Blazing Armor

Ren Yi wanted to ask more questions, but Qiu Yan responded with silence. He understood that this was not something easily explained with a few words, and he could also understand why Qiu Yan didn’t want to continue the conversation.

What on earth happened eighteen years ago?!

Back in the hospital room, Sheng Bo had already changed Gong Yingxian into clean clothes. When he saw Ren Yi return, he went off to handle the paperwork for Gong Yingxian.

Ren Yi stood by the bed, carefully observing Gong Yingxian’s pale, serene sleeping face.

So beautiful, even with those deep, brilliant eyes closed, it didn’t diminish his captivating beauty. Yet, even someone so meticulously crafted by the creator couldn’t escape the cruelty of fate, which instead took everything from him in the most merciless way.

Ren Yi’s heart ached. Because he had witnessed so many tragedies caused by fire, had experienced losing the teachers, brothers, and friends he respected most to it, he could understand Gong Yingxian’s pain even more.

The overwhelming pain, something that would be unbearable even for adults, was forced onto a six-year-old child.

Ren Yi couldn’t help but reach out, his fingertips gently brushing against Gong Yingxian’s face. The slight warmth from his skin softened something deep inside Ren Yi, which slowly… slowly stirred up a strange, indescribable emotion.

Startled, Ren Yi quickly withdrew his hand. He guiltily glanced around, wiped his face, and then went to the bathroom to take a shower.

When he came out, he sat silently on the stool, watching Gong Yingxian, and eventually, overwhelmed by fatigue, fell asleep there.

In the midst of a drowsy sleep, he heard someone calling him.

“Ren Yi, wake up.”

Ren Yi barely forced his eyes open and through his half-squinted lids, saw Gong Yingxian’s face. Instinctively, he jumped up, but because he stood too quickly, he stumbled a little.

Gong Yingxian caught him just in time.

Ren Yi became more awake, “Hey, you… you’re awake?”

Although Gong Yingxian still looked a bit pale, his demeanor was much calmer than before. He spoke grimly, “Why am I in the hospital?”

“…You don’t remember?” Ren Yi glanced outside the window; it was already daylight.

Gong Yingxian frowned, “I only remember saying I wouldn’t go to the hospital.”

“How could you not go to the hospital in that condition?” Ren Yi gave him a quick once-over and, seeing that he seemed alright now, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “Don’t worry. Sheng Bo came over and changed your clothes and bedding. If he could, he would’ve replaced your whole bed.”

Gong Yingxian rubbed his arms, looking uncomfortable all over. “I want to go home.”

“Let the doctor check you out first—”

Gong Yingxian suddenly stared at Ren Yi. “Are you hurt?”

Ren Yi paused for a moment, “No, I’m fine.” Only his palm had been burnt, the skin peeling, but that was something they were used to.

“Then why are you wearing a hospital gown?”

“Oh, my friend’s clothes were completely ruined.” Ren Yi suddenly remembered and scratched his head, sheepishly adding, “Were those clothes really expensive?”

“Why the hell would I care about some crappy clothes?” Gong Yingxian said irritably, “I’ll reimburse you.”

Ren Yi chuckled, “I’ll make sure to send you the receipt. Hey, where’s Sheng Bo?”

“He’s handling the discharge paperwork,” Gong Yingxian replied. “Did Sister Yan come by?”

“Yeah, she came by earlier and then went to deal with Zhou Chuan’s case.” Ren Yi’s mood sank as he recalled their conversation from a few hours ago.

At the mention of “Zhou Chuan,” Gong Yingxian’s expression darkened noticeably.

“By the way, Dr. Gong,” Ren Yi smiled, “thank you for saving me.”

Gong Yingxian was stunned for a moment before snapping angrily, “As a firefighter, do you not have even the most basic sense of self-preservation?”

“Of course I do. There was still time back then.”

“‘There should have been time’?” Gong Yingxian gritted his teeth. “Did you forget what you told me back when I jumped from the building chasing Zhou Chuan? You’ve got the nerve to lecture others?”

Ren Yi was at a loss for words and could only laugh awkwardly, “I’ll be more careful in the future. No matter what, you’re so afraid of fire, but you still came to save me…” He slapped his chest dramatically and pulled a mockingly sentimental face. “I’m so touched.”

Gong Yingxian shot him a sidelong glance, then his gaze lingered on Ren Yi’s face, studying it closely.

Feeling uncomfortable under the scrutiny, Ren Yi touched his face. “What? Am I that handsome?”

“…Have you always had that mole?”

“Which one?” Ren Yi suddenly remembered, “Oh, the one on my nose? Well, duh, you think I just grew it yesterday?”

Gong Yingxian realized that he had actually noticed it long ago, but never paid much attention to it. Yesterday, walking into the fire source triggered his memory. Deep in his recollections, there was someone else with a similar mole, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember who it was.

Ren Yi touched the mole on his nose and mockingly said, “They say having a mole on your nose means you’ll be rich and prosperous. Sigh, it’s just like my unlucky name—superstitious nonsense.”

Gong Yingxian paused for a moment before suddenly saying, “Fight fire with fire.”

“What?”

“In your firefighting tactics training, there’s a strategy called ‘fight fire with fire,’ right?”

“Yeah, so what?”

“So, your fire is the kind that fights fire,” Gong Yingxian whispered. “It’s not really unlucky.”

Ren Yi grinned. “Man, you’re a PhD for a reason. Always with these insights.”

Gong Yingxian cleared his throat. “Where are you heading now?”

“Back to the team. I can’t go home dressed like this. What about you?”

“Home,” Gong Yingxian said, looking weary. “I need to rest for a day.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard. Zhou Chuan’s case has already drawn enough attention. Captain Qiu will definitely investigate thoroughly. You should take some time off to rest.”

Gong Yingxian shook his head. “It’s not just Zhou Chuan’s case. There’s also the Wanyuan District case. With so much going on, I can’t afford to rest for too long.”

Ren Yi knew there was no convincing him otherwise, so he patted his shoulder. “Let me know as soon as there’s any progress on the case. Especially with that scum Zhou Chuan. I want to sit in when you interrogate him.”

Gong Yingxian nodded.

“Ah!” Ren Yi suddenly yelped.

Gong Yingxian frowned, confused.

“When I patted your shoulder just now, you didn’t react at all,” Ren Yi blinked. “Are you spaced out, or do you just not mind my grime?”

Gong Yingxian seemed momentarily stunned by the question. Then, with a mix of embarrassment and irritation, he said, “I was just thinking about something else.”

Ren Yi was about to tease him some more when Sheng Bo returned.

They left the courtyard together, Sheng Bo taking Gong Yingxian home while the driver drove Ren Yi back to the team.

As soon as Ren Yi stepped into the squad, he was greeted by a hall filled with flowers, balloons, fruits, pastries, and a banner that read: “Congratulations to the human cannonball for ending his paid vacation, bidding farewell to the group of attentive beauties, and successfully recovering full functionality of his stent membrane bubble organ.”

Ren Yi thought to himself, *I didn’t tell anyone I was in the hospital. How are they so well-informed?*

“Hey, Captain Ren?” Cui Yisheng and a few soldiers walked in, surprised. “Why are you dressed like that?”

“I just got back from the hospital,” Ren Yi clicked his tongue. “Did you really have to go through all this trouble? Formalities. I wasn’t even in for anything serious.”

Cui Yisheng and the others exchanged awkward glances. “This isn’t…”

“Captain Ren?” A few heads popped out from the reception room. “Aren’t you still on leave? Why are you dressed like that? Cosplaying?”

“Cosplay my ass. You guys—” Ren Yi suddenly spotted someone he hadn’t seen in a long time—Sun Dingyi. He immediately understood. “You—you got discharged?!”

Sun Dingyi grinned. “Heh, I’m back, just like the prodigal son!”

Ren Yi was overjoyed and ran over, giving him two punches. “You little brat! Why didn’t you stay in the hospital a bit longer? Without you, the squad was practically peaceful and calm.”

“I would’ve loved to, but they stopped covering my expenses.” Sun Dingyi made a dramatic gesture of regret. “While I was in the hospital, my girlfriend catered to my every need. That might’ve been the peak of my life.”

“Not ‘might’ve been’—definitely.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Qu Yangbo asked, “Ren Yi, what’s up with you? Why are you in a patient’s outfit?”

Ren Yi let out a long sigh. “Let me tell you about my thrilling two-day vacation.”

—

After Ren Yi returned to his dorm, he finally took off the patient’s outfit and changed into his familiar flame-blue training uniform. He thought of Qi Xiao’s clothes, feeling a headache coming on.

He collapsed on the bed, grabbed a bag of cookies from his snack cupboard, and called Qi Xiao to briefly explain the fate of those clothes.

Qi Xiao shouted in shock, “You caught the arsonist on the spot? Those bastards were burning a kitten! How’s the kitten doing?”

Ren Yi sighed, “The vet called me this morning. The kitten’s condition has stabilized.”

Qi Xiao cursed several times in a row. “Why didn’t they burn themselves instead? Those damn animals, psychos!”

“There are even more psychos hiding in the dark. Who knows when they’ll show up to wreak havoc.” The more Ren Yi spoke, the heavier he felt. “Sorry about your clothes… They seemed pretty expensive. How much were they—”

“Hey, hey, don’t worry about it. It was just a set of clothes, and they were sponsored by the brand anyway. I didn’t pay for them.” Qi Xiao said, with a hint of concern, “As long as you’re okay. The way you’re talking, you’re scaring me.”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

“Your job is so dangerous. Sometimes when I see news online about fires or firefighters, I can’t help but think of you,” Qi Xiao said quietly, “and I get really worried.”

Ren Yi chuckled. “Don’t worry. After so many years in this line of work, all the experience I’ve gained isn’t just to help others—it’s also to protect myself and my comrades. Actually, the older a firefighter is, the safer they are.”

“Really?”

“Of course. It’s the young, hot-blooded, and inexperienced soldiers who are in the most danger. You don’t have to worry.”

“Okay,” Qi Xiao replied. “Well, take some time to rest. If you ever feel down, I’ll come drink with you.”

After hanging up, Ren Yi noticed that cookie crumbs had fallen on his pillow. He quickly picked up the pillow and dusted it off, thinking, *If Gong Yingxian saw this, I’d definitely get a load of cold sarcasm.* He could already picture Gong Yingxian’s disdainful expression and tone, which made him chuckle to himself.

Just then, his phone buzzed with a new message. He opened it and saw a photo of a completely black kitten, wrapped in white bandages, lying on a soft cotton mat, fast asleep.

The kitten’s innocent and oblivious expression softened Ren Yi’s heart.

Ren Yi pressed the phone to his chest and slowly closed his eyes.