Chapter 26
Ren Yi thought for a moment that Gong Yingxian was scolding him and froze for a second.PTWvgqvFIQtMlRSVUjALFrbCynBaSU
VJpOQJUIAUlYEDxGong Yingxian said, “The remnants on the ground should all be trash.”TUgsNRVCjTsHwhbWYvdyrbmhlRPAhf
YuToAwLduFTTGkU“Oh, right.” Ren Yi kicked at it. Although most of it had been burnt beyond recognition, it was still clear that it was trash.uwdQuYtdPnhmMWOdWzPWPVXAaqGUHN
omRwJdFgkgjjfVx“The dark marks on the floor tiles are indeed free carbon, decomposed from the heavy components of a burning liquid, but gasoline? Are you sure?” Gong Yingxian wrinkled his nose and sniffed. The fire had burned too fiercely, and the scorched smell in the air made it hard to confirm whether it was really gasoline.wsEoxuMlLLEbZYmnnfUUOLSPyHzqie
BHkaiyqpDmVXrjU“If gasoline was only used as a minor accelerant, the smell wouldn’t be that obvious. I was some distance away at the time. The center of the fire was too hot, so we couldn’t get close. I’m not sure either,” Ren Yi called out, “Zhang Wen, what equipment did you bring?”rpOBshrlUlqcQLySMigEbXhjGvfEaW
WLnDOSMeDSosNUuZhang Wen opened the toolbox, “Captain Ren, I only brought the hydrocarbon detector. It can’t detect specific types. I’ll need to take samples back to the lab.”OhhkjYHvbGVfSaEivAfQOwRYoTuPKV
GKEpbUUYmtpimAO“Alright.” Ren Yi pried off a piece of burnt floor tile. When liquids penetrate, they leave obvious traces underneath tiles or flooring. Volatile liquids, like alcohol or ether, wouldn’t. That’s why they hadn’t discovered the true cause of the fire at first from the fourth perspective.hVIBtALRwqlaDuYFxpMbATnUfXRZCz
iQKOLSJSJnskJCVGong Yingxian asked, “Zhang Wen, did you take photos inside?”ljqLOespYOrbYmYmNaagRLRQQSxWEQ
LszahZGKFQqTJBx“Not yet.”dAYrxJrGOAMhVkdobkVbFHrfyYsjaD
eoRYrzLhqHOYoMq“Hurry up and take some. We need to go inside and check it out.”uouYwGdrwzsNoVHEphBYOkJfCNETdY
tmVlkBfSmjBnrfj“Got it, got it.” Zhang Wen went off with the camera to take photos of the scene.AjMMfpmcTOMLubpEbkcyJHHnkRnskd
dAZNVFTLccBKWwtGong Yingxian headed toward the nearby resident’s place, with Ren Yi following along.NKJnicUushqxlSsAANXAaMIDcERUhE
tELrDZjGPrCLYgA“2209 is the apartment closest to the elevator shaft on the west side, right next to the elevator duct. The far end of the corridor has a ventilation window. Starting a fire here would make it spread quickly, as it would seek oxygen from both directions,” Ren Yi shook his head, “The result was devastating.”MATdXXeIAaEoFltGNdhNxFLWrfubtS
IZudQzVUnxyPECN“The two apartments closest to the west stairwell escaped, but the male owner of 2209 died. Could this be arson targeting 2209?” Gong Yingxian muttered.kaBrRZYqkrIKURGAgLmilAZVDSMOdT
NIOfhTowZroBzAsThe two circled the area, deducing the fire’s path based on burn marks. They didn’t find anything suspicious for the time being. Zhang Wen had finished taking the photos by now, and the three of them entered 2209 together.hTABchIwxfVzgBxAWUeJVHIZJKxQWa
mskAHbjyivKZkojThe door to 2209 had been completely burned down, and visually, more than 70% of the three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment had been affected. The scene was horrific.GWssdeXDuMvgfSYMczodLMzmkjqEAI
pNulCGvHMIWpElRGong Yingxian took a deep breath, his hand clenched tightly in his pants pocket, then relaxed, repeatedly adjusting his emotions.OAcPdtZENSVsnwiOJPnWbCEkSUeidR
PNkXJJVyrcptZCsRen Yi asked, “You alright?”PWcVibGgWoAhHqcLcgXQUnybppKpaX
nadCQwKLCRXYVOcGong Yingxian nodded.LqLDxwiRltQViMADbSYncMLhWckKUl
gVNHHpXPzgUgbozThe two carefully examined the fire scene.rATEFaxOPrdCQYNhIOwpSMAdzpfSNH
tUyASMuSDIVkliG“This was the location of the death. The male owner tried to escape through the living room, but the fire was right outside the door. He got trapped and eventually collapsed here due to smoke inhalation,” Ren Yi observed the fixed line drawn on the ground, looking in the direction of the victim. The distance to the door was only about twenty steps, but even if he had made it, there was no way he could have opened the door.dkDIZzctBlUcuvOJkBhMcJCVYfqeIA
CWHTjizvRgOMTAtGong Yingxian meticulously investigated the victim’s actions before death, checking every room, window, and door. Besides some signs of self-rescue, there was nothing particularly suspicious. He asked, “No signs of forced entry or struggle. What about the autopsy report? Has it come in?”kDQxuRuUTDgyPQJKajPPfchKtgLIrU
bjtLXzTVyeACRFKZhang Wen said, “I’ll call and ask now.”rgMmUxUCnIczQHtmIbMCxnNxaOwzgQ
YAMCVcgPqIZiHTiRen Yi focused his investigation on the fire’s spread and the burn marks on the electrical wiring. If the fire followed normal patterns, it would at least prove that the fire inside the apartment wasn’t fueled by an accelerant. Electrical fires are the leading cause of fires, so this had to be examined, even though they were 90% sure the fire had started just outside the door. They still had to rule out other possibilities.kLdnpAdmltUpaSAVafmxrmNIoAlziG
wzVCMPvoKRZpSYiZhang Wen returned after his call, “Captain Ren, Dr. Gong, the victim died from smoke inhalation, no external injuries, no alcohol or drugs in his system. He was already dead before the fire reached him.”qxmflMLGtNTYlIRMzYAdAVydjpAkij
kIQSheaBJzwAMdE“Zhang, help me check all the electrical burn marks in the house.”WNCPFtRjcNsbMrkhAVzwoBbtNXDcKy
jzuOvxgBGHRoJYE“Yes, sir.”UsyOLcxOLUZgjFxQckIxGFfouYjtpX
JrYehwymGNcRTIMThe two checked the wiring thoroughly but found no signs of an electrical fire.yrtEaeWdMDkVxnMfWdqFBxUigVFSRH
dLtgxKxCitigNNORen Yi emerged from the bedroom and saw Gong Yingxian still crouching on the ground, staring at something. “All evidence points to the fire starting outside, with the trash igniting. The burn patterns are consistent with that.”HSYcJCTzBSIUzeiBJhvUQshJueYMMM
eqXjKdwvvqHtnTQGong Yingxian gave a low “mm.”xrAQVsJbujETFAuyXdUQaAMSNVyilZ
PSMTtoHpjpJNkdsRen Yi sensed something was off about him and crouched beside him. “Hey, you…”seHTvEMMGXCfSsSfCFfOdKVxjkBZFg
TLxTBzRNJNCBhKTGong Yingxian’s face was pale, his breathing rapid, cold sweat streaming down his forehead, and his gaze seemed vacant.gqYCbzumTKXJCplkMSwaPxyqCMggyH
JDKHJgJBKpNCjGxRen Yi sighed, “Why do you put yourself through this? Let me help you out for some air.”ZJYNtRGTaaHzxhHfFpVeulJzWGqgpF
qokPNYjvCjURIlBGong Yingxian shook his head, “I need to adapt. This is part of the treatment.”HrsyhqnREgKupgJTBXGhfsBkIFIOjW
iIPQiwlsYCvHyms“Adapt? By forcing yourself like this?” Gong Yingxian’s behavior suggested severe PTSD, and such ‘treatment’ could backfire.DWYPHCvazViPxjghuXBqPKhbwsIDkn
RgwLcucyzvOXRYY“Yes, this is…” Gong Yingxian’s voice trembled, “the best way.”BBHwFrDOIRUPQAzOXjddtadRKqaFFL
kZmwAosqnXmhVjIRen Yi’s heart ached seeing him like this. “Have you seen a psychologist? You don’t have to force yourself like this.”KAAQOhZaEfOaTFNZVhNMlhfYtMbSFH
HqmasTNQXcoFIvAGong Yingxian looked up at Ren Yi, “If I can’t even overcome this, how can I be a cop? How can I catch arsonists?”HkwItEZswEcKXrcZRCPhixSYgKkWwS
mKMkzxcMafYaBvtRen Yi opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.xXWxBoHNMFfoSsXCZYIUooUqZbzsdP
mXrtCcKYLMxCkAmGong Yingxian steadied his breathing and stood up. “I’m fine.”FMSAalaIHbEFIkEVeUIJbsrqrmxhEA
sGDhrbFmiRULrGE“How about we call it a day? We’ve collected enough evidence for Zhang to take to the lab. You also need time to investigate the residents’ social connections. If necessary, we can come back tomorrow.”kXuzrgFsURqwmyOFMSPFJxNKxPwoUA
tOGymVXOdAmAGAEGong Yingxian thought for a moment and nodded.ZSzlVdhSaQilgcRQsYZymWMrduRDJW
YPtlJBatBoweLMoAfter they went downstairs, Zhang Wen left first. Ren Yi noticed that some color had returned to Gong Yingxian’s face. “Are you okay? Can you drive?”iUwGzFohhQOvRZgApeZTxfMypBkmZD
cGHKhhiooVZPSHB“No problem.” Gong Yingxian glanced at Ren Yi, “Unless you’re dying to drive for me.”xDfyvGytRsPxWaficJLEojWzhtZGwf
KstYyUJoqebpZOSRen Yi scoffed, “You’re getting way too used to bossing me around. Fine, I’ll drive for you. Where to?”EpqEpmwxiHdRPCJbrDMkPAQyLQQTot
OVyRVHvUeZMsEJaGong Yingxian adjusted his sleeve and glanced at his watch. “My colleague just messaged me. Cai Wan’s brother has been brought in. He was just sent to the station. Want to go see?”tXEdJgLmTPigRBLJDRiOLvUZJsjIwd
qBstVImrVnLSWiu“Of course. I can’t wait to question him myself.”zhTkCRZTKbsETnEmPujoqMLVSewzor
esKfYxXSgsOKifG“Let’s go.”mCIlkvHuSrHdpblbbKTeQbOWodGjGa
oYWpKtwPSvyEZTFThey walked to the car, and Ren Yi instinctively held out his hand, “Come on.”NlrQntkgUIULQQNChkmQNKyBjZAHqB
YNMLXfugflvQcLWGong Yingxian first opened the trunk, took out his insulated lunch box, then tossed the keys to Ren Yi.nsWrNYkbkgLhwPUkTigCTWgDqYaoLb
yywWHwMGAyorPvR“What, are you going to serve me lunch in the car?”ngwQeuxIHSCzXhphgPKllqDmowFeRT
ofMBZvAzdGAKvLR“I’m eating myself.”tEjmpvraUTwNZKGGsyLHgFbTIpAton
oNURIUCwtphHhLf“You haven’t eaten lunch?”bKXGSAjdgyOftMVDYvzkwIxupawiCM
USAlUPRGCapuzkT“I’ve been busy all morning.” Gong Yingxian opened the rear door.fLsldnRzmCLtfSQhlxyaQGSAOWlGtV
ZeqenGwfUxntJWr“Nope.” Ren Yi slammed the door shut. “If you want me to drive, you sit in the passenger seat.”BzWORuRcLnMWLzpnHJnGbXCWUkmrqZ
iecDTEVgPKtkjtJ“Why?”hsDXCZMfdoGojoRcZNjYRsVGXfbdNP
SZWhdOLZgqFnXkJ“Because I don’t want to chat with you while looking at you through the rearview mirror. It’s not safe.”KmXHtlagEeqleUxKGUmerDAPTXlvPz
mXtCkdkLpYCELdvGong Yingxian frowned, “Why do you need to look at me? We can just talk. What’s the point of looking?”PYgPwsNJxltNpBQDeVFXnoTBOcHqgl
OhwhkswVvUcuvhV“…,” Ren Yi rolled his eyes, “Normal people make eye contact when they talk. It’s a habit, uncontrollable.”xSqajzeTDbFifUSkyJVzkjFqOAUEDW
DVTeRQsxotEIEsqGong Yingxian thought about it. “That makes sense.” He walked around to the passenger seat.HotZYYjOEhMjqGqDxRyYiJgbrFzjgF
gUuneuwyLHfqxmgRen Yi muttered under his breath, “Sometimes, looking at your face reminds me not to hit you.”yPQnwSUdxkrMBJSMcraoGxxGLbATNk
UfhKHXWuokVZABZ“Hit me? What do you mean by hit?”SLhRwAXNjssXHvkAiSOdQSOnvzzrpI
RxpUEyLyvtHMdde“…Nothing.”IFzuKhvKeRDyyONSIZerzUqQroaLgd
CIBlHdQKvFfTpzEAfter getting into the car, Gong Yingxian carefully spread a napkin over his lap, slowly taking out a lunchbox and eating at a measured pace.VZtovCOoErmBtvYDgRdRqePreILOGr
qQpnpaZtSpjPjwzRen Yi glanced sideways at the food he was eating, completely unappetized.iJllYLMtqlJLmfJZbUPJKDPDtXnrBF
NUYbSgAxrOAeUEC“I know what you’re thinking,” Gong Yingxian snorted. “Don’t think I can’t tell you’re judging my eating habits in your mind.”uQuZkcCbxvWjEXWBEbFLSQAbNYQdYs
qMugjDcgayacTqB“You judge mine too. We’re even.”YKYsXaxGBpWPWHyipsBaXslgsnEFzZ
tlDuoiQFFHnWKEl“At least we don’t have to eat together.”bIjDfReyfKUzXOMRgbSMkqsNWJkHVN
kYyslKeAUjfCIhKRen Yi shook his head, sounding like a disappointed parent. “Do you even realize how much good food you’re missing out on? Hotpot, barbecue, buns, all served piping hot. Even if you skip those, most Chinese dishes are hot by nature. Aren’t you curious at all? Don’t you want to try them?”vMlrjbQCMEonoBTBrMsgDPvxUJHDYR
OJnxLJnQGNFXQVYGong Yingxian shook his head. “No, I hate hot things.”HXNiCEnoIeVNvcKWUfAYpWefGiOZmR
cRcuHLzjpqyHyhH“How hot are we talking?”kgKQEGVtoLOnvYsUhBLvpeaMUwLUvY
MOCKeVYjlIMhpsK“Anything hotter than human body temperature.”DXuUrYeOUazyyJZnCOBtWBsPfCYvyf
XpdbqpSPkQCWmsvRen Yi stared at him in disbelief. “So… do you also hate humans?”rLYQPSikUMIJxyKeWpFdoMIGRwDEWp
GGwGBlANUAsdQfH“Unless they insist on unnecessary physical contact.”aFSTOZWUxRvvwRAtKXWCvobnnYVNIR
vYeoXkekadvNmYW“…Wait, are you saying you never engage in unnecessary physical contact with people?”xLqxpmYnRgDlNmYykhSSIJllEmgBwb
fRSFdsXnssRJjQL“Correct.”NBpttbNgRfftRaAxbqGIgUKjVNynJE
noPPwHUDAlEXIAc“So what’s necessary, and what’s unnecessary?”ZiwGhgZjxZRRxLbBQGlnAlKcveoXbv
uufJwLRlzxunhMB“Most of it’s unnecessary. Like shaking hands.” Gong Yingxian glanced at his gloved hand. “But for work, I have to conform to societal customs as much as possible.”OWUUDBhNITKjyCPSdqiAOPBXdmSKdY
FSHThMMMtGUaqijRen Yi swallowed, curiosity gnawing at him. “So… have you ever, you know, been in a relationship?” His heart pounded as soon as the words left his mouth.pjpSYAxIzbfeZZiUaWXMBwgQBYXQMY
ZFMbpMSrORYgPHUGong Yingxian squinted at him.ZvfxGzvtaDrComuzpoIXtlbdmtrqqJ
JAzBXAkgejKmvJH“I mean, in relationships, there’s… you know what I mean.”ukxhBQCFXHiZkdJOVGnIuqETrlZFyI
qdQJkLvyNwYDzkwWith an expressionless face, Gong Yingxian said, “You’re referring to intimate physical contact, the exchange of bodily fluids, friction between organs—is that what you’re trying to say?”tfVXGiIzTNprGgEmGZjznutMeLocvW
REjcsQpofLHSpBXRen Yi’s face went through a range of expressions, momentarily at a loss for words.OlBRzeygRrOTWITnatlXBhyslwjksK
EUEXKzEDyxxIvDn“No, I haven’t. Why would I want to engage in intimate physical contact, exchange bodily fluids, and procreate—”pMJyFyitaEEFCkSNvCKZmdqPvbAtQI
YgSJYQKQzmMRmJy“Alright, alright, stop!” Ren Yi’s face twitched in embarrassment. Desperate to shift the mood, he let his gaze drop down to a rather delicate area of Gong Yingxian’s body and teased, “Dr. Gong, could it be that you… you know…?”lMJSFfDsTWreLffFLIjBkjQPahsRYv
CCbBQLBqiVuhZzRGong Yingxian followed his gaze, then shot him a glare. “Are you insinuating I have a malfunction in my male reproductive function?”BsrPsVwKprjsGCpFfdMaLVkdRfqdCg
zolKvAAvEvBBFZyRen Yi immediately regretted his life choices. He felt like he’d asked for this mortification. He wasn’t usually shy, often joking around without a second thought, but this conversation required a certain back-and-forth dynamic, and here he was, tossing a ping-pong ball only to get a bowling ball thrown back at him. It was too much.GBEcrdsIPbVyEeJFDnUdkPtZRdUFwM
RMMFKunYYwPvnaV“My body is perfectly healthy in every respect,” Gong Yingxian stated. “Just because I don’t use it doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. If you think not having sex means questioning someone’s sexual functionality, then I could just as easily question yours.” He deliberately glanced at Ren Yi’s crotch and gave a mocking chuckle.gDEkFoAciPUddXYfsrnWxICfyYjudP
FIMIzOodAlIHccURen Yi’s eyes widened. “What the hell do you mean by that?”ELoGrkvoRyqdXlyduBfcvcVAQhmJpB
hdVrTIkRPjvbDnF“Whatever you meant, that’s what I mean.”vcJbAhDqnSzdQgkIEKpOUlTBLVBnIh
LzBsTPMETasVFIo“I—I’m perfectly functional, alright?”GvRCSfkzAHYymLsnjqoQlzrFKDCGFo
TevHeajQSRVgMvy“And what does that have to do with me?”mUSEcCsDCAlJLEvRbjtIfnaRlQEFSs
raKCzdoQbrsCJpy“Your function has nothing to do with me either!”ChJGbUWRRHiZOrNFwZJwSdhUQsuAFx
rFajCqiYyPANuRe“Then why ask? Too full to think straight?”OGboOvuQDkuhkqixKZHYYykesKBFpw
xQsCgOUVAKZvsDeRen Yi was rendered speechless.hZcnCjZjcSMuRYWFBgcAUhjGrMBYYB
YVoUlXyzPmFhBqqGong Yingxian smirked triumphantly and put his lunchbox away.rLcXwJnAYycIUwIaTgJDAmobyrLZnx
sxSmOjwESZZiRXgRen Yi decided to stay quiet, afraid he might dig himself into another awkward hole.FJnwPrlLuACqobRsxZjbzJkJDXofnV
BCjeBYTygtwOYXABut after a moment, Gong Yingxian suddenly said, “You’re very curious.”QgcjzeNLvGxVoeSFFnsdYRvrROvBGS
IDLqYvAdsTKTiGu“Uh… maybe.”gUNCURzhMntnDLhOoycFQxCICvgaXJ
JwBrbZwtXhNUrCb“Anything about me that you find different from normal, you like to ask or question.”zEVgfsQMuoOgSXCwohwduobQAGKaMk
VzLnuVSdBDyTNQa“Do I?”XyxOzsusHIyJYFtESzFuuUUpSigolR
TDcAnFsOmLOcLOO“You do. You’re very curious about me.”dvKeHBUcqRhDWewnUBeZcuybpqyLhI
luHmaZJFJLqZLVvRen Yi felt a bit guilty. “Just to be clear, my curiosity has no other motives, it’s just that—”YpwHosqakNMgvitwfuVHvvmOEdKIfz
pAGzauAEXUIIaHQ“But you’ve never asked me why I hate fire, hospitals, or high temperatures,” Gong Yingxian interrupted, turning his head slightly, his deep and bright eyes seeming to pierce through everything.zZXhHckhGUgWAmRoBJbJqusFCuaSIr
PZpltKkLxUFnJwBRen Yi fell silent.ociHCusXFwKnIYbLjtocWyPCljUrXV
fEVDZpNLmDGOvhW“You already know, don’t you?” Gong Yingxian said calmly. “Heard it from someone else?”tKrIBqVEWJfuHmzVsTBdWWZqFAjkyp
WzyAdzTiFygeXKl“I—I didn’t ask much… just a little…”OrMPKivUuEGHpQrfmRhNVteJEENwso
hUlLMyMFDLsHVjx“It doesn’t matter. I haven’t intentionally hidden it. You asked me why I became a cop. Yes, it was because of something from my childhood. But I don’t like talking about it with anyone. Although you’re very curious, you’ve never brought it up. That’s good.”ayCcsIEJbDrDrDlnXfSdCmxngOwBNV
MkEoqLrKgmMUVhcRen Yi sighed inwardly. “Everyone has stories they’d rather not tell. There needs to be a certain boundary between friends.”kOcwdaPDdcFJAwwfduLYiUSjUVgNDt
VSCqkzOcwglFHLpGong Yingxian looked momentarily startled. Cautiously, he asked, “Are we friends?”FvWdSdoTDgLCwgRRArcrEvcNpoqRaN
tTQAnIlslAnMoebRen Yi was also taken aback. “Uh, I guess? We see each other pretty regularly.” His tone grew less confident as he finished speaking.PvjkvBJVpelngGrYzSfLvvuxVKgvLH
BCAAKWmVnFdFsomGong Yingxian stared straight ahead in silence.oxhlWdFsTdKpjfkDZbnpdShcFzoOzh
TpnzLLsfkEBXPyXRen Yi grew anxious. It had been a long time since he’d felt this kind of adolescent-like awkwardness. He took a deep breath. “You don’t want to be friends with me? From what I’ve seen, both your butler and your sister seem supportive.”KWcVLJwJANHMselDGxVEIKVLoQuxCl
rdUEDHKeEvZuoGiGong Yingxian shrugged, turning his head to look out the window, and said with a forced nonchalance, “Alright, let’s be friends then.”RpeBDqXzMExPNHjddvtDBjJIFzNQzf
HvHTiraaNLhanNzRen Yi snuck a glance at Gong Yingxian, feeling the sudden urge to laugh, and a small smile actually crept onto his face.lwWyERjWvrTPUIQqlDfUWTuwZlUIsV
hLhDXQtCIXIAzCltzIMpLkZZbzLOzCFXVUJXPRECoqlmA