Blazing Armor

Ren Yi waited until his father had fallen asleep before walking absentmindedly into the office. He didn’t turn on the light, sitting stiffly in the chair for a long time.wganfXhEFsAizWPwLWQZzEVajRRpcT

ozBNRkspZkQCpba

Outside the window, he could hear the soldiers laughing and joking on the training field, building a bonfire with old tires used in their firefighting drills. From the recreation room came the festive music of the Spring Festival Gala. Everything was brimming with joy, warmth, and reunion. Yet, he sat alone in the unlit office, feeling cold to his core.HbLEiTVbLcIVfhbBqfGJYmgKYpicpb

FOEFEYWUWTTymTo

In that instant, he understood. He understood why Dr. Pompeii had to perform deep hypnosis on his father. He also understood their past hesitations and cryptic remarks.wjBzEODhWTgPZMbDJJvOpiBApsVYDX

QyUqEkpaNxFgjIT

What he didn’t understand was when Gong Yingxian had started to doubt his father, or how Gong Yingxian had viewed him during that time. How had Gong Yingxian felt, watching him painstakingly search for every shred of evidence from the past, all while harboring such suspicions?twOWDddWfkaLPKQeXcGmJAxXkuQbno

kTOuVTwyJrTazBP

The pain was unbearable.LONeLMKSWzWLwuMVqUuyNaokSjSAAD

FRqdlrWyKeOSype

Today could have been a day of double joy, if only everything had gone as he imagined—if Gong Yingxian had accepted his confession. But now, he even began to question Gong Yingxian’s true intentions in approaching him.fiZgJnLVqrpErzjBdKepaxwbwzwrtj

PCAEgXEnCXgbFQq

After all, Gong Yingxian had once said, “I find it disgusting.”NMxXYvtdafDVUwMiXoxVmqFMzwpvvm

UCoAIvWnOztdiLv

Ren Yi raised a trembling hand to cover his eyes, his body shaking slightly.CoUSQaLIIGuFJGRMSXTRMmvZtAXxci

icrIQVxTGSsoIkv

How could it have come to this? He had done everything he could to help Gong Yingxian find the murderer, yet Gong Yingxian doubted his biological father?! Worse, he concealed it, tricked him into signing a waiver, and secretly subjected his father to deep hypnosis!OTdoVGsDTYlheiKlMBPMldoBnkLZCU

aIxavBGwxMASbEt

No, that didn’t seem like something Gong Yingxian would do. He wouldn’t treat him that way—not after all they had been through, not after facing life and death together so many times, not after forging a bond stronger than most.CcVKLfCeRVxiYVmypKMxxJAZIPTxrg

bbFIYblcGnpuzsL

Maybe… maybe it was Dr. Pompeii acting on his own. Maybe that agreement was no different from the ones he had signed before. Maybe Gong Yingxian wasn’t even aware of it?xDuyKVJMzXxteImFAoOSBfdDvGPXQY

uKpHWgmnXZhoNTk

Yes, things weren’t clear yet. He shouldn’t jump to conclusions. He had always felt that Dr. Pompeii was a bit suspicious, especially when it came to Gong Yingxian’s memories of the bird mask. Was it really the doctor surnamed Wang who did it? Dr. Pompeii seemed to have both the time and the means.FGtXzSQOTUnjpuzoMgKrUTmZwIVyZd

FTtNgKIriQNyaZp

Despite his overwhelming doubts, Ren Yi kept coming up with reasons to defend Gong Yingxian. In truth, he was also trying to convince himself—trying to find a reason not to blame Gong Yingxian.imIkxbQhfbibeSyoMEBLLnnSnGzltt

sWSpHmtCwnNZsnO

He couldn’t accept that Gong Yingxian would treat his father like this—forcing him to relive his most painful memories over and over again, to the point of blurring the lines between reality and past trauma.knItKbSLgmLcWMXuKizSlfNTTkHvtA

BQLbCmEloMSNqjh

Ren Yi clenched his fists, feeling as if his heart was weighed down by a lead block, sinking deeper and deeper.agpeZLXNNAzbhFoIHeWSOmhUDLMryl

TSXGsBIPJznjBTb

He had to ask, directly, face-to-face. He had to look into Gong Yingxian’s eyes and demand the truth.TdaumiMXcplGPOCtArLcLOJwHtTmvO

DCBWwiEbyGjNoTg

Taking out his phone, he sent a WeChat message: When are you coming over?REmBQXmmytFhoiyprmvUxFdtaxCUHe

MEvaLutddMARJTx

Gong Yingxian replied quickly: As soon as I can. Wait for me.xjMWzBfhyxbrIFYXsnArLvByAGesPC

QlxXrgNCOLsFmrT

Ren Yi stared at those few words, over and over, until his eyes turned bloodshot.yoAhSiGBCzyunzyaAPpGgfjyMGEYod

GVzIIfszNrriJnE

—NjZjAVLBHMfSYKXwNYEcScucjAebSu

EOkHxvbXXIufzaZ

Ren Yi walked into the bathroom, splashed cold water on his face a few times, and adjusted his expression in the mirror before heading downstairs.UjTzlPFopzxqfWLxxznfyLzdEhKnFT

RhZvPndUmlIquQv

The soldiers and their families were watching the Spring Festival Gala while making dumplings. Some were even taking turns performing impromptu acts, filling the room with laughter and excitement.WVnfLzMPHiOfmbXSwBZuSmhReQWouk

nepcmgZHfgTDgqT

“Is the old captain asleep?” someone asked.fDvMqFeTatZmInubYUmfnsGNVFUqWJ

utRBMWUBZnISscY

Ren Yi smiled faintly. “He’s asleep. Old Ren tires easily; he probably won’t be able to enjoy the dumplings.”ZPaaYQZZVXITSbvBhxNHrYpLBLcwPm

ygXAaKThdvRlRyU

“That’s a pity! Today’s dumplings are stuffed with shrimp and scallops—super fresh! Our instructor only splurges like this when it’s for the New Year.”gTowNkoZZlRMXazFihjhCVkYKharVg

ATSfpuCXaYRBXrT

Qu Yangbo rolled his eyes. “Do you even understand what financial management is? You think handling the budget is easy? If I let you spend freely every day, where would all the nice food, clothes, and supplies come from? Every penny is saved through meticulous effort.”xyoOSbpjoRNaulhetYiMBjNQviHekN

DzFzGFzGnUonyaA

“Meticulous effort, my ass.”VkWQMohydkTaqeXZvQpGoCIxPJwYgI

ZSZDiKjJesktITK

“It’s a rhetorical device. Read more books.”aiEihRIorwAeXplDlyPRkTbtJdcNIj

vdlhNBkiOcNPKZn

“Oh, shut up already. Nobody in our squad can out-argue the instructor.”ZHAqHCdArLcUkznFrblaGkftlKVKKh

IAZxOpMaTgHesJi

“I’d bet no one in the entire brigade can. If there were a Beijing Firefighters Debate Competition, our instructor would take first place for sure.”KlBfPYLHWolJAaVspRlFgntIvAVWzG

WbuvaGsqZniNUmk

“Hahaha—”PlcoVJAuRDwoljwtFUhukJbnzXVaZh

NWwXYHhpSpFdCIb

The room was filled with laughter, but Ren Yi’s smile was stiff and hollow. He didn’t want anyone to notice his unease, so he forced himself to join in, helping with the dumplings. Still, his thoughts were elsewhere—restless, anxious, and tinged with fear—as he waited for Gong Yingxian. Waiting for his answer.gcbhTHgebVyVwTilRPdBqapObzQkJq

bFYbBtHQniZAAdM

As midnight approached, the soldiers had prepared the bonfire in the courtyard, ready to light it at the stroke of twelve to replace fireworks and illuminate the coming year’s good fortune.TOqCvFxhrEWHgtZLgvEuyyOIJUDkxK

mEowcCVElZjeaoY

Ren Yi stood on the training field, wrapped in a thick coat, watching the young soldiers excitedly roughhousing. He couldn’t help but think back to years ago when he had first joined the squad. Was he just like them back then?OqoHzrpVGbKSTZQAIdxoibWAxFKgHe

NZNDDuKkaucrBww

Li Sa called out, “Captain Ren, it’s almost time—five minutes left. Get everyone out here.”cVDmpBUJBLkXPBQeLDjIsIUkrVCYpR

vTdKEwBqulyRGiX

“Got it.”lPcoiwHNNAuPuqNCmkvyvAYHBMFNrx

hHUeCqOOHGFWlkP

Just then, the gate to the squad base creaked open, and a black SUV slowly drove onto the field. It was Gong Yingxian’s car. Ren Yi’s heart jumped into his throat.aTuKruuwyQbXLcfngdFrVuunxSMNNT

SypdrBGNNjXoNqF

The car came to a stop, and the door opened. A long, impossibly perfect leg stepped out first. Gong Yingxian, dressed in a black leather jacket and jeans, strode toward him with an easy smile.OvudqXHUAiWgErMKvOMSrhQODsYDSN

opmgLjrWsRZrqsX

Behind him, Ren Yi could hear some of the female family members softly gasping in admiration. Many people reacted this way when they saw Gong Yingxian for the first time. His stunningly good looks were undeniable, but that wasn’t what Ren Yi had fallen for.NEHpDnqhILGdDRjFZWjJTAQaipcbmV

avmgDSkIXJPcVSi

It was his intelligence, his sincerity, his persistence, his honesty, his courage—so many wonderful traits that made Ren Yi fall helplessly and deeply in love with him.CYQGttAFWmBinvvjWTLvpQHVCqocbZ

nsyLjOBFClYXGxm

And because of this, Ren Yi was especially afraid of the truth. He feared he had never truly known Gong Yingxian, that he had only been fooled by appearances.ZKePptvUfoBdVWJkRqybSmsDQDUnZL

StBXucjAvvpkUqL

Gong Yingxian reached him, exhaling lightly. “Good thing there wasn’t much traffic. I drove like crazy to get here just in time for the countdown.” He had rushed all the way here because he wanted to spend this New Year’s Eve with Ren Yi. Their first New Year’s Eve together had been a chaotic and dangerous affair, and their original “date” plans had fallen apart. This time, he was determined to make it right.AJKouPReFWWVgBMpfTCwrvRnWfFVMJ

DRPAdunEHALZNXN

Ren Yi stared at Gong Yingxian in a daze, his gaze unfocused.YolBSIVQMwwwozlJGvdPDCfSXcTaCx

HGRKaEIJkHWheWU

“Ren Yi?” Gong Yingxian looked at him, puzzled.uXJcRGxxjfyYEMOCJdYbZqYbALdOBj

xhwyZRuImKFbutR

“Oh.” Ren Yi snapped out of it. “You’re here so early… I thought…”keIMZkDraBmEwKyWDFLEqPoWpQRCPg

koafOvBnKWAhyPS

“I don’t like hanging out with all those relatives,” Gong Yingxian said casually. He pressed a button on his car key, and the trunk slowly opened. He called out to Ding Qing, “The trunk’s full of New Year’s goodies. Go unload it.”ALTFjWEcqPMtZnAVcJyWSqnRdRUBUi

KkQWIdOlnVcnxYW

“On it.” Ding Qing, already used to Gong Yingxian bossing people around, shouted, “Food and treats are here, everyone! Come help unload!”LijCtWAqqPYfnCPMpbUXlZmRKUocgD

SlJHZlwTYeTaQyH

Ren Yi glanced at the time. “It’s almost midnight. We’re about to light the bonfire—it should be pretty nice….” He hesitated, realizing that a bonfire might not be enjoyable for Gong Yingxian. He quickly added, “If you don’t want to watch, you can wait for me inside.”jHirlEcrxcdNdExcBbJzPBoqrYNHPv

rhxFhDRzXjhFDgQ

Gong Yingxian looked at the firewood piled in the center of the field. “It’s fine. This level of fire doesn’t bother me anymore.”EBximmmZolvCNDLVadrvozjnWaTCll

vvdRhDdmXrggHIf

“Alright.”DXzSZGYfVsxbSRyOVhMXIJkewGESII

TKaWxCBTHklHUlW

“You seem tired. What’s wrong? You look off.”gzzyYIfMINpAtVykEuHUQMMTVfeywA

fyclOkxBLJfiTym

“Yeah, I’ve been busy all day. Spent the morning working at the squad, then went to the hospital in the afternoon to bring my dad home. Haven’t had a moment to rest.” Ren Yi watched Gong Yingxian closely as he spoke.eTGvBVxoaVggnKemvCjnaPXvFgZSNZ

WguYVmncufSZtME

As expected, when Gong Yingxian heard that Ren Yi had brought his father back, his expression shifted slightly.jSOluzyxjfiYkonkhRxjMWVDOYziEA

WfuZMoREuoRjHGv

Ren Yi’s heart sank along with it. He was about to say more, but the soldiers and their families had already started gathering around the bonfire. Midnight was almost here.GXuVcgfHqCDJIhLDafbGBMZSEKWeow

vJUydDVsGrWDErM

“Quick, quick, quick! Get the drone up! Vice Captain, get ready to ignite! Hey, take the photo from a different angle—over there’s better. It’s coming, it’s coming. Ten, nine, eight… three, two, one—ignite!”yIbIzvYSFavPfOWdjYmfcZjZjdNffQ

opuMQqrCinkJiBu

In an instant, the bonfire roared to life. Flames shot more than three meters into the air, like a towering torch defying the chill wind, stubbornly illuminating the night.AQHQpPWBmsMdMiCoDVPtMufhyzxVuE

amsFsGVzWRuiIck

What kind of existence is fire? It can mercilessly destroy, or gently illuminate. It is wild and untamed, yet it can be harnessed. Humanity must both use it and guard against it.MuRRcUMRRfinDthmQIUMMzytCrSCkJ

aQIlGDCUIEgzlTH

You have to admit, the Purple Flame’s interpretation of fire makes sense. It’s like the will of a god—without intent. Whether it destroys or creates anew, burns or warms, fire is simply fire. It does only one thing: burn. What it brings to the world depends entirely on the world’s own fortune.lkgUeyYYNPvZmngvDpSXAaHgRTrFbr

YoFDcTQzKXSrtJj

No wonder the Purple Flame has managed to brainwash so many followers.iMVEsyZYvyrjMOjTYtxJxvcBUmBDJJ

rUaLSibhubUqMHy

“Wow, Happy New Year!”UtOSDzcRIBKcdchBEfskckUuSZUqxH

iGmGmLKTfYAyOfb

“Happy New Year!”mVbRhPEidpSwECbjSpmVaHSEnQWUSj

EvNQGzMPsVsIhtV

Everyone cheerfully exchanged greetings.juuCqQLCwWENgFxSiUtKJvlHnTjKvu

DBJZzNWEhtSrwiL

Meanwhile, Gong Yingxian quietly grabbed Ren Yi’s hand from behind. Although he claimed he wasn’t afraid, being so close to the fire clearly made him uncomfortable.yjnomkUIshBhVKiFvkoCFUUPobbzba

hQveOfSqUOjnJJo

Ren Yi should have squeezed his hand back firmly, but he suddenly found himself unable to muster the strength—or perhaps the resolve.VYpqUonBnKtxJWzcSCFHcQTaRXUIOG

OhAsNzAvfslNXft

As the others danced excitedly around the bonfire, the two of them halfheartedly joined in for a few circles before leaving the playground and heading into the meeting room.ZbuBfkTOmymOYTyzEGLWVJumCiTeVf

UKUPLHnJPtJEsVK

The moment the door closed, Gong Yingxian embraced Ren Yi from behind, gently swaying him. Pressing close to his ear, he whispered, “You didn’t notice anything different about me today?”pVxyHwjcsHrSIZLUkwZLqkOzEUDpTx

UwExbrfzCYqlkgI

Ren Yi paused. “What?”ATMhvniqHWsCezbqLrTPvrYnWmUkrP

zRXDLteuhqWyQqW

“I’m wearing new clothes,” Gong Yingxian replied, somewhat dissatisfied. “You didn’t even notice?”IdtybGsWhzMqgKCAkqAloxptkRTbTS

mlaeZzhjGYVvhze

“They look nice.”MElNgUoDrGfnCqcgPjfwSnRmMMVFWx

IqqjXHNtTTBJmTe

“They’re a different style from what I usually wear. You like this casual look, right?” Gong Yingxian kissed Ren Yi’s cheek. “Your face is cold, but your neck is warm.”hKPZiGQfXhaxCpeodAFbFsgtqugLkZ

mNdLBLBjvfMHpwY

Ren Yi pried Gong Yingxian’s hands apart and turned around, his expression blank as he said in a low voice, “I need to ask you something.”VNIJzdYjlugZbXbumFKrUTSoFaQTNI

eUqqhpHKlaCfoKj

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Gong Yingxian immediately grew serious. From the moment he saw Ren Yi earlier today, he’d felt something was off. As sharp as he was, he’d already pieced together the situation. He straightened up. “Go ahead.”ubTUrHwdpOuWuSauMKkDjwWVBehybP

THIqyMtAqYGMzRa

Before Gong Yingxian arrived, Ren Yi had considered many ways to broach the subject tactfully. But now, staring at this familiar face, he found himself unwilling to beat around the bush. Taking a deep breath, he asked, his voice trembling, “Did Dr. Pompeii perform deep hypnosis on my father?”hQKjlNXKxUZeHdpdQYmXeEoLgkrYfZ

pOrchZbRvozZkTO

The color visibly drained from Gong Yingxian’s face. His gaze dropped, avoiding Ren Yi’s eyes.wUjPBShDAeaIEvFEJGfnOjRfQYKEWO

mqnAiWwLzJUbSyd

Seeing his reaction, Ren Yi’s heart turned cold.xXLsFtKnPHTdmynxWmUMoxwIGfIREn

aJeIrtUIRcstsve

He knew. He knew all along!hLQycxhFpizouiNXgQhWrPxPKeCGLy

NAntRtsksrePZBa

“Ren Yi, about this matter—”eLkCbqrCEeWlnIfluLBMyRALbSEdZE

KtWGfqVkUoYZynU

“You knew.” Ren Yi stared at Gong Yingxian in disbelief. “You knew, and you kept it from me.”USLMFGdppusKAmpGltXPLqVxqaytSx

bWUGRfqAozsBIrr

“I knew you wouldn’t agree.”BzLxLdwcUmzMpQslaBoxlXhLYCTnEH

aCRNZamRGCrtEyw

“Of course I wouldn’t agree!” Ren Yi suddenly roared.iLzwtIQhcavNNegajZeXhXzUNtRRVW

SaPBbmJpcgfmKOA

His outburst was so fierce and abrupt that Gong Yingxian froze.hVVPlvUGEJKejpTscrOgzZmfiSLuiH

KLVtfXfkAbElToP

Ren Yi had never yelled at him like this before, and he had never seen Ren Yi this furious.DyINSDOXQuKROoGWqxvsXEAedzfeUt

PWBdYzpOsuOwFZO

“You… you listen to me—”uAhnmryXahSJnowjKxqnmbdZmVmypd

BBjlpifrOBOKeZn

“It was your idea,” Ren Yi’s eyes reddened instantly. “You instructed Dr. Pompeii to deeply hypnotize my father.”yLWCpChhlCbzwRDTWfplVVefXongxk

HNfJAfMtePHRKXu

Gong Yingxian looked into Ren Yi’s enraged eyes and felt a wave of panic. He gritted his teeth. “Yes.”VPYZzqzRGzpahDffKXEjvWukZqXTvi

nQfHSHOWhGTvwpK

The last shred of hope was shattered. Ren Yi swayed, clutching his chest as pain pierced through him. He stared at Gong Yingxian in anguish. “You suspected my father. You suspected him!”jVaSuVULdLypMKJxKwtjSDhqCGpfjA

dhBmYDlbgOZnXDL

“Ren Yi, calm down.” Gong Yingxian took a deep breath. “We’ve always suspected those involved in the rescue back then. Your father was the first to enter the scene—”AQHRBNphRwVqlgunxPtVfEngUzlHaz

eUuqHmFBRAfAKMF

“Yes! He was the first to enter the scene!” Ren Yi’s voice trembled. “He was the first one to enter and pull you out of the fire!”leeeFFDxJPneNsWAaxzJBXEubEVITt

wCatXIMCxWgzPMH

Gong Yingxian spoke haltingly, “The evidence we gathered suggests the perpetrator was very skilled—or had a professional accomplice. The first person to enter the scene had the most time and opportunity. We just wanted to confirm—”PJrxnstFMeKSEeeePkOkyxHFgwQNZi

GIbtFOxPSWIVyRS

“Confirm what?” Ren Yi stared at Gong Yingxian, his gaze unwavering. “I’ve gone to every length to help you find evidence and track the culprit, and in the end, you suspect my father? Let me tell you this: my father and I are the same kind of person. He’s spent his whole life ignoring personal gain and ambition. He’s upright, righteous, and he’s saved countless lives. He would never, ever harm anyone!” Ren Yi’s voice broke as tears welled up in his eyes. He was devastated, heartbroken to the core.dsSyyweDCUGYBLJvMXTHZvfrLsZpGR

bXUVAQscGTwMJMR

“I believe you. I didn’t want to doubt your father, either. That’s why I wanted to extract more information from his memories. I want to catch the culprit sooner, so you can be safe sooner.”fCqUiPkerqiHjxuUvNyVOhWrTHKFzB

ZIGcvwPxINFxlqt

“It’s not about my safety at all,” Ren Yi accused, pointing at Gong Yingxian, his eyes blazing. “It’s about your revenge. This is just about your revenge.”lRkVbTLrrbkxUHQqqrvwgmubuziwOp

TJKrWBqBbccZqgl

“Does that conflict with protecting you?” Gong Yingxian raised his voice too. “Ren Yi, calm down! We share the same enemy!”uhvIZvsAkrZEXSUBKACGDDtgSZgpKz

KqxBKonhXFqkqGy

“Do we?” Ren Yi gritted his teeth. “In your heart, my father could also be your enemy. The man who pulled you out of the fire—you suspect him of being the arsonist. Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you have the guts to tell me?”DCyYWbdbYEPqVajxxrhuodnjfeIKcR

nxoHvrtTTPZknXR

“Because I knew you wouldn’t accept it!”yFChibKenbZJCadWGhulcLcfkxGzzq

UmdnNUnbogEYiYp

“So instead, you went behind my back to do all this! Who gave you the right?” Ren Yi shouted. “Gong Yingxian, who gave you the right? Is it because I’ve never been willing to get angry at you? Is it because you think I’ll forgive you no matter what? Even if you hurt my father?”FvVrwNSiKctDCgeZRmoNQWtlhQyMPa

kQHUixdjRdtkcap

“I didn’t!” Gong Yingxian shouted back. “I never wanted to hurt him! Dr. Pompeii was extremely careful. The hypnosis would only make him recall those memories for a while. He’ll be fine in a few days!”mVhENHqxUFGzgQFEQlliVOKrrBkXEQ

xHYgWFlfwYGeSSp

“Like hell he’ll be fine!” Ren Yi’s eyes burned as he glared at Gong Yingxian. “You’ve undergone deep hypnosis yourself. You know how painful the process and aftereffects are. My father is a sick man. Maybe the hypnosis only made him recall a few times, but he’ll go back. He’s avoided that year his whole life because it was the most painful, torturous year of his existence! But now he’s back there—today, tomorrow, maybe again and again—all because of you. Because you went behind my back and dragged him back to that year without my permission!” Overcome with rage, Ren Yi shoved Gong Yingxian hard. “And you dare say you didn’t want to hurt him!”DAgDOprysmgoowDSUYuXxpXMTHeQan

hadLkVkIvBrIdCX

Gong Yingxian stumbled backward, his heart aching as he looked at Ren Yi’s furious face. Ren Yi had never yelled at him like this, had never looked at him with such anger and betrayal.vVvOVwJtnObGEXhJfDMCPobAvssOYI

nGNFAduFTPzFPDt

That gaze terrified him.NPHMBwPEPwmnCLFaTrngwGdcejTZsA

bknUmrSHlzzLChC

Gong Yingxian bit his lip gently. “…I just wanted to catch the culprit.”vyZrYeVPHDURiqqDflMsPjmBzfqnNc

BpMgjSXMkllQuZh

“Yes, you want to catch the culprit. Everything you’ve done in the past nineteen years has been for that,” Ren Yi choked out. “But what does that have to do with my dad? He saved you nineteen years ago. I can’t guarantee every firefighter is a saint, but I know the people around me. My dad has risked his life countless times to save others, putting himself in mortal danger again and again. He could have become another Sun Dingyi a hundred times over. A man like him would never harm anyone.”dJJzXCqiimYDHRHPGtFgueAgXrLgro

RUIVJyFCpBDbEVw

Gong Yingxian spoke with difficulty, “Ren Yi, I understand your faith in your father. That’s why I didn’t want to tell you. But too much evidence… points to the first person who entered the fire scene. The door locks, the ignition point, the circumstances at the scene—the testimony of the first person in the fire directly shaped the investigation.”hyAhPLoeEAdiCGpNzeNOYplEuUOWou

hCeFKnbysFBlDfL

Listening to this cold, logical analysis, Ren Yi felt his heart turn to ashes. He couldn’t fathom how, during all the time they’d been close, Gong Yingxian had secretly plotted to use his father, even suspecting him—his heroic firefighter father—of being an arsonist.lDIJagmFbRRejJpOJTpSUlvBhiAyzl

hLHnBXSRXCeGtjs

Ren Yi’s voice became suddenly calm. “When did you start suspecting my father? From the very beginning?”bANcvWgrgMWlgJBzxhVkTPbcvSWPsr

QZtPxKASHDmSryo

Gong Yingxian’s silence was an admission.EdPHqWiWFYgXeTKbDVuFTzSqLzydHO

fzgxoAKibbBijuU

“Is that why you approached me? Is that why you became my friend?”BobUIfqxBcSgyOObdfLtWxcMaoRMEx

BWGhYjIJuxFIHxu

Gong Yingxian’s head snapped up. “No! I didn’t know you two were father and son back then!”oNxEZJmVpdpmviOiJvkLBuRlvzkSLr

imqamEdCcNupRIl

Ren Yi looked at Gong Yingxian, suddenly feeling as though he didn’t know him at all. Every word Gong Yingxian said now felt like a lie. Shaking his head, Ren Yi murmured, “No, you knew. You did it on purpose. It wasn’t hard to find out—half the firefighting community knows Ren Xiangrong is my father.”cUviFpRgNAhqjOtTnYDJNwWsxYbEOS

wzZEiWIMpHiGTcf

“I really didn’t know!” Gong Yingxian’s eyes were red with desperation. “We hadn’t even started investigating the rescue team back then.”cuZydeqqMCKIlnALFNJMHALanzaDus

HwgqNjbkuDpfLYD

Ren Yi suddenly gave a smile that was uglier than crying. “Even if you didn’t know at first, what about later? You suspected me of being the son of the man who killed your entire family. What did you think of me? What were you feeling when you slept with me? Huh? Were you proud of yourself, completely using me inside and out?” His voice grew more despairing with every word. He replayed their entire history in his mind, all the moments he’d thought were sweet. Now they were tainted, changed beyond recognition.wMhbqssLhdqfQqpNWSggqHmACZNWLm

wYrOoWCPRElJyYs

“I didn’t,” Gong Yingxian growled. “I never wanted to use you! No matter what the truth of that year is, you’re innocent. I never associated you with your father.”OArMJjIHmnpAwWNtMvzJCdTNRxrxdc

CmNGfQOmghkxSje

Ren Yi clenched his jaw, forcing back tears, and turned his back to Gong Yingxian. “Leave.”FlJdYCKBAzdcCIWZSlNItiwKaaQxeb

yWfoaYRzNZlVWXI

“I’m sorry,” Gong Yingxian said, staring at Ren Yi’s stiff back. Panic gripped him. A voice in his head screamed at him not to let this happen. He couldn’t bear it—Ren Yi, who had always been gentle and forgiving, couldn’t treat him like this. “I’m sorry…”NArjsukNBhlAeIBPcBtkxJKHOhCLle

YtxdwbTXqQfRhsw

“I don’t want to see you right now. Go.” Ren Yi closed his eyes.WsKwYmxKmKVJkeyOeqHmkfuknEAMID

dxLkuCzLppRPOjl

“Ren Yi—”MVdRxVVkARXfvgcoyUuAPERwnwprzq

gofgyjDisWUehlU

“Go!” Ren Yi shouted.HIopKkzfmsQdnfFHJMTtMZPKbleJIl

JetsvnrQkWPvprd

Gong Yingxian’s eyes brimmed with tears. He bit his lip to stop himself from sobbing, turned around, and slammed the door on his way out.PDDgBXszFJhCOgrBIJaoTIlRKMLfsf

KKXELtXNQqvLZQX

Tears streamed down Ren Yi’s face.QWvoDRSJctLZBYohVWEokmpuYviweE

mwvsDqDLBeusgxZ

The person he loved wasn’t supposed to be like this. That person, willful but inherently gentle, wouldn’t do this to him—wouldn’t stab him in the heart just after he’d lost a comrade.achDMqkczkdifmkVCLKmxrWWbMJSdk

lZruFjrVIIMHWGf

But then… who was this?pFBpvwaeJZfDlnyczZBmiErPdDvbDj

cxkVPllSVQgVJzh

Did he ever truly know the person he loved?owEegknCPhWFHLvZHDphPFoFziXkEN

dTINaKwsQPRtPZr