Blazing Armor

Qiu Yan and Ren Yi went to the cafeteria first, while Gong Yingxian returned to the car to fetch his lunchbox.BYlegBeWxDJjDGyxejtomNmKTlPlmL

aBsfMXzSgCXykuq

Before Qiu Yan could speak, Ren Yi started, “Captain Qiu, you don’t need to apologize to me. Like you said, you’re just doing your job and fulfilling your duties as a police officer. If I were in your position, I would also investigate thoroughly.”EGOdoAzsSNYznzgPMAMzqsmmrcHjyG

WFtjBmiGOsPMyon

“Thank you for understanding, but morally, I still feel guilty towards you. After all, you’ve really helped us a lot.” Qiu Yan lowered his head. “Rest assured, I will do my best to uncover the truth. The case has been progressing recently. Through the Seraph system, we’ve identified several domestic arsonists and will act at the right time. Regarding the unidentified charred corpse that Yingxian mentioned to you last time, after confirming his identity, we discovered that his money was fraudulently claimed after his death. We are currently investigating that as well.”tPqaScEIzmpEssAOhbFaPbTyhjLBrU

LHylvFAqetrKZgC

Ren Yi nodded. “What about Bai Yan?”yDSCvqqhpviHBAoncxvTyWRmeJjvbB

VnSbbbIEpxXTYaN

“Bai Yan has exceptional counter-investigation skills. The clues we’ve tracked down several times have been destroyed. There must be professionals within the organization covering Bai Yan’s tracks and hiding him. At present, we’ve increased the police force assigned to his pursuit and are monitoring the communication channels of individuals connected to him. He will definitely be caught.”OSkSpBvtCPLDPlzfcuRYzQPKvHbaqf

ctfDgdpCWbynLvW

It had only been about a month since the bodies of Bai Chicheng’s wife and daughter were discovered in the foundation well of the abandoned amusement park. Ren Yi understood that catching criminals, especially those who are highly intelligent and premeditated, isn’t easy, but he couldn’t help feeling impatient.GLBfNjsUfKhsMvbVcjHiuZsVXvJlrL

dEMPZqEvTpVVBMv

At the cafeteria, the two grabbed trays and queued for food. The Phoenix Squad had only about forty members, so their cafeteria served food on small tables, resembling a small restaurant. However, Hongwu Sub-Bureau had several hundred people, and as Ren Yi waited in line, he felt like he was back in his university days.YKlcsfyukhZdWHzaFyhCcADWIFMTyz

xbVIdnmPcZHTeXJ

After picking a corner table to sit down, Qiu Yan asked, “How’s the food in our cafeteria?”KZFqlEKyWPRmRVSmJnmYWuajvHRezL

cuYUgPolxMkyHws

“I think our squad’s food is better, but that’s probably because we have fewer people, so it’s easier to cook.”nYiYWQyAAdGpycHLFyveJOjMhkwvEz

vcBaYhvfDaZdbxo

Qiu Yan chuckled. “Then I’ll find time to come to your squad for a meal.”jWOvaoziteELHSZtEaBzuSfeIOiohP

JXJxJNKFSkOCpRu

“Sure.”uIZPpXrDazDatDphhtDZLHBSSlrGFx

uJQdQFuUOBBZgwa

“This is your first time eating in our cafeteria, even though you’ve been to our bureau so many times?”FaFuZQosEjqSSXwgoXNraLbYvpPlqL

ILJOGyccPKoMqQa

“Yeah.”QLLlRCBFgcwWAslUoYstPcyfgMmfVf

PzFflJtsnhMIcKf

“Yingxian never brought you to eat here before?”IcBNTArurBcdXFjTzteZRHaisSlYsc

pNFHfuXBFYlvhZU

“…We ate lunchboxes in his car.”LCUjNahWkDAUguFrFOaYgiZDlFmKyw

MlQfdOxleKmkdTv

“Oh, right,” Qiu Yan suddenly remembered something. “Sheng Bo mentioned that he makes two meals every day and leaves them in Yingxian’s car. One of them is prepared specifically for you.”CzrdOFGXbafzovFyVhXtsAEgyHEdGe

RhMBqpuPDEGdXhz

Ren Yi fell silent. Images flooded his mind—countless times when the two of them ate together in Gong Yingxian’s black SUV. To be able to savor a simple meal box like a candlelit dinner, there must be genuine affection involved. When you’re with someone you truly love, everything feels wonderful, no matter how mundane.pZEbowdUvzaSYvkIStMyluHMJJirGF

NTCUCDLopOcUDCi

He once thought of Gong Yingxian as an angel untouched by worldly concerns—though such a metaphor might make others cringe. Of course, Gong Yingxian had many flaws, ones that most people would find intolerable. Yet, in Ren Yi’s eyes, those flaws were forgivable, even endearing. For him, everything about Gong Yingxian was good. Even the bad parts became good as long as he thought so, and he accepted them wholeheartedly.hGejuZXObqQVDnTFpkyPexcVdGjSDc

yJbLPnqbUmiBxdM

To be blinded by love to such an extent, it’s no wonder he failed to see certain truths.GkuWCFTgbyzgnJPYeyoPSOZwecaMth

pBejEutFIlefYBW

Qiu Yan noticed Ren Yi’s silence and forced a smile. “Honestly, I always suspected there might be issues between you two. I just didn’t expect the first problem to come from Yingxian.”upjLtphJyndoABWDSNRDANOsgLmafF

EHmAcJBiAzsflaC

Ren Yi let out a bitter laugh. He wanted to snap back, asking if Qiu Yan had ever worried about him using his ‘adult experience’ to hurt Gong Yingxian. Now it was obvious that Gong Yingxian was the one exploiting him. Yet he kept his thoughts to himself; there was no need for Qiu Yan to bear this guilt.lzCGTzFpOsgekzsjbjewHlvIoUXFID

acInglRgQGzkIsW

Qiu Yan carefully studied Ren Yi’s expression and said sincerely, “I understand your anger, and Yingxian is also very upset. I really don’t want to see you two like this. Is there anything I can do?”oUeLUJMWEFNkIvSvVqKiJlnVoJUqKZ

CeQWwQRwcfUahca

Ren Yi knew Gong Yingxian would never reveal the true nature of their relationship to Qiu Yan. That also meant Qiu Yan couldn’t fully “understand” his anger. Shaking his head, Ren Yi replied, “Let us handle it ourselves.”ngFmLFVIcshcoUBIssafpTxOPKWiBV

JLsZfJlxQnRVjSW

Qiu Yan sighed and gave Ren Yi a helpless look before falling silent.iOnnbtDXZfEIMnGPHFIdDZoLtEvwBk

EkkdHFGnKmBXAxQ

After a while, Gong Yingxian walked into the cafeteria. With his tall figure, long legs, and striking appearance, he naturally stood out wherever he went. Yet the reaction from the people in the cafeteria was particularly pronounced—one glance and everyone’s eyes were filled with astonishment as they turned to him.IcoHEAFOJLdepuymZHRNdVZlVWLsnW

sgyFcXyngbPNUru

Ren Yi thought to himself, This must be Gong Yingxian’s first time showing up in a public cafeteria.eTISRgSVTVWWethWOxhsJBZbBOkvAb

limmMQdbXnOCbuG

Sure enough, a colleague teased him immediately. “Wow, Dr. Gong, how come you’re eating in the cafeteria today? Don’t you always avoid it?”jvrJPcWZmFyyxanRXVyqSGHwctflQb

GZcWNsqWrVYOPYe

Gong Yingxian nodded politely but didn’t engage further. Instead, he walked straight to their table, placed two insulated lunchboxes on it, and sat down. He pushed one of the containers toward Ren Yi. “There’s braised pork and stir-fried lotus tips—your favorites.”DgGPOPENVvfYOhcKntjJMNuezfUtOF

PybeFOiivcYTEQo

“I don’t need it. I already have more than enough.” Ren Yi buried his head in his meal without looking up.JFxYheHuxxtZtAQdjdCXywtzbDhWIr

sufsPEuvzQrRsDh

Gong Yingxian’s face fell as he opened his own lunchbox, absentmindedly picking at the food. While eating, he couldn’t help but steal glances at Ren Yi.vnBAXCdqmYrgPzIahZPNphNbQHXkgo

GREskksekehDpvz

Sitting beside them, Qiu Yan felt unbearably awkward. She coughed lightly, stood up, and said, “I’m going to the restroom.”MjXdmWSBPzpFkFZIsVMgxKCyanKSVp

fxvinjkkYYYembM

Ren Yi, of course, knew Qiu Yan wasn’t truly leaving to use the restroom; she was trying to create an opportunity for him and Gong Yingxian to reconcile. However, at this moment, facing Gong Yingxian, Ren Yi felt only exhaustion—the kind that comes after burning anger fades and leaves behind emptiness.MsnDlOpJJIQgOweLEUoMlqzUTPZNRZ

nxRzDOJcAbeoARx

After Qiu Yan left, Gong Yingxian stole several more glances at Ren Yi, hesitating to speak multiple times before finally lowering his head in defeat. His whole demeanor radiated a silent sorrow.dChaxWgHWPUsqVvggnlqFlhoiosqyq

JPXuRcBcDtnFFZa

Ren Yi also felt suffocated, as if the meal itself had lost all flavor, turning into a chore he couldn’t wait to finish.JFfjSHXjJtsgHecPlAxxsKMRXCjpYv

VVOIeUXTtOngjrY

Suddenly, he felt something nudge his knee. At first, he thought it was accidental, but soon, Gong Yingxian nudged him again—lightly, slowly, almost tentatively. It felt like a mix of testing the waters and a quiet call for attention.JFYfBguOOyettGALpmtpRFKvbloOih

tNFePxchbiGqfxI

Ren Yi shifted his leg back slightly, but the limited space under the table made it impossible to avoid Gong Yingxian’s long legs entirely.HIzmRjgYlNufXTpBOHzhlUYedSAjwe

cUKDHacYXAYEkXb

Clearing his throat, Ren Yi turned his body to the side, creating as much distance as he could.UfdWvnshZBdlVdoSedAhXFOzznbZJO

XHPLnIRMvVkCRAu

Noticing this, Gong Yingxian dejectedly put down his chopsticks and hesitated before speaking. “The nursing home you chose doesn’t have the necessary medical certifications. There were even lawsuits in the past over elder abuse that were quietly settled with money. Also—”iDRPnNzRXTHGwdCDOKhPsxhUiVzKRk

vIBOSwoXNgxUHdV

“He’s my father,” Ren Yi interrupted without looking up. “You don’t need to worry about it.”cSLGdDrShwgcPYrnuilwGYkThvLQGt

iemZYSYGLcpJxcf

Gong Yingxian pressed his lips together. “I promise I’ll never do something like that again. Bring the old captain back. There’s no place that can provide better care than we can.” His intention had always been to help Ren Yi, but after discovering Ren Xiangrong’s identity, things had spiraled out of control.ZAhomYgYBSgXmHPsSaUyVxDsjZVcSO

froFUIsPhsEHXCb

“I should never have accepted it in the first place,” Ren Yi said flatly. “We’re not related, and accepting such a gift from you is, frankly, borderline bribery. This nursing home is where my father should have gone in the first place. If he doesn’t do well there, I’ll find another place or hire a caregiver, but I won’t let you near him again.”MjRImJTgmbuRmnPZRwJNJldhrobwPt

VUUqvksXIHMrrWY

Gong Yingxian’s expression darkened. “And what about us? Are you going to keep treating me like this forever?”dLuYpeJxvzEqCsspFexTOevtEdgslB

JUmwXNaqPXEmZpT

Ren Yi took another bite of his food, then calmly set his chopsticks down. “I’m full. I’m leaving.” Grabbing his coat, he stood and walked away without looking back.nlpHThYdphFBftfmNgorQSaKpcVbLW

UVvxKQNgCMLrlSX

Gong Yingxian’s fists slowly clenched, his expression darkening visibly as if the temperature around him had dropped several degrees. He abruptly stood as well, taking a few steps after Ren Yi. But staring at Ren Yi’s resolute back, he suddenly lost the courage to continue.zIZItfWpJrWdXwiyxcFFqyWWXMbkbs

LshpZwqIAoDLsYx

He had never experienced anything like this before. He had never bowed his head to anyone. Now, he felt panicked, confused, and utterly at a loss. He didn’t know how to handle Ren Yi’s repeated rejection and coldness. He couldn’t stand the way Ren Yi looked at him with indifference. He couldn’t bear the growing distance between them. That unrelenting turn of Ren Yi’s back took all of his joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness with it, leaving him hollow, as though he had lost everything.lEPUGAJdZNxIdyRbEBvaMyLOJAaTyq

qaDWDMLxhgDGWoq

Ren Yi wasn’t paying attention to him anymore. What was he supposed to do now?!tZsLAwNKLIYLdCtAzKUCpbiLPSeoMa

JQbNWTaMVIJJOFH

***mNTBJBmmHtyEFpGnrXEFBjkdtHxewE

WUMTmrzIPJxitpp

The words Gong Yingxian said that day did worry Ren Yi quite a bit. As a result, he started calling his father every day to check how he was adjusting to the new place. Each time, he received reassuring answers that put his mind at ease.nlQpQVNUNcCtgUfRFtYdqPCoUNSTJs

hKYRPQgXzzxwEMA

After a few days of calming down, Ren Yi began to reconsider his relationship with Gong Yingxian. He still couldn’t get over what Gong Yingxian had done, yet every time he saw the other man looking dejected or anxious, his heart ached involuntarily. He realized that, even at this point, he instinctively didn’t want Gong Yingxian to feel hurt.kffMEfqUOZcAIOCnhfKKpIFfRqvjqy

JDDRPNfpUFiLaWA

While he despised himself for it, he struggled to figure out how to continue working with Gong Yingxian and, beyond that, what the future of their relationship might look like.unjDpugzZamSCOyUzmVraqsZcMHAEj

AGORzDBWrGLqyeL

The only contact between the two in recent days came when Gong Yingxian asked him to use the official account to post some cautionary cases urging minors to pay attention to fire safety, hoping to provoke Fang Zhixu.ehdayOilKjSRotrYrKoXOrbpDLCCXk

OAJrjZuWWPpnteh

Ren Yi complied, and it didn’t take long for the plan to work. One Friday afternoon, Fang Zhixu appeared at the Phoenix Squad headquarters.iCCOYAQIePWjnpxSTFMAPDNIbCaVyd

yYlSfwJgsUPGryU

Fang Zhixu was dressed casually, carrying a large backpack. Judging by how the bag sagged, it was clearly stuffed with books.ZFtPjZkBZninTYRhAyHzUjTWJatjmi

cWnIvjtTPelPvSe

Ren Yi frowned as he looked at him. “What are you doing here at the squad?”mbTSORsJVdAnRhPJKNmxwBYGflpGDC

GTONMuYDgKmPytL

“I just finished tutoring class and happened to pass by.” Fang Zhixu ran a hand through his hair, glancing around the reception room. “Doesn’t seem to have changed much since I came two years ago.”KWlkzrFFvmxysZnsqvbPCAXikjNNOm

bhVVffbAjsCKMdL

“What kind of changes would a reception room have?” Ren Yi said, “Take a seat. Want something to drink? We’ve got Coke and milk.”BGJMWNcuQnYgYKogxdkJDYOHjWWyLS

gHBGtjvvdhTBMNu

“No.” Fang Zhixu clearly didn’t like being treated like a child. He deliberately sprawled out on the couch, trying to take up more space.qfMgQUwUHBaLxCUnrExrYpkSbUUXNk

UYhKfPbWtTRVMep

Ren Yi asked, “You taking the college entrance exam this year? How are your grades? Which school do you want to get into?”BCQmrhMAjwghOoWBbYraKXXFxZOzhC

udTghrxVQElANie

“Not bad. Should be able to get into a first-tier school.” Fang Zhixu pouted. “As long as I can get it over with, it’s fine.”pPmsppIEeyQIBlpfpXegrZNoKnVBCC

mBhDpGTRZowQHYj

“Get it over with for who? Your parents?”gPUsVudJXMIBsLWwTKVctVIteOFTMi

iKiQdNrkFnVibtZ

“Who else?” Fang Zhixu’s tone was already full of disdain.mXYMKyuhbuMUaFavZoMoIedbjTMLdH

kBRzzfykqfjRfjo

“This is for yourself. You should study hard. What were you doing at a place like that in the middle of the night?”wLgDLhQUahycCopkDsxmNGAlzowkDl

CYVKpjhsRHnfhmn

Fang Zhixu stared at Ren Yi unblinkingly. “Do you really want to know?”NNAYfZiThaTtWjzwYByiHImtEmNmpC

VYxWiwcAJKyPBxj

Ren Yi chuckled. “Don’t try to act mysterious. If you have something to say, just say it. Adults are really busy.”sqDNtlVgjiCwfSfwGfiGmnjQVBLOXY

uhxEkLnCnbNYJPr

Fang Zhixu crossed his legs. “If I tell you, will you report it to the police?”qgPyNbAtyXsSFXFMmBEIeYBNKxdWFR

DIoNxfglfYjLPah

“If the information is useful, of course, I’ll tell the police. I’m supposed to cooperate with them on the case.”QZFiOYEpiafdRQaPsGuZjvUvYsfJfJ

WQLKyXegssuBlNq

“Then why should I tell you?” Fang Zhixu said coldly.ZOTthUORRxsJehovptOjZzvdVXWXER

HtgvNacvCcXDCnV

“Then why are you here?”wFetRhErMKhXJSgSkQMDGgUDSEnEKn

iPsogwnKXezxXFN

Fang Zhixu squinted. “You’re different from what I imagined.”UbTWENDXjcHIhTiDzYybLAFyhibvrT

gEXUoySolqbqoGR

Ren Yi shook his head with a laugh. “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”gZeArQcQQyXcxACtgnIhjkRGSeXnnq

pVwbrzBuCwPxKxG

“Why did Squad Leader Sun sacrifice himself back then?” Fang Zhixu asked, fixing his gaze on Ren Yi. “The news reports were so vague.”MjxUXacXlsaQzCYkyXaeNnjppWteGh

VXSjVtQuMuuOOcV

Ren Yi’s face darkened slightly. “Why are you asking about this?”AqCaMmdKRDZMZzHTLgCiycrzOyhOyD

wJmhvtpuefPAEjS

“I just want to know. Is that not allowed?” Fang Zhixu stared at him intensely. “I want to know how a hero fell. Was it to save a little boy? How did he save him? Why did it have to be him who died? What did he say before he died? Did he—”FQHKYvQmLIRnazaitXdiUKELsWrWoO

HQBDOXSLAVrLGFw

“Shut up!” Ren Yi roared, his eyes blazing. “Get out, or I’ll throw you out myself.”jBEkFkFUiJEPeDdsyKgDkqwPHwXrAN

FdCmNfWORxeaxlm

Fang Zhixu retorted indignantly, “Why? I just want to know what happened. Why did Squad Leader Sun die and not you?”RppciigMnGiFAyJPGanpxSnNkYlDJn

XpTlUwYpUsbcLHZ

Ren Yi abruptly stood up from the couch, took a few quick steps to Fang Zhixu, grabbed him by the collar, and hoisted him up.ZPPFkJlijXQBGdUjOobnMHXuOKyedx

bTumaupHyHVWYAR

Fang Zhixu’s chest rose and fell violently. He looked up at Ren Yi with a gaze that held both fear and an odd excitement.niPgYSssSztZEjwCxrtEjUdZihbZez

TictFSUQzWOnrei

Ren Yi said coldly, “Get out.”PHtcFLXLAdJOxAhoxoZByPwAKOORIC

fqHuFrZeNAOHiZJ

“I’ll trade you,” Fang Zhixu said with a twisted smile. “You tell me how Squad Leader Sun died, and I’ll tell you what I saw at Wenhui Mall.”NkMZmbfSnkrMyFHIdtoctBdeQgKuBX

QVLUCLtPgGzGVth

“You little punk, do you think you’re clever enough to play games with adults?”HDTOavYUHGalyKvOHNoPzfXFgsEuXx

VEyuNNSsHqDczpf

“I’m not playing games. I really saw something important—and I even took something with me.”KhXAjYdkqTTrbdpbCOgTbRYOPLQzFG

FVLjDuloHJLJklj

“…What did you take?” Ren Yi let go of him, glaring. “Give me a hint, or I won’t believe you.”kpVaeoiqPNSXxYZwyPfvXiKoyfRHje

eggJRvSLRTICaXn

Fang Zhixu smirked. “The fire’s starting time you’ve determined was fabricated. What I took can help you confirm a critical timeline and might even lead you to the culprit.”ZiRpUWdRhVUdhHIuLCZtxLcqpzbJfo

nRNiVlziSWPFeVh

“How do you know these things?” Ren Yi gritted his teeth.hYbbfmoPynMHdOMOLSNiZNIwuYDnqG

GEDZdLlQxKqjCZc

“I can’t tell you that. So, what’s it going to be? A trade?” Fang Zhixu grinned broadly.KPaLpQxBtQuBqCUtezyWYbDMtofBfa

OiQodLPclihVfAj

Ren Yi stared icily at Fang Zhixu. “…Fine. I’ll tell you.”eoskqfxSEClZTLkYUdGkggIwhlFVkW

XKEAqZfFecOCTWV