Blazing Armor

Just as Ren Yi arrived at the door, he could already hear voices arguing inside. When he opened the door, he saw the nanny and his father pushing at each other.XIIAxwejRAayvjFkGrhlJyJDIPBJST

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“Auntie, what’s going on?”OlOyWOlvveYlBUrPnGpwUCuAPoYuVa

fkXwxntfkwEErXz

Auntie Wang, flustered, said as soon as she saw him, “Captain Ren, thank goodness you’re back! Your dad won’t take his medicine!”LPKQsNlYBeUsyYalyreFioodgNwCwt

jexmpWQecCvpiNp

Ren Yi glanced at the man sitting in the wheelchair and sighed inwardly. “Dad, why aren’t you taking your medicine if your stomach’s feeling bad?”DEFXehWYzgWwHltmkpGrtyCvAkdRuA

leMRkhtSkwUlYKn

“Medicine is poison in small doses! I’m not taking it, not taking it!” Ren Xiangrong got worked up and slapped the medicine out of Auntie Wang’s hand.YALaFbGHgjeaDBUZpfzZpBGvhIPulb

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The bottle hit the floor, and pills scattered everywhere.QmNqquzBpQtmkmPWkHFmYjMXQGDwKV

LQeVaAEWWJXSDQC

Auntie Wang shook her head helplessly.wxXlwxfmnuIWZorFJLLZgwNVFuUUIM

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Ren Yi gave her a reassuring look and bent down to pick up the pills together.IqIJJSexmOBrySqBPbyxJmilXezyNQ

jeoaVdvqIqxgTOg

Ren Xiangrong, as if nothing had happened, looked at Ren Yi and asked, “Why are you home from school so early today?”YotxbYUnpkyAdrOfvZzGDDUtGpazjq

iDvsaXjHZshPCCj

“It’s already dark; it’s not early.” Ren Yi replied softly, then turned to Auntie Wang. “You can go home for today, Auntie.”mQXLazxrDgOyXVLWkVsuMqVvdNuExS

JZUwUGEqKcNOjnw

“The food’s ready in the pot. I’ll be off then,” Auntie Wang said, glancing at Ren Yi with hesitation before putting on her shoes and leaving.MAnlYOZIovpelnnxocrCWnInfCELIi

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Ren Xiangrong lightly tapped his legs, mumbling, either to Ren Yi or himself, “Has your mom finished work yet?”UFGKRrmXCHbKtLAPJbZTepRUcLAIpv

FyuelmOKmNQQIzL

“Not yet,” Ren Yi said as he set the medicine aside, thinking he’d try again in a few hours when maybe his father would be more lucid.sqbLKxCQcDGWPcjkOvjJIAHdBSDXsz

KdqeXenEuNENmEL

It was a sad situation. His dad, who could once precisely name every street in the district and how many fire hydrants there were, now spent half his time not remembering what year it was, or that his wife had passed away and his son was grown.zpVxIWfQBknLBCDKuQMmTvSjMNYxfL

LgqhliJexKviyeH

Ren Xiangrong mumbled again, “We’ll eat when your mom gets back.”KcvyPrzMqyUAgnaNZtLEdeXVMFsSqX

GmYfJILhPkBUjlU

“Alright, Dad, how about I give you a bath first?”kbwzKuiInQNOsCoPCWgiYWQdhXHrup

QiWWVbGEQvHrqLp

Ren Xiangrong seemed not to hear him, continuing to murmur, “We’ll eat when your mom gets back…”TCEmQnffAtpTRwESwrKLynHsosDkNN

LmVlZWQwKXsipeG

Ren Yi wheeled his dad to the bathroom, lifted him into the custom bath, and patiently began to wash him.MSCyiQCtdlGRkNllNyRefWjAIUOYmJ

sHLeqDtPZMuSyse

His dad had once been a legendary firefighter, winning a May Fourth Medal, earning one second-class merit, and three third-class merits. The year he retired due to a leg injury, he was already the captain of a major fire brigade. But in just three years after being confined to a wheelchair, he got sick.LhypmtIyBllOsHbEtDsXRniRmtphoA

dOkcKeTVPFDNWuA

Ren Yi’s mother had passed away unexpectedly when he was in university. With few relatives, when his dad fell ill, all the household responsibilities fell on him. Since he couldn’t be home most of the time, he had to hire two nannies to take turns caring for his dad around the clock. But with Alzheimer’s, his dad’s mood could change unpredictably, sometimes making him entirely unreasonable. Over the years, he had gone through more than a dozen caregivers.OXVzabIBAydSVPAKaSiCKhcdbpzfOh

kBkfXxvdPXgKqfN

What pained Ren Yi the most was seeing the once strong, mountain-like man now so frail and sickly. He had saved so many people, yet modern medicine couldn’t save him.vDDjWQIcKWotFhWljzyxVfNqkDtqTv

duzQdQTjgQEGItj

After the exhausting task of bathing his dad, Ren Xiangrong seemed to drift off to sleep, and Ren Yi, also tired, put him to bed, adjusted the air conditioning, and went to the kitchen to heat up some food.AydaEMCrRRbbZFSordgiSskKDsfgXd

SwOblCpQkbnDtZR

As he ate, Ren Yi made a phone call.anXpfdzwirBHCUvxFGAXpozZMOdpMG

paCsnkJnKhOAhoV

The call was answered almost immediately, with a voice on the other end deliberately lowered. “Hey, brother.”cEyakJzeFoXgcestLjSZkCgDHWgWDI

xpuFauhlKMFPFnE

“What are you up to?” Ren Yi asked.BCEQazitCYCYgNpUCBfNLsKuVqRHjP

HfNmgeYzkcQCgke

“The kid just fell asleep, what’s up?”BjYEFtQLJBCGuHhTnFooUvxwSUoTzl

KuvpVeUaUEpfatm

“Need to ask you about someone.” The man on the other end was Fu Kai, his high school buddy, one of his closest friends.vEDZHcfyJuPaMnSKVGBoqAgEYcbMuc

pfJJSDWWPdbAAfQ

“Who?”egEDoCCbQjIacooVBraSEKsJRlpvuM

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“Gong Yingxian. Ever heard of him? Gong as in palace. He’s also a cop.”EqeZAjXgTEGccGOjXjJINeVBzJERFZ

PwKvydkhPBvizhP

“Yeah, I’ve heard of him. Why’re you suddenly asking about him?” Fu Kai clicked his tongue. “You wouldn’t happen to be interested in him, would you?”AXXoPrjkHZwCPcaUOIdLQXhYLIndKC

huCTRPiFYrjOCrB

“What the hell are you talking about? I just suspect someone’s impersonating a cop and wanted to verify.”uWOongiVDrNXuMYolqNkgwcwGPfrxI

qltscEwNVGanURa

“Oh, he doesn’t seem much like a cop.”OkogqjZNjIsrTmgzgrdLPIfvMGaFQi

BavdQByBqNCWoxt

“You know him?”vVmWocUOrbmcIgFkGCfDzWuhqkpASJ

ARhBGGLQMPyieKw

“Not really, just seen him.”siteavuuJzEffeyqrSWvpYZELuVSUt

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“What’s his deal?”IrvhyaXwMiMnLjuZMzJYtbMkXIqcfW

xfkoRgIWouGkctp

“He’s an odd one… Damn, my daughter woke up because of you.” The sound of a child crying came through the phone. “I’ll tell you more later.”sOhsmnMKoPCWnNWANUhAQGSWSjBcWU

SPqgtDAhACXaShR

Ren Yi hung up, muttering, “Weird enough, alright.”FVMtQgCJKDKrekGgRvAhqtohJjXYUN

eJHbGlBfxMcHuVf

After finishing his meal, Ren Yi called Gao Ge to check on the situation at the station, then lay down on the couch and played some games.SaNjmrdrltfwefNSVXceOCnjBrpKoB

NrUnXYWtzWxgNDX

It wasn’t until after nine that night that Ren Xiangrong’s room stirred.rxhgnDarENHFehArsaWIavZnPGAyvd

IrVgpFdFTcKAjnp

Ren Yi opened the door and saw his father just sitting up. “Dad, you’re awake?”SBKjmfRwmzPJzYrhPIhQBkGRTbpWHq

RpTuSpZZnUQztav

Ren Xiangrong looked at Ren Yi for a moment and scolded, “Why are you home again? I’ve told you how many times not to abandon your post because of me.”DpQrJadXjDUbWniCQtwzzqNYOeWdcg

uwHMollXreLOxeN

Ren Yi breathed a sigh of relief. “The station’s just across the street. It won’t interfere with responding to calls. Auntie said you threw up, so I came back to check on you.”QmTqMnYGgdGXTtQKuJozrzjgOIhHZU

goKMmCeOlVoWRFw

“Throwing up is no big deal.” Ren Xiangrong pushed himself to stand. Ren Yi moved to help, but his father waved him off.torBTQrTWeMZeWcOcyEIrxkBLezaSu

ClJovfSLdliRfFb

One of Ren Xiangrong’s legs still worked, but walking was difficult. Still, when he was lucid, he preferred using a cane to sitting in a wheelchair.lVMYKcVMODysBcgYuyLDKSibpMTGpM

gyfMduYbHvzpBCX

“Take your medicine first,” Ren Yi said, handing over the pills and some water.CFddByqpGQHubKXxWKDGjNqCTGvGRK

hMrJXXMbRrHjpcB

Ren Xiangrong sat on the couch and obediently took the medicine.WBwCUkgqOmDryvbuRUFNmUwktmRbkN

LLWXzLNnmLgIpya

“You’d better skip dinner tonight and see how your stomach feels tomorrow. If it’s no good, I’ll take you to the hospital.”SkhZOtfBRhFjALCKIwHPgIFnBUjiDx

IYwEXQTdQcdiTTL

“Hospital? What for?” Ren Xiangrong glared at him. “You think I’m a useless old man?”HUYSSWUaKJxEqidSYDeTCfxCZXLBac

vEQTPLKuQOIeokS

“I wouldn’t dare.” Ren Yi laughed. “No hospital then. Captain Ren never leaves the front line for minor injuries.”brxYWaDOwsNRptgBeNNRVTshTodDmQ

jDgKfRFGnmJmrsf

Ren Xiangrong smiled too. “How’s work been lately?”nQpKejdxXPoOYhbvOLdJdpAcYaCwdo

fvaDKdQthfgfojG

“Last week there was a fire alarm at Changxing Road. A café burned down. Fire investigators said it was caused by faulty wiring during renovations,” Ren Yi said, sipping his tea.JJbiGsxyoeccScCeDNmlGWAdMKQLzg

ltNNDibZYbEibZI

“Oh? Tell me more about it,” his father replied.plSrvtXyEXzLwDhkYThTNEchXCRzSm

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The father and son sipped their tea, comfortably chatting about the incident.CKQADNjQLHjnxJHFlkeXxhPvenMXOi

BbefwbJQmWvaYmM

—–vmxQObUCJVUdIyQzdREFHYbsIMikey

hQaYCvssVRZflRs

The next morning, Ren Yi returned to the station just in time for morning exercises. By around 10 a.m., the day was getting hotter, so he called for everyone to disperse and start free activities.jXHGvoXnXFRVpDWXuoMIdqDxkRzOMm

cIuXnYksbSufhxs

Although they couldn’t leave the station, life there was far from boring. Besides routine drills and study sessions, they often conducted fire safety inspections at local establishments. In their free time, they could play basketball, work out, play video games, or watch TV and movies. They also had plenty of room to indulge in hobbies that didn’t violate discipline.dCpjuaOcYRbdrXuUstVPqHwxzGSGMM

YuyjXxtgXkDEIdp

At that moment, Ren Yi, Gao Ge, and Sun Dingyi headed to the rec room. Each found a comfy sofa and sprawled out, ready to play some games.ftizvQFGEGUkjQcClRpacHOFBhYWSq

JWgvtsOdKCCwqSi

“PUBG or King of Glory?” Sun Dingyi asked.ubWclQsYLaYFcAdTzYqYUqtXZIBQCU

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“PUBG.”EdOMRMmdIblqJtKZsWcXqYoxVVTkCq

WsjweXfioDpXCMi

“Can I bring my girlfriend—”qVYpWSMaVkmReHPNVXeZLBZxwRuxMZ

tTwmcXaKArSFcCN

“Nope,” the other two said in unison.CAcGnQSgcwqEbwKmFWiUvitRZRcBYF

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Sun Dingyi clicked his tongue. “You guys never want to play with girls.”BdXZrBVFRksoXUSLrncglHhlgyjare

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“Nobody wants to hear you flirting,” Gao Ge replied, checking who was online. “Who should we team up with? Let’s see who’s available…”wlIWWYxulIUbQxFTVZwymfMjnGzlgd

IgUmpMXnrByIYqA

Ren Yi added, “I’m grinding for rank these days, no noobs allowed.”ViNeQeYnsJCGUSLPcGyDCothGgzgoV

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“Well, then I’ve got nobody.”BNRckjPwcPRHEcxnstWbbuqJHOUlpZ

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“Same here.”zyqDDltcSfRkdmNGNtbclXpjxDmnIQ

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“Let’s just match with a random player.”bcaPEIPLKlfpDkgoriBdpPjNhpQxDY

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The game started quickly, and Sun Dingyi suddenly began to giggle.jhfzfNAqXRvVzHaoEaCqPoUgNBIpPq

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“What’s so funny?”sbdVcBLTvdIdgswQkdHopqVCtClNux

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“Your username, hahaha, Captain Ren. I crack up every time I see it.”yfdbVPLXglDZDXgaFABwzkhDMviLQM

XZmZNllULeyUVLT

Ren Yi’s in-game name was “Goddess.”nTqnamfsHohdzYvhJbGmoKcJxmloUu

LsIPAmhMnvyVpVD

“You don’t get it, I’m balancing my five elements,” Ren Yi replied. “Let’s jump into M City.”XTRaaHZgmoqXsrvIKlxRDGFQIJeSWe

FLRErMqOjgoykXq

Out of nowhere, the newly matched teammate spoke up: “Number One, your username is so unique. How do you pronounce it?”VKYwqobXvXDMAtgzPXwTKJRrEiigdz

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Gao Ge and Sun Dingyi both burst into laughter.xwpaasBXYsqRiRCpRSQbGCStFvtctq

aireFXtEareDYWt

Ren Yi cleared his throat, pretending to get serious. “Alright, I’m going to perform now. No more laughing.” He switched on voice chat, pitching his voice into a slightly husky, androgynous tone. “It’s pronounced ‘Man’, like the graceful ‘Man’.”VWsQtlsfyGqVTziaNuQlahEuxCPPjh

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Gao Ge and Sun Dingyi struggled to hold back their laughter.sgGCwTxEKrHCQdmHYIBAmbYKHPhUSl

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The teammate paused for a moment. “Your voice… Are you using a voice changer?”ehLMdMIBcKmOYtzFYsAZDmSoeWfPWb

SEkZgejCkGJcvPR

Ren Yi slowed down his speech and, with a teasing tone, replied, “Huh? Do I sound like a guy to you?”rpbVgNlCxoJrAtiOpdUkgIYbqqdOyR

PnxkVYYtQZgxLBl

There was silence for a while before the teammate responded awkwardly, “No, no, it’s just… a pretty sexy husky voice.”OWbnhHZXwBxhsHIqCDHZgVcpAoghIK

lXEcJxKhQAULdqw

“Yeah, a lot of people say that,” Ren Yi replied as he picked up a UMP9, vaulted through a window, and shot down an enemy.HDtsyfJxWOQfgnksJJEvLvOraVakUW

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“Why did you choose that name, miss?”buKJOiunWNJxkYlkWDPCqTPtTmKrIR

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Without missing a beat, Ren Yi calmly replied, “Because women are made of water.”CeavnMEDPSIGhdOoXfwkykPpsaLddy

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Gao Ge and Sun Dingyi, faces red from stifling their laughter, could barely hold it together. They frantically gestured for Ren Yi to turn off the voice chat.XwnHPskKwAzTVTNHEAznkWxHSjgzMR

xSxUGBUXlKexLht

Ren Yi rolled his eyes at them. “It’s off.”NdkoQfUOfvfFiGeUVVwyjhUHljUOkA

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The two burst into uncontrollable laughter.gVmSqqQPYEaUoCkBpYzidxuGYtoBeR

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Sun Dingyi, struggling to catch his breath, said, “Captain Ren, have you no shame?”XzoqIRKVFTAdKMQrsFRVxgVZrBoERj

cUWFWYwalGhiFSY

“In battle, no tactic is off-limits. That’s the wisdom I’m imparting to you guys as your captain,” Ren Yi replied, then added, “Keep quiet now. He’s got a level-three helmet. Watch me talk him into giving it up.” He turned the voice chat back on. “Hey, handsome, could I have that level-three helmet?”HpDmhPzqOxfsCkfFpvwwsYtkMSNkmk

DzFBDNlBNMscvPe

“Uh…”RtFCiTiVyqenCsRBgqWlvBDuHkyUQy

LIUQJGSoGFKUWyb

“There are so many enemies. I’m kind of scared.”wLGwSeqSxniRcfsSmcYknhFrCMJygb

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“Alright.”FiaFqmuPXEbZuyrqGjHGctLNkfiprC

NFGqGBPNxNrfFiu

Just then, the door to the rec room swung open, and Ding Qing poked his head in. “Captain Ren, that girl is here again.”fvIKQwmiTdIXSIaRNsJbhLDgleAYaX

WAqhOQDjHEQQUpu

Instinctively, Ren Yi hissed for silence but then realized he’d given himself away. He quickly shut off the voice chat and stood up. “Where is she?”eWdOLMGZfietXeTQsOjQRXaQeubwhq

LHhkDMSooPvnqwd

“She’s already inside, and—”vYWKJaqlhZlGauZcJRodbNTLrQAxeO

SxxGHTjTJYPbkZV

“And what?”oVQUWbzUVzxCyatWClfjkSDydIdEmm

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Ding Qing scratched his head. “You’ll see for yourself.”dsLHGwKoOWGnIMJlMEiRAHvufVljZH

QbPvWcCLJpcQQap

Ren Yi lost all interest in the game, pocketed his phone, and went downstairs. Sure enough, Gong Feilan was strutting inside like she was at a shopping mall, dragging a suitcase behind her.dCqPleheCGKudRePunWUwwlZuwksZC

VyBOWcHPxQSPedn

Ren Yi quietly said to Ding Qing, “Get the political instructor.”rwPrxUFwAGWFLQywxxgwgXhgheqomL

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Gong Feilan spotted him and beamed. “Captain Ren!”VOAJmmiTzsBDBJOFHTlHdEhjEyrtBL

hJiGeysdnnVgYYm

“What are you doing?”dVXyFeRoBBtCpVPfInXAPMnIJtsUpM

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“I ran away from home,” she said without missing a beat. “Can I stay here?”MMMvJTAgXYNUpurMiQtdRIDrwDjzTK

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“Of course not,” Ren Yi said helplessly. “Why’d you run away? Where are your parents?”GzGLInRzfrLwWzEOorsIpnFVQPOXCQ

MnkTraTYhnsSaGR

“Who knows? They didn’t even show up when I was in the hospital. I don’t care to know either,” Gong Feilan stared at Ren Yi with determination. “I want to stay with you.”JEvPGutVMjwsNcZzdMdiWMTfKQCfOT

gzODhOlAVjxbKbJ

Ren Yi, still annoyed with Gong Yingxian, found himself unable to be harsh with her. Clearly, her rebelliousness was deeply rooted in her relationship with her parents.qYQioIMCWPKaFwfVHNxlQoijoWcQcW

ClGaGTXemQdhSkA

With as much patience as he could muster, Ren Yi said, “Feilan, I’ve told you many times, in my eyes, you’re just a kid. Running away from home isn’t going to solve your problems.”wZwQDFaTFWXLqFjdlOQSAOWogFLkPq

JxixWJWfOaIjkNy

“But I feel safe with you.”CdeCjKgVMcUsfsvgPorwqLmpBJLgPU

YnXjJjfXEBYavfe

“I appreciate that you trust me, but the people who care about you most in this world are your family. How about I take you home?”GeSQPybGGYeyGJaKJpbeQbyhNKslYW

SHJAwavPnnbdZMo

Gong Feilan shook her head. “I’m not going home. If you won’t let me stay here, I’ll book a hotel.”uEUjZXxSleEQjWgYYEfAzrirhseodj

VqpiItcjKXsHvFO

“…You don’t want to see your parents, how about I call your brother to pick you up?”BMTUPuWxFRLPCXMnBytKREJMPTwUBs

YMbEIhlLAKCSyYh

Gong Feilan frowned. “He came looking for you?”tQfUUJhmSnIgOmvGqPkVTcSHBFCvto

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“Yeah, and he said you told him I was your boyfriend. Feilan, do you realize how much trouble that could cause me?”PHiYuDpGLbuXUKaKzfxtZFwpPERtMB

WUKfeZxczYqrmuG

She bit her lip. “I’m sorry.”WTmjvQfwpRiKZghXXKaelMdEDReUBJ

ljrAfOkjaJbOZmk

At that moment, Political Instructor Qu Yangbo arrived. “Ren Yi, what’s going on?”IIUZBrginiImSDQkqLIEWGkHOUlzBU

uGYaAlgYxMvcvbj

Ren Yi explained, “She might’ve had a falling out with her family and is trying to run away from home.”uCPnDSZlBlInIYCMwXzWnNqJkoxagW

kZsiUgxBGFAWcKc

Qu Yangbo, a few years older than Ren Yi, wore glasses and had a scholarly appearance. He was excellent at psychological counseling. He approached Gong Feilan and spoke gently. “Feilan, did you have a fight with your parents?”qdMZCRJnfXrAINwlckfqHkaDLrNjXm

HbjzsxpqJmjMceE

“No,” she turned her face away, “I just wanted to see Captain Ren. I want to stay here.”poNQAzVQiMaAcXwRtUMxxVAyCqbcDT

FkdEAIhRENwKsXm

“The fire station’s doors are always open to the public, but you can’t stay here forever. We have to send you home.”mwBCuaYUiMYJwkKnqThuyYosOwLlKL

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“I’m not going back!” Gong Feilan shouted. “I’m sick of home!”JFLaIWzdZaBhXDwlpvQWoqbzMpaNCB

NYjatXMjLpRUCLz

Ren Yi exchanged a glance with Qu Yangbo and said, “No matter what, I’m calling your brother.”WPpuNySiQDygGXAnYvJCnKhDsMbuNU

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“He’s just my cousin. We’re not close.”xKbOWUeeRPATkogEUUSqKymwUJenXS

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“Feilan,” Ren Yi gently placed a hand on her shoulder, looking her straight in the eyes with both kindness and firmness. “You’re still young, and your family is responsible for you. So, either we call your parents, or we call your cousin. You decide.”GRusSYpEwFReqOCuEbaGxhIjFTpMvS

KgnkrppNChvIAtj

Gong Feilan fell silent.OyvSvsYXHOTChDzTCstvJyJilGvSHD

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“If you stay here, it’s going to cause us a lot of trouble. You might not be able to come back again.”LmFfSWChMjdUwbxyyRiotIfYrjJBut

TyDHNNmIHUnnJDO

With a sullen voice, Gong Feilan muttered, “Then I’ll go home.”TEwrHkpyqTdtAXDqzkYBwMLxwGZsgy

JHkSEeyIHJjWtEy

“No, we need to see an adult come pick you up.”pclvnFzHxGZOeTGufXMkfBiDOdUFzJ

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Reluctantly, she replied, “Fine, call him.”sgESbbatowmiOUoUbSEuHmgoCUbWZW

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“Give me his number.”gZSZFeDQdJJzwssyZQtoQWUAXwvfUI

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“I don’t have it,” she said, still pouting.NPZPSVGDedjcOkJHHQFvLBXQIirTOo

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Ren Yi shook his head in exasperation and took out his phone. He called Fu Kai, asking him to get Gong Yingxian’s number and send it over as soon as possible.rKhWlfiRffgkFXAPeIieAtWaoBchZC

UbUTvfEDisRgYpn

Meanwhile, Qu Yangbo led Gong Feilan to the conference room to wait.MPKiSDfYoCauBATtlkktQDkzgEUrJL

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Ren Yi waited for a while before receiving a call from Fu Kai and immediately dialed back.jaDyFoOHDWDOIhkntzLtjHTToWUwpI

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The phone rang a few times before it was answered, and Ren Yi heard that familiar cold, yet luxurious voice again: “Hello?”iCbAqVcwdKPrgBPoUECBbdmgTHbwAV

SxHjREKTEgOZCFR

“Your sister is currently at my team station, come and pick her up now,” Ren Yi said, then hung up without waiting for a response. Turning to Ding Qing, he instructed, “When Gong Feilan’s brother arrives, take him straight to the meeting room.”ElhPwHvjTUvUhvTLxdlOyuPSfHxuue

ULnLreaVYzgINQO

“Understood.”BaXJQMIHjGMAuAAaUqbCnLXCFXzIFe

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Ren Yi entered the meeting room to find Qu Yangbo talking to Gong Feilan. She had her head down, looking unwell.tAEfawcQmwlCufkFAFxmFHbPTecaPu

UDTtSyhRmfxSNQv

Qu Yangbo said, “Ren Yi, I just got a call from the division. I need to head out. You stay with her.”ShdFTDSrdttqbOTUzZHBPporZLihve

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“Alright, you go ahead.”KeTDaAtqyESSpeBSCqLQkdhtWPnBCN

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After Qu Yangbo left, the room fell into a long silence.bsJiRlbNOVqXCdfBWIwWTLhMnUmXVX

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After about ten minutes, Gong Feilan finally gathered the courage to sneak a glance at Ren Yi and softly asked, “Do you hate me?”nYBnkmIHSVHBeDYAdurhDeOvdtXYqB

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“No, I’m just worried about you,” Ren Yi replied, softening his tone. “Your brother will be here soon.”cabWsjPlxHYLRnuAVfwPRVWMvogviJ

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Gong Feilan nodded.CHYgkWhWDaRMIaabPrrngOaUrmUgpi

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Seeing her downcast expression, Ren Yi tried to make small talk: “He shares the same last name as you, so he must be your cousin?”AJJTqxDEBSEzVgFliKHoXBYUnNdEDR

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“My dad married into my mom’s family,” Gong Feilan said, clearly unwilling to talk about her father.iydFalDSvKyrvEtcUwYyYnEHhrKqKJ

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“Oh… Why does he wear gloves and a mask?”HeIVBlGPviDhIqagEiUWcWZRddsyUN

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“He’s a germaphobe. Whenever he feels the environment is unclean, he puts on a mask.”GTUJnmQQICrfTixHUuWXIJAXNVZXJv

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Ren Yi silently cursed, *What a freak*.bBwYmfsaYOzSpywNGaMLPDGKamfeRE

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“I didn’t mean to lie,” Gong Feilan whispered, “when I said you were my boyfriend.”nFNUlMgmxJvcCifQRSdTguSBIuPWeK

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Ren Yi chuckled bitterly, “You really shouldn’t make up stuff like that.”UXbPyoSSUCpIYvKulmKlSLGRlMlowP

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“I just wished you were my boyfriend because I feel like, no matter when or how dangerous things get, you’d always protect me.”pgznFZmvnjgZgtYCJAyjePMXGdsanq

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“I would,” Ren Yi said seriously. “Even if we were strangers, it’s my duty to protect you.”jjCFsgSQbgWUmSnGLzchSYJbHZMwoO

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Gong Feilan looked at Ren Yi, her beautiful eyes sparkling with a mixture of gratitude and reliance.ztiseGUOmRMusnCPgmVPjGuoIffuGZ

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At that moment, the door to the meeting room swung open, and a man strode in with determined steps.iDUIbFoiSLVefKYFtEUXKqDwEHfcvV

AsnOhqwWnSkQDzi

Ren Yi looked up, recognizing him immediately—it was the man who had cornered him in the stairwell the other day.gamEQHLmjMlAytFFxkPuIeWdFZhNUn

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Gong Yingxian glanced at Gong Feilan before sweeping his gaze over Ren Yi, his eyes filled with hostility.HDMTYeCnwKBzcOTMJsxzBgCQIVSUWg

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Gong Feilan kept her head down, saying nothing.CrKMJpSyuqoMFPMqAZbPqxdcfgYhTK

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Ren Yi crossed one leg over the other, watching Gong Yingxian with a composed expression.JEKzVIjGmXpcipTKBadHrgthWXohpM

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Gong Yingxian surveyed the room before slowly removing his mask.xijWeHXWkxASYkWmAnVQWYwxANOfrp

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Ren Yi was momentarily stunned. There was a slight resemblance between the siblings, but while Gong Feilan still had a youthful appearance, Gong Yingxian’s face was strikingly beautiful, almost painfully so. His features were exquisitely defined, like a work of art, yet there was nothing effeminate about him. His demeanor was cold, restrained, and even a touch… elegant.XVtrcXEXUmLpEVqwHYXbdzFEqVJSSt

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Ren Yi had never seen anyone like him before. He seemed entirely out of place, as though he didn’t belong to the mundane world, and yet, he was undeniably real.UnBOWFlXNEAjzzSmEwUOSsjpvlqFPR

nvMDmruXhoNoqUq