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.JrGzzVJpeAAwwigkylRHAkYhXXyXyb

HNkXBedTlbaSNIY

What on earth happened eighteen years ago?!QeuBacvmFWQoLaomzcxlQbhUheJgGQ

ooEFdRuHWGHPLPC

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.MgZrVepqLkDOsKBmTqXkNvMcGTZLCM

bUZIZZfAVcReqff

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

bhUNmDDcciIXeHB

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.nSiuHCiPfiBHwXKQoPoKAzydEbljPO

NOTXuEQVYvDFjoW

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.HnBhfpkvYiraKQZEjBxYMoRNCnAgap

mkjcmGIxJXeEwKl

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

DBHCccbWNAFPhAb

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.mVEctcSWeAwumIMlQRetWSidJOERVx

JHuXWDcLlhjCxCd

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

bLykkPRyHLrDJan

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

npZgFAecABGyQCM

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

DioXZLePQCwmSGB

“Ren Yi, wake up.”TRFdXPySUmnGieACvvuiymolRHnugO

sYBJOoXZfWVQrxu

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.JfmLbgJIRwntuZrGhTSssWESgRagnS

qVMeIgsdufuGXat

Gong Yingxian caught him just in time.OolhxegjpYXvZeZcmTeVyGYKFhYoGc

DUWDWdbeLuHyMJP

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

QbUpVjdQutaZGmV

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

pWlQkNafBhvOMAA

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

eOLJTzciNeumUAC

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

xObGrwaUzIKujpq

“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.”fxUZmhWqAYZzVzGifwWmXwarcIaxhu

rshuyWpbdXseUjU

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

NdEVFMWdbPCRkMM

“Let the doctor check you out first—”MTuOSvnOiydximICwOMxdBLhawKtfL

sifSbZcENKptDXB

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

ijhUQqnEigFvKDk

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.RTKNCnpxYJSKHeYTfSPcosQLxJgwRx

nzzUyeGjKyVVKQP

“Then why are you wearing a hospital gown?”KoqcqMQXwmBSgLlfofvarhWZwKolIc

NxkHTuBhVJhmdit

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

vsdcHoKLVnCEiYl

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

jaSJktceuKaiZlh

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

UQhNJzmwNODlBAZ

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

mGdTTwLHYpgfeZw

“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.iJqmGXIABMkViGpfYAcuvniLaZJxYK

VOSwFTPMHjlnfhp

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

KodKlvUUfGIzTdW

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

wIZNvyaPguPYLYJ

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?”AUwJlhNNaKrdlubsYsWEPlJxnjkDbC

oWQfmNaGAYDgplU

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

lPOMERcTgaRNIKj

“‘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?”lHLgrfDoyaWyiTOrmHVQRHlUROPisA

iPjkuyCstmJbEBv

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.”ZCuYDwbllqQqHiHSALQyTWIaWrtPSL

PzbVVLdgvxGkqOF

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

kZVdTWkYHtltqEb

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

ktPIiUnARMdYkUH

“…Have you always had that mole?”yTYDiybCiuDBlazvUpKXhrisZFxMOo

VfceWTmmwnJFiXW

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

CVxKzZnPXScRVMT

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.BSIeOhzOkYWCWYQXvwztPSdUyGJZnb

QyXyeUCFDvlXknM

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.”wQwbdjWWaqyfYhxCExqOJxZRxfsyRc

lsOpbAigyMqNUec

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

NFXczJgHexiTQKt

“What?”sDmJPtzjcikbVMdmObkOtFcXNQFkJL

oXeRYCnZZVUiprA

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

nalvCKSZZpdhBTr

“Yeah, so what?”XzBroVtUIZHAjhIaTVPvhoGaayBaIn

JYNHtQhYPRXyXUS

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

hwByCCmLLVPiuQw

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

YfEOnuAZVoUWrcU

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

SDGPzUGZxvxKSuR

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

SHiBOCuYjWtBgzs

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

wLNuOBxXtHzlRqc

“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.”tKxEcqNifJZGYxbusjKEhqwHyMITdU

EAzeaWxDGZndfSg

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.”sdHenDGZviKMrBFSSZMLZRQdWTpbAu

GVlgkdsUJGjPrTy

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.”KDZWfiVTtGWCDSEppSzDwsswzVibfw

rjZUDIJMFZQFtWi

Gong Yingxian nodded.glvaLgeWKACkoVNCVXYtSYoxBYhtgc

pzXghVOhnTkMndd

“Ah!” Ren Yi suddenly yelped.mUcGImlsJGIMEInQoTxxAxdPmxecrZ

vDsvWqWnFWAvVyj

Gong Yingxian frowned, confused.ygqmoJWRQLKOCjxIpokGZxSyjtOlQT

PBeoFWSDDMWFEeu

“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?”ExwCYgeepBhLRcwgHKOzckBYXuFWUo

PaxHsaOXsMLQzEq

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.”cvsmHeSNWNNAcezMjOQukgHOODfhzb

eTiXODuDgRgAjpp

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

ohAxYWbumXhYMSF

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

LIsNBTTSGHwsubp

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.”tMhcWEHzSAwhNwgKiDvKUSgDJxnHrb

LRBcfAjXGRuWAqt

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

GTSlTkcVSwGaLgI

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

uZPiiLbupIVVQOn

“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.”dWyaSSeLzViasZfHxkcCnDuGgxJahs

quOWSPTinHdbqft

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

XobGAinJfGDfEBn

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

XliAprgZSkODrnb

“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?!”iZXSGJQbPSmXnGQCSnaJjwUXbryAVs

wNyorgNMfRarXBK

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

CtXsGUbkaXFncwW

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.”QZiPnDeBYabqOZzwEGJlmbFQLrGLGF

MzUCrlOGlLENpdj

“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.”crCLIJjFSlaVbCLqOgqOqMMokiFnnZ

QliwXMMQlXvQMmY

“Not ‘might’ve been’—definitely.”HekaMdKRtPVMAWAAddHnZHJtaHSvdZ

ApHSXTGAjoFQPrd

Everyone burst into laughter.eetfkXDUCZcdYIcEIgdiuJneUohwmp

TyzfQQuJdMOrFYC

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

GLUhTpxlNtTQkpG

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

vxFMSldauHztuvy

—enDPplsmlcyMWtRcfozUTCgioExPpD

kDXcYaiFYCqMLal

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.vQzhwrUfCkQdVqOiEzOnnHfwFEjXBZ

lEcNZaehSInJfOe

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.mbqixPiQsbjovpsnwEvNZnONoJKVcR

AvfiQXwVEchmhmp

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

KCGrRcpeGfbjWNo

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

yvsPHyibyLlGavb

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

kKXiiFJIWAlNKoP

“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—”GBsXUOULoXAjUszARZoNxOKoDdfjKg

gqbkMzPIvcRCVZu

“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.”YRZUzQKPjqzGJvThGDoVLfWjjwFzRd

yXgjXNhSfnAIZoy

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”wHXgAjhwWWYmxjdvwXplWOuczrUHQj

ezpKcLtHQCyiEgi

“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.”acTqdxEhEfkwQlNZttYBvBOyKSoNvX

JUxynSDxhVDbIEx

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.”IPMFGhKIuQVUxpfVikLCHFqPQFuXWE

HvbMcHsSkmpmUNo

“Really?”BqtazytNkeCewfHzLumTEvWzLYEoAs

CJWrrSQwePyBhbP

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

QZaPKFgwuaVFrbF

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

xZROdZGAnzmLHHe

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.eXymCALrCmrCTnsHHFhOQPFODynGGv

eChvmWyoEibOVwM

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.dyIoFXlKGsvuaCoqFRrHXIhsRAkeWh

xeltBwzoaluccjx

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

MDAwYcLIYDEBMha

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

TMJHSlrbwsLsrCG