Blazing Armor

The next morning, both of them woke up early. Ren Yi ran a few laps around Gong Yingxian’s garden and returned just in time for breakfast.yLKOcKTevwafhhhgqMYAPgZQlnmAzl

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Seeing Gong Yingxian, Ren Yi’s eyes lit up.lxwmXHHVStEoURRKpukGCWYtIhoeZH

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He was already dressed—wearing a suit on top and covered with a blanket below. Due to his leg injury, he couldn’t wear tight pants, but even in this patient-like appearance, he looked serious, composed, and dignified, making it hard for anyone to associate him with weakness. His hair was styled with gel just like when he was at work, leaving only a bit of bangs. His complexion was no longer as pale as in the previous days; there was a hint of color, and his eyes were no longer vacant and dull. In their glances, there was sharpness, depth, and wisdom.dcdqVmmxpXGbXfTjuBlsiivcxByYrh

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When Gong Yingxian saw Ren Yi, before the smile reached his lips, his hand was already reaching out to him.PfNytGVanaPXQvmNbnDHoUiIiDlala

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Ren Yi naturally took his hand.BuIXVajSwDcseEOsCSsdghSpoHBejk

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Uncle Sheng watched them with a smile, even a bit self-satisfied.GIbYqpqjNgkizuvZgdFoegcyxmcVfO

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Ren Yi had felt a bit awkward before; he thought Uncle Sheng was unaware of their relationship. He didn’t expect him to have such keen insight, having already noticed it without Qiu Yan’s reminder, so Ren Yi felt at ease.UZljNFlDZOPXERZdohlsKPcZojcoFg

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“Did you run a few laps?”YMBakjSwBKhaRLPewAWUPnFhyGQWKr

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“About ten, I lost count.” As the weather warmed up, Ren Yi instinctively lifted the hem of his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face. They ran every day in the squad, and wiping sweat like this was common, so he momentarily forgot that this action wasn’t very elegant.AgVJosSSsTCJsgdlXhKTwUKlEzrnom

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Uncle Sheng turned to get him a towel.uHEWNsUVjahgKcBRpHaHXgLVpSKiDS

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Gong Yingxian, sitting in his wheelchair, was at eye level with Ren Yi’s lower back. He watched as the shimmering beads of sweat trickled down from Ren Yi’s shoulder blades, flowing over his firm, honey-colored waistline, like a shallow stream winding through a valley, or like water moistening a wall. They meandered down, some rushing with urgency while others flowed slowly, but in the end, they all converged at the lowest point—a valley formed by the proud rise of his buttocks.qINGbAjeWtmbUHpWdXsueiWmSvhqvd

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“……”FGtNgFrASHAPoOtbkUjhyoeFcPQhDf

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“Captain Ren, you should use the towel to wipe off.” Uncle Sheng quickly returned.kNIODwyvTQgRcvSSNkMeXAyAzlldNp

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Ren Yi thanked him and took the towel.qOpvQsqxAiZVAojapvHaLEjSUTCcWU

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Uncle Sheng looked at Gong Yingxian with concern: “Young Master, are you feeling hot too? Why not take off the suit? Your face is all red.”eokAQRSHkBtxVfQpikuIWSKAonETOz

PDIJoxzJiRfsNjN

“I’m not hot.” Gong Yingxian almost angrily pulled off Ren Yi’s sports T-shirt, “With so many people bustling about, why are you lifting clothes?” He had many servants at home, most of whom were women; how many inappropriate images could that conjure up! He didn’t want anyone to see or think about Ren Yi’s… any appearance.oQmNpriMCQVdFitleCWoJAPcruXWcI

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Ren Yi was completely unaware of what Gong Yingxian was thinking, but he realized that this was indeed not elegant, especially in front of someone as particular about appearances as Gong Yingxian. He smiled awkwardly: “You eat first, I’ll go take a shower and change.”zMKCPDgFpRYuxIrRoeQTXFTIAjVnEh

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While Uncle Sheng was cutting sandwiches for Gong Yingxian, he said, “Young Master, can Captain Ren live here from now on?”zeDcWlzaLDAufWJULKAxSxFaUpuwBa

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“That won’t work; it’s too remote here.”tYdFPzLNCcTkDCXNUpYmHbRRkyuHGI

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Uncle Sheng looked a bit disappointed: “Our chef is going to be bored.”LGHzgVruSbxkLgXlqAyCixsMdNRweQ

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“Huh?”kctiOdrdNCqBmZJXDYzZxgmRXEybHq

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“Paying more is one thing, but they also want to showcase their skills. With Captain Ren here, they would be motivated to whip up delicious dishes, and you just…”jZEBBySLpLcndtZfCSkSnerOswTadt

AQODjdfsKRkZrNf

Gong Yingxian glanced at his sandwich. He had been eating it for over a decade and suddenly felt it was a bit dull. He said, “Then I’ll have porridge today, just like Ren Yi.”MMjCPdIchpWanaEmItpbQYmcAAmydp

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“Ah?” Uncle Sheng was stunned.MaZalmPhfrPtyYjqRiFfRwZNgDTJUb

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“From now on, I want to eat hot food, no, warm food, not too hot, just starting with warm.”uihqPDnGydblFxgESwmQlRrgXayjqD

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Uncle Sheng exclaimed in delight: “Really!”fdnHdnOkMethCTiZZhjejRlBTOuwuq

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Gong Yingxian didn’t tell Uncle Sheng that under his coaxing, he had even tried hot pot and instant noodles—things he used to shun. Although they were all cooled down, he no longer rejected food cooked with fire as much, because Ren Yi liked it, and what Ren Yi liked was mostly not wrong.yzsMjPyZHXUPdzsFBQrrkntOMtdbEo

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Before long, Ren Yi came out looking refreshed, sat opposite Gong Yingxian, smiled at him, and started eating breakfast.JmLZNRJQZqcgkMTyheCUXPBmWuMLvZ

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Morning, sunshine, lover, breakfast.JSWyZAKtVhjeTGVxbsbSkffWHVvRUe

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It felt as if they had always been like this, as if from now on, they would always be like this.NCzqUhZtOypCZhfbPNmlfvUwZDhyQz

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After finishing their meal, Ren Yi took Gong Yingxian to the Hongwu Substation.HEVXwtahYQcaImjkVQLOoqpcscgmAg

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On the way, he teased, “Wow, don’t you think we look like an old married couple? I’m driving you to work in the morning.”peFBumHxmDTFtVoCWFlbtBEolCPjMJ

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“Yes.” Gong Yingxian, thinking about what Uncle Sheng had said in the morning, was just looking for a topic to bring up, so he smoothly added, “If you move into my house, it would be even more like it.”IUlaSBFFpRSmyHVyDzjwtOEhKjSuyn

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Ren Yi was taken aback: “Are you inviting me to move into your house?”ZXjfdFoUJPlEtpXLKqVucOMatsPhKu

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“Yes.” Gong Yingxian looked at him, “You can’t come when you’re on duty or studying, but you can come during your days off.”ADuRxWUTMIhQgFLQVUOevdVZDtLyNb

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“Then it’s closer to my house. My house is near both my squad and your substation.”mXflbaPLMBHUKeTCgdNcMImJZWYuDv

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Gong Yingxian pouted, seemingly unable to refute.SJFIKmmAkJsPopxUtOlkiLuNxYQmoS

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Ren Yi pinched his face: “Let’s go to both places, okay? If there’s time, we can go to your house. If you’re tired from working overtime and come home too late, you can come to my house, okay?”fKaYWaoKUPDcbqHjbQwjXsEArjKUlT

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Gong Yingxian smiled: “Okay.”acxvQWsjpWzcejVpqbPaTuvSBCLZiy

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—aHRgEwsPgHRUPQhKgRBdsUsXPiBDOH

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When they arrived at the substation, Gong Yingxian changed to a cold and stern expression. When his colleagues saw him, they didn’t dare to greet him.aIeTdwGPSFnSChgYkMCNAnFnIEKLAC

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Qiu Yan walked over and stopped in front of them, leaning down with both hands on the wheelchair, looking at Gong Yingxian with a faint smile in his eyes: “All good?”zSkrkGwNJVuZAcMUCjPRkreEfTdUhP

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“All good.” Gong Yingxian pressed his lips together, his hands secretly forming fists.FXaONmPfQTBKvjowbcruXVTYLRWaHM

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This statement was double-edged, asking both if he was physically well and if he was mentally prepared.PLOjanQghZsAINbHratShiCkjErmzR

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“Then get ready to face the challenge.” Qiu Yan’s tone was strange, mixed with helplessness, sarcasm, gloom, and heaviness.OreAgguUBCuAuLHYgKFHygrpKghwHG

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“Let’s see Zhang Wen first.” Gong Yingxian looked up at Ren Yi, “You’re coming too, right?”XqXqgKcfxPddvihQtQIcEcEOZYwdad

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“Of course.”yOVdTmanGRuflUaAnvNiovmqkPtJPd

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The three of them sat in the interrogation room waiting. Gong Yingxian lowered his head, flipping through Zhang Wen’s file. He should have read it many times, yet he still looked at it earnestly, not just passing the time.FlDxeGCqdzPxhzTeXyXqzcGCQUwpHU

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After a while, the police brought Zhang Wen in.htOqTlpJlUHmJEGlztBxFgSQGMCwUs

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Zhang Wen had his hair cut short in detention but still wore glasses. His demeanor was still lethargic; he was short and thin, never daring to meet anyone’s eyes directly.dLmZdmzrvOpRkCqzilLMjXpnOJisog

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Ren Yi had previously thought this was all Zhang Wen’s disguise. After all, he looked nothing like the person on his ID, just somewhat similar, relying on his appearance to pass off. He had to cover his face with bangs, keep his head down, and try to minimize his presence. Now it seemed that perhaps this was just his original character?otctrBAZSJWSyykgUxMCKuskuyMIfZ

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When Zhang Wen saw Ren Yi, he froze for a moment, then quickly lowered his head, his eyelashes trembling nervously.dUuxHGQEZXGYhEXbrbKCMvuUvXexMY

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Ren Yi held back from speaking. What could he say? He wasn’t a police officer, and this wasn’t a place for him to vent his hatred and accusations. He was afraid that if he spoke, it would affect their interrogation, so he just glared at Zhang Wen, remaining silent.vRZTJGAEoVQAgWXSMbgPMXKevwJTmk

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Zhang Wen sat down, his hands cuffed to the table, his head drooping.FoWOSHVnomwFaEHqqWCojZnYaAgBTr

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“How’s life in the detention center?” Gong Yingxian asked calmly.idvSBiQvtGfmgwTAzBTAaXFPVycScv

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Ren Yi was a bit surprised; he knew Gong Yingxian usually got straight to the point in interrogations and wouldn’t engage in small talk.FEtwDedwiiouazgfbMDQCTeNNPLFfK

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After a while, Zhang Wen quietly said, “I heard life in prison is better, better than here.”kjJNROZJHwoCaJXBEooOuUZygHiJnJ

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“So you’re looking forward to the trial, to get into prison sooner, and you think, anyway, you won’t be sentenced for too long, right?”CGAZpKdRNONxPeOcgJlPpKXtCVXnVk

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Zhang Wen remained silent.DCUdYOZNkTRxhFOMiswIYztRxTBFZw

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“How long do you think you’ll be sentenced?” Gong Yingxian asked again.xiMXhQLIDmWUqmAPPItftLhFEKQuqj

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“I don’t know.” Zhang Wen defended himself, “I turned myself in.”CwAaOBXlVehYqtUkBcnohTYyYKJnMz

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“Right, you turned yourself in and provided a lot of clues, so you can get a reduced sentence. Plus, you say you haven’t killed anyone, you just impersonated someone else, stole some public documents, leaked some information for the organization. If that’s true, it seems you really won’t be sentenced for too long.”OCWttdqGdAmOnxxCdyCUfTomTBxWzf

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Zhang Wen nodded: “I haven’t harmed anyone. The bomb at my house wasn’t set by me.”wAhZHOvCvGUFFMQykNRJdvsPGzwMbq

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“Why did you help Purple Flame?”OPjbtFwWlyZCtUrMRpvcNPGvrqLpid

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“He…” Zhang Wen’s eyelashes fluttered. In fact, he was quite handsome; if not for his humble demeanor, he could clean up well and become a good-looking guy, “He sees me.”bpLMMSrISUDTqeLgVWvTVLTsxjvqIu

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“……”gIYepsRWzzyyIiddhBqOymZOXRBjWh

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“Others can’t see me, but he can. Everyone thinks I can’t do anything, but he thinks I can.”aWMolaTdpwohFzuGWDmDrQLdsbTUlP

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Qiu Yan stood by with his arms crossed, expressionless: “So, it’s to repay Purple Flame for recognizing your talent.”nbynjPombCCcyjVoahJTyRtCouPoIf

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“…He also paid me.” Zhang Wen said quietly, “I don’t plan to stay in Beijing forever. I’m not suited to work with others; I want to save some money.”uITYtXdXgVcMxQmXTZzBonKZWYpRov

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“Money, yes, we did find abnormal sources of funds in your account. Where did the real Zhang Wen go? He Xiu Yu.”ZWEFtLjsENzDlqLyZhfrGerfKFaEza

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The fake Zhang Wen, also known as He Xiu Yu, shook his head: “I don’t know. Purple Flame gave me this identity; I didn’t ask about anything else.”aKuHlKeWHWwvKdSZDQsmbvwSiZhZun

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“Why do you keep using Zhang Wen’s account to get this money instead of your own? Aren’t you afraid of being discovered? You wouldn’t have money to escape.”BYSdpChfBAjnhPirjIQQwvEqQZrTIO

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“I’m afraid of being discovered if I use my own account.”FYQqVzEpkTUXZmOSUEnHpCIPVOxkGI

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“Really?”pqtsDXpZlGjFoVKbayEcCXiSemioNa

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He Xiu Yu nodded weakly: “If I impersonate Zhang Wen, I can’t use my original identity; I’m afraid of being exposed.”JbqpGzfsJzhVZPHVpRzsuweJRtmUbM

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“Then why don’t you transfer this money? Aren’t you very concerned about it?”DngatpoPORMzNlhTqGtSxjmYSGKOgE

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“Transferring would leave traces; I’m more cautious.”QNvuSJNLQaaQpJXuaWiVHHCRTaJqXo

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Gong Yingxian pointed at the file: “You grew up in an orphanage.”maixQUJkMwTZCHtQODxigtAjLDvklG

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He Xiu Yu remained silent.KgrXukRHKautPvtXICcFrwIhpXBAbx

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“The orphanage caught fire when you were 14, killing 12 people. Were you involved?”XLoNjiVphfFKXUMFOWUJQKxZmqgMsc

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“No.” He Xiu Yu stared blankly at Gong Yingxian.bCNxgbBKYVsJRSbBHpDSwRBbjgMmSG

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“Then where did you go afterward? This period before you went to college is almost blank.”scTxZUsEKuUVAFSakELMVAZneofdJS

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“Working, self-studying, saving tuition.”kpqZmckokZIYsAtGHDTaPEbKZFfQSG

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“Do you have any evidence to prove that?”lLrrDOCIQqmzWClehoaNemyeVdifQS

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“Not much evidence; I mostly received cash while working.”yLPdWmlwXPsnkEkvuPqdEFrSXBgOUq

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“You also have no traces on social media. Why? Is there anyone our age who doesn’t use social media?”NrqujKjbjwOezwIKtAqSzgmhvUDWnU

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He Xiu Yu shook his head.LiyrlEWjTyTGfFrMEJWWdTupFISNZA

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The more Ren Yi listened, the more he felt something was off. Was Gong Yingxian’s focus on this fake Zhang Wen too intense? He thought interrogating Bai Yan and Huang Yan might yield more results. After all, this fake Zhang Wen was a low-level member of the organization who hadn’t even contacted Purple Flame, just an Orange Flame, slightly above the human bomb Red Flame. From what he had done, it was confirmed he hadn’t reached the core of the organization; he was merely an accomplice.gqeppLKkZgsgGKmctbgsppYXiOofXj

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Gong Yingxian asked again: “When did you meet Purple Flame?”wXCrJOpuCEEMTOQSdNtGVaQYLdaBmf

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“A few years ago.”nedKpzMvbecISeYLSiUmATRBRCWDvU

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“Specifically, how many years ago?”DzCBSwlXoheuiYbCbRtEFeAoTbKmQv

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“Maybe two or three years.”mGPoaWOVXTLrGdmOtEhqcHNLTdMQBs

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“Then where did the high expenses before that come from? When you traveled, you stayed in high-end hotels and flew first class. At that time, you were still a student, right? You needed to work to save for tuition; how could you afford such high expenses?”VSxcHUTTKOzLonyvVUZWvuARgwQJkR

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He Xiu Yu frowned: “I earned some money from working, and it wasn’t that many times. Those plane tickets and hotels didn’t cost more than twenty or thirty thousand, right? I’m not as poor as you think.”eHlGlmQQOLaGcveZTjXxcOvUxDRHdQ

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“Let’s not discuss the frequency and amount for now; let’s talk about spending habits.” Qiu Yan stared at him intently, “Many of your transactions are cash transactions, which are untraceable, but hotels and flights leave traces. A person who grew up in an orphanage, dropped out of high school, and worked to save tuition for college, and is only in their early twenties, should be very frugal. Even if their financial situation improves, they wouldn’t immediately start spending extravagantly because they know money is hard-earned and shouldn’t be wasted, unless you don’t think so.”YUvlbIEoHcsJyXuthwMeALqPtbuJjI

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He Xiu Yu fell silent again.QEUjshtQzrdcTkfrKaqCBYVfTxoilb

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“So, the time you met Purple Flame is much earlier than you said, isn’t it?”qmjFAdoCGAsXahKyHWIldjFWNehmCk

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“Maybe, I can’t remember clearly.”tQDHZzpWdqEKMzWvyzcdemUyGVcmeg

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At this point, Ren Yi had completely changed his initial impression of this person. He was hiding a secret, and it must be a very important one.aCcjICGDizvMOUjcqcDKyiuvSHPrUY

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Gong Yingxian leaned forward, his eyes sharp like an eagle circling in the sky, locking onto its target, diving down, “Or are you, yourself, Purple Flame?”TYFdiCfIRQPNOukMIHkNOXHiRyopUZ

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