[12/08, 08:45, Haijing City Public Security Bureau]
After two days of wearing women’s clothing, Yi Shi could finally be himself again. Since today’s important meeting would have leaders from two municipal bureaus attending, continuing to wear such outlandish outfits might disrupt the meeting.
At the bureau’s lower floor, Yi Shi ran into Jiang Dongliang. Jiang Dongliang was surprised: “Why did you change back?”
“… No need today.”
“Oh.” Jiang Dongliang’s tone was quite regretful, “This morning I took Minmin to school, and she mentioned bringing a small gift for Teacher Shi.”
Yi Shi never expected that this temporary teacher of his would be remembered by a child. If he could successfully capture those gangsters tomorrow, it would also be Teacher Shi’s last appearance at Aitemei Kindergarten.
This mobilization meeting was unusual. In addition to the participating team members, related departments also sent one or two representatives to attend the meeting. When Yi Shi and Jiang Dongliang reached the second floor, they encountered Wen Xiling, who had her hands in her lab coat and was smiling harmlessly at Yi Shi: “Hi, the big boss in women’s clothing!”
This nickname drew the attention of several people in the corridor, who cast curious and probing looks at Yi Shi. Those who knew the inside story covered their mouths and laughed, while those who didn’t were astonished, unable to understand how such a serious and solemn public security bureau could have a “big boss in women’s clothing.”
Yi Shi’s forehead veins throbbed, and the temperature within a meter around him suddenly dropped. Jiang Dongliang rubbed his arms and automatically distanced himself from the storm center.
“Oh, I was just joking,” Wen Xiling laughed, “Officer Yi made such a big sacrifice for his career; he’s a role model for us to learn from! But you really look good in a skirt. Have you considered making it a team benefit in the future?”
“…” What kind of soul-shocking suggestion is this? For a man to wear a skirt, how is that a benefit for a group of men???
Yi Shi was too lazy to dwell on this bizarre idea and pushed open the meeting room door. Wen Xiling, completely ignored, clicked her tongue: Beautiful people are still beautiful; even their indifferent attitude has a unique charm.
Song Ping, who had just arrived with her notebook, missed the exciting scene of Wen Xiling teasing Yi Shi. She only saw the familiar figure standing in the corridor and walked over to ask, “Xiling, why aren’t you going in?”
Wen Xiling turned around, her heart fluttering with excitement. Song Ping was taken aback: “… What’s with that expression? Is this a meeting or a date?”
“Hehehe, I’m just afraid of being scolded by the leaders, so I wanted to smile enough outside before going in,” Wen Xiling linked arms with Song Ping, “Today I’ve finally seen what a truly abstinent ice-cold beauty is like; it’s simply an earthly ideal!”
Zhang Rui was puzzled, increasingly unable to grasp women’s preferences. How could someone who looked like a pretty boy be considered an “earthly ideal”?
The meeting room was bustling with activity. The long table was fully occupied, and the benches behind were also filled. Yu Xue stood by the window, chatting with leaders from Haijing City Bureau. When Yi Shi walked over, he saw which two leaders were present—the head and deputy head of Nanyi City Bureau. One had his hands behind his back with a friendly expression, and the other held a thermos cup; one squinted his eyes, and the other looked stern, creating a strong contrast.
“Chief Deng, Chief Zhao.” Yi Shi maintained a good attitude in front of the leaders. Chief Deng, the one with his hands behind his back and a kind expression, said: “Yi Shi, Yu Xue has reported the situation in Haijing to me. You performed very well this time, and your personal credit for the case is not small.”
“Indeed, Yi Shi has always showcased impressive operations, leaving others amazed. The key information in this case was all found by him. It’s impossible not to hold a commendation meeting,” Yu Xue smiled.
“Is tomorrow’s operation also planned by him?” Chief Zhao asked abruptly.
Yi Shi didn’t speak, and Yu Xue took the initiative to reply: “I planned everything, and it has nothing to do with him.”
Chief Zhao’s expression was doubtful, his gaze shifting between Yu Xue and Yi Shi: “We all disapprove of this operation. Although it’s finally approved by our provincial leaders, I must say, try not to involve the kindergarten.”
Yu Xue shook his head: “Sorry, Chief Zhao, this is the only method we have right now. No risk, no gain. If we don’t take risks, there will be no results. We don’t want to be passive and led around by a group of suspects.”
“You also know this is ‘risky’?” Chief Zhao, suppressing his anger, said, “Then why did you use connections to put pressure on us? Yu Xue, are you willing to take this gamble?!”
Yu Xue’s attitude was neither humble nor overbearing: “I’m fully aware of all the risks. The longer this case drags on, the worse it is for the hostages and for us. To capture everyone in one go, we need bait to lure them in. Don’t worry, we will do our utmost to ensure that no child is harmed.”
With both sides adamant and unable to reach an agreement, and seeing that Chief Zhao’s temper was about to flare up, Chief Deng unscrewed his thermos and stepped in between: “At this point, what’s the use of arguing? Lao Zhao, calm down, let them do what they need to do. I trust Yu Xue has considered everything thoroughly. If there were a better way, he would be the last person to want to involve innocent people.”
Chief Zhao remained silent, still with his hands behind his back and a stern expression. He glanced at Yu Xue with a sense of frustration, feeling that this promising young man was making things difficult for him. And Yi Shi, although not likable, had the ability. Yu Xue had always protected him; without Yu Xue, Yi Shi wouldn’t have a place in the city bureau.
He waved his hand and sighed. Well, there’s nothing more he can worry about. Rather than being anxious, he might as well hope for a good outcome.
In a corner, Liu Chenyi and Political Commissar Bai were having a quiet conversation. Liu Chenyi asked in a low voice: “Political Commissar Bai, both sides’ leaders clearly think the risks are too high and rejected the operation. How come when we woke up, the documents were all issued?”
“Do you think I’m not surprised?” Bai Xiaoyuan said with a puzzled expression, “This is the result of discussions between the top leaders of both provincial bureaus. Chief Mu’s eyes nearly fell out.”
“The provincial leaders decided?” Liu Chenyi was increasingly confused. Bai Xiaoyuan put his hand on his shoulder and reminded him: “I heard that the team in Nanyi has close ties with the provincial bureau. You’d better get along well with them and avoid offending people you shouldn’t.”
Liu Chenyi suddenly understood. Upon reflection, Yu Xue was the most likely candidate. Being a team leader must have involved some backdoor connections. Fortunately, he had never had direct conflicts with Yu Xue, only with Yi Shi, who was Yu Xue’s subordinate. Thinking of this, Liu Chenyi sighed with relief.
During the meeting, Yu Xue introduced the entire process of the operation, including the deployment along the route and detailed personnel arrangements. Every point he mentioned was followed by a query for opinions from the room. Unexpectedly, Liu Chenyi actively agreed: “No objections. This arrangement is very appropriate. Captain Yu, please continue.”
? Yu Xue adjusted his glasses, seemingly surprised to receive his support first. The meeting was unusually harmonious. Yuan Kang had long been prepared to mediate conflicts. After all, Liu Chenyi had previously been strongly opposed to this operation in earlier meetings. How come today he didn’t raise any objections and even showed approval? Was he swayed by Yu Xue’s leadership charm?
His unusual behavior also puzzled his colleagues. Xiao Liu from the second team pulled Zhang Rui aside: “Great Yin-Yang Master, can you analyze whether Lao Liu has changed his nature or been possessed?”
Zhang Rui covered his mouth with a notebook: “Who knows? It sounds strange to me. Before the meeting, he was still full of righteous indignation, filing small reports to Political Commissar Bai.”
Xiao Liu rubbed his chin: “Did Captain Yu have something on him?”
“Hey, that’s quite possible. Otherwise, I really can’t explain this supernatural phenomenon.”
—
In the evening, Yu Xue came out of Yuan Kang’s office, and Yi Shi, leaning against the nearest desk to the door, had evidently been waiting for a while.
Yu Xue handed over his coat: “Going for dinner? I’ll treat.”
Yi Shi took it and silently followed behind. When they walked out of the city bureau gate, Yu Xue said: “I didn’t get any useful information. Yuan Kang only has a vague impression of that case, even less clear than us outsiders.”
“Oh.”
Yuan Kang was not the case handler. The person involved in the case was his son, who was currently in third grade. Thus, his mind would only forcibly hold a piece of memory to make up for the rationale of the substitute.
It seems that apart from the old forensic doctor in Haijing, there was no one else with a connection to the kidnapping case from twenty years ago. Coincidentally, Gu Yan went to the province for a meeting and wouldn’t return until next week. The city bureau’s work was being handled by his two apprentices.
Speaking of apprentices—Yi Shi stopped and looked intently at Yu Xue.
Yu Xue, understanding his intention, adjusted his glasses: “I was about to discuss it with you over dinner. As for the case, that guy couldn’t help much. He was just an intern forensic doctor at the time. With his master around, he could only assist and take notes. He participated in the autopsy of one of the robbers, but he can’t recall the name. In his impression, the team leader in Haijing was Yuan Kang, and there was no person named Lin Heyu. The memory deviation is too significant, so I couldn’t be bothered to dig deeper.”
“But in other aspects, there was an unexpected gain.” Yu Xue’s gaze suddenly became profound, “He mentioned the whereabouts of that orphan hostage. Guess where he is now?”
Yi Shi instinctively held his breath: “Hmm?”
“He is… in Nanyi.”
Indeed, Yu Xue saw the expression he wanted on Yi Shi’s face. He sighed lightly: “Didn’t expect it, right? I didn’t expect it either, that he would end up in Nanyi. Qi Wenyu said that the child was indeed adopted by colleagues from Haijing Bureau earlier, but somehow, he was later taken to Nanyi. Given his age, twenty years later, he should be around 30 now.”
Adopted, Nanyi, age… These keywords together hit Yi Shi like a thunderbolt, leaving him standing there in a daze.
One hand resting on his shoulder, Yu Xue asked quietly, “So, Yi Shi, have you ever suspected that you might be the orphan who was rescued?”
Yi Shi was stunned. Should he consider this possibility? However—he lacked the most crucial evidence.
His memory before the burns was blank. According to his adoptive parents, he had suffered memory loss due to a cement board falling on his head, damaging his hippocampus. Since he could remember, he had always lived with the Sheng family; the experiences of wandering and kidnapping had never appeared even in his dreams.
If he had once been a hostage, then before the reoccurrence of the crime, he would be the least useful kind of hostage.
—
Aunt Lin removed her face mask and had just sat down at her vanity when suddenly her phone rang. She thought it was her husband calling from work, but to her surprise, it was Yi Shi.
At that moment, Aunt Lin didn’t even have time to put away the serum and quickly answered, “Hello?”
“Mom, it’s me.”
Aunt Lin nodded repeatedly: “Oh, of course, I know it’s you. I’m so happy to get your call. How have you been recently? I heard from your dad that you’re going on a mission again. Be sure to stay safe out there and don’t rush ahead. It’s getting colder these days. Do you have enough clothes? Do you need me to send some? And also…”
If it had been someone else, such a long string of nagging would have interrupted Yi Shi. But this was Lin Zhizhi, his closest adoptive mother. Every word of her nagging was care and warmth Yi Shi could not bear to miss.
He held the phone and listened silently. After more than a minute, Aunt Lin awkwardly said, “Oh dear, I asked so many questions and didn’t give you a chance to speak. I’m just chatty in my old age. Don’t be annoyed.”
Yi Shi smiled faintly: “No, it’s fine. I’m doing well recently. I’ll be going on a mission the day after tomorrow. I have enough clothes…”
He answered every question she had just asked, without leaving anything out. Aunt Lin smiled with her eyes squinted, quickly pressing down on the fine lines at the corners of her eyes. Time does not forgive, and she feared that if she smiled too much, more crow’s feet would appear.
She knew Yi Shi too well; this child was not the clingy type. If he called on his own, it must mean he had something to ask. Sure enough, Yi Shi brought up his origins and asked what she knew about his childhood.
“Hmm? Didn’t I tell you before? There was a fire at home when you were little. Your biological parents unfortunately perished in the fire, and only you survived. Fortunately, only your arm was burned…”
This was the story Yi Shi had heard since he was young. He rubbed his brow: “Then where did you adopt me from? Nanyi? How did the fire happen?”
“At that time, Guoning brought you back, and the procedures were already done. After you came home, you had no impression of your childhood. You only knew your name. According to Guoning, the fire was caused by improper use of a heater, but I don’t know the details.” Aunt Lin sighed gently, “Actually, I didn’t want to tell you this. You’ve never been talkative since you were a child, often staring out of the window in a daze. The doctor said it was psychological trauma and advised us not to mention the past in front of you.”
“So where did I live before? Was it Haijing?”
“Haijing? How could that be? Haijing is very significant to me. If they had brought you from there, they would have definitely told me.”
Aunt Lin’s tone was resolute. Even if Yi Shi had more doubts, he could not dig deeper. He was the hostage from back then, and this was just a conjecture built on several coincidences. Since Lin Zhizhi had denied it, calling Sheng Guoning would probably yield the same answer.
He didn’t have time to investigate the details of his adoption back then. However, the child was currently with Lin Heyu, and maybe he could ask him?
Yi Shi glanced at the time. Lin Heyu’s world was in the middle of the night, and since he couldn’t wait until midnight, he quickly sent a message and prepared to sleep.
Late at night, Lin Zhizhi sat in front of the vanity, staring blankly at the person in the mirror. After hanging up the phone, she had been sitting there, as if the mirror contained another world. The longer she looked, the more the lively and smiling young woman from the past seemed to appear.
The first time she saw Yi Shi was when her brother brought him to dinner, leaving this pretty but silent child in her care for a few days. After that, he was never brought back.
Later, her brother disappeared, and Yi Shi was lost. The next time she saw him was in Haijing’s hospital. He was in a coma, with his arm severely burned, like a broken doll wrapped in layers of gauze. Sheng Guoning found him at the entrance of Southern Cheng’an Mountain, not far from Linjia Village.
“His injuries are unknown. Lin Heyu’s whereabouts are currently unknown. He was so dependent on Lin Heyu, he would definitely not handle such a blow well. Maybe… it’s better not to tell him. We’ll raise him and create a story, so he can grow up without worry.”
Not telling Yi Shi the truth was simply because the reality was too cruel.
Lin Zhizhi covered her face with her right hand, and two lines of tears fell.
