Chapter 103
After the meeting, a large group headed over to the night market street next door, straight to a barbecue restaurant. Since it was close to headquarters, this street often had firefighters around, and any firefighter who came to eat would get a discount.lhuLeusjbHFQokuFsQLkhoNIjrJKjn
WhKCxVVLFsjgTZCThey pulled together two big tables, seating more than a dozen squad leaders, and the sheer amount of food they ordered stunned the server.KiUPHTWNpZrMqdhHOUcqZkciciOzIR
ACReqlVjOJoxfsMRen Yi chuckled, “Too much?”TsKSDtWzCPjGFawWtsxIrryGULXIBm
MqSUFaTNYKGRmUWThe server nodded, “Way too much.”HhYFzfRDNJUpSAStQOmkvHFYPxJiaa
HJlvGAEGAwfSlXj“We can eat a lot. Bring it on.”eQWelHLfcSccazQyCIBFyvaOdCARcU
EKTYDioelOYveYQThe group ate, drank, and chatted, filling the entire barbecue restaurant with hearty laughter and a lively atmosphere.vTTxQlUTGrrZCoFesCRoCBAQGgdvPR
NcQdoYTGfppXmFPRen Yi, holding a drink, sat down beside Yan Jue. “Captain Yan, a toast to you.”BDTTJQtjqGGPvaqzJHTtipVhiHMCCp
DXIvbOJfEDZKqUMYan Jue clinked bottles with him, smiling. “Looks like you’ve eaten quite a bit today; you must be feeling better.”KlkZFFhdXsLXTuFbadtKYenvtMSlRJ
SeizuHgRmozKFqG“Don’t bring it up. For those few days, I was surviving on porridge. I lost weight mainly because I wasn’t eating well, hahaha.”GTIadWRWpjypwwBSgWYjHVoHnzhTgr
RgHCyjWcbwAFmYF“So, what exactly happened that day? How did they find the body in such a hidden place?”CNecbXEtgfQYYnqqjbTONFovuYwGLk
ywhSileTKFrTsxt“The police had caught a few suspects earlier and got a lead.”jqocwzKohUHHQJsYMNBIQlkYuXasJg
OEOdWBMDtLcPBMZ“This is related to that series of arson cases in Hongwu District, right? We’ve all heard about it; there’s said to be some kind of pyromaniac organization.”JLXdghTTDbijVmeRSiZowIiXhwgFRy
CkdPNZHvdwmKxeaRen Yi nodded, “I can’t reveal much, but it’s a bunch of violent psychos, and they’ve got people skilled in arson and bomb-making. You should be careful on your calls—they have a tendency to target firefighters. The police are going over cases from previous years, and who knows, some incidents we thought were accidents might be linked to them.”uqBcjuvCPTIEgnxcGtLBTfzKqmJLuI
MZuDyGdyyNittSBYan Jue frowned, “That’s audacious. I’ve encountered arsonists before, but never an organized group like this. Worldwide, it’s rare, right? I haven’t read any related cases.”MQofipMeoQWLxuhYdJSNTDQaQtDODQ
acjbJFJKvnHsKLWRen Yi shook his head, “It’s definitely unusual, but they’re more like a cult. Makes more sense when you think about it that way.”NOIaEIqYPwBfrlhjJlGHnvsMOpQgLD
LgKYlikELNRKVJdYan Jue looked as if he understood, “Fire has always had a close connection to religion throughout history.”PAxvmZzxdLWCGLAwCgJlQytxlTOMBp
CvhrXskqidwFeAp“We’re doing everything we can to help the police, hoping to capture their leader soon.”jDKSZljOgRqMcfUcUIoVUTtZOvEMfO
ccvNMhIOYSjdQZX“Aren’t you in danger too? I heard nearly every one of those cases involved you.”otQbfVQKuxvwLOBwKbQpKsogiZuAjc
BwkPwkrorPqXEJLRen Yi gave a bitter smile, “Almost all of them are tied to me somehow, so now I’m banned from acting alone.”ktPTmVgHQiBTtLCtGvCJnoptAolBWR
tBvkiVAmLHROPBKYan Jue patted Ren Yi on the shoulder, “All we’ve got are water hoses, no real guns—stay safe out there.”toNbIKBemvCfnYOQyLbXrLENdHfdXO
bVPkhadAeIoeSww“Don’t worry.” Ren Yi clinked his beer bottle with Yan’s and changed the subject, “Your station’s closer to the industrial area, so you guys don’t get called out as often, right?”TLDrjSYFKhhYgaExzUchvSeTXdLgmF
SlddbWcMhmuLgWiYan Jue nodded, “Yeah, not many residential areas around, mostly factories and warehouses. Fewer calls, but each one tends to be challenging.”HYAWYGRsnLyFHuQlczjlvEybMMMSwO
rQGlJNCizVfKPDl“Yeah, it’s a headache in densely populated areas. People call us for every little thing—unlocking doors, unclogging toilets, climbing through windows. We end up doing a lot of tasks you’d find on classified sites, and all for free.”UDoBHbiAgCatyadwljlasKCMiixjHy
UbPGgymGqmGUTnhThe two shared similar backgrounds and jobs, so they had plenty to talk about. A few beers in, they felt like old friends.GpiGTKoShBrJqsnWQzWFfZzobkHknB
LVXrPGfKLsoMqezJust as they were getting into it, Ren Yi’s phone rang. Seeing it was Gong Yingxian, he instantly sobered up a bit, grabbed his phone, and stepped aside. “Hello?”jGoOqFarmPlQVIISDfgRlzIIcSjGrb
fMQftjOXyyIhTNg“Still coughing?” Gong asked bluntly.nbrcTCFGRZXRGNKtcZJLaLtYzZTvqz
ZpWDvvTrROBgiXI“My throat’s a little scratchy, but I’m almost recovered.” Knowing Gong had called specifically to check on him made Ren Yi feel a warm thrill.eWVrkXMRkkGFRZflSEtLEfIrjtVXqJ
tnyIkynUUhYNKOwHearing the noisy background and the slight roughness in Ren Yi’s voice, Gong frowned, “You’re not at the station? Have you been drinking?”piggGvSUtcdywswnwSTITeTVehUEGk
FNRQdyBMWTmxTPH“I came to headquarters for a meeting with the other squad leaders. Lots of familiar faces.” Ren Yi chuckled, “Didn’t drink much, I’m not drunk.”uATBdUFHqTBCEAjEfwfcGvxdyJJNDz
rllRaWGKMFJCwOT“Who’s taking you home?”KDBdDdPaJsxpsKhhkDXeCkbzPqdKDs
vgIFlzlxyMtSgTP“Uh…” He remembered that a soldier from the driver team had driven him in a patrol car, and usually, he’d just grab a taxi to head back. But he recalled Gong’s rule about not going out alone, and the alcohol dulled his reactions a bit, leaving him momentarily at a loss for how to answer.PCVepOzvZjgyFOFRHrSSCvgdLwAyAk
VlFfzrOImkjCQBIThat slight hesitation was all Gong needed to understand. “Headquarters is on Wanshou Road, right? I’m handling some business just a few kilometers away. Wait there; I’ll drive you back.”rSARqcGUCGXfUXLLwWlAtWEXipcihC
DAXLtRRFwAjZdZr“No need, really, I—”visrlsrwHEJyADKvgkOMMujzgITItH
TVELOrssPzzsmDC“Send me the address.” Gong’s tone was unyielding.SjIlcPPNCxPKGqYoXmokdlwAYfqGqA
bmyxttIMFyhTOXj“…Alright.”LLKYHRHUIqaxZIqFwBYorXLxHHlwRe
BciDSitQdvRqDkPRen Yi returned to his seat, and Yan Jue handed him another beer, but he waved it off. “No more for me. I’ve had enough; a friend’s coming to pick me up.”eXHqTARhdCoLBMJrOcDHNAZcOQQZJR
mQigKVmwOLQyksv“I’m about to call a taxi anyway. I can drop you off on the way, seeing as I have to pass through your district to get back to my station.”KFsKzZYeVBukdjFwVsZkBeULGHvSFz
cYGGgEvbbZbNjlL“No need to trouble yourself; you’d have to go out of your way.”zKRvdrFNKImKoKqAfFdAmwaTMurkfc
sHUHZVkktLyUjrjYan Jue chuckled, “It’s not that far. No need to be so formal.”RvDfMBImTgaPZYlBcKTfUEWKUEIOJw
NqUlXfChBuKRwZf“Thanks, but my friend will be here soon.”zzEUpDLvSOEtbYnLoBFFuOnMgIZpwV
tIJaAwodENpaoQU“Alright then. Next time, you come to my station, and I’ll take you out for some amazing lamb hot pot.”vphZwcRHtiNFIsoJqBUiaouFbPMWbb
DIspaCjCnneuUbEThey continued eating, drinking, and chatting until about half an hour later, when Gong Yingxian entered the barbecue restaurant.OlcgUVGeXVwtnxILQgIeLLRWxBLPQb
yceeygLIztfArepHe looked completely out of place in his sharp suit, polished shoes, and spotless appearance—his entire demeanor clashed with the casual, smoky, street-side setting. He didn’t look like someone who belonged here at all.uPWsDjxmoMQwWEBqaItcurxgtEqENL
axLkVWXvChuiGFCWith his striking looks, everyone’s eyes naturally turned toward him.bhXfgyIaxTaLHJXKXCzhEHVBBFlFqU
LFEeIEanbiCmULcYan Jue raised an eyebrow, a bit amused, “So that’s the friend you mentioned? Dressed like he’s going to a wedding.”mGpCatfQRmJqSUFlsvmGSMiKbjfYhe
BhlhODxoRZEWyFSPeople around snickered.fPXlXhBEQpAEIPoFfJWRxWWLiuTxTy
iAUxrpyDnXAJQweRen Yi went over, “Yingxian, this place isn’t the cleanest; there’s a lot of smoke and grease. Why don’t you wait in the car? I’ll pay the bill, and we’ll head out.”tVXzlexIEVpulvAZpkeutLxEjSNWjb
zWMbNBortFhojphGong Yingxian glanced around at the two pushed-together tables, crowded with squad leaders in their flame-blue uniforms. The table and floor were littered with leftovers, cigarette butts, and beer bottles. He looked back at Ren Yi, his face flushed and his expression cheerful, clearly tipsy but in high spirits.BBVLAuUFEaHDToykhkQNSpJtOfEGVk
iOrnXpVARpBBPcfSuddenly, Gong felt a strong sense of alienation—not just a distaste for the greasy food and messy setting, but a deeper feeling that Ren Yi’s world was shutting him out.iBOsvYAgkhNqQPYZJSpmosCDoLqSMt
TRxWwYPWFAKwxAsThis was Ren Yi’s life: going out with colleagues, eating, drinking, chatting. It was a normal life, one that most people shared. The abnormal one was himself. He couldn’t join Ren Yi in a simple, enjoyable meal, nor share a drink. He just didn’t fit into Ren Yi’s life. His own life…was something no one else could ever live with.NjWDWBAEBTgmaPEIVwLsdDZUGDzpxu
DzhDSxmUpUxsJmLNo wonder Ren Yi didn’t like him. In truth, no one would. Even those initially attracted by his appearance would quickly be scared away. All these years, Ren Yi was the only one willing to be his friend.DiHKibuXyGfUtPqzuaWhQbVnBIqkwH
zWKYWEsLSetLUQn“Yingxian?” Ren Yi rubbed his slightly hazy eyes. “What’s wrong?”SbANQRlUIwCgFxAzixcWyKjSSFycWP
AQSqXuWcpXNZcwJGong shook his head, “I’ll wait here for you.”seVPvtxmzIzeZuzIAANbIECpGsLJRs
CoxnxvjNVxggpLk“Are you sure? This place is a bit…”ZSBrwocknDPclHgqeUGQZvcLJfojlG
bdyGxDavCKkuRgP“I’ll wait here,” Gong repeated firmly.oFrFbSFhyrenHhqjfXbnPDvvHWwuzX
BxCVuHzJXucsSTr“…Alright then.” Ren Yi returned to the table, “Alright, brothers, keep drinking—I’m heading out. Take care getting home.”KssoJkTHGwNKjmwxOWolrlpUBlDJRg
QlLGGHVVNKQxMzG“Don’t worry.”SpCIfUVHxBkUmsVHNVsEjzFiDATBmQ
FLnhSnyeQQYFpvgRen Yi patted Yan Jue on the shoulder and smiled, “I’ll definitely come by next time, so you’ll have the chance to treat me to a meal.”atkGlefQGXocVLIWRZWZUdzptfhFym
OOSJRsDHeVHspHRYan Jue extended his hand for a handshake, “Stay in touch.”BryowXWRAHnnKRFqIYbwmsPmAqYeXT
aabeceVHhgYpICnFrom a distance, Gong watched the two with a look of mutual respect, and he let out a faint, cold scoff.LLTawjlMDkDFcRmZASHIvfEABFrxXq
bnWPQjVtyUzxsfCRen Yi went to the counter to pay, but several squad leaders immediately surrounded him. “Hey, what are you doing? Coming over to our district and trying to pick up the tab?”wZYruAuAvJeIMXmHXYnpLdgWujAYaY
KdrnEqdGKrhBVPjRen Yi laughed, “It was agreed I’d cover it tonight. Don’t fight me on this.”aEUnNESjWHmfcglrCscGcFLDKDgagu
ZAwGgLEzqyzsPea“No way. Next time, when we’re at your Hongwu District, we’ll make sure you pay.”HNLdqeEwHavxwCFUlCVQUINQekSciJ
HolVbfNJTpXzxPGThey all started playfully pushing each other over the bill.QycMKunjLEsiIZLPOaOaghgibsUihb
XIbObccolzMNKzMJust then, a man wearing a baseball cap emerged from the back room. A server bringing out dishes called out, “Sir, the restroom is over there; the kitchen is off-limits.”tsOnFijBxPoarkhmxLhnkGbLyHzrct
wtHJerMdIkuXCjvThe man mumbled something and hurried out.LJuapPntYhIPURAkLweafIHuvhtyzP
IObVhitjRXLzmKJThe barbecue joint was bustling with chatter, so hardly anyone noticed this exchange. But Gong Yingxian, who was standing at the entrance, had caught sight of the man. His instincts as a cop made him sense that something was off.xladlxfBOZKJveUCulWrrbgTzQnFkH
NCkRHogmiAEkeKWFirst, the man was moving quickly. The barbecue restaurant’s floor was greasy from years of oil and smoke, making it slippery, so most people walked carefully. Second, though the man kept his cap pulled low, his pursed lips, tense jaw, and hunched shoulders all betrayed a sense of urgency and unease.OSaeCXHIeIiSIfmkoYmwTTiRLZehwq
ExkVWowdeYjpkHTIt was as if he wasn’t just leaving a barbecue place but escaping a lion’s den.UcXqWmLifKRrPJLQkLyXHMQtahmZod
XRjhijVYnFzctVBGong blocked the man’s path with one step and flashed his badge, saying, “Police. Show me your ID.”UbAmdCCEvEXGDjwkQrHKceugHzRQBQ
vFEOROmHYxqecBIThe man froze for a second before suddenly slamming into Gong and sprinting away.BfilIqrLcCIMZnScoKmwCYKvcXHfHn
SzKwdGXnyihqMNiInitially, Gong had only found him suspicious. In such a mixed crowd at the night market, petty crimes were common. Most people, even the more hardened types, would cooperate when faced with a police officer, knowing that as long as they weren’t caught in the act, they wouldn’t be in serious trouble. Resisting, however, was a different story—it meant there was something to hide.PNVZKIHdnlQDzPZViqZXDdqUcBAHBn
asgEPSiAMLuthPUSo the man’s sudden dash confirmed Gong’s suspicions. Considering the recent incidents, Gong quickly connected the dots. He shouted to Ren Yi, “Evacuate everyone first!” and took off after the man.yBvfWqPOfMflIAzzekLHDLWwVmjRcc
wPPNqypvseuEGcLThe whole restaurant was stunned.GVYDERDJJYbTjFIkNhNKyQBjIVVhvs
IPbBjSmfURTcBdgIt took Ren Yi a few seconds to process. He shook his head vigorously, thankful he hadn’t had any alcohol for the past half hour, opting instead for sobering drinks, not wanting to annoy Gong. Now, he was much more alert. “Everyone, get out! Now!”QOUGUZwNEcUtvXQEiRNcsAsSayhZDV
LNHVBgjmCFoLPICYan Jue ran over, tense. “What’s going on?”jAKDSHXROXcxXpTwtZErsQvEreYPML
RwHBNhvgAhOadUwWang Meng also called out, “Ren Yi, what happened?” Attempting to stand, he almost tripped over a beer bottle on the floor, having had a bit too much to drink.gzMpnuelfakfcELQesXWiFijWdhnVX
PeXjwCIsOuwcLAS“Don’t ask questions! If you can move, help those who are drunk and get them outside—now!” Ren Yi had no idea what was happening. He guessed Gong wasn’t sure either, as everything had happened so suddenly.PdgbApJAhOlJToOTnwaaOwwPhXMQIF
bOSjKFdslOHXnktThe restaurant staff and patrons, confused but not wanting to ignore the firefighters’ orders, quickly got to their feet and began leaving. The place was soon in disarray.UOZmLbfCEInFGvtdxmrCygwsYOjKCs
wCLUaaCKzxDYeFTRen Yi quickly replayed the recent events in his mind. He hadn’t seen much, only a glimpse of Gong stopping someone, the man running, and Gong chasing after him.lTTSijobztrfWhqoXJAZoSlJAlXZnb
fOTDFqNtlRDWmtOThe key, then, was that man.gvsfJXGfVRuNRspYdqAcyfcTdCnUEA
FtrRYRASBYWYMnqRen Yi called out, “Who was that guy in the black baseball cap? Which table was he with?”nIGlxGhlrjpFIlgmnWKSXphGBSZQPu
lsLFGDWavEMdIxtOne of the servers spoke up hesitantly, “I don’t know; I just saw him for the first time. He came out of the kitchen, probably looking for the restroom.”CXvoYPljDKgDkWGvpfMpbJQAVXPXRX
WMSHeTpMjmUfrUuThe kitchen!NaxnnlcTdczTeEBSXoiUMLFPhYpzOf
solvPgeJVAXIfnlRen Yi and Yan Jue exchanged a look.GvKjKzKxbvcZjqirxdEmMLpQAbHiOG
EvXmjjFHYcUmyWUYan Jue shouted, “Evacuate immediately, call 119, and get everyone out from the surrounding shops—now!”VqsDnEECstBQtsVIAHIJTJlPOqXyqU
ZEhpSOBjmBUzNsqRen Yi dashed toward the kitchen.hDnKsphZsggWlrMUbJfmfEIybvrVFB
KQYWFcDnPjolyAOThe kitchen staff, unaware of the commotion in the front, continued their work as usual. Ren Yi shouted, “Stop everything! Turn off all the stoves! Everyone, stop!”XelIKDVgmIoibvaKxHcPQrbwpQyEdJ
WyBtwABmlzgApgYEveryone froze, bewildered.efVExqwDktBVbMfHqaXaCSrduCCjpj
oLIcwIYNLorbyrCRen Yi scanned the room, knowing that the most dangerous thing in the kitchen was the gas piping. Household gas systems were usually straightforward and hidden behind walls. But in restaurant kitchens, especially ones with high turnover and constant remodeling, the piping could be complex, often left exposed due to frequent changes—one day it’s a sushi place, the next a Sichuan spot. This patchwork of modifications often led to improperly secured, exposed pipes.BSaagBFtEuMLKCpkJuLXAdvRxexAEz
WNJXmizaRCagHJIRen Yi rushed over, inspecting the tangled mess of pipes, checking each valve.QFWVsfroOjvCvTAbgHjNYsVysaIXUw
gGveemZcFiFnHPiYan Jue dashed into the kitchen as well. “How’s it look?”EKAUnbHOBLEcnvGSqXgtSmzPocZSCW
oLKaOFaTYkkLTah“No leaks in the valves.” Everything seemed fine, but to be safe, Ren Yi shut off the valves anyway.GVRAnQtVHYSwCubIydHGyDEKekTHCB
BjhWbEjqlSVtOFv“Ren Yi!” Yan Jue called, his voice trembling with urgency.XTLakXYNEndeVDuKkgNxYfLfewwuPL
jjnydesSjdwNrbb“What is it?” Ren Yi ran over to him, and what he saw sent a chill down his spine.AoknJPpkchFYIuJZLkpzvrTaNTjSKc
CxtOfcErUUaMVjASeveral sections of the metal pipes were corroding, being eaten away by an unknown chemical substance!raNHmJkcOgLIkEeNaJlLnqytspOexw
TXLRwovZSuVOmyonyVyBsfNJoEovTTouiKxYSdRkldsiJ