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Chapter 168

The typhoon had finally passed. By the afternoon, the sky began to clear up, and later, maritime traffic resumed.

After inspecting the scene of Wu Hongyou’s suicide, Lu Siyu and Song Wen went to a nearby farmhouse for a meal. They also called Commissioner Gu before returning to the Happy Hotel to brief Officer Du on all the details.

The explosion case and Wu Hongyou’s suicide would be investigated by the Xinchuan City Bureau.

The notebook and the hair found at the scene would be important evidence for the 519 case and would be taken back to the Nancheng City Bureau for further investigation.

Lu Siyu and Song Wen were eager to leave. They bought the earliest afternoon ferry tickets and also purchased bus tickets online for the journey from Xinchuan to Nancheng.

At one o’clock in the afternoon, a medium-sized ferry slowly approached the shore at Nansha Island port.

The ferry was not as large or as well-equipped as the one they had arrived on. The island had been out of service for nearly two days, and several islanders with various luggage boarded the ferry to leave.

The ferry docked at the pier for about twenty minutes before departing. When it set off, about half of the seats were occupied, with noticeably more people than when they had arrived.

As soon as the ferry set sail, Song Wen’s phone buzzed. He checked it and saw a crying emoji from Qiu Lan. “Brother Song, we went to the seaside to check on the seabirds, only to find out you had already checked out. Why did you leave so quickly?” The tone clearly expressed reluctance.

Song Wen pondered for a moment before replying, “Had to leave for something.”

After a while, Qiu Lan responded, “Alright… I knew you weren’t just a painter. Now that the cake shop is gone, we can only eat at farmhouses. Teacher Su is shortening our trip, so we might head back soon. Also, it seems Amy had a fight with Chen Zui recently and has bought a ticket to return tomorrow. I hope she can quit those things after she goes back.”

She seemed to sense that there might be no further interaction with Song Wen and sent a flurry of messages to mark the end of their acquaintance.

Song Wen replied with, “Until we meet again.”

Qiu Lan responded, “Until we meet again. Wishing you happiness and joy in the future…”

Lu Siyu, hearing the constant buzzing of Song Wen’s phone, turned and asked, “Is something going on?”

Song Wen shook his head, “No, Qiu Lan is saying goodbye. Didn’t you get a message?”

Lu Siyu, sitting by the window, looked out at the sea and said softly, “I switched my SIM card back.”

His face was somewhat indifferent and cold, as if others were irrelevant to him. He did not need to interact more with ordinary people, living only in his own world.

For him, the trip to Nansha Island was over. Those people were strangers, and they would probably never meet again in this lifetime.

Song Wen put his phone back in his pocket and looked at Lu Siyu. The person before him was clean, distant, and more importantly, he belonged to him.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out on the ferry. People turned to the window, and Lu Siyu and Song Wen also turned to see.

The sun had broken through the clouds, casting beams of light. A large flock of seabirds suddenly flew out from Nansha Island.

It was almost unimaginable that such a small island had once harbored so many birds.

The flock of seabirds, illuminated by the sunlight, soared from the island, emitting bright calls. There could have been thousands of them. After the typhoon, they flew into the sky, starting a new journey, heading south in flocks.

The flapping wings of the seabirds, glowing golden in the sunlight, created a spectacular and beautiful scene, like a stunning oil painting.

Nansha Island, as their transit point, had become their sanctuary during the typhoon.

Seeing this, Lu Siyu couldn’t help but lean against the glass, gazing up at the seabirds.

The golden sunlight cast a golden line on his profile, and the reflection on the glass showed his features. Song Wen felt a stir in his heart, put his arm around Lu Siyu’s shoulder, and leaned in to look out the window as well.

The cruise ship carried them away from the isolated island, and the bustling city of Nancheng awaited their return.

In the afternoon, at the Nancheng City Bureau.

Nancheng had also been affected by the typhoon. It rained for several hours from last night into the morning, but by the afternoon, the weather cleared up. Typhoon Quexian had not breached Nancheng’s barrier and had instead circled nearby, heading towards Lingcheng.

With the wind and rain finally ceased, Song Cheng went to a nearby hotel to bring Wu Qing over.

Although it was still the October 1 holiday, the atmosphere at the Nancheng City Bureau was tense with work.

All the computers and personal items in the office had been labeled and were being moved out one by one.

These items ranged from large desktop computers and laptops to small storage boxes, printer paper, and pens. A team of technical investigators from the provincial bureau was conducting a thorough check of all office hardware and software.

From these measures and details, it was clear that the leaders were determined to thoroughly investigate the city bureau.

Song Cheng pushed Wu Qing’s wheelchair, accompanied by Commissioner Gu, as they walked through the corridors of the Nancheng City Bureau.

Some technical investigators saw the leaders approaching and stepped out to greet them. “Good afternoon, Director Song.”

Song Cheng asked the one leading the group, “Ye Zheng, is the current inspection going smoothly?”

This person, Ye Zheng, was a technical investigator brought from the provincial bureau by Song Cheng. Ye Zheng was of short stature and somewhat thin, with a youthful face, slightly curly hair, giving him the appearance of a college student or a high school student if he were wearing a school uniform and carrying a backpack.

However, Ye Zheng was actually the deputy team leader of the provincial bureau’s technical investigation division and was already 27 years old.

Technical investigation involves using scientific and technological methods to collect and preserve evidence.

Ye Zheng had been an experienced hand in this field since graduating from university and joining the provincial bureau.

He reported while twirling his electronic pen, “The computer scans for internal police personnel should be completed in about two hours. Additionally, we are verifying all communication devices, call records, account information, and assets.”

Song Cheng responded with a nod, reminding him, “Don’t forget to check the family members’ information.”

Ye Zheng replied, “The spouse’s information is also being investigated.”

Wu Qing raised a hand and spoke slowly, “This case is different from ordinary ones. Anything that an average person might think of will leave too many traces. Pay close attention to your search, including information on retired personnel and minor children, especially in obscure places.”

He feared the investigators might not realize they were dealing with a particularly cunning fox.

Ye Zheng smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Mr. Wu. I know we’re investigating internal personnel, and those who have betrayed police information are naturally familiar with common investigative methods. It’s not easy to catch them, but with some time, we will find clues.”

Song Cheng said, “Don’t rush, take your time. No need to hurry.” He then added seriously, “I’ll give you two more days.”

When Commissioner Gu heard that the result was expected the day after tomorrow, he became nervous as well, thinking they would get a few more days.

Ye Zheng was accustomed to such work rhythms and nodded, “Alright!”

Since Song Cheng handled Xu Changying’s affairs and brought Wu Qing to Nancheng, he had insisted on cleaning up the Nancheng City Bureau and finding the sources that might have leaked information.

This cleanup covered the entire city bureau, focusing on the criminal investigation department, and all relevant police officers’ records and information since their employment were being scrutinized.

For thoroughness, since their arrival, all personnel unrelated to the bureau’s recent work were prohibited from entering the city bureau building.

The technical investigation team worked through the night.

Commissioner Gu, listening to Song Cheng and Wu Qing’s arrangements, thought to himself that the provincial bureau was indeed efficient. If they had done the investigation themselves, it would have taken a month.

Fortunately, there were no major cases in the past few days, so it seemed the investigation could be completed after the October holiday.

As the direct leader of the city bureau, Gu was deeply anxious about whether there might be someone leaking information within the Nancheng City Bureau, and if so, who it might be…

Song Cheng then asked, “By the way, Commissioner Gu, did Song Wen return your call?”

Commissioner Gu quickly replied, “Yes, we got in touch around noon. Song Wen said he’s with Lu Siyu and will return to Nancheng later.”

Song Cheng’s tense expression finally relaxed, but his tone remained serious, “When he returns, I want to hear an explanation from this team leader of yours personally!”

Noticing Song Cheng’s tone had become a bit harsh, Commissioner Gu began to sweat, “Alright, I’ll call him again and have him come straight to the city bureau as soon as he gets off the car.”

Song Wen was someone Gu had strongly recommended, and now such a big issue had arisen on his watch, with Song Wen immediately chasing after Lu Siyu. Commissioner Gu could only handle everything himself, but fortunately, the provincial bureau director did not impose excessive penalties, though he had asked several times about Song Wen’s whereabouts.

As Commissioner Gu went to make the call, Wu Qing pondered for a moment before looking up at Song Cheng, “The communications were cut off as soon as we arrived on the island, and it has only just been restored. This is a bit strange…”

Song Cheng’s eyebrows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again, “Are you suggesting it was deliberate sabotage?”

Wu Qing thought for a moment and said, “Sabotaging communications on the island is quite simple. Finding the base station and disrupting the power supply would be enough to cut off communications on such a sparsely populated island… If this wasn’t an accident, it seems someone didn’t want them to contact the outside.” Wu Qing felt a hint of unease as he spoke.

Regardless, Song Wen and Lu Siyu had already safely left the island. Wu Qing hoped that his uneasy feeling was mistaken.

At 4:30 PM, on the bus from Xinchuan to Nancheng, Song Wen closed his sketchbook and rubbed his temples. He had just sketched half a page, and the bus’s bumps were making him, who usually doesn’t get carsick, feel a bit dizzy.

Song Wen carefully put the sketchbook into his shoulder bag, but his wrist accidentally brushed against the bag’s zipper. He frowned slightly; the injury on his left wrist hadn’t healed, and any movement caused a sharp pain.

Then, Song Wen looked at Lu Siyu, who was sleeping with his head resting on Song Wen’s right shoulder. From this angle, Lu Siyu’s skin looked pale and his long eyelashes moved gently with his shallow breaths.

The bus had exited the highway and was approaching Nancheng. Though only a few days had passed, it felt like an eternity. Song Wen, though reluctant to disturb Lu Siyu’s good sleep, gently nudged him awake, saying, “Wake up, we’re almost at the station. Don’t catch a cold after sweating.”

Lu Siyu mumbled in response, snuggling a bit more against Song Wen’s shoulder.

They had spent nearly three hours on the boat and another hour on the bus, finally returning to Nancheng City before evening. Both the boat and the bus had been bumpy and noisy. Exhausted from the journey, Lu Siyu had curled up on the bus and fallen asleep.

As the bus entered the underground parking lot, Lu Siyu reluctantly opened his eyes. After the typhoon and explosion the previous night, and the site investigation in the early morning, he hadn’t had much rest.

Song Wen helped tidy up Lu Siyu’s disheveled hair and said, “You can rest more when we get home tonight.”

Lu Siyu asked, “Where are we going now? To the city bureau?”

He vaguely remembered hearing Song Wen take a call from Commissioner Gu.

Song Wen nodded, standing up and taking his backpack from the luggage rack with one hand. “Commissioner Gu specifically called. We’ll take a cab directly to the city bureau.”

He then handed Lu Siyu his bag, “My dad and Uncle Wu are both there.”

When Lu Siyu heard “Uncle Wu,” he knew it referred to Wu Qing. It seemed both the provincial and city bureaus were taking the matter very seriously. Before coming, Lu Siyu had only informed Mr. Wu of his whereabouts. He had heard about the previous conflicts between Wu Qing and Song Cheng and wondered how Song Cheng managed to bring Wu Qing back.

Song Wen put the sketchbook bag into his backpack, and Lu Siyu noticed the two items now on the side of Song Wen’s bag. They were the most significant findings of their trip. The diary had been photographed and archived, while the hair sample needed to be sent to the forensic department for analysis.

Besides addressing these matters, Lu Siyu was also a bit nervous about meeting Song Cheng.

From Song Wen’s descriptions, Lu Siyu had some impression of this strict father. After all, he was Song Wen’s father and the direct leader of the provincial bureau. Such a meeting made Lu Siyu anxious and uneasy…

The car came to a complete stop, and Lu Siyu and Song Wen followed the crowd out of the underground parking lot.

They usually took the high-speed train, but this time, since the Xinchuan port was closest to the bus station and buses were the only option for immediate departure, they chose this mode of transportation. It was their first time at this bus station, and both were a bit lost.

The Nancheng North Bus Station is located in a somewhat central part of the city, and not far from the exit are several of Nancheng’s busiest streets.

At the passenger exit, there were quite a few taxi drivers gathered. Seeing them carrying bags and heading out, the drivers eagerly approached, asking, “Where are you going? To Xiang’an? To Xiang’an?”

“Prices are negotiable, still need two more, Huaixi District.”

Some even enthusiastically approached to take their luggage, making it seem like they were there to pick someone up.

Song Wen kept avoiding them and reached the door, asking a familiar-looking driver, “To the Nancheng City Bureau?”

The driver either didn’t hear clearly or couldn’t believe it, frowning and asking, “What city bureau?”

Song Wen touched his nose and repeated, “The City Public Security Bureau…”

The driver understood this time, his face turning pale. “Ask someone else; I’m not going there…” He turned and ran off before finishing his sentence.

Song Wen wanted to ask someone else, but when he turned around, the illegal cab drivers scattered like startled birds, quickly disappearing from the area.

“We’re not fishing for law enforcement; even police need taxis…” Song Wen sighed.

Lu Siyu said, “Let’s take a regular taxi.”

They walked out of the station towards the bus stop across the street. Lu Siyu took out his phone and awkwardly used a ride-hailing app while Song Wen stood by the roadside, trying to flag down a taxi.

It was just past five in the evening, and the days had been getting darker earlier. The city was as bustling as it was before they left, with everyone rushing to their destinations. Taxis were hurrying to change shifts, and private cars were trying to avoid the rush-hour traffic.

After a couple of minutes, a taxi finally stopped beside them. The driver rolled down the window, asking, “Where are you going?”

Song Wen hurriedly replied, “To Xicai Street.”

Since it seemed to be on the way, the driver waved his hand, “Hurry up and get in. I’m in a rush to change shifts.”

Song Wen finally relaxed, saying, “Driver, could you please open the trunk?”

Lu Siyu took Song Wen’s bag, saying, “I’ll handle the luggage. Your injury hasn’t healed yet; don’t exert yourself.”

Seeing Lu Siyu being so proactive for the first time warmed Song Wen’s heart. He didn’t insist and handed the bag to Lu Siyu, leaning against the car and waiting for him to return.

Lu Siyu took the bag. When he saw Song Wen carrying it earlier, he thought it looked light, but now, carrying two bags, he found them quite heavy.

As the trunk popped open, Lu Siyu had just placed one bag inside and was about to put the other one in when he looked up and saw a man standing by the roadside not far away.

The man was in his thirties, with disheveled hair and a thin, emaciated build. He hunched over, his bloodshot eyes fixed intently on their direction, breathing heavily. He glanced around and then at Song Wen.

Lu Siyu didn’t recognize the man and had no recollection of him, but he had a gut feeling that the man was looking at them.

Then the man dashed toward them with alarming speed.

“Song Wen!” Lu Siyu instinctively called out to him. Before his hand could move away from the bag, the man collided with him, causing the bag to fall to the ground.

Everything happened so quickly that Lu Siyu barely had time to react.

A faint sound sliced through the air, followed by a sharp pain in his abdomen. Something sharp had pierced through his clothing, slicing through flesh and embedding itself into his body.

It was a fruit knife. Lu Siyu’s body slumped to the side, half leaning against the car. He covered his wound with one hand and grabbed the man’s knife-wielding hand with the other, pulling it tightly.

The man tried to wrest the knife away, struggling violently. Lu Siyu held onto him with all his strength, feeling the cold metal of the knife as it pressed against his body, the tip scraping painfully inside. Despite his usual resilience to pain, Lu Siyu couldn’t help but let out a low “uh” and fought to keep his grip despite the excruciating pain.

The man, unable to reclaim the knife, abandoned it and fled.

At that moment, Song Wen rushed over, kicking the man in the abdomen and then striking him on the side of the head with his elbow. The man, in pain, grabbed Song Wen’s left wrist. Song Wen’s injury flared up, and he struggled to hold onto the man. The man, seemingly frenzied, broke free from Song Wen, leaping over the roadside greenbelt and running toward the center of the street.

The man ran quickly, as if he had already planned his escape route. Ignoring the pain in his wrist, Song Wen pursued him.

The man’s actions were clearly suicidal. As he reached the middle of the road, a car, trying to beat the red light, couldn’t stop in time and collided with him. The man was thrown several meters away, landing in a pool of blood.

The incident unfolded almost instantly, causing a commotion at the intersection, with vehicles coming to a halt.

People were shocked that such an event occurred in the most bustling area of Nancheng.

Song Wen turned back to check on Lu Siyu. Lu Siyu was losing consciousness, his vision darkening as he began to collapse forward. Song Wen caught him just in time.

The pain from the wound was intense. Lu Siyu pressed his hand tightly against the injury, breathing heavily. His eyelids fluttered, trying to speak, but he felt the taste of blood rising up, the pain making him tremble. Unable to utter a word, Song Wen held him close, his heart breaking. He didn’t dare pull out the knife, seeing Lu Siyu’s lips turning pale and sweat beading on his forehead. He used his left hand to call for emergency help while pressing his right hand over Lu Siyu’s wound, feeling the warm blood seeping through his fingers…

TN:

Sorry for the long wait. It’s been taking too long to get the chapters out and people are getting impatient, understandably so. I’ll admit I’m not very motivated with this novel so I have been procrastinating about editing the chapters. I skip it most of the time on my schedule. As such, this novel is free for pick up. If you would like to continue the translations feel free to do so, please. Or if you know or can request a translator who would be interested in it you can reach out to them. There are only some 40+ chapters left so it might be easier to get someone willing to do it. It’s very easy to MTL so anyone can do it doesn’t have to be a human translator, I’m not one either.