Blazing Armor

Ren Yi stood before the charred ruins, unable to breathe for a long moment. In such an oppressive environment, anyone would feel the weight of despair.PVSzfqHHJoCuDrrQluHsrKboTKKxTz

Gong Yingxian handed him protective shoe covers and gloves. “Go take a look.”QFlJhqmAPLmAKqZAAKjXqjvfApjkml

After putting them on, Ren Yi stepped forward cautiously.ApqquGSBjexjXihIWAnEvGyggjPupb

The scene was littered with police tape and evidence markers. Ren Yi reviewed the photos while reconstructing the original positions of some evidence based on the layout.zfswEsJdWzebEhqUNJSazXUuDYdcUv

Tracing the burn marks, he conducted a preliminary analysis of the site. It was a straightforward fire scene: gasoline—ignition—combustion. The ignition point, accelerant, and spread direction were all clear. The overall findings aligned closely with the fire investigation team’s report.eaYONMtflakZHKPmKdluCBnpmhPVTW

Feeling a tinge of disappointment, Ren Yi stood at the ignition point, lost in thought.UFHOSWWfZRbzkLqBNUSyYkdmIlVjuR

Gong Yingxian approached him. “What do you think? Any discoveries?”anxXTkhWtFCyEQQyopxgxQhWwtDcSb

Ren Yi shook his head, unwilling to give up. “I’ll look again.”aUgwXFuihJujwzYrKSRVVjBYoXambx

He meticulously combed through the scene once more. Under a pile of charred clothing, he noticed a peculiar mark. It was a palm-sized, incomplete square burn mark—extremely inconspicuous. First, it was hidden beneath the clothing. Second, it was covered by accelerant. Due to the prominent burn patterns left by the accelerant, this mark appeared faint in comparison.szrcpdHWhKSvZBVXGmxMYCroWqAwNP

At first glance, the mark seemed unremarkable, like something caused by a burned-out switch or socket. However, Ren Yi recalled that there hadn’t been anything like it in the evidence photos. Flipping through the pictures again, he confirmed his memory—nothing similar was documented.hjonyzOWTqHNhmbPjpgobkgdRLkTHy

Gong Yingxian crouched beside him. “What is this?”JbfDqlJuQZHAnbuQCBZHaPUUWbtizN

“Not sure yet,” Ren Yi replied. “Judging by the size, it might be from a switch or socket, but there’s clearly no floor outlet here. What’s strange is that there’s nothing like this among the evidence. It’s possible it got washed away during firefighting.” Fire hoses, with their intense pressure, often displace or destroy fragile, fire-damaged items.ppjyVnGKApqBmPUFHicFFtNuUcQFit

“Could it be one of those support stakes for a booth? This rack is pretty heavy—it might need an extra support point.”qLreFbCKVpaUQgjgwiBobaKBCfXcLR

“That’s possible too.”awiYagzjRoJKzcncvaRfcESodqukAy

“Shall we look around the scene?” Gong Yingxian suggested, glancing at the sprawling, hundreds-of-square-meters of charred wreckage. He inhaled sharply at the thought.BmgRWIOOOPlRodaONkyCMnWahZiklV

Ren Yi sighed. “Let’s search the nearby area.”spteqcvWsxjvBYbaoNqwCvaHDRlOiw

The two spent a long time sifting through the surrounding debris but didn’t find anything matching the shape. However, they did uncover something else: incomplete shoe prints in a location farther from the ignition point.RwcZWvhsSHupYDcRmjmfyhAPjGIcGP

The reason these were identified as shoe prints rather than footprints was due to their distinctive characteristics: footprints typically show the impression of weight-bearing, while shoe prints reveal the tread pattern of the sole. These marks were irregular—some displayed clear shoe tread patterns, while others only showed the weight-pressed indentations.aQlrGcxpnDClccpTZFdzvMHSnGUtIt

Ren Yi immediately became alert. These shoe prints couldn’t belong to the firefighters or the investigators. Firefighters wear standardized boots with familiar tread patterns, and Ren Yi knew every variation by heart. Investigators—whether police officers or members of the fire investigation unit—wore gloves and shoe covers to preserve the crime scene. Moreover, this location was in the opposite direction of the fire’s origin, an area unlikely to be a focus for investigation.INRdVYgymQNcDAfNpeqfreFPiHrkYo

The prints were peculiar, appearing intermittently, as if the person had moved in a stop-and-go manner, eventually leading to the exit.yNiLyBKpbrhCxAUpZnaJfVJzSNIsGn

“These shoe prints must have been made later. There’s no way such critical evidence was overlooked during the initial investigation,” Gong Yingxian said grimly. “Someone came here during the night.”alGtbAaiKIBFBNcHRzZRnGGMsMGWSe

“Didn’t you assign people to guard the site?”nrpaHCZMwOpiKWTeuNHizqZbfJOGPD

“We did, for seven days. But with limited manpower, we had to pull them back eventually.” Gong Yingxian frowned. “The way these marks look, I suspect whoever came here was wearing shoe covers. However, the covers might have torn on something at the scene without them realizing.”olywNgsTHtmfQKYMkDsSJfRJGKRWcV

Ren Yi’s eyes lit up in understanding. “Exactly. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have left such odd traces.”NOeBzyVBNbAWqyExPOcFsLFgDyOiiZ

“Follow me.”FQmfRpjgXzSenpFchvTqbODChFOWIF

Leaving Building A, Gong Yingxian led Ren Yi to the nearest garbage bin. Once there, she raised an eyebrow, signaling Ren Yi to check it.ZnMFqhRiKSijrwTLjbedSdsLgSVZCO

Ren Yi took a deep breath, then held it, rolling up his sleeves as he reluctantly started digging through the trash.vCxtOGHdRarhqgxSoKRnJqDkTZkRgL

“In high-traffic areas like this, garbage trucks usually come daily,” Gong Yingxian explained. “But since this area has been sealed off, the only ones coming and going are investigators and staff. These municipal trash bins probably haven’t been emptied for several days.”rsQeMVxGoHEZvEnTNiApUVdcUqlRmq

Ren Yi quickly searched through the bin, then stood up, taking deep breaths. “Nothing.”ZoFdBQMHwQHWtGpqVJIrBLYTUrXHkx

“Let’s circle the building.”FpCEtMVPPbTqHCXjdIwfSGbCnadYCD

Although Ren Yi despised rummaging through garbage, especially alone, he knew that “Princess Gong” wouldn’t dirty her hands.uFzNTqYFSWSxxSrDfhkoIAMJaZuWwb

Resigned to his fate, Ren Yi checked four more bins in succession. Finally, he pulled out a torn pair of shoe covers, the sole of one ripped open.oEPmFflcmPwaYALcOOeffQhbKOgYit

Gong Yingxian opened an evidence bag and held it out. “As expected. Someone came here. Whether they’re the arsonist remains to be seen.”mWefRkgGCGqOGvCOmxwvvgGvGVTttD

“They must have come after your team pulled back and likely chose late at night. If we check surveillance cameras on nearby streets during that time frame, we should find something.”mXCLNNzAkeHjuGdATtrnZAuiZfPeTX

“Exactly. The search radius has now been significantly reduced.” Gong Yingxian smirked coldly. “They’ve left behind a clue after all.”RMkrhUZbVHsvBdDTXMsDZOjtNbbLzR

“But why would they come back?” Ren Yi speculated. “To take photos? Livestream? That’s far too risky, especially with the task force watching this case closely. No one would risk this much for a little money.”OcwNyqSCNduxiPuPmXIYcScoUliSBy

“You’re right. The risk is too high—it couldn’t be for money,” Gong Yingxian said thoughtfully. “In a situation like this, the most likely reason is to destroy evidence.”KlFzIgIKSoWLatcEIqhhAQJyVGYVlH

Ren Yi cursed under his breath. “How did this person know when the police would pull back? And what kind of evidence were they so desperate to destroy?”GWkNzPqbRwoqUGncSWlpajuAbElpRE

“It’s clear he’s cautious—a seasoned arsonist with anti-surveillance awareness,” Gong Yingxian said, his expression darkening. “But even he didn’t realize his shoe covers tore. He knew he had to return to destroy evidence, knew exactly when the police would withdraw. He’s one of us.”mkBjycrfrkRatfhreiUYZvtWpHpnQg

Ren Yi felt his hands trembling. The thought was unbearable—just how deeply had this organization infiltrated? Nineteen years ago, there had been a mole in the case. Now, were they facing the same nightmare?CzreeduqBpoMiFqxRDUiHkTRKDauYh

Gong Yingxian’s expression grew grim. “This shoe print, though incomplete, is enough to identify the shoe model. We have a comprehensive tread database. Once we match the pattern, I’ll compare it with all personnel involved in the case.”DBxLtLeZtdRnjNlWRdltUmPYRFBfIU

Ren Yi clenched his fists. Suddenly, he lashed out, kicking the trash bin with all his might, venting his frustration. He kicked it several more times, the surging anger within him refusing to subside.jljxoQVbMVhjaurkarDulAxpbHbHWF

Finally, Gong Yingxian stepped in, pulling him back. “Enough. You’re still injured—don’t overexert yourself.”tDSzXReIQRmKkNEmPllrKovjLlBMkv

Ren Yi turned his back to him, struggling to suppress the murderous rage boiling inside.sGzICmpHmIjfrcQZddnPaYltOuyKJK

He could maintain calm objectivity in other arson cases—he was ordered to. But this case had taken his brother’s life. The resentment he harbored had never truly been quelled. It festered like a restless volcano. And now, realizing the police might not even be trustworthy, how could he not feel enraged? How could he not feel utterly despondent?YljcxjqiIDmtbnSxMxuLAsbFDhAQvH

Gong Yingxian watched his silhouette in silence, unsure how to console him.PSeSMpDNXcIYmXmVTutJZPYdfAwEZy

After a long while, Ren Yi finally calmed down. He turned to face Gong Yingxian, his expression apologetic. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t angry at you.”YNrJDfKoAHaFqLCpAmajReAnElfjDh

Gong Yingxian reached out, clasping the back of Ren Yi’s neck, pulling his head to rest on his shoulder. With a gentleness he hadn’t even noticed in himself, he said, “I understand.”JuUNEGkiqfTKJohlGUvWCreabnGBam

Psychologically, grief is often described as a process with multiple stages, and while the specifics vary, anger is always a significant and inevitable step. The incident hadn’t occurred long ago, and Ren Yi’s rage was far from dissipated. He was merely suppressing it. No one understood the pain of losing someone important better than Gong Yingxian.uDjIDqtnyEjxPfwxvMznudTLaOdona

Ren Yi nestled his forehead against Gong Yingxian’s shoulder, finding a brief moment of solace and warmth.dEMCnrRedAIvDHxgfJtYEiCFwUYwcg

But they were still out in the open, on a public street, and couldn’t linger too long. They separated soon after.ylwksucrZrCMOKWWItrXQABpaHxPiJ

Returning to Building A, they collected evidence of the shoe prints and carefully examined the scene again. Only when the sky darkened did they finally leave.qnrGzAROpPkMyiKMiDCOrdWLCjDMGj

Gong Yingxian drove Ren Yi back to his team’s base. Along the way, they continued discussing the case.OrUMKkeyctCDyAFGBFjRXUtMNLsQcV

At the gate, Ren Yi leaned over, planting a quick kiss on Gong Yingxian’s cheek. With a touch of reluctance, he said, “Looks like we won’t see each other until the New Year.”kEdVMgILTDaNUuWFmPstOVLOKmLgED

“Yeah, it’s only a few days away. Be extra careful until then.”DRXLZROHpOgJtFzXqfBlSDdmKkLBPY

“Don’t worry. You too.” Ren Yi smiled. “I’ll head in now.”aPATUBxATVgTBDoOrjgWuzgBzvqLOR

“Wait a second.” Gong Yingxian hesitated, his expression conflicted.akpGVnJmcPEypnSPdjhyiuUDiGxmQh

“What’s wrong?”heEqrTglsUEKFBPDTYjPwkDmFmndXI

After a pause, Gong Yingxian retrieved a document folder from the storage compartment. “This came from the hospital a couple of days ago. It’s the second-phase treatment plan for your father. They needed your signature. It should have been sent to you directly, but…”BsyNuuydTjKrKNQYxpspdXDMIKKSTF

“Oh, okay.” Ren Yi thought about his state over the past few days. Even if it had been sent to him, he wouldn’t have dealt with it. He took the pen and signed without hesitation.DzGVNUOCsdeSzFxVtYCcKGdMFfSUbi

“You’re not going to read it?” Gong Yingxian asked, his eyes betraying a moment of internal struggle.euLoMLllDzpEQZGhiczYTvVkUGnAkq

Ren Yi flipped through it casually and laughed. “Like I’d understand it. I recognize every word, but together, they make no sense. Anyway, the first phase worked well. Your doctors are incredible. Thanks.”tLiMnIXhGlRLEAKphSoaFvffmXXoQY

Gong Yingxian responded with a low “mm.”LKplFjRHeiqpJJpZCGnoKYAPSzTWBJ

Ren Yi looked at him deeply. “I was feeling awful earlier, but after thinking it over, even if there are untrustworthy people in the police force, I trust you. I know you’ll catch those bastards—those animals who destroyed your family, who took my brother, who took so many innocent lives.”tfnZAopCrqbMQhrWqtHBnNNXwraJCY

Gong Yingxian’s lips quivered slightly. He nodded slowly.GjVpizJETNCSVoCsSrNcagjYOBMeia

“See you at New Year.” Ren Yi got out of the car, waved at him, and headed into the building.uXAePlgIJRNzFLpNIKeBIQiDowiPFh

Gong Yingxian watched him disappear inside, then looked down at the contract on the passenger seat. He closed his eyes, exhaustion washing over him.rthsCLcEholtDvoDpqObMuAIwsiExg