Blazing Armor

Qu Yangbo angrily said, “The incidents with the reporter and the family happened when he first joined the squad. You already know the truth, and he was disciplined for it. Now they’re digging up a fight he had as a teenager—what’s next, holding him accountable for wetting the bed as a kid?”dnfamCCrocoxKXSMZoGspwoLelZBJt

ZkuYKGwyKtsqweQ

Xu Jin barked back, “Do you think telling me this helps? How do we make total strangers believe in his character? From the surveillance at Anjia Community, to the private hospital, and now these old issues being dragged up—wave after wave, his image in the eyes of the public is set. The PR department and the police are working on handling the online backlash, but this is a trending topic right now. Suppressing it will be incredibly difficult and might even backfire. We need to prepare solid evidence to counter every accusation, one by one.”VKZSHMEcWLqhkqzFXVadpzKGaMezAb

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“We’ll get the evidence ready.” Qu Yangbo noticed Ren Yi still lost in thought and gave him a push. “Ren Yi!”kdIUxNgdWAgjHFNcElOffZqTpZIzNc

VKdUhcsCClxQMQB

Ren Yi barely snapped out of it, mumbling a low “Yeah.”jDMmXEUpHvJnKTjuafIJgCCqJKdhUk

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As Xu Jin and Qu Yangbo discussed countermeasures, Ren Yi remained in a dazed state. His mind was clouded with anxiety and panic. How would this situation unfold? What would the outcome be? Just because he accepted a well-intentioned gift from someone close to him, was that considered bribery? Even if there was no exchange of benefits? Would he be punished? Suspended, demoted, or even…XMDyUCupLlEkchJEuowyiAkcRCAlpY

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This job was his life’s faith. He didn’t know how he would cope if he was forced to leave it.UifSoFsKmoYBToRSqyZcyUsLeXHPoZ

EYnSvyxsPWqXnjW

That afternoon, Ren Yi underwent consecutive inquiries from the investigation team and the disciplinary committee, truthfully recounting the situation.xGiQdJEXHJvQzRosmeyfxzpiIxfKoW

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After the meetings, as he stepped out of the conference room, Ren Yi spotted Gong Yingxian, who had been waiting outside. He wasn’t sure how long Gong Yingxian had been there.tPWLvecMYYjEVEroYDgnVLEWEDmSbi

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When Gong Yingxian saw him, he pursed his lips, guilt and defiance evident in his eyes.WyjGNWZvqMlebqzHULobhNKUsVOqHT

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Ren Yi walked over. “Why are you here?”exNWNQsdepfINmfYMkVosGYOcQDeqp

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“I called, but you didn’t pick up.”MexOdlmIjnLPvVHvLqIUAyrpaNOVDc

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“I had my phone on silent just now,” Ren Yi replied, glancing toward the investigation team members being escorted out by Qu Yangbo. “I’ve been in meetings all afternoon.”DgFLTSqITwesUpTtoHOpNVcZPPGmpE

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Gong Yingxian stared at him intently. “Are you okay?”jmapgkPConffpQbqXeDutqUQNfhyyn

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Ren Yi hesitated, then gave a bitter smile. “It’s hard to say.”SukyLmWWTUVOANFGgjcDCDBaXczIHx

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“I…” Gong Yingxian gritted his teeth. “I screwed up again.”JnQNzSMpwiujzKvXeMSzlQzCtbawRG

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“This isn’t your fault. I’ll never admit this is bribery,” Ren Yi said calmly, looking at him. “What about you? Are you in trouble too?”EyXwEdOkUTaYpcUCrKDYquAFIqPPtM

kacvmMinoAlYAqZ

“I’ll handle my own matters; you don’t need to worry. Our hospital has undertaken far more public welfare and research projects than just the one involving your father, especially those targeting veterans. I will present ample evidence to prove there is no conflict of interest between us.” Gong Yingxian reached out, wanting to touch Ren Yi’s face—it looked so pale that it made his heart ache. But he stopped, remembering that this was the entrance hall, where people came and went.eyIOwfmvvgieEcVsKNEfLejAittbSG

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Ren Yi noticed his intention and said, “Let’s go to my dormitory.”yHdhsgPMIKRauAYcQlaZuVmpuvRnUz

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Once inside, Ren Yi poured himself a glass of water and gulped it down in one go, hoping it would help ease the suffocating frustration within him.JnyQASurRAcOajSeDMaXmulrhrosju

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Gong Yingxian, looking somewhat weary, sat down in a chair and lowered his head. “I didn’t expect people flame to resort to such tactics. The incident in the Anjia neighborhood might have been an accident, but the investigation into you and the hospital was no spur-of-the-moment decision. He’s been preparing for this for a long time and is just using the Anjia incident to fan the flames. We’re also conducting an internal investigation regarding the hospital’s data leak.”yrMGSCShgFpTwCQVJhodrncFaIKAqe

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“I didn’t expect this either,” Ren Yi said in a low voice. “The internet—I use it every day, yet suddenly I feel like I don’t understand it at all.” He had no idea how to fight on a battlefield he didn’t comprehend.qmJYWxiTNWdrSMRYZFnaglZzcZfzry

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“This is just a basic manifestation of human nature; it hasn’t changed in thousands of years. The internet is merely a new medium,” Gong Yingxian said. “Let the professionals handle online public opinion. Right now, the most important thing is proving your innocence.”rVlYBAldtsjENvyHFMgPINpwybUqYI

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Ren Yi ruffled his hair and remained silent.iMEmVWKjIFNsEMLUIPuxUcGbiXNzbi

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Suddenly, his phone rang. He glanced at it—it was an unfamiliar number. Just as he was about to answer, Gong Yingxian stopped him. “Don’t pick up. Your personal information has just been leaked; it won’t be long before harassing calls start coming in.”SpqZetoXWOsbXPmBTfVpHMTUZguGSr

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But Ren Yi answered it anyway. He wanted to hear what the caller had to say.aDyGvHhXHZeyETodJJkrkWcKqMdIDC

gjMfKpQJLOBZnJR

A man’s clear and steady voice came through the line. “Captain Ren, hello. This is He Gu. Do you remember me?”zQhGljcnObUcFNZJePzFrbfEYqWZjC

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Ren Yi paused for a moment, surprised. “Ah, Engineer He, of course I remember.”WvkMhxGIfHzWIVDCaIdoIlzqnXYjmr

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He Gu got straight to the point. “We’ve heard about what’s happened recently. Your character and abilities—we’ve witnessed them firsthand. We want to help you.”mYInmnInfRtbcimTKkVYhlwcozWHsa

UOQrlzkbKLlGcyE

Ren Yi was deeply moved. “Thank you, Engineer He. Honestly, I don’t even know what to do at this point, but I’m grateful for your kindness.”NtrckZtotDHLdYUUuTzwhpUVYErSdW

LkgmLFykvaCsUwS

“There’s plenty that can be done. Juhan’s company is very experienced in handling online public opinion. They have PR teams and partner firms they work with. As long as you provide them with material, they can definitely turn the situation around.”kIAxCVESqzxICUilaCHkXGyzICHbrE

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“Our PR department and the police are already handling this. I think it’s better if I just follow the leadership’s arrangements for now. But really, I can’t thank you all enough,” Ren Yi said.RNVGxNogdFKdhbWXsTvnzJLNtGURDZ

kDrMFZwnlDIXyNG

He Gu replied, “That’s true. Official guidance is more critical. But if you ever need our help, don’t hesitate to call me. You saved us—this favor is the least we can do.”indeHDuffwHNEHoVkLNjsYnHnhfdwq

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Ren Yi expressed his gratitude again.RQuuxOBZtdTkmCAiXLHiawtdeErBHP

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Before hanging up, He Gu added, “By the way, you should get a new phone number. This one won’t be usable for much longer.”KLAksUUPUnIRPaOvLxHAfwWTCkmeCD

VKHCPCrqrMGIAYI

After the call, Ren Yi turned to Gong Yingxian, who had been watching him. “It was Engineer He from the Honglin Stadium incident. Do you remember him?”lQQdLAlQuqBBHHBDDJyQPIpSosiwIv

XSAuxuVbFpVARkt

“My memory is excellent,” Gong Yingxian replied. “He wants to help? That’s good. We might need him. Give me his number.”EPQDSfZGBChlgZqbiKEXVyOdOSSijT

XAFjrJidwmUfWbl

“But I don’t want to trouble them. I’m worried that involving an external company could backfire. Plus, such services aren’t cheap. I know he wouldn’t charge me, but wouldn’t that look like…” Ren Yi trailed off.unCgqTizwxtWnxbCVTiPShMeEkmJHL

yqausAyCKoRzWUc

“Don’t worry,” Gong Yingxian reassured him. “I won’t use their PR company. Whatever they can do, our cyber police can do better and more comprehensively. What I need is someone like Song Juhan, someone with public influence, to speak out when the time comes.”cluJeYrBWNScoRISsgDdGVdczeckxK

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Ren Yi nodded and sent He Gu’s number to Gong Yingxian.SwmSgQrwdhzHesBJemXqNFCYpXzkqS

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Just then, a text message popped up. It contained only four chilling words: Murderer.lISiLBBNiCgSENmffawdHcEIdIgPnR

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The words pierced Ren Yi’s heart like an arrow, leaving him stunned.mAbPBFRfIMEYFUEMupPsvgWuhjAwOe

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“What’s wrong?” asked Gong Yingxian.nvSfZfjDfrbFKZAdSrwnwYzPAYBNQN

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Ren Yi quickly silenced his phone and set it aside. He wiped his face and asked, “Didn’t you suspect that Ziyan’s financial support for the online trolls came from hidden funds? Have you found anything?”tixKdHWJjMjynDtvHRfyYfPupWRYeQ

iXVpItioXfcEcYM

“We’re investigating. We discovered an overlap with the money laundering process from before—a connection to an overseas consulting firm. We’re digging deeper. If we’re successful, we’ll uncover the intermediary laundering money for Ziyan, which will bring us one step closer to him.”xJKBAderayPHzsJFUlIySBqNFOEHKv

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Ren Yi sighed. “That’s the first good news I’ve heard in days.”SUgzsfjfxJxHEEuaMdpGljpcZsBmLq

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Gong Yingxian grabbed Ren Yi’s hand, staring intently into his eyes. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”VFUHFkzxqWEbDUGcGpPbChwrHuvcQp

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Ren Yi gave a faint smile.LwtuawGFFdMpremFuQGCaHVVgysKfG

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Gong Yingxian pulled him close, wrapping his arms around Ren Yi’s waist and resting his face against his chest. In a quiet voice, he asked, “Do you think I’m useless?”KfRYttPZuAqmyhyNZhjFDnypLRyhTS

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“Why would you think that?” Ren Yi replied.jrcuCaxPCNvwAVhAywRQPShsqUEIVu

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“I couldn’t protect you from physical threats, and now I’ve let you get caught in a storm of public opinion.”NnCPgsWKVokiWLwBZuPamffpdZiPGC

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Ren Yi gently ran his slender fingers through Gong Yingxian’s thick black hair. “What are you talking about? This has nothing to do with you. Even without you, I couldn’t escape what I’m going through. But with you here, I feel much more at ease.”RXeVAeIbLPEKXUzwymJNuRjjhnnRLo

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Gong Yingxian tightened his embrace, holding Ren Yi close. Ren Yi felt his strength and warmth, and though his heart ached, it was also filled with a sense of comfort.vKyGLTOASpHOOTCgbgONRLtSdbPhAf

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At that moment, there was a knock on the door.jAOIyNNgfUYaAToYwPRhghYLEvEgZn

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Reluctantly, Gong Yingxian released him. Ren Yi opened the door to find Qu Yangbo standing there.xOoLjdcYXyuzSScMXkzvvVIIykABEF

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Ren Yi gave Qu Yangbo a questioning look. Qu had just sent away Xu Jin and the investigators and seemed uncertain about what might have been said along the way.kfaGYKYBtVHFfSebGjiZdFiRLRJhYJ

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Qu Yangbo said, “Right now, apart from managing the online backlash, the higher-ups are discussing your situation. Until the results come out, don’t scare yourself.”NJrNsGUMgtWjXzSNqMgVRDwIQvVXqo

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“Understood.”mYxpdAEXrHcmnRAvfiWOcMbsJdamnQ

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“The Chief of Staff suggested you refrain from taking calls for a while. You can either stay at the unit or go home.”rcGyPNKADZPJnQYEHFfeiVGWBuavdB

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Ren Yi froze for a moment. “Am I being suspended?”BVZNYCqNISVyQWtbeBQDAGjuWFOhAP

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“It’s not a suspension. Your emotions are obviously strained, and you’re in the eye of the storm. They’re concerned about your safety during calls. Just follow the Chief of Staff’s advice.”iBymQylpPwrzqJsuSnVQyNEIDInLFg

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Ren Yi nodded helplessly.iZeOxxGLCKWKYRqHJFCEPayLotOtzH

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Qu Yangbo glanced at Gong Yingxian. “Dr. Gong, what’s the cyber police’s plan?”CgYfozqyfaMfXBHaATKCJGTUDdiVpm

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“Simply deleting posts isn’t the best approach,” Gong replied seriously. “The priority is containment, then leveraging stronger evidence to sway public opinion. We’ll ensure justice prevails.”RVSHvaCZihOKhghjxHEQpUPwzjeLNA

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Qu Yangbo exhaled deeply and patted Ren Yi on the shoulder. “Bro, we’ll get through this together.”UKOLGAWrVNpssWnwSetSWFxWhOxIlw

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Ren Yi forced a small smile. “Alright.”iRvXmgKeNrCIWOxxfzdemihpNJjRgf

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Qu Yangbo turned to Gong. “Dr. Gong, I’ll hand over everything we’ve gathered.”qrXKPYoOMwPQJaEUpYsiEhYQmOmjkj

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“Good. Let me take a look.”IouBSdcUhYLVmXJacYRxSKDvdbpmib

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“You two chat; I’ll use the restroom.” Ren Yi grabbed his phone and headed into the bathroom.qeOAPSnnjxOLcETRaSTfyFUEBVUvhU

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Sitting on the toilet lid, he took a deep breath and unlocked his phone.WJURXOnEeWyLpXVsdnQpTjIKZoHRoe

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In just ten minutes, he’d already received several missed calls and a slew of messages filled with mockery and insults.BsOQNKlwrqdBhNprqfVPoGTYzEFdTb

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He stared at them blankly, imagining even harsher words flooding the internet. He wanted to look, to assess the gravity of the situation, yet lacked the courage to face it.QWOuhcpnjcomnMTIBlxUMexHdthrPs

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He’d always believed he didn’t care about others’ opinions. Now, he realized it was only because the negative opinions hadn’t been overwhelming.KvhwriwUVynLljAAqjmcxANCYrnMJb

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How could these people, with such conviction, paint him as someone unrecognizable even to himself? They spoke as if they had personally witnessed his actions, turning him into a monster in their stories.yhWsjewwULGBUFlZwABuBeOjQYwrdX

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How to describe this feeling? Words like wronged, disappointed, or angry didn’t fully encompass it. It was more a profound sense of helplessness and bewilderment. He had always thought of himself as a good, upright, and brave person. But when countless voices accused him of being despicable, loud enough and numerous enough, even he began to doubt whether he was truly as terrible as they claimed.NPItEPYtELTYiiSNuBawvjdHaTMtcv

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