Chapter 29
After a whole morning of on-site investigation, everyone was exhausted and hungry. They packed up their tools and went downstairs one after another.zflhswRYumbMpHrNshEnbyMLVNsRjZ
XVCCArQUtBBLzaFAfter waking up, Qi Xiao had called Ren Yi, but Ren Yi hadn’t had a chance to answer. Now, while heading downstairs, Ren Yi replied to a few of his messages, like: “Had important work, left early this morning, borrowed your clothes, etc.”UccMVOzFjIXTWptPIPvPJKfOJvZEfK
USMmBPgVaUqeIyaAt the bottom of the stairs, Ren Yi put his phone away and looked at Gong Yingxian. “Are you heading back to the precinct? Let me know if you get any updates.”cVVewlhstjgrROwbMIpcnfmKLnjPeI
vwqZlvCPZrpHvktGong Yingxian gave Ren Yi a once-over, his expression far from friendly.tOhtmNTGvTCQezPfzukNRmiWAYomZG
zHaBDLpxAVqomaK“What now?” Ren Yi followed his gaze to his own clothes, suddenly feeling a little guilty.IIyXqQpOGrGsEfdZRQAZejvqxDUrxy
bdGiNTQgPsGIfRQ“Whose clothes are these?”NbrUQZamWnMlVQCdouRWlupjTWRxsM
gezvwaSqgokNbDsRen Yi was surprised. “Uh, how did you tell?”KtzrSVpApSRWxkGvUYDidfBmklqgKU
OKsZKZYsxLhKTJw“You can’t afford this brand with your salary,” Gong Yingxian said bluntly.lVPuNklampNlxcqXBKGrNAsINeFKze
XHwFiUsfVHsbkjb“Is it that expensive?” Ren Yi looked down at the T-shirt again. Wasn’t it just a white shirt with some designs? “All my clothes smell like alcohol and cigarettes, so I borrowed a friend’s. Otherwise, if I showed up in front of you, you’d start nagging again.” He usually wore his training uniform most of the year, so he had very few casual clothes, mostly from Uniqlo.RMpgsorJsTpEPygKJDAKwBVMhVqNPv
SLVkcmdaCzIuRNb“You stayed overnight at your friend’s house,” Gong Yingxian deliberately emphasized the word “friend,” staring at Ren Yi with burning eyes.LeDwJstICwtbNpudoyzfytJLNMrhOq
YcLdiQrJZmwibqe“Yeah.” Ren Yi felt a bit uncomfortable under Gong Yingxian’s gaze. He wasn’t going to tell Gong Yingxian the true nature of his relationship with Qi Xiao. It wasn’t that he was hiding it on purpose—it was just such a private matter that there was no need to bring it up. Only Fu Kai and Qu Yangbo knew, and Gao Ge probably had guessed but never brought it up.NphzZlYdecyEbvXnNqhmdrPrQgcxpG
WpfIUJmgDMyKUpIGong Yingxian’s face visibly darkened, his lips pressing into a thin line.XUpSDWqmymEHPVmRQjPrJJBqhektPn
rkgTXcCDpJODOpR“I admit I was late, and I’ve apologized for it.” Ren Yi had been watching Gong Yingxian’s attitude all morning. While he was at fault, it wasn’t that big of a deal, was it? “What more do you want?”agLWLAHFYeTgGdBVUdvsHydyQGTvWE
DmFwDHhgGgPqvRq“I don’t need your apology.” Gong Yingxian turned and was about to get into the car.jlZkVxjJvwGAqVGjscVtVeXFbhnxgc
ljWqMPdHQEGwLAp“Damn, you’re so—” Ren Yi’s phone suddenly rang. He looked down and saw it was Qi Xiao. After leaving without a word and borrowing his clothes, Ren Yi felt too embarrassed to ignore the call, so he answered it. “Hello, Qi Xiao.”fRPcaxMcpWATtQUFsTCFmDroqAxTer
BKYgSAwJNDoznRgGong Yingxian froze mid-step.HVkqhmnxXPPAgFxfmUPRnhDDjkwmXV
sbWXHEnCQaCkatI“Yeah, still in the Wanyuan District. The lockdown will be lifted tomorrow, so I have to be here today. Sorry about that… mm-hmm.” Ren Yi kept talking while glancing furtively at Gong Yingxian.rZQqgcEONdWStgDGETAQiGMlOSpKMm
uhydnfgJjSNlAObGong Yingxian turned slightly, pretending to check his phone.CdeWTQyUckjmyIzSlwMLPTJimtQdEj
AeXYLEdljEeyqaQLowering his voice unconsciously, Ren Yi said, “I still need to go home tonight. I’ve washed your clothes; I’ll mail them to you… yeah, okay, bye.”QVttXjsCDRbwsYpRxGFxtiQgxUZZpA
NHkfrdkVZApYQWTAfter hanging up, Ren Yi was just about to say something when Gong Yingxian spoke first. “Captain Ren, I need your assistance with something.”cgtIpTWVEJFQwTQFcbXqYlEXOfFepf
VOMyVjsFWcFqzmv“What is it?”kNbFSFQGgjwSZpyzuZscZVeHtTXTEh
rnqFlNjIkrvALCh“Do you have plans tonight?” Gong Yingxian stared straight at Ren Yi, his tone cold. “Or are you going to drink and spend the night at your friend’s again?”OwtdpSyYbNjDvtJGlNqIyvHHredTDo
jOKzRRkpeVwNTDg“I plan to head home tonight, nothing much going on.” Ren Yi frowned. “Why?”MFoBEkrmzAIirVHKkfZeZJEiICndIC
xVDaqxwgUQxmMjJGong Yingxian’s tone softened slightly. “Do you remember Zhou Chuan?”zieITELOCchIOOUzGJeltNsFFkDvAq
cHUnIdrOoHeLLgz“Of course.” Zhou Chuan was the programmer they had caught at the Fourth Perspective crime scene, the one making money by livestreaming the burned-out ruins on the dark web. “He got off too easy with just 48 hours of administrative detention.”iaNnatoERDEioukFoHnynXvnCMfPdc
ofYcudQYpVKToTA“This time, when the fire broke out at the Wanyuan District, I had someone keep an eye on him. I have a feeling we might be able to dig something out through him.”LsCtmiQiItTREhznoYSVknqTetzsvh
NYuifqFMLHBmOob“You don’t really think the fire at Wanyuan District is related to the dark web, do you?”iIkOQVYlZWnnzYxcPYFVHybXcuFlTG
TOGTQSzuipEKyZz“Not exactly. It’s just that after Zhou Chuan’s camera and computer were confiscated last time, he bought new ones. He’s desperate to make money, so he’s likely to start up again. I’ve always wanted to track down those Chinese users logging into ‘Seraphim’—they’re all potential arsonists.”yQNGDllcdwqMJNVdFKbChDvkUiAtbz
sRZWLoIXzJuJnJqRen Yi was surprised. “You know he bought new equipment? How long have you been watching him? Does your department support you on this?”msfjiTQgUWSMnyxUNrEFJVfPjcVEmJ
zNhEkOOMrMqUpRyGong Yingxian shook his head. “Without solid evidence, the department won’t allocate resources to investigate him. But a colleague in the cybercrime division is interested in the case and helped me track some of Zhou Chuan’s recent activities. After the fire, I had my driver follow him. The goal is to catch him in the act before he destroys his livestream setup.”DqyreDsKfdgYCYkfjSNrgTlDLtQOyl
NfKBngyeFZVGxWa“Will Zhou Chuan act tonight?”cZihnwrqWvUTLjIUEXNOBWnrRTXacb
BUKcBucRKaSbDGH“The site will be cleared tomorrow, so if he’s going to make a move, it has to be tonight. My driver needs a shift change.” Gong Yingxian looked at Ren Yi. “Coming?”RiThPbWXvWFssOCNOSqBhXKmByRaGQ
PWfYogVqbNKnGOrRen Yi shrugged. “Sure, let’s go.” He was as curious about Zhou Chuan and the dark web as Gong Yingxian was.kLPxAsksqqvnwbmQWgDGGrVWEdStJB
qtLDetJtOIfGKHnGong Yingxian tossed the keys to Ren Yi.xWdKobAjliPAnnNkzkZocTQctVzdYi
TqmptcqEwpKtRSHOnce inside the car, Ren Yi checked the time. “Let’s grab some food first. I haven’t eaten anything since morning.”mwFDnfblgqGQUHPBkoLhWAEFPpEvKY
hCySQAwfQFjXUEg“The trunk…”EQwTfKgwVUSWAwYGCnQJcwjIQPppFZ
LeZVAdAshIEYNeE“I’m not eating your grass.”TLuVebbmKiEaieuhtDlBWWAjPeIUvb
GJZRSBKhLatLNweGong Yingxian shot him a sideways glance. “There’s plenty of meat.”CSjjoagDfzVXHmuOAmHIwNRXrWkXVV
JzRYlXgKMQnDNrJ“It’s too bland.” Ren Yi sighed. “Can we stop at a convenience store so I can buy something?”npADcqtnxOQtnImEXAXBPnVdYPxnOX
zaDEXfrOCsBYLcG“Can you stop eating that junk all the time?” Gong Yingxian frowned. “Especially not in my car.”sskqvYocCAyfSzHjLFldfuKETEKnmF
JUAptoYpVMeCGmw“You’re such a spoiled brat. I’m the one eating it, but you’re the one grossed out about it being in your car.” Ren Yi rolled his eyes so hard they almost disappeared into the back of his head. “Have you never been punched in your life?”BhVPaHMhbCquEvvlloEStStqZasduW
GwOmPYJxOxNQEGnGong Yingxian smirked coldly. “At least, I’ve never lost a fight.”eywPMBrfNXQOOmsgQlPIxuyfhMWDIj
SzRIBRKSSXgdRYSRen Yi snorted, thinking Gong Yingxian was full of it, but then remembered how strong he was when he grabbed him the last time, and how he barely broke a sweat climbing to the 22nd floor. Suddenly, Ren Yi wasn’t so sure.ycIBneSSiJJxHODYpGYlACRycFfCAT
lrSsZSfqQHTvkSh“Dr. Gong, I’m doing you a favor right now. When someone helps you, it’s not okay to be so picky. You get that, right?”wUBFmvaTEYrLRWQXYMfSsxEiGiwQIp
cDqDzgQKbIfgFBEGong Yingxian was silent for a moment. “I’ll have Butler Sheng send some food over.”oMEizsQGIERpuKKwremtqXOktJNpNt
LxtIdjFMGRPseGKRen Yi’s eyes lit up. “That works! Your family’s chef is amazing. Honestly, having them cook for you is a waste of their talent.”JAfQdXkHzQxAOBXBGbavSDeMXWZvOs
WtuOAKgzSBzduSq“I pay them a lot of money; no one’s being mistreated.”KhuFSoupOpkuWouiIfloHcrouyEzpO
cqLAlHYRftODZRrZhou Chuan lived in a different district, closer to Gong Yingxian’s home. When they arrived, Steward Sheng was already there.KmPvruxNuljMJFRjzBhhkUfXTrmrUe
ZitWeLNeXcEQCFqThe driver was surprised by Gong Yingxian’s presence. “Young master, why did you come? We can handle it.”PEYFeLlXIYAdmUKbszBUmAuYoNGzbi
SMwLmvCLVHpajji“You’re tired, go back and rest.”rAOQipsrnzCyXaGLDSJazYAPBfFTcH
QYcowwvAGfAGNrr“No, we’re not tired. We’ve been taking turns sleeping.”CDiMtxIZtpyQNhduQFTAWPRMnhCpkv
xLbAhHIxJaHmkdZ“You *are* tired.” Gong Yingxian emphasized, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Go back now.”flqsqfyTJJiNqaKOqVNZnJNHmMjnaD
YkdhOXxYpyYOWrfThe two were confused but obediently left.HeEihPeiPIRGZBQQLhaxultIzfyfSo
UIfDjuEOyleUUgaSteward Sheng then took out two large food baskets from the car. When he saw Ren Yi, his face lit up with a smile. “Captain Ren! Long time no see. Why haven’t you come by lately?”TduHNMtmQcmAdNnBHxnDtbCjlxRMBJ
qFVXrcJYJFjRAGC“Haha, work’s been keeping me busy,” Ren Yi replied. “Thanks for the snacks you sent to the team last time. We devoured all of them.”mayxFOHVgJnNJWvpfZTWcLfSwlIYBj
BWHsEUUXPqPEgxLSteward Sheng beamed. “I’m glad you liked them. I’ll bring more next time.”mLJUAbWynnvkhyokVDWWJBPsiCHvvR
RcEkDhdVHBYOOjIRen Yi quickly waved his hand. “No need, really, don’t trouble yourself.”ihrbAfAAvpXOZPwUDxEBXwDgGUYTCU
atCXucPMPkRkLdS“Young master, this is yours.” Steward Sheng handed one of the food baskets to Gong Yingxian. “Don’t eat the food you brought. Have something fresh.”pORwZqgxsIHfNFwXPHItBfAWBqDqqM
PJTepwkjNJoQhlo“Alright.”QjBMaiBctulgxVZsftzSpkCgoTdRRS
qUiFwQrZzlXfXKC“Captain Ren, this one’s for you. Young master mentioned you like crayfish, but that takes a lot of work, so we didn’t have time. We made something else instead.” He handed the other basket to Ren Yi.DqsoQqhmODjWkqPqQDaEUWZqAJjuBC
SBXVcauYbLUoxDb“Thank you, you’re too kind.” Ren Yi took the basket, which felt quite heavy. He shot a glance at Gong Yingxian with a smile. “Really? You even remember what I like to eat.”eoVbTOFVRvODVxDNjTGsoxymLjEFaD
chLFttHJFPjvFXEGong Yingxian gave a soft snort. “Hot, high-calorie foods. I remember because I have a good memory, not because I want to.”PoGgVPakHGYMPtZJqlwOXBWPApyLqZ
fualmwoQSWAhwHX“Honestly, I’m not picky with food. It’s just with my training, I need high-calorie stuff to keep up my stamina.”iTkbtIpOSNuAerLiVJqwGTzZuxtdvH
cwLTOCAWIWkJXaj“I’m not criticizing your diet. Just saying, as long as you get enough protein, you’ll have plenty of energy.”NcQgzqvwBIfbwLqNBIJrrMqfinWXPi
IvXMieapTSCUcCR“I know, but good taste matters too.”fwPdQIRAaExjMCGnHCKrFVakaXAPRC
aBdTHlJtGHtLxouSteward Sheng laughed. “Captain Ren, young master’s eating habits are… unconventional. You enjoy your meal; we all know what’s tasty.”xeemgpvRJccJutTbTHhNTOvMXSFVxB
ApDkgDiLkvDrjRtGong Yingxian glared at Steward Sheng.dTOkbocNcSnJTQJoHSSdxLUhnJndVG
QiNcAFbakNZrNqM“You all focus on your work, then. I’ll head back. Captain Ren, come by again when you have time.”QEgyyHXzWHmwZlanFawSIAYTueKLNu
vwLbhuXSahsYHmdAfter Steward Sheng left, Ren Yi opened the food basket. “Wow, this is quite the spread.”rXGUBuMqxqRLAjdKORvmUGRYuIcrqO
PISmuBnKJMBCMJRGong Yingxian placed a pair of binoculars on the window of the driver’s seat. “The third green iron gate ahead, that’s Zhou Chuan’s building.”cufDKBKoIGSdeLSakGeTwYguhnrCwr
mNCmeejNTbcxsvv“Got it.” Ren Yi spread out a tablecloth, lowered the window, and picked up some ribs to eat. “How many times have I eaten in your car now?”OKWwhkPuVUprCDlGZNcOiqlWuuXeSt
UrSKtTUFLndGIjR“Probably not the last time.” Gong Yingxian also started his lunch.EPNwZlSJSCFGuIEROfWEcfGWRvQrXd
JTmtyFxsLTRWPxi“Mhm,” Ren Yi nodded. “Getting you to go to a restaurant is like pulling teeth. It’s fine, eating in the car is fine. When we’re out on duty, we’ve eaten in far worse conditions. Having air conditioning is already a luxury.”uFFpGLSONtUkvZBxMEtzyBWDGmapoF
hzVxfirEAHapmakGong Yingxian stared out the windshield, hesitated, then asked, “Is eating out together a necessary social etiquette between friends?”sJDrBsRmZBkROuIpfBYilELhKRsJva
TNBSqOVmwAODDno“Huh?” Ren Yi was taken aback, pausing to think. “Yeah, isn’t it normal for friends to treat each other to meals? Even if you’re not friends, in China, what don’t we do over a meal? Business, family visits, holidays, celebrations—you name it. I remember when Captain Song was around, he said you never ate with them. Honestly, you…” Ren Yi swallowed his words, barely stopping himself from saying “antisocial,” and quickly added, “But, but we understand you.”vgyVPGTBTEgjEaZHZIyySRZAVnZPRP
iMaJDVqVEnrswDDGong Yingxian narrowed his eyes slightly. “So drinking together, spending the night at each other’s place—that’s also part of the social etiquette between friends?”qaDkBDDnZQRxwGDjIFkanvbiZOMMeJ
rrjZiBpmDHVZgKrRen Yi almost choked on his food.RgQkyCkxuvidwbnrMEgzNweRWbKgoJ
JLfLjLfIntomNHqGong Yingxian turned his head to look at him.WIlmYYTtNgZUwPakeWjLRxBDULHTqh
EmRoLxDsxqrvDRXRen Yi managed to swallow his food with difficulty. “What… what exactly are you fixating on?”anJlcPyaIbCgxOYTsUFSGRnqkSPqdH
bltVhSPMigqMwHz“I’m discussing the definition of friendship with you,” Gong Yingxian said flatly. “You’re the one who brought up being friends.”EUrtMRdZaGAnxbEFhOfTgrGYkgpmPZ
VIMEyqGtBHhatqs“Yes… but it doesn’t have to be so…” Ren Yi fumbled for words, unable to find the right way to describe the bizarre conversation.aLbXdoejluWbDdVKWgSLAfvAWnmtCL
gnLOYClOAvJXfMu“What’s wrong?”EyqkoWkSLnnPeGMTfYqGiQSsOFlMmt
YMpEflBGnIjEXpJ“Making friends is casual. There aren’t any set rules, and there’s no checklist for what makes someone a friend.”xhQotchPPNJPaxkUHCBImiCLSfRAPz
ZqvFZoKqJbDVnZDGong Yingxian was getting frustrated. “No rules, no definition—then how can you call someone a friend? I hate this vague, half-baked nonsense.”VyxKJTKZtpJSQNVQdtXgoShByNuryD
uXrjIWQOQRGHfzE“Two people getting along, that’s what makes them friends.” Ren Yi was now just as confused by Gong Yingxian’s line of questioning.ukgoltmLEZfAFFVOnurqCeLfgQrknI
itcnpfstHYhbcer“Do we get along?” Gong Yingxian shot back.CZyODDyrwaXruAbYfNVMaVZpaXIWsC
eZsDsEhPpjWTdGiRen Yi paused for a moment, then burst out laughing. “We get along sometimes and annoy the hell out of each other other times.”XtPGmeQrHLJJQxttvVhrekkBecGFEY
JKcOlAxOdHLkzJh“So, getting along isn’t a requirement.”snjLGqTtPFfzfIdKckIlpCEENtLXxR
gAmyLcHJbbKSiGzRen Yi groaned, feeling a headache coming on. “Can you just let this go? I really don’t know how to answer you.”wYghzcDKKTtREIVdrgjntGYfwDqlZT
xPIEyZDiXyHrIXbGong Yingxian took a deep breath, his face darkening. “Then answer me this. Why is *that guy* from yesterday your ‘friend,’ but I’m just someone you ‘work with’?”wATkMcEPAfXuJxdfMFdjdNEuAOvqIo
QirxntcfdagnHNIRen Yi blinked at Gong Yingxian, caught off guard.IBtivTJIplqNDyaiuhaCLSNxfoaKHd
qPrKNNWccdWMubJGong Yingxian stared coldly back at him.GIeNyAkrVvxSFfGQtlUUniHBRcCXxk
vkojrZNDnLCIuQkSuddenly, Ren Yi burst into laughter.rwWWbSGcGvJDdNLUfzWoljtwjgqwfa
uGjqtWzCKegFfepThe more Ren Yi laughed, the darker Gong Yingxian’s expression became, until finally, he snapped, “Get out of the car.”sfCnEOcdCxAjOhCAEPFmQPhcfezTzK
npjSonrICgcOOjARen Yi struggled to contain his laughter. “Don’t kick me out! Haha, Dr. Gong, are you… jealous?”MUWRqWAoPdsJDMZGQatikEMtAdxERr
TLswijpaTJZpCsoWRpgCmXaUtmbcHXghaiTyGFEYFeXfG