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.sMDjsCrPheYPFiOevszCxkycqfbWsa

WYyBHhkYQPCtNrL

“Auntie, what’s going on?”WWSsIwsuUvTuCLWKGZyBuljLDPxSUV

OXARQCJnghXcDgb

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

GVfTsDmlKxDPNqT

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?”fcLEYkyTuPZOOJIjwblSKlxyOLmhbD

aiwDgRaVSsutSoI

“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.lRCDJpHqHXBJHnslpIQgTrPjanlWmb

VZZHNKgrtMtPBOD

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

uBLGIGcvfyvxlsR

Auntie Wang shook her head helplessly.rEZhIIxofrpZZNuVAmUwFwmHkZFuSq

OUFgFPlqYaYITBb

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

CsxZbKQaeHXvpUO

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

XVwYqeojnDtnxGM

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

KGdvtRFNYDtAvNp

“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.vDiRYzTyWyiuPyXaAIUgOAMhwuPlfv

DojDDyCmjaccIQQ

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

coMfqWcKBtVQutc

“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.JQeuRnPKVxqrzIxkiZTiLJsOANNtVS

TzsKbaDjEBkYudM

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.hVRWZVpluxCvSiqYUecsBvbFCdIvTY

mFLsjULkdMbscBa

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

dlYnkqlPetdrWTl

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

RdyWbjNIfYTxIWI

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

UPzLYtciztkVAmJ

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

LgLKGhYiqfttvrE

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.fYyvaRKbngRLTRtkFdMbBWtunIkJKa

KGwlmMCtWzDgOBc

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.BhmtGaJWCReTRwtlWEnBgdPsNstBmL

uUwXEbedJvxxzVf

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.hsgUOFLEDrZHYXDhZVJqsAUvZVBhJB

ipZLfKeQuhkmVDN

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.jqfOCGaMcajrDFBsJULFfBBGPCGeQI

HplXDetryWBLPis

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

fYxzYEUXzrjehGh

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

xNbHCrLlEWDMYQE

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

DJhKBQrxuSOPmXS

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

aaNttCAqEMKwAbx

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

sAjYfPnmIWNVgKy

“Who?”UaTgACupzYeQAiCRxFvEGjFsbbixIf

MUXmdNYsiXWEjEW

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

OvNgmeAbTAfqlcX

“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?”SxutUcWnWeHhwcoJicmjJiDMpdQasu

kgzNGtLelJTSxCc

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

lJQUEtjjvmXkWbC

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

KDhcmACMXNgdoHR

“You know him?”BpIcRFechdMVzyaeXLGAmTjcRbJnmk

moeJuuBvvhPeGfA

“Not really, just seen him.”TTcgTlRfDiDLBhwGYMzUYAGbpODxAP

AqKqAqqaVsJdgLU

“What’s his deal?”amrZnidWJUoHvYvdAmPFdjpEiAbTka

dEmoRWFwCpoLBhA

“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.”wUMAUYJVgNempBTtEJphPDgHAUshXW

wqnnhqtAlslXznq

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

gGccDDspLKlhLyP

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.ElFoYQxwmWhwJwWbiCJTERqQdMLiTG

GpwrsIFhjEjiBpU

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

DufBJBYLCyilRCI

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

lefZDighbeRddru

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.”QpdVkPkIWtWfjmUqrtDlLTJAepDLXS

lCFROodveLjUizX

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.”pqxGCIacogqoPUPVZgMGbwKhIjgSaw

nQsaGjcEbUpLaCP

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

tXzxuJHSEUOVPBM

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.jrFrAYoNHwDOZBkbJaeNgatxipIVEo

QdNDSdzWGWxGVok

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

bkcfbqHEIZFgPlR

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

HOSgRtFwTjHTryJ

“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.”QigkPWmGkWWtInsHscpFStZGHHvQCL

ImGZyLuLbtjWoyc

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

xHKsjDVjOJINEOo

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

aikWdyKzbBjVXeR

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

RripLvDlKsDvplz

“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.WIIhMhnRNAKpyDPbDiydPAklwpLIug

tfwOTaEABnrtKDv

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

rQdnYfCbjBTzICp

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

iutRkdpCByIXbZO

—–LmrpneKuhRSmbLkkylKubEFSKWmzaq

BTFitSkZEfHzHVA

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.wNeRSxmrRmHbziqdHTRZLROxowZQbU

toOpJFsvuzVTizX

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.QYJVJinbAqPAHoHjNlZTbHMUeHvZrg

bgCudqHAFQIHwdR

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.wWOvXQlDZQKXrOzMMRpVYltsyQQyGw

UkpnQLoRUQqslgJ

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

daCwwtCmKRaMUSm

“PUBG.”twfBsBwpYCiDpqbPdFfHiVNXWjKqKS

MdfpgMzJgYJOnQo

“Can I bring my girlfriend—”LdrJneIjUWBUtDxkijXHwxDvUTvKuY

TZpDpSMdwOOIpju

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

eWOjmSuUpZPTyYW

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

biIEqoFVDWTCNwX

“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…”iwgttzctWvxyceSGFmvgzvZDBOQanp

WCZfAPBQoKaKUON

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

ukNpOTzSPiseZRB

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

IJuKLJArQrDjSKy

“Same here.”rSHCdIKKpFKYraBkvWrPIDPDjTdwDX

buqdBFUfVoIcjvU

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

xSQozKUHhZmlNIz

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

TuOdSMNutirluId

“What’s so funny?”AKrIcoXqisMBmJQseKDzOKQklkKNby

xpwfThrrvsJXmsj

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

iOlvQUYztUBzhDC

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

jvtznMYiEFKazUf

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

ByGSMyyYxIKAGVW

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

kuEPGDbOgzBOLPV

Gao Ge and Sun Dingyi both burst into laughter.kkajaoHfBAHkNUWsbjoELbAvhxrVtg

CKXnHrFtLRhaukD

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’.”QhykEMJomVaUrKEtUWCBHGwSkiDySm

NWWbxocAqNKHtSl

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

EXiNWcfvnrGPpVp

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

hoCeNNWPeetDAtz

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

LNkawpWlyNhdRNO

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

zwlSseyJcbSNQRp

“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.tkQWxLPTDMwpbbFwEMyrFJMBzCGpwk

AiDZllDYhBtNUJJ

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

ohZTjjvppaUiLws

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

zeMTpOUoERWiSxW

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.qnDVzmOeBQsLLENvgdChAFnIdsMSLN

DUCwOQjfFCzIiqc

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

dCWymwXEDQCulXI

The two burst into uncontrollable laughter.fYGlDDqXpMgawuNadQhTZMaJARFyDP

neBJnOVHTkEWhTd

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

zOwUgeHqvBcZXnW

“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?”bErhyzFrqZudcjyvQkssWKnMeTJVqr

LeAhCIduszMoxGN

“Uh…”CcdSEbiGybIYfPjMPNyVSXQyZHfMqI

buhGKgaSABGUGVF

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

DWgzxBtrBEBUFJv

“Alright.”bMFTPDmjZWOIxIgpzKWWuyyJFzbsYS

KGgWLWPBuqSglmh

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

BEhzIYvFpPlJEnG

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?”pnovemAgAVAoWxaxuBsvOTCEhGLorR

YChLtfJAcbYvJJo

“She’s already inside, and—”VolwvxbSOOaQshVSwFLMSbjmgmiqIB

EEhZBvzHClfRpYb

“And what?”brjfMghMGEQYsFZOUtQSYSwyBmCiyz

avcoxLHzeswzwea

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

grqAUxWkteuMykF

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.bWixazQJForUsixpVOtDNtxhBrQhLw

QwfpCjVjqQmbxCn

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

DazuKVhjYyZutFP

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

VubOOZHvnZfBJZO

“What are you doing?”knlMGyulLJGfwSoHKofUtGGbhiaZPw

irIVJdcBYlPeszt

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

HwVtFMDNfVmdRjB

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

RQkKlEXZUixPUJN

“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.”zcnmePcBQxWuiFbYkGSUckZZOPbiNp

LwgQdxGGedHkDUr

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.yeEkPVvggwskrvuEjzOMCvFvwaxsOO

OEWGDGdtrXPPUnI

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.”TVKnChGiBbDwqnFARhUuflxpYCLETW

KBPLukOIjbTfoOl

“But I feel safe with you.”igJQgozcleXDbMLJZLpIAcBvbqBPmQ

tppfJEjsceCwjbW

“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?”kJmWGvuOkarHutKeIYBlofsvwrRnni

OVgmRckwDAHGeJO

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

stOWGNFSDFmFnnz

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

DrvxeHtuOvtyYFQ

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

GTsnPuMHkwayGTX

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

BRoAaiXJLXlVbwR

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

CqEzMrhpOzhMZoy

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

UboTLZCYbTIOSbn

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

chMuGtyHxqczGLO

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?”iPCjMYpXPMoPqcjrLpPkQacGDhUbAD

pFdRPcuvStZrwuy

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

YqCPwIsMQaOwFKo

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

mOInoIHrBuxFjpW

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

fGtdAbyyOywSMDw

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

AzDzgcFjMFghyId

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

hoamrlTYVXBlwpg

“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.”GvKgWyatqKeraEMcFOBLQPLdWZZabv

ifPgWmxXmbmMIus

Gong Feilan fell silent.xfQdwGyJvXUnLDfhBaLzlpniNdopIm

mKbCiCMqPdPgbHP

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

xDHCXvVnmEcNBUl

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

JiheFgBtZuzOdIU

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

dloYhXXErgJlIrp

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

OSxRKGfVsZZyZvP

“Give me his number.”rmpTgMqwqKofIbSVTmhVhoKiolRxnu

GaREgWMyJlrkLGR

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

LQnqqeRLiZAJDBh

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.JvjncMRgUJVSadvLcpmTagCrhGWzMl

zKHmNXflRpJRQTE

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

DdJXwXOgdZAbvGL

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

IIfmAKLHekhgIeA

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

HNpQFFxULoPUumN

“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.”ymbJZGPHCFSMRZhjDYPFFSwHGEYpjU

XizTgUKFKKyoTVw

“Understood.”TtVcSEdIciLqcessxjdHknFVxrELaR

VXdJHyPJCIiMZwX

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

bWXPtTBqeoWYYEr

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

WhFtKQZDTQqbzfe

“Alright, you go ahead.”lOLroWpdLODiJYvaewMECMpvIKXJKu

SdCeqcuavwrXanR

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

EvpqpXjYgwSVnMR

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

XKCIVYoaQgMZJSi

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

DXZhVadtGdeBbKO

Gong Feilan nodded.VrDEFHXZJLJWUlsoWdwmEmdizjmcDm

TWpPPAOVEndmeYY

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?”NCmdNaxYMfqqjAZjsHqkLAOqEAAStz

odpqQIJEWITuvnE

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

SoWcVyqEugwreuO

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

JrcnVeWwnLjRMvJ

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

gtYfgwXOPNDoSFt

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

ziERZulYGhhgqbT

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

rEPRoYoyuvGNlzl

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

WreHkCdmxFzhMNX

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

pmXgMqGidXUoVFT

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

SAtXZxVxKyafgAI

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

lxPudarRyAHCncP

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

dfZeKGJXrmGBAzw

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

mmWnBVtnYYuTpQT

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

WgQKSDOjxfNnRpD

Gong Feilan kept her head down, saying nothing.cIqmqRraAVqrxNhMJhKEKMykVhBqez

cTScLpSriAguaha

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

nTxwUfzIfEQaSTz

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

wtsXYKiOTiZvzQi

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.qgtqCjZcKGAmuahIjSnntaPLfvnGnn

IfvSQQGIkdWcFRj

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.rrpcVQxaXYXvIOTuusshqULTcSojQa

PyhcEHhkdrSZXAY