Chapter 55
After lunch, Sun Dingyi wanted to play cards, but Ren Yi didn’t join him; instead, he went back to his dorm to take a nap. Even when sleeping, he couldn’t settle down, so he pulled out his phone and scrolled to a picture he had secretly taken of Gong Yingxian, grinning foolishly to himself for a while.
He actually wanted to take a picture with Gong Yingxian, but thought two grown men taking a selfie together was way too cheesy. He wondered how he could find a chance…
As he was getting drowsy, an alarm went off. Startled, Ren Yi opened his eyes, jumped out of bed, and dashed downstairs.
“Captain, someone’s threatening to jump from Zhixin Tower.”
“Let’s go check it out.” Ren Yi thought to himself, Zhixin Tower is right across from the Hongwu substation, so if someone’s trying to jump right in front of the police, they probably have some sort of demand. Usually, it’s not a real suicide attempt.
Even with that assumption, Ren Yi didn’t dare delay. He set out as fast as possible, driving straight to the scene.
On the way, Ren Yi was just about to call Gong Yingxian to ask about the situation when Qiu Yan’s call came through first. “Hello, Captain Qiu.”
“Captain Ren, is your team responding to this?”
“Yeah, what’s going on?”
Qiu Yan sighed bitterly. “Please hurry up. This situation’s really bad for us, and the leadership is pissed off.”
“Don’t worry, just tell me what’s happening.”
“It’s hard to explain over the phone, I’ve got to report back to the higher-ups. We’ll talk when you get here.” With that, he hung up in a rush.
Ren Yi asked Ding Qing, “What did the caller say?”
“An old man’s threatening to jump, his son’s down below, and a bunch of reporters have shown up.”
“Do we know why?”
“No idea.”
They quickly arrived at the scene. A crowd had already gathered below Zhixin Tower, and the media’s vans were blocking half the road. Sure enough, an old man was standing outside the railing on the rooftop, shouting things like “The police are bullying the people.” Down below, a middle-aged man was giving an emotionally charged interview to the reporters.
Ren Yi instructed, “Get the media to clear the road.”
Sun Dingyi got out of the car to coordinate with the media, making way for the fire trucks.
Once they were out of the car, they immediately started inflating the air cushion below. However, the old man was on the roof of the fifth floor. Given his age and the height, even if he fell onto the cushion, the chances of survival were slim.
Gong Yingxian and Qiu Yan walked over to Ren Yi, and as soon as Ren Yi saw Gong Yingxian, he couldn’t help but smile. “Come upstairs with me, we’ll talk on the way.” Along with them were Sun Dingyi and a few others.
Qiu Yan’s face was full of anger. “There’s a young policewoman in our precinct who just joined this year. The old man up there is her uncle, and the guy downstairs is her cousin.”
“What is this all about?” Sun Dingyi asked, confused.
“The girl’s father died in a car accident last month. She’s their only daughter. Her father left behind two properties and hundreds of thousands in cash. Now, her uncle is saying that since her family has no son, all of her father’s assets should go to the eldest grandson, which is her cousin,” explained Ren Yi.
Sun Dingyi’s eyes widened. “Are they out of their minds?”
Cui Yisheng shook his head. “Don’t be so quick to dismiss it. In some places, that kind of feudal thinking still exists.”
“They don’t know about inheritance law?”
“It’s not that they don’t know,” Ren Yi scoffed. “They’re just bullying a widow and her orphaned daughter, trying to take everything for themselves.”
Gong Yingxian added, “I heard they already caused trouble back in their hometown. My colleague didn’t want to deal with them, so she brought her mother to live here in Tianqi. Then they followed her and made a scene at our station. After we kicked them out, they came here to threaten to jump.”
“Why not just lock them up for a few days?” Sun Dingyi asked, exasperated.
“They were cutting them some slack because they’re family,” Qiu Yan said angrily. “But that courtesy is gone now.”
While they talked, they had already reached the rooftop. Three officers were surrounding the old man, trying to talk him down cautiously.
As soon as the old man saw Qiu Yan, he pointed at her and yelled, “You’re Xiao Gao’s boss, right? Get her here! Let’s see if she dares to face her uncle!”
Qiu Yan stared at him coldly. “Xiao Gao is at work, Mr. Gao. Please come down from there. Don’t do anything that puts your life at risk or serves no purpose.”
“What work?!” the old man shouted. “That heartless, shameless girl! Do you know how much food she ate at my house when her dad was still in school? Has she ever shown me, her uncle, any respect? She’s just a girl! She can’t carry on the family line! What does she need a job or a house for?”
“According to inheritance law, the first in line to inherit are the spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. As long as they are alive, it doesn’t…”
“Don’t talk to me about law!” the old man roared. “How long has that law been around? Our ancestors’ traditions have been around for thousands of years! If Gao Houde had a son, I wouldn’t be worrying about this. But a girl will end up belonging to another family! Everything I’m doing is for the Gao family’s bloodline. My son is the eldest grandson. Since Gao Houde has no son, everything should belong to my son after he dies.”
Sun Dingyi rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, “Let him fall already.”
Ren Yi told Sun Dingyi to stand to the left, while Cui Yisheng moved to the right. Ren Yi then slowly walked closer while tying himself to the railing with a rope.
The old man pointed at Ren Yi and said, “Don’t come any closer. I’m an old man with just one life. If I die, so be it.”
“Sir, isn’t it uncomfortable standing here in the cold wind on the rooftop?” Ren Yi replied, watching him calmly. “Come down.”
“Don’t come closer!” the old man yelled. “Bring Xiao Gao to see me!”
“Xiao Gao doesn’t want to see you,” Ren Yi said as he leaned over the railing, looking down. “It’s pretty high up here. If you fall, that’s it. Sir, we’re living in a society governed by law now. Even if you die a thousand times, the law still won’t award your brother’s inheritance to your son. Oh, but your inheritance could smoothly pass to him though.”
“Then I’ll make sure everyone, the press, and the public know that the police forced me to my death!” the old man shouted, acting hysterical.
Ren Yi cursed under his breath. This old man was certainly detestable, but if he really jumped, Qiu Yan and the others wouldn’t escape responsibility. Though Ren Yi didn’t believe the old man would actually jump, the social impact wouldn’t be good, and it could also jeopardize Xiao Gao’s future.
It seemed like the old man was playing this card to force Xiao Gao to compromise, but he couldn’t leave empty-handed.
Ren Yi stepped back and whispered to Qiu Yan and Gong Yingxian, “Any ideas?”
Gong Yingxian replied, “He’s definitely not serious about jumping. We also can’t let Xiao Gao come and meet his demands, or he’ll just keep pushing for more.”
Ren Yi responded, “Dragging this out isn’t a good plan. It’s cold and windy up here, and the old man doesn’t look physically fit. If this goes on too long, he might collapse and something could happen.”
“So what do you suggest?” Qiu Yan asked with a frown.
“My team is ready. We’ve got experience dealing with jumpers. You call Xiao Gao and start negotiating, draw his attention. We’ll find a way to get him down safely.”
“What should I have Xiao Gao say?”
“Not a penny, just aggravate him.”
Gong Yingxian warned, “Be careful.”
“Don’t worry.”
Qiu Yan pulled out his phone. “Mr. Gao, I’m calling Xiao Gao now. You two can talk.”
The old man shouted, “Get her here! What’s she doing hiding in the police station? If she dares to be so unfilial, she should have the guts to face me!”
The call connected, and Qiu Yan said a few words before switching to speaker mode.
The old man shouted, “Gao Xiaoyue, get out here!”
“What do you want?” A crisp female voice came from the other end of the line. “What you’re doing is illegal.”
“I’m the head of the family, and I make the rules for the Gao family!” the old man bellowed. “You ungrateful disgrace, how much food did your dad eat at my house when he was in school? When I got married, my family only bought a sewing machine, but your parents got a TV. If I hadn’t treated him as my younger brother, what right would he have? Your parents are useless, and you, a worthless daughter, are unfilial!”
Gao Xiaoyue’s voice trembled. “Did my dad not repay you for those meals? How much money have we lent you over the years, and you never paid any of it back! How many jobs has my dad found for my cousin, and has he ever kept one? Uncle, my dad just passed away, and you’re already bullying me and my mom. What will the village think of our Gao family?”
“The villagers all curse you for being useless, unfilial, and rebellious!” the old man shouted. “My son is the only male heir of the Gao family. He will carry on the family line! You’re just going to marry into someone else’s family. What does the Gao family’s property have to do with you and your mother?”
Gao Xiaoyue, her voice breaking with emotion, said, “We live in a society ruled by law now. The law won’t tolerate your so-called family rules. My mother and I are my dad’s rightful heirs. Our family’s property has nothing to do with you.”
Ren Yi gave Sun Dingyi a signal, and the two silently climbed over the railing, slowly approaching the old man.
The old man cursed, “Bullshit! You’re a member of the Gao family, so you follow the Gao family rules. I pity you and your mother, and I never said I wouldn’t leave you anything. The old house can go to you, but the new house, you must give that to your brother!”
“That’s impossible, Uncle! Stop acting crazy and embarrassing yourself!”
“You’re the one embarrassing the family! Your mother gave birth to a daughter and disgraced the Gao family!” the old man yelled, his voice shrill. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted movement. When he turned, he realized that Ren Yi had somehow gotten close to him. He shouted, “Don’t come any closer! I’ll jump!”
Ren Yi made a calming gesture. “Sir, whatever grievances you have, you need to be alive to talk about them. Stop this. It’s dangerous up here, and if you fall, that’s the end.”
“Stay back! I know what you’re trying to do. You just want to arrest me. You’re all cops, you arrest whoever you want.”
“First, I’m not a cop, I’m a firefighter. Second, the police don’t arrest people without cause. But you and your son…” Ren Yi clicked his tongue twice.
The old man glared at him. “What’s wrong with us?”
“Instigating trouble, obstructing police duties, insulting public servants. Sir, I’d advise you to stop this. Otherwise, you really could end up in jail.”
“Jail? So what? I’m not afraid of death!” The old man let go of the railing with one hand, acting as if he was about to jump. “Unless Gao Xiaoyue agrees to hand over the house to my son, I will cause a scene! As long as I’m alive, I’ll keep stirring up trouble. I’ll ruin her job, and I’ll make sure she has no face left to show in public!”
Sun Dingyi chimed in, “Then just jump already. Captain Ren, let’s stop trying to save him.”
The old man cursed again, but he kept glancing downward nervously. His legs began to tremble.
Ren Yi said, “Sir, it’s freezing out here, and it’s not easy for us to be standing around in this weather. So, are you jumping or not? It doesn’t really matter to us. We’re just trying to help. But if you keep up this act, it’s pointless.”
The old man saw the two men inching closer and yelled, “Gao Xiaoyue! Hand over the house to your brother! Do you agree? If you agree, I’ll let this go. If you don’t, I’ll make sure you and your mother never have peace!”
Gao Xiaoyue shouted, “You’re dreaming!”
The old man was trembling with anger, and just then, a gust of cold wind blew by, with sand mixed in that stung his eyes. He shook his head to avoid it, but after standing too long, his body was weak, and without a proper grip, he slipped and fell.
“Ah—” the old man let out a terrified scream.
Ren Yi immediately leaped forward, grabbing the old man, and the two of them plummeted together, eventually suspended mid-air by the safety rope.
“Ren Yi!” Watching Ren Yi jump from the building, even with the safety rope, Gong Yingxian felt his blood freeze and his whole body go cold. He hurried to the railing, anxiously looking down.
Ren Yi looked up, grinning mischievously and even blowing him a teasing kiss.
Gong Yingxian let out a sigh of relief.
The old man had passed out, limp as a rag doll in Ren Yi’s arms.
With everyone working together, they were pulled back up. Ren Yi suddenly felt warmth on his leg, looked down, and realized the old man had wet his pants.
“Fuck!” Ren Yi jumped up.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Frustrated, Ren Yi angrily stripped off his rescue suit. Luckily, it was winter, so he had clothes on underneath. If it were summer and he were naked underneath, taking it off would’ve been impossible. He kicked the suit toward Cui Yisheng, saying, “It’s all yours.”
Cui Yisheng begrudgingly muttered, “Oh…”
Qiu Yan gave the old man a disdainful glance, “Fainted, huh?”
Ren Yi grinned at Gong Yingxian, “That leap I made just now, wasn’t it cool? Like something straight out of a movie.”
Gong Yingxian’s eyebrows furrowed as he sternly replied, “Let me see your injuries.”
“Don’t worry, I didn’t get hurt.”
Gong Yingxian sternly commanded, “Don’t move.” He opened Ren Yi’s collar to check the burn. Seeing the skin was still intact, he finally relaxed.
Ren Yi felt warm inside, unable to hide the sweet smile spreading across his face. When he looked up, he noticed Qiu Yan watching him. He quickly composed himself, saying, “Captain Qiu, how’s the situation with your colleagues?”
Qiu Yan replied, “Oh, it’s fine. This old rascal, we’ll find a way to deal with him. Can’t let people push the police around like this.”
“That’s good.”
Qiu Yan continued, “Yingxian, you’re still interrogating the suspect. You should head back. I’ll take care of things here.”
“Alright,” Gong Yingxian said softly to Ren Yi, “Come to the precinct when you’re done.”
Ren Yi made an “OK” gesture at him.
The police officers and firefighters carried the old man downstairs, leaving only Ren Yi and Qiu Yan on the rooftop. Qiu Yan sighed, “Thanks, Captain Ren. This kind of nonsense really makes you laugh and cry.”
“It’s not easy for you,” Ren Yi smiled, “Family disputes are the hardest to handle, especially when dealing with unreasonable people. Got a plan?”
“First, scare them a bit. Ideally, keep them locked up for a few days so they realize Xiaogao won’t back down. Then offer a little money, maybe ten or twenty thousand, and that should be enough to send them on their way.”
Ren Yi nodded, “For people like that, it might just work.”
Qiu Yan tiredly rubbed her brow and pulled a cigarette from her pocket, gesturing toward Ren Yi first.
Ren Yi waved his hand. “Thanks, I already had one.”
Qiu Yan took out a cigarette and a lighter, but the flame was snuffed out by the strong wind.
Seeing this, Ren Yi moved aside. “Let me block the wind for you.”
Qiu Yan smiled slightly at Ren Yi, a smile both alluring and full of charm. She stepped closer, nearly leaning into Ren Yi’s chest, and pressed the lighter to ignite her cigarette.
Ren Yi sensed that the atmosphere had shifted.
Qiu Yan took a puff, then exhaled the smoke gently in Ren Yi’s face, smiling faintly. “Captain Ren, you’ve helped us so much. Sometimes, I don’t even know how to properly thank you.”
Ren Yi subtly stepped back a little. “No need for thanks. It’s my duty.”
Qiu Yan’s gaze lingered on Ren Yi, eyes twinkling. “You should give me a chance to thank you.”
Ren Yi chuckled. “Captain Qiu, you’re really being too polite. Even though our jobs are different, we’re both here to serve the people.”
Qiu Yan let out a soft laugh. “Am I being too subtle, or are you just playing dumb?”
Ren Yi awkwardly smiled. “Captain Qiu…”
Qiu Yan tilted her head up, looking at Ren Yi, her eyes glowing, lips slightly curled, her beauty striking. “Are you going to ask me out?”
Ren Yi looked at her, replying gently, “Captain Qiu, to be honest, I’m really flattered, but I…”
“You have a girlfriend?” Qiu Yan smiled. “I don’t think so. The female officers in our precinct have already done their homework.”
“No, but I do have someone I like.”
“Really? What kind of girl is she?” Qiu Yan elegantly brushed her hair aside. “Prettier than me?”
“Captain Qiu, you’re one of the most amazing and beautiful women I’ve ever met, but you know, this isn’t something you can compare.”
“That’s true. No matter how good I am, there’s always something I can’t compete with, like…” Qiu Yan’s gaze locked onto Ren Yi’s eyes, suddenly sharp, as she raised an eyebrow. “Gender?”
Ren Yi was caught off guard, completely at a loss for words.
She had figured it out. No surprise, as the captain of the criminal investigation team, her insight was sharp.
Qiu Yan returned to her usual self, shaking her head with a look of resignation. “It really is what I thought.”
“I—”
Qiu Yan raised her hand to stop him. “You like Yingxian. Just answer me with a yes or no.”
Ren Yi lowered his gaze and, without hesitation, answered, “Yes.”
