Mom, you have bad teeth, let me get you some soup to mix with the food.¡± Mother Song, sitting in a wheelchair, though her legs were not very convenient, was still in good spirits. Her teeth were almost all gone, making her smile even more kind and amiable. ¡°Okay, okay, give Yanyan some soup too. Today, this soup, I came over this afternoon and watched Xiaoxi stew it.¡± Although she said she watched, she probably helped a lot. Lin Yanined: ¡°Mom, it¡¯s such a long trip for you, why bother.¡± ¡°It¡¯s different, it¡¯s different, it¡¯s your birthday.¡± Song Yuhang agreed: ¡°Exactly, exactly, now in this house, my status is the lowest. If it weren¡¯t for Lin Yan, I wouldn¡¯t have had Mom¡¯s soup for years.¡± Ji Jingxing stood up and handed the rice she had served to Liang Shi: ¡°Not just you, I haven¡¯t had it for years either.¡± Under the warm yellow light, the whole room burst intoughter. Song Yuhang finally served herself and sat down, just about to pick up her chopsticks, Lin Yan looked around and frowned, suddenly feeling something was wrong. ¡°Where¡¯s Song Yan?¡± Song Yuhang and Lin Xi exchanged a nce and were about to exin for him: ¡°Well, Song Yan, he¡­¡± Before they could finish, the boy burst in, carrying a backpack, panting: ¡°Sis, the book signing event endedte. The organizers invited me to dinner, but I didn¡¯t go, I came back¡­¡± (If you''re not reading on littlepandatrantions, it means this has been stolen) Everyone in the room stared at him. Song Yuhang covered her face, Lin Xi held her forehead. Lin Yan looked him up and down and saw his newly dyed green hair, her expression changed. The word te¡± stuck in Song Yan¡¯s throat like a chicken being choked. Just then, the TV started ying the evening news. ¡°Today, emerging suspense and mystery novelist Jie Lanzhou appeared at a book signing event with his new book ¡¶Chief Female Forensic Doctor¡·. We can see a long line outside the bookstore, and many readers are holding banners to cheer him on, hoping he will write even better works.¡± The footage was apanied by fans screaming: ¡°Ah, ah, ah, Lanzhou, you¡¯re so handsome! I love you!!!¡± ¡°Jie Lanzhou, marry me! Marry me!¡± ¡­¡­ The reporter adjusted her earpiece and walked a few steps aside: ¡°Indeed, a highly popr new-generation author. It¡¯s said that Lanzhou just turned eighteen this year. Let¡¯s interview him.¡± The camera moved to Jie Lanzhou himself. ¡°Hello, Lanzhou, I¡¯m also a fan of your books. I¡¯d like to ask, is the ¡¶Forensic¡· series really over? Will there be a sequel?¡±freew¨¥bnove? Song Yan calmly adjusted the microphone, crossed his hands under his chin, and smiled slightly. ¡°The ¡¶Forensic¡· series has ended, but it doesn¡¯t mean their stories are over. If there¡¯s a chance, I might consider a sequel.¡± The reporter, sensing a big scoop, looked excited: ¡°Them? So does that mean Officer Song and Forensic Doctor Lin are based on real people?¡± Before Song Yan could respond, Lin Yan started grinding her teeth. Unmoor the orchid boat, unmoor the orchid boat, drunk, unmoor the orchid boat. It detains no one. Drunk, unmoor the orchid boat and leave, one oar navigating the spring waters. Passing where dawn warblers sing. The Song dynasty poet Yan Jidao¡¯s poems¡ªthis little brat really knows how to y with words!1 And what¡¯s with that head full of green hair? It looks so suspicious! Song Yan saw her grab the chopsticks from the table and started to back away: ¡°Mom, Mom, stop, listen to me, listen to me! I really didn¡¯t mean toe back sote, Jie Lanzhou, he, he, he¡­¡± Lin Yan mmed the table and stood up: ¡°Get over here! Every day you¡¯re cking off, not studying properly, writing these suspense and mystery novels. I think you¡¯re just too full and have nothing better to do. And using your mother as a character prototype, who do you think you are? With your level, do you think what you write is readable?!¡± Song Yan was about to cry, clinging to Song Yuhang¡¯s sleeve: ¡°Mom, save me.¡± Lin Yan picked up a pack of tissues and threw it over: ¡°Song Yuhang, did you also know about him writing novels behind my back?!¡± Song Yuhang had to endure the pain of letting go, slowly peeling her son¡¯s hand off: ¡°Yanyan, listen to me, I really didn¡¯t know¡­¡± Song Yan was heartbroken: ¡°Mom, you¡¯re not being fair.¡± Seeing his green hair swaying in front of her eyes, Lin Yan was furious, grabbing the chopsticks and chasing after him: ¡°Come over here! What¡¯s with your hair? Every day, you¡¯re learning the bad things¡ªsmoking, drinking, and perming your hair?!¡± Song Yan screamed, running around the room, hiding behind his grandmother: ¡°Grandma, save me! Mom, listen to me, this was a style done by the makeup artist for today¡¯s book signing¡­¡± ¡°Besides, I¡¯m grown up now, can¡¯t I perm my hair? You also dyed your hair, and it¡¯s brown! You shouldn¡¯t impose on others what you don¡¯t want yourself. Mom, don¡¯t stay silent, do something about her! I just wrote a novel, why are you so angry? Is it menopause?¡± The little brat ran fast, dodging while Lin Yan kept throwing things, panting with rage. Hearing his words, she nearly choked on her anger: ¡°How old am I, how old are you? Can youpare yourself to me?! Writing novels for six years, six years without studying properly, and what were your college entrance exam scores?! And calling it menopause, let me tell you, I¡¯m far from that stage!¡± Seeing her p about tond, Song Yan closed his eyes and pulled out an eptance letter from his pocket, holding it above his head, almost kneeling. ¡°Mom, I got in, to the Literature Department of the Beijing Film Academy. I want to be a screenwriter.¡± Lin Yan was momentarily stunned, her raised hand unable to fall, her eyes showing a hint of relief. She wanted to pat her son¡¯s head but refrained, snatching the eptance letter from his hand and opening it. It was true. Seeing the seal of the Beijing Film Academy, most of Lin Yan¡¯s anger dissipated, and she patted his head. ¡°You little brat, sit down and eat first. After dinner, dye your green hair back!¡± Song Yan, with his head hanging, sat down, muttering: ¡°Uncle Jingzhe dyed his hair red, why can¡¯t I dye mine green? To get by in life, you need a bit of green¡­¡± Song Yuhang poked his arm and put food in his bowl: ¡°Eat.¡± (If you''re not reading on littlepandatrantions, it means this has been stolen) Lin Xi, seeing so many people in front of her, hesitated for a while before putting down her chopsticks. She made up her mind and took out her eptance letter too. ¡°Mom, I got in too.¡± Lin Yan was pleasantly surprised: ¡°You got in too? Where? The Beijing Film Academy?¡± She had already started dreaming of having a famous actress daughter in the future. Lin Xi handed her the eptance letter and quickly backed away as if afraid of being hit: ¡°Criminal Investigation Department, People¡¯s Public Security University of China.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s facial expression management copsed for the third time that night. The chair next to her moved, and Song Yuhang quickly picked her up and carried her to the bedroom, away from the battleground. Lin Yan was still holding the chopsticks, roaring: ¡°Song Yuhang, put me down! She¡¯s studying criminal investigation, bing a police officer, risking her life every day, never at home!¡± ¡°Oh,e on, the kids are grown up and have their own choices. You and I are both police officers. Yes, it¡¯s dangerous, but as long as she practices martial arts well and protects herself, she¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°Are you her mom? Can two fists beat four hands? You know how cunning, ruthless, and cruel drug dealers can be!¡± ¡°I know, I know¡­¡± The door closed, and the two voices gradually faded. Song Yuhang¡¯s head popped out again: ¡°Mom, sister-inw, Liang Shi, Xiaowei, you all start eating first. We¡¯ll join you in a bit.¡± ¡°Song Yuhang!¡± Lin Yan just shouted when someone covered her mouth and pushed her onto the bed. ¡°Mmm¡­¡± The younger ones watched the tightly closed door, exchanged nces, and twitched their mouths. It¡¯s been decades, aren¡¯t you tired of this? Lin Xi shivered all over, goosebumps falling all over the floor. Ji Jingxing lightly coughed, picked food from the te: ¡°Let¡¯s eat, let¡¯s eat, try Xiao Xi¡¯s cooking.¡± Everyone seemed to snap back to reality, chatting andughing as they ate. Song Yan¡¯s sweet mouth kept ttering everyone, calling ¡°Grandma¡± and ¡°Aunt¡± so sweetly that they were all smiling and happy. ¡°Grandma, take good care of your health. In a couple of years, I¡¯ll take you to Beijing to have fun.¡± ¡°Aunt, you¡¯re still so young and beautiful. In a few years, when my sister gets married and has a chubby boy, you¡¯ll be the youngest grandmother ever.¡± Lin Xi always had to tease him: ¡°You? It¡¯d be good if you can even settle in Beijing. Aunt, don¡¯t listen to him. He praises every seventy or eighty-year-olddy as young and beautiful.¡± ¡°Hey, you, Lin Xi, aren¡¯t you done yet?¡± ¡°Respect your elders, call me sister!¡± The two bickered, back and forth, lively and entertaining, making the whole familyugh. Song Yan and Lin Xi had lived at Ji Jingxing¡¯s house for a long time when they were young and were close to Xiao Wei, so there were no reservations. Song Yan curiously asked. ¡°Sis, I asked youst time, didn¡¯t you have a boyfriend? Why didn¡¯t you bring him back?¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes turned to Xiao Wei. Ji Weiwei smiled, cutting the steak on her te: ¡°We broke up.¡± ¡°Why? I remember he was pretty good, wasn¡¯t he?¡± Lin Xi put down her chopsticks. ¡°He said I¡¯m bi and couldn¡¯t ept me sleeping with girls.¡± Ji Jingxing had not yet swallowed her mouthful of soup when she burst into a thunderous coughing fit. ¡°Ji Weiwei, you learn all the bad things, following Lin Yan around. What kind of nonsense have you picked up?!¡± Ji Weiwei sighed, ¡°Mom, I¡¯m an adult. In free love, as long as it doesn¡¯t go against someone else¡¯s will or harm others, I have the right to choose how to live and who to be with.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Ji Jingxing was almost choked with anger, and Liang Shi hurriedly helped by giving her food to calm her down. ¡°Eat, eat. The kids are grown up, let them be. I believe Xiao Weiwei has her own judgment.¡± Halfway through the meal, Song Yuhang pulled Lin Yan out to eat birthday cake and blow out candles. (If you''re not reading on littlepandatrantions, it means this has been stolen) ¡°Mom, make a wish.¡± The two kids held the cake up to her. Song Yuhang turned off the lights, and Lin Yan looked at the smiling faces in front of her, her eyes slightly moist. How fortunate she was. She had always thought she was a person without roots until she met Song Yuhang and realized that she wasn¡¯t rootless, she justcked soil. Song Yuhang¡¯s daily and yearly faithful love had nurtured her soil, causing even the barrennd to grow towering trees. After having Song Yan and Lin Xi, the tree grew even more lush and vibrant. They were all her roots; they were her family. In the birthday song, Lin Yan gently closed her eyes and silently wished: Lin Xi and Song Yan, safe and sessful in their careers year after year. Mom, good health and long life. Ji Jingxing and Liang Shi, growing old together, everything going smoothly. Xiao Wei, finding a soulmate soon. As for her and Song Yuhang¡­ It seems I¡¯ve made a lot of wishes. Lin Yan opened her eyes, looking at them with a smile, her pupils shining even in the darkness. Song Yuhang leaned over and pressed a kiss on her forehead, ¡°Happy birthday, I love you.¡± 1. A verse from a ci (a form of Chinese lyric poetry) by Yan Jidao, a poet from the Song Dynasty. Chapter 143-4 Passing the Torch (2) It seems I¡¯ve made a lot of wishes. Lin Yan opened her eyes, looking at them with a smile, her pupils shining even in the darkness. Song Yuhang leaned over and pressed a kiss on her forehead, ¡°Happy birthday, I love you.¡± When it was time to cut the cake, they started fighting while eating, smearing cream everywhere. Lin Yan¡¯s anger from earlier hadn¡¯t subsided, and she took this opportunity to settle personal scores. In the end, Song Yan¡¯s face had the most cream on it. The teenager screamed and ran around the house, spreading cream everywhere, even getting some on Mother Song. After everyone was tired from ying, Song Yuhang went to clean up the kitchen. Lin Yan followed her in. ¡°Let me help you,¡± she said, rolling up her sleeves to get to work. Song Yuhang pushed her away and put on an apron. ¡°No need, no need, you go y with the kids.¡± Lin Yan smiled lightly, ¡°They¡¯re ying games, Ji Jingxing and Liang Shi are ying poker with Mom.¡± Song Yuhang nced outside through the window. The three kids were on the sofa, engrossed in video games, shouting excitedly. Mother Song and a few others were ying poker on the other side of the coffee table, with tea and sunflower seeds at hand,ughing and chatting merrily. Song Yuhang suddenly felt emotional, ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since our whole family gathered like this.¡± Lin Yan hugged her from behind, resting her head on Song Yuhang¡¯s back, ¡°Yuhang, thank you.¡± Song Yuhang put down the te in her hand, turned around, and gently called her name, ¡°Lin Yan¡­¡± ¡°Mm?¡± Following the voice, Lin Yan looked up. On this early summer night, amidst the sounds of insects, during a family reunion, under the warm yellow light, a gentle and loving kiss was shared. Their reflections appeared in the kitchen window, snuggled together. The three kids turned their heads back expressionlessly, picked up their controllers, and continued ying games. Lin Xi, Song Yan, and Ji Weiyi: Someday, I¡¯m going to choke on their dog food.jpg Late at night, when everyone was asleep, Song Yuhang arranged for Ji Jingxing and the others to stay, then took a shower and trudged upstairs wearily. She quietly opened the bedroom door, thinking Lin Yan was asleep. To her surprise, the bedsidemp was still on. Lin Yan was leaning against the headboard, wearing sses and reading a book, specifically ¡¶Chief Female Forensic Doctor¡·. Song Yuhang lifted the nket and got into bed, ¡°Not sleeping yet?¡± Lin Yan turned a page, ¡°Not sleepy. Are they all asleep?¡± ¡°Asleep.¡± Song Yuhang pulled her close, indicating the book. ¡°What do you think of it?¡± Lin Yan looked up at her, sneering, ¡°The writing is so-so, and there are lots of professional errors.¡± Song Yuhang pinched her nose, ¡°Someone¡¯s being insincere. Six years ago, he was just a kid, quite a prodigy.¡± Lin Yan¡¯s lips curled with pride, her metaphorical fox tail wagging, though she remained stubborn. ¡°So what? With two police officer moms, he¡¯d pick up a lot and still write this?¡± ¡°You¡¯re used to writing autopsy reports. If you wrote novels or scripts, you might not be any better. Different fields have their own challenges.¡± Lin Yany in her arms. Song Yuhang gently brushed her hair behind her ear and spoke softly, ¡°I think the kids prefer your encouragement over my praise.¡± Lin Yan adjusted herself for morefort, ¡°I know. They¡¯ve all passed their exams. We can¡¯t make them drop out now. You¡¯re right, the kids have grown up. Maybe it¡¯s time for us to let go.¡± Song Yuhang leaned down and kissed her forehead, ¡°I know, you¡¯re reluctant to let them go.¡± ¡°Not at all, I can¡¯t wait¡­¡± Before she could finish, her ear was nibbled. The sound of rustling clothes. Song Yuhang¡¯s hand became restless, her voice slightly husky, ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this. Since they¡¯re asleep, why don¡¯t we do something¡­¡± (If you''re not reading on littlepandatrantions, it means this has been stolen) She paused, then deliberately prolonged her words, ¡°else.¡± Lin Yan blushed slightly, her breathing quickened. Not wanting her to seed so easily, she pushed against her shoulder. ¡°Song Yuhang, at your age, how can you still be so¡­¡± Song Yuhang grasped the hand pushing against her shoulder, pinning it above Lin Yan¡¯s head, ¡°This kind of thing, no matter the age, never gets boring, especially with you.¡± Lin Yan, unable to bear it, kicked her, ¡°The kids are sleeping next door¡­¡± Song Yuhang pressed closer, covering her mouth, ¡°Then be quieter.¡± ¡°Mm¡­¡± Lin Yan struggled, but couldn¡¯t fight back. Unable to speak under Song Yuhang¡¯s relentless advances, she soon surrendered, letting her have her way. Song Yuhang didn¡¯t go too far, leaving some room for her. When everything was over, two hours had passed. Lin Yany in her arms, her eyshes still misty. Song Yuhang picked her up, ¡°How about taking a bath?¡± The head on her shoulder nodded slightly. Song Yuhang couldn¡¯t help but smile, lifting her up. Lin Yan muttered, ¡°Can you still carry me?¡± ¡°You¡¯re underestimating my years of fitness training. Want to test it again?¡± Song Yuhang felt greatly insulted. After all, the en-suite bathroom was just a few steps away. Lin Yan quickly wrapped her arms around her neck, clinging on, shaking her head vigorously, ¡°No, no, I want a bath and sleep. I¡¯m tired.¡± Seeing her act so coyly, Song Yuhang¡¯s heart melted. She gently pinched the back of her neck, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°If I can¡¯t carry you, I¡¯ll carry you on my back; if I can¡¯t carry you on my back, I¡¯ll support you; if I can¡¯t support you, I¡¯ll pull you; if I can¡¯t pull you, I¡¯ll walk beside you, or stand still. No matter what, I won¡¯t leave you alone.¡± Lin Yan wasn¡¯t someone who believed in words of love easily, but she knew that Song Yuhang wasn¡¯t someone who spoke lightly either. She had used the rest of her life to give the best exnation, showing her what good love should be like, and in just over twenty years, she had filled all the missing parts of Lin Yan¡¯s life. They were not just partners, butrades-in-arms who would live and die together, synchronized partners, and inseparable family. Theseplex emotions intertwined, bringing tears to Lin Yan¡¯s eyes. Sitting in the bathtub, she wrapped her arms around Song Yuhang¡¯s neck. Song Yuhang was taken aback, then hugged her back, gently patting her on the back of her head tofort her. ¡°Alright, hm? Weren¡¯t you tired? Let¡¯s wash up and go back to sleep.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Lin Yan responded dully. She was already tired, and the steam made her even more drowsy. Song Yuhang rinsed the shower gel foam off her body, wrapped her hair in a clean towel, and carried her out. Lin Yan felt her body lighten as she was ced on the bed, and the buzzing sound of the hairdryer began. Half-asleep, she grabbed Song Yuhang¡¯s hand and asked, ¡°Song Yuhang, where¡¯s my mechanical stick?¡± Song Yuhang turned off the hairdryer and asked again to hear her clearly. ¡°It¡¯s in the bottom drawer of the wardrobe. Why did you suddenly think of it?¡± Before she could get an answer, Song Yuhang saw that Lin Yan had already fallen asleep. She couldn¡¯t help butugh, tucked her in, turned off the bedsidemp, andy down, holding her in her arms. ¡°Goodnight, Yanyan.¡± The next morning, Lin Xi was still asleep. After returning to her roomst night, she had yed games online with Song Yan until midnight, and now she was exhausted. The door creaked open. Half-awake, she turned over, thinking it was Song Yuhang waking her up for breakfast, ¡°Mom, I¡¯m not eating¡­¡± The person didn¡¯t speak, ced something by the bed, and as they were about to leave, noticed that her nket wasn¡¯t properly covered and tucked her in. Lin Xi, in her deep sleep, only frowned in her dream. Lin Yan, looking at the face so simr to her own, couldn¡¯t help but stroke her head, a gentle smile on her lips. She kissed her forehead and left. When Lin Xi finally woke up around noon, she noticed a brocade box on her bedside table. She reached for it and opened it, a note falling out. Lin Xi picked up the note and smoothed it out: ¡°Xiao Xi, this mechanical stick is called ¡®Sentinel.¡¯ It was a token of love from your mother. It has been through countless storms with me and even saved my life. Now, I pass it on to you, hoping that you will be a good police officer in the future. Signed, Lin Yan.¡± (If you''re not reading on littlepandatrantions, it means this has been stolen) The young girl scoffed, ¡°Tch,¡± but her eyes reddened. She picked up the pitch-ck mechanical stick from the box, feeling its cold metal contours, some grooves still stained with indelible blood turned dark brown. Just holding it in her hand, it felt as if a storm of blood and fire wasing, making the young girl shudder. Lin Xi gradually tightened her lips, silently vowing: I will, Mom. I will be like you, upholding justice with a clear conscience, and be a righteous and kind police officer. Time flowed slowly. One rare, leisurely afternoon, Lin Yan sat in a wicker chair and finished reading the book written by her son. At the end of the book, Song Yan wrote: ¡°By 2030, in the past six years, 24,890 public security officers (including armed police) were injured or killed in the line of duty across the country. Among them, 3,160 police officers died, and 21,730 were injured, averaging 526 deaths per year.¡± ¡°Among the 21,730 injured in the line of duty over the years, more than 10,000 were violently attacked while fighting crime, ounting for more than half of the total number.¡± ¡°Among them, police officers from police stations, public security, criminal investigation, and anti-drug units had the highest number of casualties.¡± ¡°In the list of national public security martyrs who died heroically in the line of duty, the oldest was 65 years old, and the youngest was only 19.¡± ¡°Of course, some informants and undercover police officers whose names cannot be disclosed are not included in this list, so the actual number of deaths is likely higher than reported.¡± ¡°We live in this world, and nothinges out of a void. Behind the light you stand in, there are shadows, and in the darkness, there may also be light in your heart. We must admit that some people may lose their original intention, but there are also those who use their lives to fulfill their promises, just like Officer Song and Forensic Doctor Lin in the story.¡± ¡°Thus, the six-year serialization of ¡¶Forensic¡· officiallyes to an end, but I believe this is not the end. The story of Song and Lin will not end because there are still ordinary people like them, who stick to their posts and swear to defend justice.¡± ¡°May the deceased rest in peace, and may the world be better.¡± Jie Lanzhou, March 3, 2030. Lin Yan closed the book. In just one afternoon, it felt like she had had a long dream. The days of gunfire and near-death experiences resurfaced, making her eyes moist and leaving her in a daze. Until a voice woke her from the nightmare. Song Yuhang stood in the courtyard, waving at her, bathed in sunlight, with a sunflower field behind her. A seven-seater SUV was parked at the vi entrance. ¡°Yanyan, are you ready? We need to catch our flight.¡± Lin Yan remembered. Song Yan and Lin Xi had just finished their college entrance exams. With the summer vacation free, the family nned to travel to Australia. Before she could respond, the two siblings came downstairs with their suitcases. Song Yan, carrying two suitcases and wobbling,ined as he walked, ¡°They¡¯re so heavy. Mom, my sister stuffed her game console and boxing gloves into my suitcase. Can you do something about it?¡± Lin Xi kicked him from behind, ¡°You¡¯re a grown man. What¡¯s wrong with carrying more stuff?¡± ¡°Hey, hey, watch your words. My lunar birthday has passed, but my sr birthday hasn¡¯t. I¡¯m not considered an adult yet.¡± Lin Xi pretended to hit him but saw Lin Yan staring at them intently and stopped her actions, ¡°Mom?¡± Song Yan also felt something was off. He put down the suitcase in his hand and said, ¡°Mom, what¡¯s wrong? I brought your luggage down too.¡± Lin Yan stood up, looking at them with tears in her eyes, and smiled softly, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, let¡¯s go.¡± Song Yuhang came in from outside, grabbed a suitcase with one hand, and wrapped an arm around Lin Yan¡¯s shoulder with the other, ushering the two noisy kids out. ¡°Hurry up, you two. You¡¯re dawdling, and we¡¯re about to board.¡± ¡°It¡¯s clearly Song Yan who took forever, going back just to apply his hair gel. It looks awful.¡± ¡°Haha, I look awful? What about you going bare-faced every day? No boys at school like you, tomboy!¡± ¡°Pah! Sissy!¡± ¡°Tomboy!¡± ¡°Sissy!¡± ¡­¡­ Lin Yan couldn¡¯t take it anymore. She turned around and gave each of them a knock on the head. ¡°Both of you, shut up!¡± Song Yan, clutching his head, felt extremely wronged and was about to lean forward to seek justice from Song Yuhang. Before he could speak, Song Yuhang, who was driving, waved her hand repeatedly, ¡°You two, don¡¯t drag me into your arguments.¡± (If you''re not reading on littlepandatrantions, it means this has been stolen) She didn¡¯t want to get caught in the crossfire. To Song Yan¡¯s astonishment, she freed a hand and gently kissed the back of Lin Yan¡¯s hand, smiling more brightly than the sunflowers outside the car window. ¡°My wife is right; they¡¯re just too noisy. Next time we travel, we¡¯ll go as a couple and leave them behind.¡± Both Song Yan and Lin Xi: Ugh, let us out of the car!!! The car carried this family off on a new journey. The sunset bathed the mountains and shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The wicker chair Lin Yan had just sat in remained there, the wind lifting the white curtains, and the book on the coffee table flipped its pages until it stopped on a passage on the front page. ¡°It is the heart that is the source of infinite light; it is also the heart that creates boundless darkness. Light and darkness are intertwined, fighting each other. This is the world we are deeply attached to and yet utterly helpless within.¡± ¡ª¡¶Les Mis¨¦rables¡·, Victor Hugo ¡²French¡³ More than a year after thepletion of ¡¶Chief Female Forensic Doctor¡·, an experience was posted anonymously on a forum. A few mystery and detective novel enthusiasts had figured out the burial site of the female corpse used to mislead the criminals, allowing the forensic doctor to escape. On a dark, windy night, driven by curiosity and the desire to retrieve the ring on the corpse¡¯s hand, which was said to be priceless, they went to the graveyard with tools. They were eager and excited. Soon, they dug up the intact coffin. When they opened it, they were stunned. The one who lifted the coffin lid fell to the ground, trembling and speechless. Some brave ones stepped forward to take a look, and were immediately scared out of their wits. They abandoned their tools and ran for their lives. Inside the coffin, there were no bones, no female corpse, and no ring. There was only a bloody head with its eyes gouged out, staring at them menacingly. Chapter 144 This chapter is missing , we are fix soon ! The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!