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Chapter 67: There is sunshine and a blue sky under the umbrella.
“Did you guys hear that Captain Gao from Wolf Fang is back at the Crisis Office?”
The Criminal Investigation Department was bustling with activity. Xiao Liu, carrying files and case materials, went from office to office, asking everyone this question.
Everyone: “Oh?!”
Xiao Liu: “Even our Team Leader Lei is lovestruck!”
Lei Chi was annoyed when he saw him: “Don’t you have to go to the hospital at ten to check on Bian Han’s condition? What are you still busy with?”
Xiao Liu: “It’s only nine o’clock now.”
Lei Chi had a lot of work on his plate. When he finally noticed Xiao Liu was missing, he looked up at the clock and saw it was already half past ten. He went to the hallway to stretch and move his muscles and suddenly saw two people walking across the courtyard below.
It was Zhang Xiao and Gao Qiong.
The two had come out of the Crisis Office building and were heading towards the reception room.
Lei Chi remembered Qin Ge saying that these two would be helping Xie Zijing with the “Sea Area” patrol today. Was everything already over? Lei Chi couldn’t help but lean against the window. But from the occasional side profile of Gao Qiong and Zhang Xiao’s conversation, he couldn’t see any signs of relief.
Just as he was about to turn back to the office, Xiao Liu called.
“Team Leader Lei!” Xiao Liu was out of breath, running from the hospital parking lot to the inpatient building, “Bian Han is awake!”
Lei Chi arrived at the hospital around noon. A sudden downpour drenched his way; the umbrella in his car had been taken by Xiao Liu earlier, so Lei Chi had to run into the inpatient building in the rain.
He was almost entirely soaked, with rain still pouring down heavily.
“Bian Han woke up around ten twenty this morning. He had been in a coma for four days, but fortunately, his physical condition isn’t too bad,” Xiao Liu said, meeting Lei Chi at the elevator. Lei Chi took off his jacket, shaking the water from his wet hair, “But…”
“But what?” Lei Chi walked quickly; Bian Han’s ward was at the end of the special ward corridor, with Zhou Yiqing staying in the room next door.
“He can’t accept any questioning right now.”
Lei Chi stopped.
He saw doctors and nurses looking helpless outside the ward at the end of the corridor, along with guards from the Criminal Investigation Department. He could also clearly hear the shouts coming from inside the ward.
It was a cry and roar, as if trying to cough up his heart, liver, and lungs. Lei Chi almost couldn’t recognize it as Bian Han’s voice.
“Bian Han remembers what he did,” Xiao Liu said. “The first thing he asked when he woke up was, ‘Where is my partner?'”
Lei Chi threw his jacket at him and pushed open the door to Bian Han’s ward.
The first time he met Bian Han, he left a deep impression on Lei Chi. Bian Han and Xia Chun leaped down from a building, their postures dashing. Lei Chi could completely understand why the sentinels and guides trusted and elected him as their leader.
But today’s Bian Han was completely different.
He walked into the empty ward and saw the removed IV needle thrown on the bed, still stained with blood. Bian Han was curled up in the corner of the room, holding his head. He had cried and shouted so much that he didn’t react at all when Lei Chi approached. Tears rolled from his vacant eyes, and he had bitten his fingers and lips until they bled.
As Lei Chi got closer, he could hear the weak sound from Bian Han’s trembling lips. It was his partner’s name.
Men and women can freely choose to marry or not marry, but when a sentinel or guide decides to spend their life together, they need one more step: submitting a partner application.
If the applicants are a man and a woman, after the partner application is approved, they can get a marriage certificate. If the applicants are two people of the same gender, they cannot get a marriage certificate, so in essence, the partner application becomes their form of marriage proof.
Anyone called “partner” must have passed the partner application. On the partner application form, there is a section where both individuals must write their “application reasons.”
In general, it’s easier for a sentinel and a guide pair to get approved. This means they can support each other, especially in some work environments that require force or violence, where the support from a trusted guide partner is more powerful than from a non-partner.
In the cases Lei Chi handled, he had seen two guides simply write “want to marry her” in the “application reasons” section. He had also seen two sentinels write four to five thousand words detailing how they knew each other since childhood and decided to spend their lives together. Due to the form’s limitations, they even attached three additional pages of written text.
When investigating Bian Han’s file, Lei Chi also saw Bian Han’s partner application.
The two had been together for many years. It wasn’t a decision made on a whim. Bian Han wrote his partner application in great detail. Because both were from the Wangdu District, they likely faced many difficulties and doubts during the review process. Lei Chi didn’t believe the things Bian Han wrote were false.
“My childhood and teenage years were spent in the Wangdu District, which was far from pleasant; and he was the best gift I ever received in my impoverished and humble life. When I’m with him, I realize that I can also be a complete, lovable person, all my thoughts can be understood, he doesn’t ridicule, fear, or look down on me.”
Lei Chi remembered one more sentence: “I believe I can break free from the control of fate.”
He squatted in front of Bian Han. The trembling sentinel looked at him, gradually coming to his senses after a long while.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” Bian Han apologized weakly, “I was wrong… I shouldn’t have dreamed… I’m sorry…”
Many people would write about the necessity of their union on the partner application. But Bian Han didn’t. He wrote that he needed the other person. It had to be that person; this was the only option in Bian Han’s life.
A shattered dream.
“Wait until Bian Han calms down before questioning him,” Lei Chi said as he left the ward, instructing the doctors and the personnel on guard, “You must pay attention to his mental state and absolutely prevent him from harming himself. Can your hospital assign a stronger guide for such a special patient?”
“Yes. But he strongly resists the approach of other guides,” the doctor told him. “Bian Han’s partner is a guide. I believe the trust between them is very close. So now is not a good time for other guides to try to counsel him. For now, we should use mental sedatives to ensure he doesn’t harm himself and then gradually calm him down.”
Lei Chi thought to himself that he still didn’t understand enough about the bond between sentinels and guides.
After finishing his instructions, Lei Chi left the hospital, snatching an umbrella from Xiao Liu before leaving.
Lei Chi arrived on the first floor and suddenly saw two familiar faces hurriedly entering the inpatient building.
“Tang Cuo?” He quickly greeted Tang Cuo.
Tang Cuo had come to visit Tang Xing in the hospital and brought Gao Shu along.
“We know each other,” Lei Chi said. “Director Gao introduced us during the team-building event.”
During the team-building event, the entire Criminal Investigation Department and Adjustment Department remembered one Gao Shu, while Gao Shu had to remember the faces of everyone from both departments. He couldn’t remember who Lei Chi was, only feeling that he looked vaguely familiar.
“Lei Chi, team leader of the Criminal Investigation Department, president of the Werewolf Association,” Tang Cuo enthusiastically introduced, “Bai Xiaoyuan’s… good friend.”
Lei Chi’s face had been expressionless, but he couldn’t help but smile at the last sentence.
“I heard from Xiao Liu yesterday that your sister is awake,” Lei Chi said, “The relevant questioning has been completed, and there’s nothing else to worry about. Take good care of her.”
“She still needs to stay in bed for a month; it’s tough,” Tang Cuo said. “But with us taking care of her, it’s fine.”
Gao Shu: “I have a lot of guys at the gym. One call, and there will be a dozen or so people here serving tea and water in no time.”
Tang Cuo: “…They are your employees, not your servants. Don’t do that.”
Gao Shu could only nod.
The two said goodbye to Lei Chi and took the elevator upstairs.
“The werewolf still hasn’t caught Bai Xiaoyuan?” Gao Shu asked, “He’s pretty good.”
“No.” Tang Cuo rubbed his chin, “It seems Bai Xiaoyuan went to a wedding banquet today, her ex-boyfriend’s.”
Gao Shu was shocked: “Why?!”
Tang Cuo: “They were college classmates. For some reason, the ex-boyfriend sent her a wedding invitation. Bai Xiaoyuan was still hesitating before, but last night I asked her if she wanted to come over today since she was quite concerned about my sister. But she said she had something to do and couldn’t come.”
Gao Shu: “…No, I think Bai Xiaoyuan is going to cause trouble.”
Tang Cuo got really nervous: “I thought the same!”
The two walked out of the elevator and headed towards Tang Xing’s ward. Meng Yu came out of the ward carrying a kettle, saw them, and raised an eyebrow: “Here?”
Tang Cuo knew that eyebrow raise wasn’t for him but for Gao Shu behind him.
Gao Shu, being sociable, reached out his hand: “Hello, hello, I’m Tang Cuo’s friend.”
Meng Yu: “A friend?”
Since Tang Xing left the ICU, Meng Yu had been staying at the hospital almost every day. He had also suffered a huge blow and wasn’t in high spirits. Tang Cuo felt that sometimes Meng Yu was there to accompany Tang Xing, and sometimes it seemed like bedridden Tang Xing was comforting him. Seeing Tang Cuo bring the “friend” he had mentioned several times, a slight smile finally appeared on Meng Yu’s face: “Your sister has been waiting for a long time.”
Tang Cuo: “Waiting for me?”
Meng Yu: “Waiting for your friend.”
Tang Cuo was shocked: “How did she know I was bringing Gao Shu?”
Meng Yu: “Ever since you told her you made a new… friend, she’s been looking forward to it.”
Tang Cuo’s face turned red, and he looked back at Gao Shu. Gao Shu was checking his hair and collar in the hallway window reflection.
A big black umbrella moved away from the inpatient building, and Gao Shu held his breath, thinking that if this umbrella headed towards the parking lot, everything would go smoothly today.
Half a minute later, the big black umbrella indeed entered the parking lot.
Tang Cuo: “Are you done with the mirror? You look handsome enough, it’s fine, it’s not like a blind date.”
Gao Shu straightened his collar and picked up a large basket of fruit: “Alright, here we go.”
Tang Cuo: “???”
Lei Chi walked into the parking lot under the big black umbrella, looking up at the pattern inside the umbrella.
This umbrella wasn’t Xiao Liu’s; it was probably his girlfriend’s. The outside was completely black, but the inside was a vast blue sky with white clouds. Team Leader Lei, who loved solid colors, felt quite out of place walking in the rain with such an umbrella.
He got into the car, thinking the rain was too dirty and he would need to wash the car again after it stopped.
Whether it was dirty or not, the car was always the same. He looked at his watch and realized it was already noon, and his stomach growled on cue.
Since Tang Cuo had mentioned Bai Xiaoyuan, Lei Chi started thinking about her a little.
He didn’t have the right to think about her openly, so he thought about her cats instead. She had many, but each one was so soft and fluffy.
After entering the city, Lei Chi found a place to park and decided to take this short break to find something good to eat. He walked through the rain with the umbrella that didn’t match his usual style, stepping through the thin layer of water on the ground. After a while, he suddenly saw Bai Xiaoyuan.
To be honest, he didn’t recognize her at first glance.
Bai Xiaoyuan would wear makeup to work at the Crisis Office, but she usually wore either simple dresses or sportswear for convenience. She often had to run around with documents, sometimes grabbing a pen from the table to tie her hair back.
But the girl sitting by the street today was clearly well-dressed. Her long hair was smooth and beautiful, she wore an elegant and appropriate dress, and she had on a pair of small high heels. A small bag was on her lap, with a sand cat sitting on it.
Lei Chi identified her by the sand cat.
Bai Xiaoyuan sat under the eaves by the street, lost in thought. Her bag was too small to fit an umbrella.
People and cars moved through the rain.
A big umbrella suddenly appeared in front of her, a splash of bright blue in the gloomy weather.
“Have you eaten?” Lei Chi stood in front of her, holding the umbrella, shielding her from the raindrops falling from the eaves, “How about you treat me today?”
Bai Xiaoyuan sighed: “Why is it you again?”
Lei Chi: “Alright, I’ll treat you then.”
Bai Xiaoyuan: “I’m not eating.”
Lei Chi looked her over: “Going on a blind date today?”
Bai Xiaoyuan: “No, I went to kill someone.”
Lei Chi: “Done killing?”
Bai Xiaoyuan: “…Couldn’t do it.”
Lei Chi: “Want me to help?”
Bai Xiaoyuan looked at him suspiciously: “Are you really Lei Chi?”
Lei Chi looked at Bai Xiaoyuan’s dress and her slightly shivering legs: “Are you cold?”
Bai Xiaoyuan hugged her sand cat and said after a while, “Today is my ex-boyfriend’s wedding. That heartless guy even sent me an invitation.”
Lei Chi moved a bit closer, squatted down in front of her, and reached out to pick up the sand cat’s tail. The sand cat’s little head poked out from Bai Xiaoyuan’s hair, staring straight at him.
“He looked very happy, and the bride is very beautiful,” Bai Xiaoyuan said. “I went and watched from afar for a while. I was really angry at the time. The happier he was, the angrier I got.”
Lei Chi: “Do you still like him?”
“No, I just can’t let it go.” Bai Xiaoyuan sniffed hard, “You know, on that night in Wangdu District, I dreamed of my dad.”
Lei Chi raised an eyebrow and smiled at the sand cat.
Bai Xiaoyuan: “He said he misses me too.”
She covered her eyes.
Lei Chi: “It’s good you dreamed of him. It means you haven’t forgotten him, and he hasn’t forgotten you.”
He saw Bai Xiaoyuan’s tears fall onto the sand cat’s fur. “I just can’t let it go… why…” she cried softly, choking on her words, “Why am I always the one left behind…”
The big umbrella shook, and Lei Chi stared blankly at Bai Xiaoyuan, unable to think of anything to comfort her.
She was a child Bai Fan picked up from a hospital trash can. After Bai Fan’s sudden death, even though she found her mother, the mother refused to acknowledge her.
Lei Chi let go of the sand cat’s tail. He wanted to pat Bai Xiaoyuan’s hand but was afraid it would be too forward, so he gently held the sand cat’s little paw instead. The sand cat shrank back a bit but soon settled down, letting him hold it.
“Boyfriends don’t want me either…” Bai Xiaoyuan wiped her eyes and suddenly looked up, glaring fiercely at Lei Chi, “I know I’m not likable. I should have just gone over there and cursed him out.”
“You are very likable.” Lei Chi said, looking at the sand cat, “Someone really appreciates you.”
He was extremely nervous, not daring to look at Bai Xiaoyuan, only staring at the sand cat in her arms. The sand cat also stared at him, its big ears twitching, and its whiskers trembling.
“…Even though I’m crying in front of you, it doesn’t mean I like you.” Bai Xiaoyuan wiped her tears, her face turning resolute, “I’m not someone who’s easily moved. Do you know what it means to have a heart of stone? That’s me.”
Lei Chi shook the sand cat’s little paw.
“That’s great.” He smiled, “I hope when you fall for me, you’re smiling, not crying.”
The sound of the rain was still dense, with the droplets falling heavily and sliding down the black coating of the umbrella. Under the umbrella were bright sunshine and a blue sky.
Bai Xiaoyuan’s phone suddenly rang. She fumbled to take it out of her bag, bowing her head to check on it. Lei Chi retracted his gaze, focusing back on the sand cat. The sand cat seemed shy, shrinking back into Bai Xiaoyuan’s arms, not daring to look at him. Lei Chi felt his face getting hot too, having no idea what he just said but assuming it was something silly, hence the embarrassment.
[Xie Zijing and I will be taking two days off starting tomorrow. Handle work matters on your own.]
When Xie Zijing opened his eyes, his head felt heavy. His phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and saw a message from Qin Ge in the Adjustment Department group chat.
He saw the towering white dome and suddenly remembered his current situation, immediately sitting up.
Zhang Xiao and Qin Ge had already finished their patrol. The spacious room was very quiet. Xie Zijing jumped down from the lounge chair and saw Qin Ge sitting by the wall, staring at him in a daze.
Qin Ge’s expression made him nervous. He didn’t even bother to put on his shoes and quickly ran to Qin Ge.
“…Is something wrong?” he asked, “Can’t my ‘sea area’ be repaired?”
Qin Ge touched his face and smiled with difficulty: “No, it can be repaired.”
Xie Zijing didn’t relax: “Then what’s wrong with you?”
“It’s so hard.” Qin Ge hugged him tightly and said, “Xie Zijing, it’s too hard.”
Xie Zijing finally breathed a sigh of relief: “You scared me… Hard is okay, didn’t you say Teacher Zhang is very skilled? And I can handle it.”
Qin Ge nodded. Xie Zijing held him, feeling like he was holding Qin Ge’s rabbit. Attachment and reluctance, Qin Ge was expressing these emotions to him. He kissed Qin Ge’s ear: “Are you tired?”
Qin Ge shook his head: “Kiss me.”
Xie Zijing was stunned: “Now?”
Qin Ge repeated: “Kiss me.”
Xie Zijing was a bit nervous; this was the Crisis Office. But he didn’t hesitate for long and leaned down to kiss Qin Ge. Qin Ge held onto him, wanting to deepen the kiss.
“…What’s wrong with you?” Xie Zijing touched his forehead and asked, “Are you uncomfortable? Should we go home?”
Qin Ge buried his head in his shoulder, clutching his clothes tightly, taking deep breaths to calm down.
He whispered, “You’ve suffered so much.”
Xie Zijing couldn’t help but laugh: “What’s this? You told me not to be afraid. I’m not afraid, okay? I’m not suffering.”
When the Barbary lion placed its paw on his knee, Qin Ge’s tears fell into its fur, soaking deeply into it.
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