Blazing Armor

There was no response from the other end of the phone.qmnWaCJdOTAgXFGbSTdoAvOfEWqQEK

VAPuNLHGTmFBYpw

Ren Yi also stayed silent, patiently waiting for Gong Yingxian.imlhzgdbFJuARNoZWPlVxJznDggZBa

GSWjudpXGzzloAb

After a long pause, Gong Yingxian asked in a very low voice, as if afraid of disturbing someone, “Go on.”MyydHmOOsLdOEhplfTniWqlJVmmcwd

WBRNtfmUeVoQhzW

“Do you remember the protective suit you wore when you helped me deal with that chemical tanker incident?”QnsdWctvUcusqBGgVibqiOKMaxMRJD

NglhyHyIWqexbCb

“I remember.”IDaEZvWSYVPcEeBybnhnpzGfiFYgZa

EgKGLdZMMqXEWDl

“The gas mask we wore back then—it had a single, wide lens over the eyes, like ski or diving goggles. The exhalation port was short and cylindrical, with large filter boxes on each side.”ctAxNJzrirtnKGlvFWSJPPIhkrndKJ

RxfywNmaxkOrKBR

A hint of realization flickered in Gong Yingxian’s mind.hXFmumzlZNFvzYesNQyAjknPhuHlkn

ebLqzUePDMFfJqS

“That’s the new-style gas mask. Well, not exactly new—it was already like that when I was at the Armed Police University. But the old-style gas mask didn’t look like that.” Ren Yi took a deep breath and continued, “The older model, from my father’s time, had two large round lenses for the eyes, no filter boxes on the cheeks. The filter and exhalation port were combined into a single filter tip, thinner than the current ones but longer.”eboaBvvbTMBwWpCvsOMfrdFzyuzSlF

ruNEvFFwQFWUNap

“You mean… the bird mask I saw was actually an old-style gas mask?” Gong Yingxian’s voice trembled slightly.tWOJcaqRIbSlIkXLWxVeQdcUDCVJtd

sItYdFjmkHPArSD

“I think it’s possible,” Ren Yi replied. “For one, I told you before that I suspect the killer might be wearing protective gear. And second, you were very young at the time, and it was late at night.”LwxmszteDWXrQOGdJkxnboXdPDZwst

UpTBnUFHfaBrDUo

“I was young back then, but even a six-year-old should know the difference between a bird and something else, right?” As soon as Gong Yingxian said it, his own confidence started to waver. He was sure he had seen a bird mask… but what exactly did it look like? In his memory, the image was just a hazy impression, despite his certainty it was a bird mask.QqDZKBBvddpjgZGqyAhjDhHOksoBvN

ZtstFbZzhQFbKIl

“Six years old—you’d have already started school by then. You’d definitely remember things at that age,” Ren Yi said, frowning. “But this is just my guess. Today, in class, I saw a foreign backup mask model that vaguely reminded me of the mask that ‘Purple Flame’ wears, which got me thinking… Anyway, take it as a reference.”DkfzkFfeKueacFbNCWGLCQzqhjcndg

mihldwBOFguvEiV

“I… I don’t know.” Gong Yingxian rarely doubted his instincts when handling a case, always decisive and swift. Even at that high-pressure concert with only minutes to act, where a single mistake could lead to irreversible consequences, he hadn’t second-guessed a single decision—and all of them had been right.azwTUmHJxKMNBwqniCbCOPLDLxmSoS

wljXImvOzIMNIvA

But now, he was genuinely confused. Because memory can be deceiving.elRLsTctqbMWyiSLQVIMUCVhHySDNf

IFKoffExzdlIBEG

“I’ll send you a few pictures of old-style masks,” Ren Yi said softly. “Yingxian, don’t worry. The truth will come to light eventually, and on that day, every trick they’ve used will be exposed.”dxVvCRcDBTNTNKfNWNGEYWxPeIOvfe

rzqfXCxrFpQXLOQ

“Alright,” Gong Yingxian replied. “This could be a crucial lead. If it’s confirmed, it would greatly help the investigation.”QbLLjlKZRmsLJEUFhXtLxFMmspgRPb

HkvTldaapSuWvVB

“Yes. Back then, shopping options were limited, especially for something as specialized as this. Maybe we’ll be able to trace something.”ncstjBNiDuoYZpcziJrWomgLfTRbth

HogPLorPjjArcKI

“Ren Yi, have you ever considered…” Gong Yingxian hesitated, “…that person could be… someone involved in firefighting… or a similar field.” He couldn’t bring himself to fully say “firefighter.”UoBxLrNgYuacqSlsuUKzeoUlcuxlLU

dJtSLdDtyjUPtcR

Ren Yi bit his lip. “…I’ve thought about it. Emotionally, I don’t want to consider this angle, but logically… it’s a possibility.”LJtmNkCueAPWZtYormQtGKrCWNUlfA

IgLlxOlqvSDhYAm

This case was so complex, yet the resolution had come so quickly and easily. Perhaps there was more than one insider.uccmvGXkUnrDhmaoGDvudywYTXzKar

cGGTdHktKxPcVXo

“Emotionally, I also don’t want to believe there was a problem within the police back then. But rationally, there are definite issues.” Gong Yingxian said, sounding troubled. “I’ll keep investigating. You… are your classes over?”zNyRsCFSOjySheaohRUQQpbCjHIlTS

NXdatFqhFjVXXBa

Ren Yi sensed that Gong Yingxian had swallowed what he truly wanted to say, abruptly shifting the conversation, making this last question seem somewhat out of place. Knowing they had no evidence yet and that pressing would be pointless, he simply replied, “The class ends this afternoon. I still have one more lecture.”icroXjhNDkiQAFXbbaJuvcrErYkEKz

VpYGusyiOtUTlct

“I haven’t had a chance to see you these past few days. What time does it end this afternoon? I’ll pick you up.”fyNPCvZpTZwMVTqbnHifSoaedntRrS

FUruzNjkyhRvkvf

“Focus on your work; there’s a car to take us back to the station in the afternoon.”CvVlxexwmwjnXqnFuBRNorWVWqKKYr

oZGUvtjruHuTAev

“I want to pick you up.” Since the incident at the barbecue restaurant after their last meeting, Gong Yingxian had felt uneasy.FfQyCTwWfoKkSMbGZbDjNRuqXfCDKa

GGyWzUHJwwWSgBH

Ren Yi smiled faintly, “Alright, I’ll see you at 5:30.”sqKnIWiLWqvDpxBLrYGEUTJrvpajwi

UFYWioKRsHXYKsk

Returning after the call, he found the classroom empty—everyone had left for lunch, except for Yan Jue, who still sat in his seat.NATiOvvNrKSrIQclVQXpZJQWiYXGVQ

VVuZpITmvmqpXqW

“Why aren’t you going to lunch?”SSoTmuHnBnLNTCJliMFPNtdWmMnrqJ

bUFAcRdtspSygdz

“I was waiting for you.”bDdXITZOwwjxWBmbEVnlYQlUZkmlBx

uaIlIyGzgMRkSqc

Ren Yi chuckled. “Waiting for me? Why?”zLmMNrPuBOwWQUVitbmQpOelORQMYM

DSkRBncKklntxyA

“You seemed distracted the entire class, and you didn’t look well,” Yan Jue said, watching him intently. “Right now, you’re a priority protection target. Isn’t it reasonable for me to show a little concern?”PcaJSRSGrHZdKIdxXfWQbjdDfHUobW

BERUaCAazASKGaA

“It’s nothing.” Ren Yi gathered his things. “Let’s go grab lunch.”IiLmILrqAipulvKIBOXvNKXAMLzOSV

qlESCAqinpZYvNE

The two walked side by side out of the classroom, with Yan Jue occasionally glancing over at Ren Yi.apiOLQPCkbFyWzgrqwCRdPGEEYpXts

EzdeYYkKrqLSEvk

Ren Yi sighed, “Really, it’s nothing. That call just now was actually helpful for the case.”pntKShmWBohIBYJaFmSoxILTXIVuzH

hSUMbLgOTfVnLTy

“Was it to Officer Gong?”QpSOSAXYJDwSTuFfhXgttAXOlPVvyO

gJzraNiomPBPFGh

“Yeah.”CJSEVAinJoCLpXJdUMvLKprngvOuxF

BSCxGdombMXqGdx

Yan Jue fell silent for a moment before saying, a bit downcast, “Is there really nothing I can help you with?”NyBLFYiNqUVMVyRWrhRNPbyFEkKACd

OPLxcxGczKZJxnk

“What are you talking about? Back at the barbecue place, you were the one who helped me patch up that pipe.”hZPhNCZvpltneJNJKXnjmBwOiSzPGr

jZaOAtMfwVepnyT

“I can help you with other things too; just say the word.”DHvcVdDqmtMpILRxUYbxCDMyKrnqIf

dsqzaZtmokuptrl

Ren Yi chuckled, “Noted.”DonPaUOCvBOOCEoTLcPCAoAcydmUyo

wUBwXrWfuulcMdB

As they ate, a colleague from the publicity department walked around with a camera, snapping photos.vbJNNyyjpQCkSQeJRmWVqNQbBLLlma

WjbidvSFERqUEus

Someone joked, “What’s there to photograph during lunch?”liznIJxkAKkCIkTKzASCIPgnZgVTli

krewWZKVKPUrzqe

“Just capturing our glorious meals,” the photographer replied.EwZpUEQBGjaoqgWlLKcyADMcXksraZ

GZzwonxTRUvgEGM

The camera gradually panned toward Ren Yi’s table. Yan Jue, acting casually, put an arm around Ren Yi’s shoulders and grinned at the lens, “Ren Yi, look at the camera!”EreNolADfzdaIFRWlevjwlJgwNtnuZ

jPTXFTfSCrNYseg

“Wait, let me finish this bite first!” Ren Yi, a bit flustered, stuffed the food in his mouth, his cheeks puffing out like a squirrel’s. Suddenly, he choked and began coughing, covering his mouth as he tried to catch his breath.zWoPLfbLCllfAAgpRfcRAwmQAhuwZq

qfJBbCfQdLexcsP

Yan Jue laughed while patting his back, “Take it easy, take it easy—what’s the rush?”xrQZZxRLwnztCqrjzwiLjhpkkZORxK

gtIouMmpAJclAFd

Everyone around them laughed.elGZtWdMxRsqmyvgAdRYgOplSXvGvX

oOXrFxNTWxzWyYv

Finally, Ren Yi caught his breath. “It’s your fault for suddenly wanting a picture. And these guys won’t hesitate to post the ugliest shots of me.”qukzIYMWqnMPytkWtnGFVldEzNqNHw

zVSCposSNniicNU

The photographer snickered, “It’s real! I even recorded this bit—pure gold footage.”ilpDifFOXASGcFrhKmRTxItAUcZnla

bPWdegIgaexTzet

“Damn it, cut that part out!”nFwftMqnodNjCcyzXBBSkbCGQHvOkz

QGAGmlEryRLTpnb

“Captain Ren, you worried about your image? Don’t worry, for the reputation of our brave firefighters, I’ll edit out that little slip.”szOGjnlkIkGAztsYLqgCobnVMNxZpV

VIEvjYOFyUgvoFy

Yan Jue took a napkin, wiped the corner of Ren Yi’s mouth, then held his chin and examined him carefully. “Alright, all set. Go ahead and take the shot.”UiuJVqpPhAJsGcntOkHiGyOPhfvMsT

ScJOgxKLckXrmhh

The two smiled at the camera as it clicked, capturing the moment.uPpsdRzlXttaPSvIWtmcnXBqLScFcL

wMpNsQJJmfwvcIB

That afternoon, after finishing the last class, the three-day training came to an end.JKjYMKniayBGnWBMfJqsEIKmpVZgfQ

fxcppsFThHTaMgU

Ren Yi went back to his room, packed his things, and waited for Gong Yingxian to pick him up. Just then, there was a knock on the door.aJjFyObrEipzqSVZasWGjCeKTWsuUm

cNiyxKdkvYttmAV

He opened it to find Yan Jue standing there, carrying his luggage.IPBpSTTwAWyjpLDNXBPCeFhJLQnAag

AUSnhPCFTGbdsbz

“Come in and sit for a bit.”IZauICwJFEJteIDHYyRDRowaBbbfmy

BxLsamCVMEztmnP

Yan Jue shook his head, lifting his bag, “What’s the point? Let’s go; the bus is downstairs.”aijXyZuRHrbAtylnmntdlYIBBsyylK

JmqiFzlHhmTcxyh

“Oh, I already told the team leader I won’t be taking the bus. Someone’s coming to pick me up.”iXgPisQcSqxaDwDUKhDirDzvXsTFKn

fxRyRBKdRDVQaKP

Yan Jue paused, “That Officer Gong again?”lYjkXKvcyhEuCBdUVCMWowjgwrAGGz

aXFculPzypfpbMe

“Yep.”TdQJeEQrGDjXSfWpqLoNHSKAsYltly

vLytHqpUmbXunKw

Yan Jue’s thick eyebrows furrowed. “He seems really worried about you.”kAFSVYiAUDMplxjJaeQVYmQLoAfgaM

NaXcqpVkXIqHHJg

“Well, he’s dealt with those lunatics firsthand. Now I’ve got plainclothes cops following me everywhere I go,” Ren Yi raised an eyebrow, “Pretty high-profile, don’t you think?”POejwXDxMOGfypqhdLFqwceUkRlBEH

IjeWQsikeIeTswD

“You two have a really close relationship.” Yan Jue looked intently at Ren Yi. “You already have police protection, yet he still insists on picking you up himself.”KbwFVtPulfuLhokPVWozNmLhdrqUur

cjykwJWNWZnaYsB

Ren Yi didn’t quite know how to respond, so he chuckled, brushing it off. “We still need to discuss the case.”CtwTLzHoIQjFiusEuDnmNjqZYONFgW

hBjirHmsKfJvVNW

“Alright, I’ll head out then,” Yan Jue said, his expression a bit stiff. “If you’re free tonight, let’s game. Just let me know anytime.”hldPYqxStBqqiihyYmnpGnXhfZZAIU

oQpbJCHpIRoHBGL

“Sounds good. See you later.”CYnHOkZeHEHdatJbxgPIYvXnEoxweh

gcwZbKhtyqjsJAH

At that moment, Ren Yi’s phone rang. He glanced down to see it was Gong Yingxian, probably arriving early. “Hey, you’re here? Alright, I’m coming down now.”IWvnYOVEMSdIIJIxoSwYDxLCjRGVaS

zwVJZtDjgNyDmuG

Ending the call, Ren Yi grabbed his bag. “Let’s go. We can head down together.”IomwSsltCRoJoJdaZrWyIXaDaTuwhQ

upKiOogrSXCZEnE

Downstairs, the minibus waiting to take the team was parked right at the entrance, with squad leaders gradually boarding. Just behind it sat a familiar black Jeep Wrangler.eyXoFPORhJvJNywwaDOzAadDMbvtvl

clENKdNQwqFbbaF

The Wrangler’s window slowly rolled down. On such a cold day, there was no need to open it, especially since Ren Yi was very familiar with that vehicle.HTUTlAMmCIwMIXqsvesaAZURUAuVIp

ZLVqkjkAIQXDEiX

Gong Yingxian lowered the window, not to greet him but to get a clear view of who was by Ren Yi’s side. Since they were all in matching uniforms and at a distance, it was hard to see. But as Ren Yi walked closer, chatting and laughing with his companion, Gong Yingxian realized it was Yan Jue.LxGtYobMcqprAslzoeRYviajcctRkb

hFqTQgejnkirvWB

Gong Yingxian let out a displeased hum under his breath.ZzgAvwdFXWSuhxplEEdTnaRFVAoocr

QnVTYLweGDmDVeX

Ren Yi waved toward Gong Yingxian, calling out, “Just a minute!”UDrAXLyxrmeSWZIDRWcLkcPLuJFlVa

BkXKoxUBvPjqnuF

He shook hands with each squad leader, exchanging the usual goodbyes and promises like, “Next time, drinks on me.” Then he watched them board the minibus.qVWSuwWowDwVsOxvmtlrjUoWdOurtT

YaSbKVLwloYAZWm

When it was Yan Jue’s turn, Ren Yi extended his hand and joked, “See you in the Arena.”lfMVAlqGqquRDRYMIrYnQPceDeDdNU

GooPVPYaLXPIgko

Yan Jue grinned, and as he clasped Ren Yi’s hand, he unexpectedly pulled him into a hug, clapping him firmly on the back twice. “Take care.” At the same time, he turned his head toward the Wrangler, locking eyes with Gong Yingxian. Though Yan Jue’s gaze appeared calm, there was an unmistakable, hard-to-read intensity in his expression.HjVSvbLZBUbKuyqcOuCtcCGqILMMCw

IdqUBJQKsGUrVUc

Gong Yingxian narrowed his eyes, a flicker of irritation sparking within him—it felt as if Yan Jue was openly challenging him.sKGOSVnDHLlqxtNLBgWajxfBONvrjb

IpIRjLCHKPKFzhg

Ren Yi was a bit surprised but didn’t think much of it. He returned the gesture, patting Yan Jue on the back. “Alright, take care.”RdQDDHKdVsaYWwIVymmiwQBDGUBley

AlvOkEfiPjjuVPP

After they parted, Yan Jue boarded the minibus, and Ren Yi climbed into Gong Yingxian’s car. He tossed his light luggage onto the back seat and rubbed his hands together. “Just a short walk from the hotel to here, and my hands are already frozen. This weather is seriously cold.”yGoRFiQhYkKbrCTTEMInjPlnRFMpps

XddjGCNSemXbKQK

Gong Yingxian pressed his lips together, still brooding over the way Yan Jue had looked at him. The more he thought about it, the more it bothered him. But then, he wondered if he was just being overly sensitive—after all, it’s normal for male friends to be close and share a hug.yCAomOqzueXBnFlnrqaSRtjYveJfMW

bZqRGzxqcoTudZr

“Aren’t you going to close the window?” Ren Yi asked, giving him a puzzled look.OcFEcfergwODmVAsnrdXDQyjyOENqi

KAYjyUjzojNeBjO

Snapping out of his thoughts, Gong Yingxian raised the window. “Did you eat?”hbmbPlZZPHqQPfCeXpUxQrgxTYGqeU

vHrlIAXoxkswptg

“Nope, the food in the cafeteria here is awful.”pRkJMJaAGJWAcQDnApxPiRaCKMJnUM

wxBzczVtEvxXNTf

“I’ll take you to get something to eat.”irMRQjKWQuvudhcaoPtCSjiEUGlYfJ

tbmxavswiQDiUYM

“Your place? No way, I have to get back to the station.”FEaBevzaJEqexxiUoVQZyLpYENaiJm

mXUxfTCEkaeCtjZ

“No… to a restaurant.”zQVVhIpzktwzFTCGCKqDDhxMzLsyBZ

goeRMZQWvHxuVaD

Ren Yi looked at him, completely surprised.nfesiUzDBfBBBahHLNlGPCjzfbrILA

auCWPhCHqOwHqgi