Chapter 21
Ren Yi grabbed him, struggling under Sun Dingyi’s weight, which was at least 170 to 180 pounds. He almost sank down with him. Ren Yi quickly swapped the mask back onto his own head and began to strip off Sun Dingyi’s gear, all the while shouting, “Gao Ge, send three people down for backup. Bring an air supply unit. Hurry!”PdlpvUXXTcRekXyUDPqRGXIpsehMCG
bIKHGNqVoycHpHnSweat poured down Gao Ge’s face as he ordered, “Cui Yisheng, take these two down into the pit. Hold your breath and go first. We’ll send the gear down after.”VCvPzRwCorsFIBtFkkEUgpqAoczMmO
pMmepzHRelgsYEO“Yes, sir!”VfAexQNNkGhFroGqGHFXcpUOUdQonb
cmmbqyYoVpxdUOSRen Yi lifted Sun Dingyi, wading with difficulty through the deep water, struggling to move forward while occasionally switching masks with him. Li Sa was supporting the repair worker behind them. Thankfully, the worker was small in stature; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to move an inch in such conditions.nzBFOODlqcEaCpdsHhktlkOYzdreaw
bRrYSLdChLRbDzbThey hadn’t gone far when Liu Hui rushed over first.enASgSEoMKYInNtXBEpzIXsuOJFxQN
cHUjoojaRuGfbURRen Yi cursed, “I told you to watch over Xiao Tao!”FtAEjewsZSyrjbCSriHQeujVytORHr
AofjlsoIcZriuhr“Xiao Tao told me to come,” Liu Hui said, trying to take over for Sun Dingyi.PlITqIPQBTlljaVxXgDQMzfbHalzxV
MBNPMLpfhCMullD“Help Li Sa instead. I can manage alone.”zLaaiyheCYqZmYYCABwqHRAgztfFWU
sedYlhjOdJquGOyLiu Hui took the repair worker from Li Sa. “Li Sa, go assist Captain Ren. I can handle this.”LCqTqnfdUGkNpScQwpQhNimbtTzqdX
tXqrqztuQchhizuLi Sa ran over. “Captain Ren, Lieutenant Sun is unconscious and can’t control his breathing. I’ll give him the mask. We’ll share one.”umMpKKBlpWmhsARNsBlGrRFkSsNsEi
HfHmDbcbKhgUqZiRen Yi took off his own air mask and put it on Sun Dingyi’s head, giving Li Sa an OK sign.TjfusuOosRjZqUqbsmZHISLhDjwTtZ
yWLJRNfUmQCPZjALi Sa nodded, and the two of them supported Sun Dingyi from either side, continuously exchanging the mask until Gao Ge’s rescue team arrived.ECXCsWTtCLfYAdJDylvgjnmgKZbqDE
zaDgpfJEfaoBVIUThe water pump kept draining the sewage pit, making the water shallower as they moved, until they successfully carried both Sun Dingyi and the repair worker out. Xiao Tao was also rescued.RsaIZqTrJsfLKzUhGoOeIaIAyVWHER
xLwcNLiOQRfUaqzRen Yi placed Sun Dingyi onto the stretcher, his eyes red as he stared at the paramedics, lips trembling but unable to speak.bYfaVfYecvfDSOUfByBnmFdbISsIZL
UlmmmFuvXUBQpDiThe paramedic said, “Captain Ren, you need to step aside and let us work.” She pried open Sun Dingyi’s eyelids for a look, then opened his mouth and said to her colleague, “Prepare for intubation.”gftssrWTbGxcowXCsNIXzlnoGGnLXm
lzufOLzjlLnFhdgRen Yi rasped, “Will he be okay?”MZPzaAiwucXwfSeJmdqfFVTQGxHtkF
mJpsIaeEQEvaVRbAll the soldiers stood nearby, watching Sun Dingyi’s unconscious form with worry and helplessness.oTSKAvsHkjjWlODgQUOAVfPNfbHYqL
IxjdQEIhFJLoQWgThe paramedic, remaining calm, said, “We’ll do our best.”HdDDEXNzbIVxcpeHNQlAnqUtShsZiV
CLZFHcponNMdrAnOne by one, the injured were loaded into ambulances.VkPqTFmFnwscDVNVqhMIyFipwjMBsT
CXmgOyWdvFcvOQbXiao Tao refused to get on the stretcher. “I only twisted my leg. It’s no big deal, no need for the hospital.”WHZFqUSxeMhwImvtmAQmPiVHOMjfhM
jWsdYUBuqCsALWD“Just to be safe, we need to get an X-ray,” the paramedic insisted.WWXtWdUspFigaTrzuQZcLvXSYzmKKK
ZScjypNDVjguZtY“I really don’t—”SkizcDGjlngGBLtLpEubppWsgXAXjP
QKfdQpjNIxqoZYj“Go to the hospital!” Ren Yi glared at him and growled.XKPOcaFrdHSpPSegDAToyamOCxplTU
sreFHCiCPBBiBbpXiao Tao lowered his head in defeat.JUuRAcsCghiYyFsMPLwKzPialPHiEX
jIptCgxHFntQzQBSuddenly, a wave of panic surged through Ren Yi. His breathing quickened, and his body swayed.ZzaPyHwURDTpPXvEGCKJHbilOdlzAN
vEuIWvnlihpxVTg“Captain Ren!” Gao Ge caught him as he stumbled.jAvdJYweEuBwxkVkzqMaEPPZLoINbe
BOvuiAjDIcfNtYJLi Sa and Liu Hui also slowly crouched down, their faces unusually pale.oREfpOSoOpFOQBVgWWLiNBgsmyqRCN
ULCkQQzDJFTTygj“They took off their masks down there!” Gao Ge shouted.AMyXVqnNNODZWHGSKNHLfPOhtZwHsD
fagSXoHrwxwToQDThe paramedic pressed her radio button. “Control, we need two more ambulances here. Get their outer clothing off, lay them flat on the ground, and spread them out. Make sure their airways are clear.”CvJHnMzpuaVzXvsDQyuyZKeMxXVnui
NCJUDbbctigDiPV“Captain Ren, Captain Ren!” Gao Ge frantically stripped Ren Yi of his gear, unzipping his jacket and gently laying him down.gsKBuAPGGKluMRhCmBRubuWAJGwJew
zvTFAXinCUukQmWThe balconies around the entire complex were packed with residents, and a crowd had gathered around the sewage pit. Fire trucks, ambulances, and police vehicles clogged the entrance to the neighborhood.vQlygCixWhzqsNSCiuhXVofBhwuoIf
umHlQyJOCpYiyvIBut Ren Yi could no longer hear the voices, the shouting, or the clicks of camera shutters. A faint dizziness crept in, but he refused to let himself pass out, forcing himself to stay conscious, struggling to keep his eyes open.kEHlqyNqkOloJZfOZPSvJYsGPgVXQD
EQIUDJtcSDDVssVSuddenly, a face appeared in his blurry vision—a face so pale, delicate, and unrealistically beautiful, looking down at him. The lips moved, calling his name.CgMFBAophvPlznvWIODcNiBKIrAfRj
WLJsrzxCWwSBXykGong Yingxian? Why was he here?cEbDjpEvqwIYwaRIJuSqfWqrtsccJV
kpwOmVaOWQSRhvtOh, right, he’s with the police.sSutNByBCPQZHIHAizGiPFrTlMgMrW
ijMqKCvdzPLDidJGong Yingxian’s voice pierced through the fog, cutting through mountains, rivers, and layers of thick mist until it finally reached his eardrums. With that single call of “Ren Yi,” his hearing returned.pmQAQiCUprqzgXedIupmPIxwuynKct
EcCTXGqqmfUrtszRen Yi forced his eyes open and looked weakly at Gong Yingxian. “You…”tmYxkrZTAdxNZlDQyddTjSXUSvbShu
GLtPDXCEDkgpLBOGong Yingxian crouched down and said firmly, “Don’t talk. The ambulance will be here soon.”WYDCXMJMfLIFJdkFQtpJuwrNQxRFnp
ZoUFsnNnJncciymRen Yi managed a faint smile. “I… I smell like a sewer. Aren’t you afraid?”TDeRqwHyRFldpCgVYhFSUAHrcDmgDr
UJqHHllFEDvkJqb“Stop talking.” Gong Yingxian pulled out a pristine white handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped the dirt, sweat, and sewage from Ren Yi’s face.YwjlLbrVdOCsPANXcHeTNRwnilRRRc
qmOrBXraopmXWYDRen Yi took a deep breath, but still felt short of air, his lungs like a deflated balloon, starved for oxygen. “Li Sa and Liu Hui…”ncNZUgFIiqQRVnpGCXsNDsCAkOhJQJ
iTGZviQURIgTRHK“They’re fine. Both are waiting for the ambulance,” Gong Yingxian reassured him.wyADiZkFaSSFWDIDIMuiYGtfSJPevy
GNCowOKiwuVmmnlFinally, the backup ambulances arrived. Ren Yi was lifted onto a stretcher, an oxygen mask secured over his face. He blinked slowly, waiting to be loaded into the ambulance. Once it was done, he let go of the tension that had kept him conscious and allowed himself to drift into sleep.RMxJfvAIQIZczaJzPFngzGgsrzyabO
rkEKIRnJelexjGc—pPUCpfxotjOZAZLkADbTUpHbNWoVxD
wHqUWOSBPJvPCEuWhen Ren Yi woke up, he wasn’t surprised to find himself lying in a hospital bed.dObkLiHGmcMzlyJifbgrkLxjUlTBZd
fGDFmnMzwEfYDfPHe felt awful—dizzy, weak, and nauseous, as if he hadn’t fully recovered from a fever.FVvPNvoGtSfWPxKvBFNostCVVuBqjP
AOtQgeeJSNvWrgq“Ren Yi.” Qu Yangbo leaned in as he saw him wake up. “How are you feeling?”JTKzHNKekfvwrQrhsAmHgutHJmAZqy
htbAcOuvrDHpLHgFor a brief moment, Ren Yi’s mind was blank, but he quickly snapped back to awareness. He asked urgently, “What about Sun Dingyi? How is he?” He tried to get up.SsjqQkPakCeTARoeGbexhaZvQQijtv
KZkuQBfPsBfEHSB“He’s fine. He’s out of danger,” Qu Yangbo said, gently pushing Ren Yi back down onto the bed.imADIFSmEjLbwdtejrwqAjUUKfbfDf
SNnazVcaQgllmKtRen Yi let out a heavy sigh, his nose stinging with emotion, almost bringing him to tears. His voice was hoarse as he asked, “What about the others?”oNoUHUnoTOIqSMoCOYnFFrFjqqoXmA
zEixdREjqTqIAUn“They’re all doing okay, and so are you. You three inhaled less, so you don’t need lung lavage, but you’ll still need to stay here for observation for a few days.”mZJAoqBqkriuVeSEfrQCAMYcGdsVcu
YCeDjPPklTitgXHRen Yi nodded. “And the people we rescued?”qEFMdrUtRdLGnbwxrflAoAFcGNMOQc
icwBSCKqZDvOUWGQu Yangbo sighed. “Two died at the scene, one didn’t make it after reaching the hospital, and three are in critical condition. It’s not looking good.”OjaccsOYJThoUNIwQfltUZfquAWAsz
VJvjiAMpHaFxWwZRen Yi clenched his weak fists. “Yangbo, do you know what’s the hardest part of this job?”TIUmcDGplPsmfbtYXCuWdUHJiOQkzm
OdhUeLZPQVVJdFEQu Yangbo remained silent.ayKlFKqZwHwFrDiwaXlMesnXEffprm
qihYAJypPfbwgdxRen Yi stared blankly ahead. “It’s knowing that some tragedies didn’t have to happen.”WwRZYuodqKBcVWlXYQplgkvgTDJOna
jFXqGWqaeyuxdbEQu Yangbo spoke solemnly, “The responsible parties in property management have already been taken into custody.”yiKOiXGMpIvQVnJASEtutELeEbLzzg
HFFAqymnsBZNLEy“Yeah, they’ve been taken in. Tomorrow, the news will blow up, and it’ll be all about how many people died because of their negligence. This kind of story repeats year after year, again and again!” Ren Yi’s lips trembled. “But it still doesn’t stop.”cqhKhzjeqpNUlCPWGFjQnbXstKSYTO
DRlEvpJtgGvpaNrQu Yangbo placed a reassuring hand on Ren Yi’s shoulder. “All we can do is do our jobs as best as we can and hope others do theirs, so we can avoid these kinds of accidents.”XVvIZVyQuYyZTPindAVkdTChmJTIKG
tterDARBHebujnYAt that moment, a knock sounded at the door.zBheiBCONRVUyyzNxrSUvLLpCltbSK
OeDKLqHksUXnKAT“Come in.”GXLbNBneobpnurQLxclwSpyAyoUncY
SkKzUicqeTFWtEsThe door opened, and Gong Yingxian entered the room—wearing a mask.IlCVIzuNciAvLUQgpWCdNbYdOrinck
XCJWlsQczVINSBXRen Yi blinked in surprise and instinctively lowered his head, subtly sniffing himself. He had been bathed and changed while unconscious, and now it seemed like the stench was gone. But that foul odor had taken residence in his memory, and he could still recall it vividly.AhzVIiXjMmsmoEeckvnruzgYfRQvqa
btcEhIFhJEEjcmB“You’re awake,” Gong Yingxian nodded toward Qu Yangbo.YgRvDWTaAGyvMQJsKgJNAMntDtYLDj
MhWekEMkZTjuoFEQu Yangbo asked, “Dr. Gong, are you here to question him?”VVKZnkRVDqDnlEljtaFBXbdFvTTuOI
eBMHPBCaCobcxAX“Can you handle it?” Gong Yingxian looked at Ren Yi.kcWQkGdxlsNYcoGBSJwOvpXBGhbKTq
WvyMyuqelANTlBpRen Yi shrugged, trying to sound casual. “I’m fine, strong as ever.”HyEHTdoplbdFiErniEIhvEUTrQIDtP
rNyuEWRnbcKcSHK“Alright, then I’ll leave you two to chat. I’ll get you something to eat. What do you want, Si Huo?”mXsfsLCNZsgyTgrEaCjIEYhjVswTRj
UJcoURMraOLOuTd“Anything with the highest calories—fried chicken, BBQ, skewers. I’m starving!”sZblZGeaWBbGSrVEydHjcCSxZttpDg
dFJZPIOAmsjvoZrQu Yangbo scoffed coldly. “In your dreams. Your throat’s still swollen. You can only have plain congee.”CGsVQVqXIYAaSleUuYEbozQjFYKAmy
CtGGmriGqnXoLQx“Then why even ask me?”JIXqRBbCVRlsmyTJlldzRJnngIXRxi
WhJgjFgVnwsHqNA“You can have pickles as a side.”ZyVCIFmgeDyeRPSxUCTdKBooyAcqyN
NEsxIREAZKCvmiz“Whatever you say.” Ren Yi waved him off.tbqTxWzweSEOfPYfaqrMbsezqqRuyv
uSRmeMZKDGcCjUNOnce Qu Yangbo left, Gong Yingxian stood at the bedside, staring intently at Ren Yi without blinking.kcwiQterflFTAvNSCoLqaieHbademB
tLCZTiuZewuDrThRen Yi felt a bit creeped out by the stare. “What are you looking at?”nSHhXvHvgVnpkDGBMUMNUITFRbZWoU
wjcBMXyVfOMzUyN“Making sure you’re fit to talk.”ElMQsWROqykNKyNdEXJDTjMTGgGFAV
nxDpJgPLccGIkPI“And you can tell just by staring at me like that?”EzqbXFcJmuHyCWPzsEwcugdydyZdog
jKKdEgNiwhCLwNl“I think so. You seem alert enough,” Gong Yingxian replied. “You—”xBcxhgjUswLzLmFdjWKezvFIDIRYVR
fHHcvKxeKgTgyHK“Can you take off your mask?” Ren Yi interrupted with a frown. “This is a hospital, and I’m lying in a bed. It feels ominous for you to be wearing a mask.”NgRrGUioaTERhyPnPvBSnUxPdPyxlc
FiaBwFRutSNoVghAfter a brief hesitation, Gong Yingxian pulled the mask down, tucking it under his sharp chin.nMISxbgankBaKROHYZudoZjiPJoMlB
zptopYhdzjLiLyyRen Yi couldn’t help but ask, “Do you hate hospitals?”wWMNROmdUdiHRGjzaapBiXVfxDhWHm
mjkDLdUABdrlFjf“Of course. Who likes hospitals?”yRInEtSNMgsPVvMVjiaAfkBFNnsfsk
JamhZEKLeXpsqrR“I mean, do you hate them as much as you’d hate fire? Do they make you want to puke?”ekQgmCAMpMkVxwHRXPZrWsjYzOzbuT
jlsXibiHVqeNtFt“…I try my best to hold it in,” Gong Yingxian replied after a pause.baXAaaaBFnZEDgNjQBxaDdUZgqcYSO
APUncScjgHaITBl“Then why did you bother coming?”TyHjcAiopZmktFiZpiUKoVWTzfpAxq
gRQFUQXblJsSILw“I need to ask you about the sewage pit incident.”RnEHrGisDdmidoAkcpcAxvSUYKBiIK
cSOIMHfzpBBSjRpRen Yi blinked, then smiled faintly. “You’re here to visit me, aren’t you?”bkvtVWcYaHDsOXprfFeDrNGLPIQqqg
SNeQyhkGhcStOxUGong Yingxian froze for a moment.pJahudNIeeHruudoMRlpUXFCFbQwig
jcjguFxSSHqhHroRen Yi laughed. “Just admit you’re here to check on me. There’s no shame in it. That incident was straightforward—people have already been arrested, and there are plenty of witnesses. You didn’t need to rush to the hospital to question me, right? You came to visit me.”ILeDczTeOGbszhMuknXFFzqGKGgbkX
DHNhLCyObwDyPhJGong Yingxian crossed his arms. “How you interpret it is up to you. It has nothing to do with me. I’m here to get your cooperation with the authorities. Can you help?”VPuVYjrUHjqXhhpOyYtpLpMDeomAIq
NwtwbwaxVimSByX“Sure,” Ren Yi said, suddenly recalling something. “Hey, are you like a little girl? Do you always carry a handkerchief? Did you bring one today?”fKLUDRvryZttdeXIagtdCxkJIXsWZg
IetXSCJhrczdFtNGong Yingxian narrowed his eyes. “That’s a handkerchief, not a rag.”aLZKXPfIQatjnEzNWTvUKGjxtuIbgs
HPVkoJcZILeLMsDRen Yi suppressed a laugh. “What’s the difference?”XYvCqpRMGFKwYXHCthqSzEGuaQAeNf
wtMCXlXGvVBOnVg“After wiping your face with it, not much of one,” Gong Yingxian replied coolly. “It’s basically trash now.”IeoPctiwGWniMLIgrYvopzzovEkTCW
xQRRRiFonuOaqNXRen Yi smirked. “I’ll buy you a new one.”QRrQJyscDiIKXWSNeCMLvXRGpvCeoO
bAEuZrbXBxAEqiXGong Yingxian pulled out a notebook and a recorder. “Stop joking. Describe what you heard and saw when you arrived at the scene.”XQYeDdNpixMmqMsIxsWrAFSkqJwIet
MSncZSuTOyFJpNCRen Yi recounted the entire rescue process. Often, their missions involved criminal incidents, and rescues like these could sometimes disturb crime scenes. Providing first-hand information to the police was a regular part of his job. Though this incident wasn’t a malicious crime, the consequences and impact were severe.zSrSGakgFKdPVyxvVJvwHFjxUgcoCp
ABBeJGfPQWCRwSDAfter finishing his account, Ren Yi stretched, and Gong Yingxian put away his notebook. Then, out of nowhere, Gong Yingxian asked, “What does it feel like?”JzwtOfNIxTuNOwskzCeJNQUxDULFCj
JogIFaQCRFKgLJr“What?”VykjNdqKOFQKccGbtvHsBsDJFHlJGF
WcgDcswrzDVoMpr“…The rescue,” Gong Yingxian said, lowering his gaze. His long eyelashes cast a fan-shaped shadow over his eyes. “Especially during firefighting.”xeuWUmQcAKFSUPkxJbgDRzBxVXIthQ
rtPgWEneBCGHkjBRen Yi thought for a moment. “It’s nerve-wracking, terrifying. All you can think about is wanting it to end as soon as possible.”esLhiegXbHOPdhCPEIxXWiMUTQHDYS
yiHbPArlakBERLD“Have you ever thought about dying?” Gong Yingxian asked, his gaze distant.sBELOwoCLYIZUQAtBUHQqxNtQbXfvh
zxUSzlNGjuwtroI“Of course. When you’re constantly in dangerous places, it’s always in the back of your mind.” Ren Yi shrugged. “But thinking about it doesn’t help. After doing this for so long, I’ve come to understand something—something everyone knows, but few truly grasp.”MhzZWmbixOYHsipAsSoPtELjScQuew
FjYMGwPLkvJoQVp“What’s that?”jyQBlpcWGolOqbTjGYIOYmovKpPDYt
awIjyKWHUtupAWuRen Yi pointed upward. “Fate is out of our hands.”UrbwzzmLLykRlfhdxJrjIqVHSTzfCx
WxAhHNEGaidCjMFGong Yingxian didn’t say anything.YmfrRjRMgvuMQfxyoCFwjjrcgvxipE
OUBAzfQNZipNvGt“I’ve seen countless accidents—some so bizarre you couldn’t make them up if you tried. It’s like being on the battlefield: maybe you’re well-hidden, but you still get hit by a stray bullet, or maybe you charge straight into danger and come out without a scratch. Who knows why? So, people,” Ren Yi chuckled lightly, “first, don’t go looking for death. If something happens, do your best to save yourself, and the rest… is just fate. If I’m not meant to die, I won’t die.”XOJWJwJllRZweNBAFKwNCUupOihVyv
kVDlZsWcIqqUyorGong Yingxian murmured softly, “Then who decides whether or not you should die?”PUELPNMnyDyZExYRurVyoOUYDInjia
DNnxrPlBLzoqEbx“What?”mDNGumahnDwUXUrYecPcdLyAuykQhj
pRkLZEhulbXjrOn“Why did you choose this name?”KvthkOlarGPtakAcMGBklLejYKKGvf
SCKHSclSZvjCAzMRen Yi laughed. “When I was born, some master said I was missing the element of fire in my Five Elements. They told my dad I needed to make up for it in my name. He scoured the dictionary and found this ridiculous character. Damn, did he overdo it.”yIWYNjThbOlcZxyWboClGwMqsVNHXn
MhTmNmJnqzSyWoh“It sounds terrible,” Gong Yingxian said bluntly.yPcxPKnFuGauahdhlXhKgidTTaKwtv
JmDcVtcdCxtbJLV“Not like I wanted this name. I’ve always wanted to change it but was too lazy,” Ren Yi said, glancing at him sideways. “So, is your issue with me because of my name?”rBSUMrVSESSmyJNdguJSqCPMGtSgzZ
HwQmmofCsxuaPiuGong Yingxian didn’t answer directly. “Get some rest. I should go.”pSumQMvlqZvRSvyyBMaBpwehOxTbwn
xKlcAwWntanqqSM“Wait, any updates on Cai Wan?”jTlTEVQsnIditGnWALxLWAgiQuptMA
SpBdthAgNMFRXuu“Yes. I’ve mapped out the social connections, networks, and communications of that father and daughter. The anti-narcotics team has also given me a lot of information on Tao Zhen. I’m convinced they took far more than just 300,000 from him. There’s now a lead pointing to someone who might know where the rest of the money went.”NMQnJmUdUXgVUGkoNocvYwPhKrCNSJ
YmwEzKhZQUyTLkv“Who?”HiNYonDbgwtKHJRIoiBygkpzQUuCNj
FYhlupXnqNQvsvb“It’s a bit complicated. I’ll explain when you’re out of the hospital.”fuccHMsKOQuCNiGBFSjShdtqHUkvGF
IJzajCazsXhywXmRen Yi nodded. “I’ll come find you at the station later.”bxIvSxnQPJlILdPpuLzIkdbFCVRNWC
ROmBqArVMTcabYuAs Gong Yingxian put his mask back on and turned to leave, he paused at the door and looked back. “Send me the time and location of the martial arts competition.”YmipdyXAZmbcumEBzATjHheClfGQYR
CCHpRKFYsHeaUdIRen Yi, caught off guard, watched as Gong Yingxian opened the door and left.sRZDgzWuLrioVcYvIZSxzRWJIvtSpl
UaJNucZZSnoPOniComing back to his senses, a wide smile spread across Ren Yi’s face.YJIranLPIbFIlqQcEviDEhmXfREZCs
PAQyAQhqbAIKfaxCAeicIglQSWxjmNWPiFeOrqEoWIYyt