Blazing Armor

Ren Yi returned to the Hongwu Substation once again, and even the receptionist female officer recognized him by now. He seemed so at ease, greeting everyone along the way, that he looked more like a regular employee there than Gong Yingxian did.

Inside the interrogation room, Qiu Wen and another officer had already arrived. Seated at the table, handcuffed, was clearly Cai Wan’s brother, Cai Cheng.

This man had shifty eyes, avoiding eye contact with the officers, his entire demeanor timid and suspicious. Just looking at him raised doubts.

Gong Yingxian nodded slightly, “Captain Qiu.”

Ren Yi greeted as well.

Qiu said, “Captain Ren, this case has been troublesome for you. It’s thanks to your persistence that we were able to finally capture this guy.”

Ren Yi smiled, “I didn’t help much in the end, it was all Dr. Gong’s silent effort.”

“He said you were the one who encouraged him not to give up,” Qiu shot a wink at Gong Yingxian, “Right?”

Gong Yingxian cleared his throat, neither confirming nor denying.

Turning her gaze to Cai Cheng, Qiu’s beautiful eyes suddenly became cold and sharp. “He already confessed a lot when he was arrested back in his hometown. Now, he admits that the illegal money he took was ordered by his father and sister.”

Cai Cheng immediately protested, “But I didn’t know the money was dirty! I thought they earned it.”

“You never questioned where the money came from?” Gong Yingxian asked. “You had no idea about your family’s income before?”

“I didn’t ask,” Cai Cheng lowered his head again.

Qiu stared at him. “Do you want to go to prison?”

“I don’t want to go to prison,” Cai Cheng said in a panic. “I didn’t steal or rob. It’s money my father gave me. How is that illegal?”

“You spent stolen money, which is illegal,” Qiu sneered, trying to scare him. “And you spent money tied to drug deals and murders. We suspect you were involved in those crimes too.”

“No, no, I wasn’t!” Cai Cheng frantically exclaimed. “I didn’t know anything.”

“You didn’t know your sister went to jail? You didn’t know your father was trying to run?” Gong Yingxian’s voice turned icy. “You knew everything, you’re just pretending to be dumb.”

“I didn’t, I really didn’t…”

“Your only chance now is to contribute and reduce your sentence.”

Cai Cheng stared blankly at the group.

“We’ve already recovered the money, the evidence is clear. None of the three of you can escape this. Now, it’s just a matter of who helps the police more, and that person will get a lighter sentence,” Qiu said, as she tucked her thick black hair behind her ear, a gesture full of feminine grace, but one that carried a deadly edge in her execution. “You say you didn’t know anything about the money your sister and father gave you. But your sister claims she didn’t know anything either and that she was being manipulated. Was it you?”

“That’s bullshit! She did it, not me! I didn’t break the law!”

Gong Yingxian smiled with satisfaction. “Are you willing to testify against Cai Wan?”

Cai Cheng’s eyes darted around, clearly hesitating.

Qiu stood up, “Alright, then we’ll go interrogate Cai Wan next.”

“Wait!” Cai Cheng called out anxiously, “I… I…”

Qiu nodded to the other officer. “Stay here and take his statement.”

“Yes, Captain.”

The three people walked out of the interrogation room, and Ren Yi patted his chest, feeling immensely relieved. “Finally, she won’t be able to deny it anymore.”

Gong Yingxian also wore a pleased expression. “These past few months of work haven’t been in vain.”

“Indeed, you’ve uncovered all the real culprits in this case. Congratulations to both of you,” Qiu Yan said, extending his hand towards Ren Yi. “Captain Ren, I must thank you once again for your help with our police force. I’ve heard that you and Yingxian have already started investigating the Wanyuan Community case. With you involved, everything will go much smoother.”

Ren Yi smiled and replied, “Captain Qiu, you’re too kind. Our department head and squad leader both fully support me in assisting with your investigation. After all, our goals are the same.”

Qiu Yan glanced at Gong Yingxian, feeling a bit sentimental. “Yingxian is like a younger brother to me. He’s not very sociable, so seeing you two getting along so well really reassures me. I also appreciate your patience with him, Captain Ren.”

Ren Yi smugly raised his chin toward Gong Yingxian. “Did you hear that? Captain Qiu is truly perceptive—he recognizes my patience with you.”

Gong Yingxian snorted, “You actually believe the flattery? Are you thirty or three years old?”

Ren Yi shrugged. “I believe any compliment aimed at me.”

The group exchanged a few more lighthearted words when suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the office, seemingly coming from the main hall.

They stepped out of the office, and Qiu Yan asked, “What’s going on?”

Everyone looked confused.

A woman’s sharp voice screamed, “He killed my husband! He’s the murderer! He killed my husband and our neighbor!”

They followed the sound to see a hysterical middle-aged woman, one hand holding her son and the other clutching a man’s shirt, relentlessly dragging him into the police station.

Everyone in the hall turned to look.

An officer approached. “Ma’am, are you here to file a report? Please come with me—”

“Him! I want you to arrest him! He killed my husband!” The woman’s eyes were bloodshot as she glared at the man. “He’s the one who set the fire at Wanyuan Community. He’s a murderer!”

Ren Yi and Gong Yingxian exchanged a surprised glance.

The man, however, looked indifferent and disdainful.

“Ma’am, please calm down. Let’s take you to file a report.”

Gong Yingxian walked over. “Ma’am, please sit down. If you remain this agitated, we won’t be able to help you. Sir, you need to sit down as well.”

“I’m not sitting,” the man coldly replied. “I didn’t do anything. This crazy woman dragged me here, saying that if I didn’t come, I’d look guilty. Now that I’m here, I’ll say my piece and leave.”

“You killed my husband!” the woman shrieked hysterically. “Officer, he fought with my husband before. He’s always causing trouble for our family. He’s definitely the one who set the fire!”

“Your family is just shameless!” the man spat back.

“Fuck you, you bastard!”

It seemed like the two were about to start fighting.

“Enough, calm down!” Qiu Yan slammed his hand on the table and shouted. “Do you want to explain yourselves, or do you want to get into a fight here and end up detained?”

Ren Yi observed the trio. The woman was fiery, the man contemptuous, and the boy, about ten years old, appeared especially detached, as if the whole ordeal had nothing to do with him. He was just engrossed in playing with his phone.

The woman, holding back her rage, sat down.

Gong Yingxian asked, “Name?”

“My name is Wang Mei.”

“Peng Fei.”

“Ms. Wang, please explain the content of your report.”

“I’m from unit 2209 at Wanyuan complex. My husband was burned alive by someone, and many of our neighbors died in the fire too.” Wang Mei cried while speaking, visibly shaken. “That bastard has always been against us, constantly looking for trouble. A few months ago, he even fought with my husband. It must have been him who started the fire!”

Peng Fei let out a cold snort, “I didn’t start the fire. I wasn’t even home when it happened.”

“Mr. Peng, which unit do you live in?”

“I’m their neighbor, unit 2213.” Peng Fei replied. “If I had set the fire, why would I burn my own home? Luckily, no one was at my place, but I still suffered significant losses.”

“Is it true that you had a physical altercation with the residents of 2209?”

“Yes, but he started it.”

“You’re full of shit!” Wang Mei shouted.

Ren Yi interjected, “Ms. Wang, calm down.”

“Why?” Gong Yingxian asked. “Why did you have a physical altercation? And why does Ms. Wang think you started the fire?”

Peng Fei sneered, “Do you even know how weird and annoying this family is? Everyone in the complex knows about the absurd things they’ve done. They don’t buy a parking spot but constantly take others’. They’ve been caught on security cameras stealing deliveries from neighbors. And because they’re too lazy to take the trash downstairs, they often leave it in the elevator, making the whole thing stink.”

Wang Mei glared venomously at Peng Fei.

“Later, the management tried to fine them, but they refused to pay. They toned it down a bit but started piling up trash bags outside their door. Sometimes up to a dozen bags, and the entire hallway stank like garbage. It attracted rats, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. And when anyone confronted them, they’d throw tantrums and act shamelessly. How did we neighbors end up so unlucky to live next to such an awful family?” Peng Fei gritted his teeth. “I’m an educated person, and I’ve tried to be reasonable and civil, but I just can’t stand them anymore. However, I didn’t start the fire. If she’s accusing me, I don’t care. I didn’t do it, so go ahead and investigate.”

The other people at the police station, who were there for different matters, listened in shock. They probably didn’t expect such a bizarre family to exist in real life. But the police and firefighters remained unfazed, clearly used to dealing with all sorts of strange situations.

Wang Mei screamed, “What good is it for you to say all this crap? Is it illegal to borrow a parking spot? Is it illegal to pick up the wrong package? Is it illegal to leave trash outside my own door? But I’ll tell you what *is* illegal—arson and murder! My entire family relied on my husband to make a living. Now you’ve killed him. How are we, a widow and her child, supposed to survive? You owe him your life!”

Peng Fei looked at her with disdain, “You’re crazy.”

Wang Mei lunged at him but was pulled back by the officer Min.

Gong Yingxian, who had been getting a headache from their argument, knocked on the table repeatedly, “Mr. Peng, you can go home for now. Officer Min will contact you later to assist with the investigation. Ms. Wang, we’ll register your report first before proceeding.”

While Officer Min processed the report, Ren Yi and Gong Yingxian stood to the side, discussing quietly. “Although Peng Fei doesn’t seem like the arsonist and insists he has an alibi, the wife’s words suggest this was likely a revenge-motivated fire.”

Ren Yi nodded, “If Peng Fei is telling the truth, that family probably made a lot of enemies. This will be tough to investigate.”

“I’ll check Peng Fei’s alibi,” Gong Yingxian said, rubbing his chin. “Tomorrow, I’ll go with some colleagues to verify what the residents are saying. The fire started with the trash, so the most suspicious people would be the neighbors on the same floor.”

“I’ve got a few days off. I can go with you tomorrow, and we can also return to the scene to look for more clues.”

“Sounds good,” Gong Yingxian rubbed his temples. “I’ve got a bit of a headache. I think I need to head home.”

“You barely ate anything today, no wonder you’re not feeling well. Go rest up,” Ren Yi said. “Give me a ride to Wanyuan complex, my car’s still there.”

“Let’s go.”

As usual, Ren Yi drove, and Gong Yingxian sat in the passenger seat. They spent the ride discussing the case.

Suddenly, Ren Yi’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen—it was Qi Xiao calling. He’d completely forgotten about their scheduled meeting, and for some reason, he wasn’t eager to take the call in the car. In such a confined space, Gong Yingxian might overhear.

He quietly put the phone on silent.

Less than a minute later, it rang again. Gong Yingxian glanced at him, “Aren’t you going to answer?”

Ren Yi reluctantly pressed the call button. “Hello?”

“Hey, bro,” Qi Xiao’s voice came through. “Are you at Wanyuan complex?”

“Huh? How’d you know?”

“Just a coincidence! I had an audition nearby today and saw your car while passing by. Are you inside the complex?”

“Uh, no, I’m with a friend running some errands.”

“Well, are you heading back soon? I can wait for you here. I’m free now, so maybe we can grab a drink.”

“Uh…” Ren Yi couldn’t find a good reason to refuse, so he said, “Alright, I’ll be there soon.”

When they returned to Wanyuan complex, from a distance, they saw a man standing next to Ren Yi’s Highlander. He was dressed stylishly and had striking looks, which made Gong Yingxian frown slightly.

Ren Yi parked, got out of the car, and waved to Qi Xiao.

Qi Xiao smiled and walked over. “What a coincidence! In such a big city, we still bump into each other. Did you buy a new car?” He peered into the car and caught sight of Gong Yingxian in the passenger seat, freezing momentarily.

Even in the entertainment industry, people as good-looking as Gong Yingxian are rare, and his aura is particularly unique.

Gong Yingxian got out of the car and silently stared at Ren Yi.

“Oh, this is my friend, Qi Xiao. Qi Xiao, this is Dr. Gong, we’re working together now.”

Qi Xiao exaggeratedly exclaimed, “Wow, you’re this handsome and a doctor? What kind of doctor?”

Gong Yingxian replied blandly, “Chemistry.”

“Wow, that’s impressive,” Qi Xiao remarked. “Ren Yi and I are going for drinks, wanna join us?”

“I don’t drink.” With that, Gong Yingxian turned around, got back in the car, and slammed the door shut before driving off smoothly.

Qi Xiao looked at Ren Yi in confusion, “Uh, did I offend him?”

Ren Yi smiled bitterly, “No, his personality is just a bit odd. Don’t take it to heart.”

Qi Xiao clicked his tongue, “He’s really handsome though. It’s a pity he’s not a celebrity. Bro, you’re not… with him, right?”

“Of course not, it’s just a work relationship,” Ren Yi deflected.

“Oh, well that’s a shame.” Qi Xiao shrugged, “Honestly, I’m a little jealous, but if you say no, then fine.”

Ren Yi snickered, “Come on, where do you want to go for drinks?”

“The usual place.”

“How was the audition today?”

“Not bad, it’s for a movie, a big production. The director is impressive, even got Song Juhan to sing the theme song.”

“Oh, that’s great. Hope you get it.”

“I auditioned for the role of a thief, about eight minutes of screen time. The character’s really cool.”

The two of them chatted as they headed toward Sanlitun. Throughout the drive, Ren Yi kept thinking about Gong Yingxian’s reaction earlier.

Was he upset?