Blazing Armor

On the day of the funeral, after a winter filled with overcast skies, the sun unexpectedly shone over Beijing.avSMEBTDtBFBGLkBRiHiikHSthcYBH

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Sun Dingyi’s father carried his photo, while his mother held his uniform and ceremonial hat. Together, they stepped out of the dormitory.LJDwodPvfRxmgayREvLlvKlscJTTwX

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On both sides of the squadron’s training ground stood two neat rows of firefighters in uniform.HoHyulkdBZgJltIYPdPSqebbiTBwYn

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Ren Yi, suppressing the sting in his nose, called out loudly, “Salute—!”fLcbWfNwEBPUyBGXRsTpHUGRatLObw

HvXGmsIOYqhXhte

The soldiers all snapped to attention, raising their arms in a precise salute. Their eyes were red, lips tightly pressed, as they sorrowfully watched their comrade pass through the training ground he had crossed countless times. He boarded his favorite firetruck one last time, heading to the funeral home.uMgLUudpHfrGvabtFIvXsPUMZuuJyF

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Except for a few left behind on duty, the rest followed the vehicle to the funeral home.YgFGrWrxrdeTAtEEIZriPDpcJtAVbf

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In front of the funeral home, a large crowd had gathered—people who had come of their own accord to bid him farewell, as well as leaders and soldiers from the general squadron, branch units, and other teams.verOpxUJZOnBzRxblFyiuPBqmoZnpL

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Ren Yi immediately spotted a familiar figure among them—a tall, distinguished man in a dark blue police uniform: Gong Yingxian. That uniform seemed tailored to him, fitting so perfectly that it somehow outshone the expensive suits he usually wore, making him even more striking and radiant.QjXBQCYeAEJcakCOZEbkSxuuITkzIu

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Gong Yingxian approached Ren Yi and said softly, “I’m here on behalf of the precinct to see him off.”bjDRudIjZpkjZjTFuKHVDDpfuyoyEt

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Ren Yi nodded. “First time seeing you in uniform.”
“It’s my first time seeing you in uniform too.”CjDBqsiIFAINBONMkjhhLBfFyUyjSy

kBQRVGVCmRswrtA

“When we wear uniforms, it’s always for something big—either something good or something bad,” Ren Yi said quietly. “I should head inside.”CUJbUaUoumCKkHYQhKPzOjFEGXgvCe

GEewrKNTGrCroSs

“Go ahead.”qLmfvOZvlvNEPoZvFcJvWsFUgnfAVp

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The mourning hall was packed with people who were close to or acquainted with Sun Dingyi. Yan Jue had even made a special trip from the western suburbs to attend.KrBwgAcXNXzVjOabHTbmfoGZuCmHqo

RTGWhUoosxARomC

Throughout the entire funeral, Ren Yi remained in a daze, as if wrapped in an invisible film that isolated him from the grief, the sobbing, the tears. Everything unfolding before him felt surreal. He still couldn’t—still wouldn’t—fully accept this reality, still doubted that it was anything but a terrible dream.oZVqVyyTzriBLeZZdlgRhjyxxHRjSN

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After the funeral ended, Ren Yi didn’t return to the squadron with the others. Instead, he found a bench in a quiet corner of the cemetery park. Sitting there, he silently watched the bare tree branches and the barren patches of grass.akGwMnluBlqUqARGIJHzANnNDlOwDJ

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His wounds hadn’t healed yet, and the constant pain gnawed at him. Even breathing felt laborious, and just a morning’s work had left him nearly unable to stand. The warm sunlight on his back offered him a small measure of comfort.fvYXhkRrldqxycEUJGhiKSjODnKfJG

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Footsteps came from behind, and without turning, Ren Yi instinctively knew it was Gong Yingxian.xEGcGMJeRXjWMSyxqTfBvnWaQpvUIc

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Gong Yingxian sat beside him and handed him a can of hot tea.gNAakffuchbnQapalBaKvtHfNohjzs

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Ren Yi took it, warming his hands with the can. He said softly, “It’s not too cold today. Rare to have sunshine like this.”TIGCvYNMLpSZAQgPnAUxLmIsVLbncE

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“But you’re wearing too little.” Gong Yingxian touched Ren Yi’s hand. “It’s freezing.”hhwdETpGoPFPopXOffxKjpVFoUsufy

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Ren Yi clasped Gong Yingxian’s hand in return. Thinking about the fog he’d been in lately, guilt welled up. “I haven’t really talked to you much these past days. Don’t take it to heart.”tWPswXwJmzPDlauPeBihDkSwjBlHwu

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“How could I?” Gong Yingxian paused. “I know how it feels.”wxAnJfnJHizUvbaxeHgGFThpoXxjhj

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Ren Yi felt a pang in his chest and murmured, “I made you worry.”GJPrcfRAtawipCEMlzaHVOFWHjIDtA

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“Yeah, you really did.” Gong Yingxian took a deep breath. “Do you know what it felt like for me, watching you hang by a thread on that corridor? Just thinking about it still terrifies me.”fTRZtuNNEUNjYAlINvJdFYCxHplfXf

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“…I’m sorry.”VNsjFnRlHODbCgMiUNCdOVMmLWLRap

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“If I…” Gong Yingxian bit his lower lip lightly. “If I said I want you to quit being a firefighter, and in exchange, I’d agree to any condition you set…”HCfcPmCfunTjsaVFnWucLwBGARhJrP

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Ren Yi stared at Gong Yingxian in stunned silence.RmAmVpPWhVYwIGHCuNkunedJHSgFNO

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Their eyes met, but neither could speak.hHfdaJtnfXlRFYzikMcwyFVgZZnaRZ

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After a long while, Ren Yi forced a faint smile. “You’re… joking, right?”aggiFCEAVaLKEXzaQKsgUWdKipGgzF

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Both of them knew Gong Yingxian wasn’t joking. And Gong Yingxian knew just as well that Ren Yi had evaded the question because he couldn’t agree to it.ROWTnCuMXmJgKxqxwHgMaJnNGezHIw

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To Ren Yi, this profession was a calling, a mission. Only death could sever that bond.yCGYneRietGLhHowdtIUhcFaJMZgeB

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Gong Yingxian lowered his head in dejection. Why, of all people, did he have to fall for someone like this? He had spent his life desperately trying to stay away from fire, only to now find himself drawn to someone who danced with it daily. What a cruel irony.VwZwvuppVjcPbBBafwwcjlTGvclQEw

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Ren Yi, feeling a twinge of guilt, nudged Gong Yingxian lightly on the shoulder, trying to shift the conversation. “You look really good in uniform.”GYxAFqheVYjyIYpJgzCknYwbFGfWux

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“Do I? It’s not very practical for fieldwork, so I rarely wear it.” Gong Yingxian glanced at his uniform, then at Ren Yi’s. “You look good in yours too.”CbZLthZTCNPnpbRlMZtcYSwaiPVele

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“I haven’t worn mine in a while. Training gear is more comfortable. We have so many sets of uniforms; the biochemical suits are probably the worst to wear, followed closely by the firefighting suits.” He stopped short at the mention of firefighting suits.CJlhUvYPrTQEwoxgDJuEgvmsBfgOav

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Gong Yingxian sensed the turbulence in Ren Yi’s emotions. He held Ren Yi’s hand tightly, trying to offer him strength.juDqjNlZxyMqsnwHOVPcQUZVQAXPtF

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Ren Yi closed his eyes as a wave of sorrow washed over him, his eyes welling up again. “I will… I will recover. Don’t worry.”VPxnovcfJGbAsJOFEtKwxuwgszGKGE

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“I need you, Ren Yi,” Gong Yingxian said. “I need your help to find the person responsible for Captain Sun’s death.”GJOQqyNCJhTUrtTZwXIhcPXVyZzOtc

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“I know.” Ren Yi wiped his eyes. “Just tell me what you need me to do.”RiEmmqYcGHuBnBygBQRPnDiptDmVCO

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Gong Yingxian’s voice softened. “For now, I need you to cry if you want to, and then accept reality.”jbHuElTnmsiSuOLDPjgBqvqhdNnTWj

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Ren Yi stiffened but eventually leaned his head gently on Gong Yingxian’s shoulder, letting the tears flow freely.xlBgGKVtVLmjnatBeoCfFAvqubZMCE

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Fingers intertwined, Gong Yingxian listened to Ren Yi’s silent sobs, wishing he could give everything he had to protect this man from any harm.DzCFqmCiEhPHjoUaPZnNTjFYdfYxiB

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—xmHDAXBCBLPgWyBSHlkYyZdjxLoTDN

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Ren Yi took a day off and didn’t return to the squadron. He went to the hospital to change his bandages and get an IV drip before heading home with Gong Yingxian.JGxaxkhLlhRYRAuXxgfHOaqtrDpqRc

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They bought groceries and cooked together. After dinner, they watched a game and chatted until late at night. They then fell asleep in the same bed, wrapped in each other’s arms. Such simple, everyday companionship was enough to soothe the soul’s cracks and warm the heart.KAdovfwbVHFoTfNcvtpEeTANfDMoZX

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The next morning, the two of them went to the Hongwu Precinct. The Fire Investigation Unit had released a preliminary report on the Wenhui Mall fire, and Ren Yi needed to provide his testimony.kFhxbFKHAQABzCeiClYzdCaDQVDyQQ

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Previously, whenever Ren Yi visited the precinct, he was warmly welcomed, especially by the female officers. But this time, everyone was reserved, carefully greeting him and inquiring about his recovery.xFRHyhEfuUNcbUDuUPhCDsWrwHNGRu

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Ren Yi thanked them and then headed to the conference room with Gong Yingxian.XqSqSYWJnfTmFeVydYlNUxrHWQjLfZ

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Gong Yingxian handed Ren Yi the report from the Fire Investigation Unit. Although Ren Yi could have accessed it anytime through the internal system, he hadn’t. He hadn’t even written his own incident report yet, and no one had pressured him to.TxIBYxudQKhezViePYLgPeyejDCpvZ

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Now, he had no choice but to face it.wxfbMcJyGyzdirXgGzVOnHvLbDKeHh

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Taking a deep breath, Ren Yi opened the report and began reading it page by page.rMlHChSBjSlENOlbfvjTqHkEfzKbmB

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The fire originated in a clothing wholesale store near the corridor in Building A, with clear traces of accelerants. At the time of the fire, all businesses in Building A had closed for the day, with only security guards patrolling and preparing for closing.cNBPkfWgDrAYVrTqCkKKBGOxPKAwNV

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The fire spread rapidly to the corridor because the mall had illegally rented out the corridor space as stalls, filling the already narrow passageway with flammable materials. Initially, the security guard tried to use a fire hydrant to extinguish the flames, but due to the dense stalls and fast-spreading fire, he failed and fled the scene before calling the fire department. By the time firefighters arrived, Building A was ablaze. Captain Chen Xiaofei sent in two teams initially, but a flashover occurred shortly after they entered, forcing them to retreat. The fire in Building A then became uncontrollable.zTQmkuxlRsOCpbPOYLCfdgijbbbwWX

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After finishing the report, Ren Yi said, “The report shows it was arson, but there’s no evidence pointing to who did it?”SuLdBrbnSFeTUBEgmMYanVSgIKbmVX

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Gong Yingxian shook his head. “The surveillance footage was destroyed in the fire, and the accelerant used was just regular gasoline. We’re now looking for witnesses among the survivors from Building B. The time frame has been narrowed down, and there were still quite a few people entering and exiting Building B during that period. Someone might have noticed suspicious individuals near Building A.”SjWpsebrwSKVHHnswZxABxBfENhXIe

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“I want to visit the site,” Ren Yi said. “This afternoon.”AeBlWkjijzTTxzFxVLJNxEuWvylUXZ

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“You can. The scene has been well-preserved.”TfvENvadbsULONsudUfCUSSIoMrLKq

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“Besides this, is there any progress on the case recently?”oRpkkJFNqNhIrVQXAhaXvvpxglIfHg

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Gong Yingxian nodded, his expression darkening. “A few things. Do you remember a few months ago, we investigated an old case involving a murdered homeless person that might be connected to Red Flame? The location and method of that killing matched Red Flame’s patterns.”amCdCtGEnjmQcOQoOXWbmntPUzmxyn

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“I remember. I haven’t heard you mention it since then.”LbcUKpZYMhmjVUCzZFbYciDsmLFPMP

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“At the time, we had no leads. But I always had doubts about that homeless man’s identity. According to the autopsy, he was a young man in his early twenties, physically able, though he might have had some form of mental illness—we don’t know. Because there were no missing persons reports matching him and he was wearing a homeless man’s clothes, we assumed he was a vagrant. However, the elderly couple who found the body walked along that riverbank every morning and evening and had never seen a homeless person in that area. Generally, homeless individuals have fixed territories. If this was a young, physically capable homeless man, he would have been more noticeable.”OjbaqPwNnDxVuUbiWvdCsVzqFfFwpH

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“So, you think he wasn’t a homeless man?”zgIeVKPwpXdMRAbkpFIliqqlXKmmyp

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“I’m not sure. But there’s been a recent development in the case, though it’s unclear if it’s connected.”SDCOhJtgefKWwXTEZiqZYFUejoQHcV

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“What kind of development?”RoPamWzrOoLaSFMFAQJYlBqwDVNvUB

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“A finance company reported a missing borrower to the police. They have an outstanding loan of 200,000 yuan that they can’t recover. This person is the only recent missing person who might match our so-called homeless man. He came from a rural area, was one of nine siblings, and had no living parents. His family doesn’t stay in contact or seem to care about him. We’re investigating further.”MsUEJaMytPIRQgsONEMiyQcjluweMQ

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Ren Yi nodded. “Hopefully, there’s a breakthrough.”UdGnFHjPVxitmvHkdTHhhMGMacXSAr

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“There’s another thing—related to the clue you gave me last time.”KnuwDMelqEzCSzmLJBdqyTRBxwQovy

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“The mask?”RuNvCOxdIkXWfItdSZVGoedVwEJdEu

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Gong Yingxian took a deep breath. “Your suspicion might be correct.”XoivEgTBhRiPDkLqpwPQEShXprMIlR

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“You remembered something?”LRDBKnnTOnQUxjfRpTwhdrbIrqLlwz

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“No. My memory keeps insisting it was a bird mask. But my memory might be lying to me.”DlEAcNZBIBUBMBBWmtJQFkjrYIUAOr

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Ren Yi frowned in confusion. “What do you mean?”iXvBHFTYlpmmkTRVlwTXgGwOGyfuEg

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“Someone tampered with my memory.”hTCneWLLCeGrDgjCGDanYoqwDmPKfM

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Ren Yi’s eyes widened in shock, rendered speechless. Could it be…znAixxhMLhGWvpaoLxCXjNomjpBUVk

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“I know you suspect Dr. Pompeii. It wasn’t him. It happened much earlier because the bird mask idea came from me originally.”zsOhVVXZwDwqsFFIDZbVkPsZWQjAFJ

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“But who could alter someone’s memory like that?”zBrkXmSTsERQEThpbEpbXUtXDvLayE

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“A trained psychologist could, especially with a severely traumatized six-year-old child,” Gong Yingxian said coldly. “After the incident with my family, my grandfather hired a doctor to perform psychological interventions on me. I don’t remember much about it because I saw so many doctors during that time—mine, my sister’s—there were all kinds. It took me a lot of effort to locate the medical records from back then.”KceWYHERJfbrqCwOUIbHHvwHXAoFxj

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“Who was the doctor?”FimFSXjbHtoBFZwrySFLumAmMmqHle

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“A psychologist named Wang Mind.”kqJvuVDFmZOHlYAGgtRvNucioVOwOo

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“And, did you—”mRCnFVsPTWCMvNOPycIsNYRdEvRyRs

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Gong Yingxian’s gaze turned icy. “Just a week ago, this Wang Mind was found dead in his home. He’d been drinking alone, choked on his own vomit, and suffocated.”DjMqMVCttmQCgpYnwrbxJihSCkCRRF

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Ren Yi froze, his entire body stiff.rnaxavHhIyfjaAigDeFggSxqJzLQQy

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