Blazing Armor

slhUqIFJsVxSILQTable of Contents

Chapter 26

Ren Yi thought for a moment that Gong Yingxian was scolding him and froze for a second.PTWvgqvFIQtMlRSVUjALFrbCynBaSU

VJpOQJUIAUlYEDx

Gong 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

WLnDOSMeDSosNUu

Zhang 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

iQKOLSJSJnskJCV

Gong 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

dAZNVFTLccBKWwt

Gong 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

NIOfhTowZroBzAs

The 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

mskAHbjyivKZkoj

The 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

pNulCGvHMIWpElR

Gong Yingxian took a deep breath, his hand clenched tightly in his pants pocket, then relaxed, repeatedly adjusting his emotions.OAcPdtZENSVsnwiOJPnWbCEkSUeidR

PNkXJJVyrcptZCs

Ren Yi asked, “You alright?”PWcVibGgWoAhHqcLcgXQUnybppKpaX

nadCQwKLCRXYVOc

Gong Yingxian nodded.LqLDxwiRltQViMADbSYncMLhWckKUl

gVNHHpXPzgUgboz

The 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

CWHTjizvRgOMTAt

Gong 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

bjtLXzTVyeACRFK

Zhang Wen said, “I’ll call and ask now.”rgMmUxUCnIczQHtmIbMCxnNxaOwzgQ

YAMCVcgPqIZiHTi

Ren 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

wzVCMPvoKRZpSYi

Zhang 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

JrYehwymGNcRTIM

The two checked the wiring thoroughly but found no signs of an electrical fire.yrtEaeWdMDkVxnMfWdqFBxUigVFSRH

dLtgxKxCitigNNO

Ren 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

eqXjKdwvvqHtnTQ

Gong Yingxian gave a low “mm.”xrAQVsJbujETFAuyXdUQaAMSNVyilZ

PSMTtoHpjpJNkds

Ren Yi sensed something was off about him and crouched beside him. “Hey, you…”seHTvEMMGXCfSsSfCFfOdKVxjkBZFg

TLxTBzRNJNCBhKT

Gong Yingxian’s face was pale, his breathing rapid, cold sweat streaming down his forehead, and his gaze seemed vacant.gqYCbzumTKXJCplkMSwaPxyqCMggyH

JDKHJgJBKpNCjGx

Ren Yi sighed, “Why do you put yourself through this? Let me help you out for some air.”ZJYNtRGTaaHzxhHfFpVeulJzWGqgpF

qokPNYjvCjURIlB

Gong 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

kZmwAosqnXmhVjI

Ren Yi’s heart ached seeing him like this. “Have you seen a psychologist? You don’t have to force yourself like this.”KAAQOhZaEfOaTFNZVhNMlhfYtMbSFH

HqmasTNQXcoFIvA

Gong 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

mKMkzxcMafYaBvt

Ren Yi opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.xXWxBoHNMFfoSsXCZYIUooUqZbzsdP

mXrtCcKYLMxCkAm

Gong 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

tOGymVXOdAmAGAE

Gong Yingxian thought for a moment and nodded.ZSzlVdhSaQilgcRQsYZymWMrduRDJW

YPtlJBatBoweLMo

After 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

KstYyUJoqebpZOS

Ren Yi scoffed, “You’re getting way too used to bossing me around. Fine, I’ll drive for you. Where to?”EpqEpmwxiHdRPCJbrDMkPAQyLQQTot

OVyRVHvUeZMsEJa

Gong 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

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“Let’s go.”mCIlkvHuSrHdpblbbKTeQbOWodGjGa

oYWpKtwPSvyEZTF

They walked to the car, and Ren Yi instinctively held out his hand, “Come on.”NlrQntkgUIULQQNChkmQNKyBjZAHqB

YNMLXfugflvQcLW

Gong 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

mXtCkdkLpYCELdv

Gong 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

DVTeRQsxotEIEsq

Gong Yingxian thought about it. “That makes sense.” He walked around to the passenger seat.HotZYYjOEhMjqGqDxRyYiJgbrFzjgF

gUuneuwyLHfqxmg

Ren 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

CIBlHdQKvFfTpzE

After 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

qQpnpaZtSpjPjwz

Ren 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

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“At least we don’t have to eat together.”bIjDfReyfKUzXOMRgbSMkqsNWJkHVN

kYyslKeAUjfCIhK

Ren 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

OJnxLJnQGNFXQVY

Gong Yingxian shook his head. “No, I hate hot things.”HXNiCEnoIeVNvcKWUfAYpWefGiOZmR

cRcuHLzjpqyHyhH

“How hot are we talking?”kgKQEGVtoLOnvYsUhBLvpeaMUwLUvY

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“Anything hotter than human body temperature.”DXuUrYeOUazyyJZnCOBtWBsPfCYvyf

XpdbqpSPkQCWmsv

Ren Yi stared at him in disbelief. “So… do you also hate humans?”rLYQPSikUMIJxyKeWpFdoMIGRwDEWp

GGwGBlANUAsdQfH

“Unless they insist on unnecessary physical contact.”aFSTOZWUxRvvwRAtKXWCvobnnYVNIR

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“…Wait, are you saying you never engage in unnecessary physical contact with people?”xLqxpmYnRgDlNmYykhSSIJllEmgBwb

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“Correct.”NBpttbNgRfftRaAxbqGIgUKjVNynJE

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“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

FSHThMMMtGUaqij

Ren 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

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Gong Yingxian squinted at him.ZvfxGzvtaDrComuzpoIXtlbdmtrqqJ

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“I mean, in relationships, there’s… you know what I mean.”ukxhBQCFXHiZkdJOVGnIuqETrlZFyI

qdQJkLvyNwYDzkw

With 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

REjcsQpofLHSpBX

Ren 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

CCbBQLBqiVuhZzR

Gong Yingxian followed his gaze, then shot him a glare. “Are you insinuating I have a malfunction in my male reproductive function?”BsrPsVwKprjsGCpFfdMaLVkdRfqdCg

zolKvAAvEvBBFZy

Ren 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

FIMIzOodAlIHccU

Ren Yi’s eyes widened. “What the hell do you mean by that?”ELoGrkvoRyqdXlyduBfcvcVAQhmJpB

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“Whatever you meant, that’s what I mean.”vcJbAhDqnSzdQgkIEKpOUlTBLVBnIh

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“I—I’m perfectly functional, alright?”GvRCSfkzAHYymLsnjqoQlzrFKDCGFo

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“And what does that have to do with me?”mUSEcCsDCAlJLEvRbjtIfnaRlQEFSs

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“Your function has nothing to do with me either!”ChJGbUWRRHiZOrNFwZJwSdhUQsuAFx

rFajCqiYyPANuRe

“Then why ask? Too full to think straight?”OGboOvuQDkuhkqixKZHYYykesKBFpw

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Ren Yi was rendered speechless.hZcnCjZjcSMuRYWFBgcAUhjGrMBYYB

YVoUlXyzPmFhBqq

Gong Yingxian smirked triumphantly and put his lunchbox away.rLcXwJnAYycIUwIaTgJDAmobyrLZnx

sxSmOjwESZZiRXg

Ren Yi decided to stay quiet, afraid he might dig himself into another awkward hole.FJnwPrlLuACqobRsxZjbzJkJDXofnV

BCjeBYTygtwOYXA

But after a moment, Gong Yingxian suddenly said, “You’re very curious.”QgcjzeNLvGxVoeSFFnsdYRvrROvBGS

IDLqYvAdsTKTiGu

“Uh… maybe.”gUNCURzhMntnDLhOoycFQxCICvgaXJ

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“Anything about me that you find different from normal, you like to ask or question.”zEVgfsQMuoOgSXCwohwduobQAGKaMk

VzLnuVSdBDyTNQa

“Do I?”XyxOzsusHIyJYFtESzFuuUUpSigolR

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“You do. You’re very curious about me.”dvKeHBUcqRhDWewnUBeZcuybpqyLhI

luHmaZJFJLqZLVv

Ren 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

PZpltKkLxUFnJwB

Ren 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

MkEoqLrKgmMUVhc

Ren Yi sighed inwardly. “Everyone has stories they’d rather not tell. There needs to be a certain boundary between friends.”kOcwdaPDdcFJAwwfduLYiUSjUVgNDt

VSCqkzOcwglFHLp

Gong Yingxian looked momentarily startled. Cautiously, he asked, “Are we friends?”FvWdSdoTDgLCwgRRArcrEvcNpoqRaN

tTQAnIlslAnMoeb

Ren Yi was also taken aback. “Uh, I guess? We see each other pretty regularly.” His tone grew less confident as he finished speaking.PvjkvBJVpelngGrYzSfLvvuxVKgvLH

BCAAKWmVnFdFsom

Gong Yingxian stared straight ahead in silence.oxhlWdFsTdKpjfkDZbnpdShcFzoOzh

TpnzLLsfkEBXPyX

Ren 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

rdUEDHKeEvZuoGi

Gong Yingxian shrugged, turning his head to look out the window, and said with a forced nonchalance, “Alright, let’s be friends then.”RpeBDqXzMExPNHjddvtDBjJIFzNQzf

HvHTiraaNLhanNz

Ren Yi snuck a glance at Gong Yingxian, feeling the sudden urge to laugh, and a small smile actually crept onto his face.lwWyERjWvrTPUIQqlDfUWTuwZlUIsV

hLhDXQtCIXIAzCl
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