Guan Xia and Ji An finished sharing the information they had gathered that afternoon and promptly asked the others if they had made any progress.
Wang Yu was the first to respond. "Today, we contacted the local police station and community staff to get a general understanding of Geng Jing's background."
As she spoke, Wang Yu pulled out the takeout dinner they had brought back and handed it to Guan Xia. "According to the community director, Geng Jing used to be fairly law-abiding in his earlier years. Though he always had a bad temper, he could at least be reasoned with before his divorce. But after one incident where he got into a fight—despite his ex-wife trying to stop him—he stabbed someone so badly that he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. When he got out, he completely gave up on himself. No one knows what happened to him inside, but after his release, he became extremely volatile and aggressive. Within two years, his ex-wife couldn’t take it anymore and divorced him. Left alone, he became even more reckless. The community director admitted they get constant complaints about him from neighbors, who call almost daily asking them to 'do something' about Geng Jing."
Guan Xia frowned. "Someone like that—a clear danger to society—should be under close surveillance by both the community and the local police. Any suspicious activity should’ve raised alarms. How could they have missed it when Geng Jing kidnapped Ning Xin and her daughter?"
Another thing puzzled her: that afternoon, she and Ji An had stumbled upon an eyewitness to Ning Xin and her daughter’s disappearance. If the witness suspected Geng Jing was involved in a kidnapping and hadn’t kept it a secret—since several people knew—why hadn’t the information spread? How had the case gone cold?
Jiang Yingyao chimed in, "Geng Jing may have a terrible temper and get into fights almost daily, but he has a legitimate job and a steady income. He’s out early and back late—hardly a social outcast. The local police said they monitored him closely for years after his release. When they saw no further criminal activity, they downgraded their surveillance."
Zhong Xiaoyu asked, "When was he released?"
Wang Yu answered, "2013."
Guan Xia mulled it over. Released in 2013, divorced from Tang Lianhua in 2015. According to the police, they’d monitored him for years—six, in fact, from 2013 to 2019. If he hadn’t broken the law in all that time, it made sense they’d lower their guard.
At the same time, she began to understand why the eyewitness’s account hadn’t led to Geng Jing’s exposure. On one hand, people instinctively avoid danger; on the other, rumors tend to grow wilder with each retelling until no one takes them seriously.
Sitting side by side, Guan Xia and Ji An listened to Wang Yu while hurriedly eating their dinner.
Wang Yu continued, "We didn’t have time to dig into Geng Jing’s social connections, but the community director said he keeps to himself. Before prison, he occasionally hung out with a few shady friends, but after his release, he cut ties completely. He treats his home like a hotel—spending most of his time out driving."
At the mention of driving, Guan Xia’s interest piqued. "That kind of schedule would make it easy to stalk someone without drawing attention."
Pang Le, however, focused on something else. "I’m more curious about what happened to him in prison. Or maybe nothing did—maybe he just decided after serving time that he wouldn’t hold back anymore. Oh, and Guan Xia, didn’t you say earlier that some elderly neighbors mentioned Geng Jing had a head injury and might have mental issues?"
Xu Nian nodded. "Yes, the community director remembered clearly. The year he married his ex-wife, soon after moving into the neighborhood, he got caught in the crossfire of a fight between two households. He and his wife were accidentally hit, but it wasn’t serious—just a mild concussion and a bump on the head."
Guan Xia thought, Of course rumors exaggerate. That’s why the neighbors had heard but dismissed it.
After a rushed afternoon, the team hadn’t uncovered much. By the time Guan Xia finished eating, they’d shared nearly everything.
Ji An glanced at Xu Nian. "How should we divide tasks tomorrow? Still focus on Geng Jing?"
Xu Nian caught her implication. "You want to follow the Ning Ping’an lead instead?"
Guan Xia turned to Ji An as well.
Ji An nodded. "Zhong Xiaoyu’s earlier comment gave me an idea. I’d like to look into it and see if we find anything."
Xu Nian didn’t answer immediately, instead asking Guan Xia, "What about you? Any thoughts?"
After a pause, Guan Xia said, "Zhong Xiaoyu’s words got me thinking too. The more I go over the clues we have, the more plausible it seems. I’d also like to pursue the Ning Ping’an angle."
Xu Nian considered this, then agreed. "Then we’ll split into two teams tomorrow. For efficiency, we’ll rearrange personnel—Jiang Yingyao and Wang Yu will go with you two, while Pang Le and Zhong Xiaoyu join us to investigate Geng Jing."
Zhong Xiaoyu had no objections, but Pang Le looked surprised. "Why this arrangement?"
Xu Nian explained, "Partly due to credentials, and partly because with you and Zhong Xiaoyu, we can conduct surveillance more discreetly."
Pang Le nodded in understanding.
The group spent a little longer discussing the next day’s plans before, unusually, dispersing to their rooms before midnight.
Guan Xia remained unfazed, but after washing up, Pang Le plopped onto her bed and said sternly, "I won’t be with you the next few days. Stick close to Ji An—no going off alone. Especially with your weird luck, don’t leave her sight. Got it?"
Guan Xia, applying skincare, nodded solemnly. "Don’t worry. I’m not brave, and I value my life. I’ll stay right by Ji An’s side."
Pang Le repeated the warning a few more times before finally settling down.
Seizing the moment, Guan Xia added, "Don’t just lecture me. You be careful too. No reckless stunts just because you’ve trained in martial arts since childhood. Before doing anything, ask yourself—is it dangerous? Could you get hurt? Understand?"
Pang Le raised a hand as if swearing an oath and promised seriously. Only then did Guan Xia nod in satisfaction.
The next morning was another clear day. After a quick breakfast at the hotel, the team prepared to split up—only to spot a completely unexpected figure in the lobby.
Even dressed simply in a white T-shirt and black pants, standing in a corner of the hotel, Lu Tingfeng stood out like a crane among chickens, effortlessly drawing attention. Even Guan Xia, who had only met him a few times, recognized him immediately and exclaimed softly in surprise, "Lu Tingfeng? He actually came?"
The others had clearly recognized him faster than Guan Xia and were already waving enthusiastically to greet him. Zhong Xiaoyu couldn’t wait to rush over, darting to Lu Tingfeng’s side and bumping fists with him. "Brother Lu, you really came? I was just telling Sister Ji a couple of days ago that once you had time, you’d definitely show up for her case."
After their fist bump, Lu Tingfeng patted her shoulder and raised an eyebrow with a grin. "Of course. If I hadn’t been held back by the doctor and nurse last time because of my injury, I would’ve been there for your uncle’s case no matter what. Since I missed it then, I had to come this time."
After exchanging a few words with Zhong Xiaoyu, Lu Tingfeng strode past her and stopped in front of Xu Nian, his smile instantly brightening—so much so that it could only be described as radiant. "So? Surprised? Never thought we’d get to work on a case together again, did you?"
Facing Lu Tingfeng, Xu Nian found it hard to maintain his usual composure. He shook his head helplessly. "Your timing couldn’t be better. We’re short-handed right now. Let’s go."
As Xu Nian started walking ahead, Lu Tingfeng glanced back at him but didn’t follow immediately. Instead, he winked at Guan Xia and Pang Le. "Hey there, long time no see. This is our first time working together—looking forward to it."
No matter how many times they met, Guan Xia could never get used to Lu Tingfeng’s unpredictability and over-familiarity. She stiffly muttered a greeting before walking off without looking back.
Lu Tingfeng chuckled and waved at Pang Le before catching up to Xu Nian, slinging an arm over his shoulder. "Sister Ji already filled me in on the case you’re working on. Just tell me straight—what can I do? How do we proceed?"
Thanks to Lu Tingfeng’s sudden arrival, Guan Xia and the others set off a little later than planned. They found a secluded corner to go over the clues they’d gathered in the past two days and discuss their next steps.
Without hesitation, Lu Tingfeng declared, "I’m joining Sister Ji and Guan Xia’s team. I’ve got a feeling they’re about to make a big discovery."
Before Xu Nian could respond, Qi Bai scratched his head and laughed. "Brother Lu, since when did you start relying on intuition? But you’re not wrong—whenever Guan Xia follows a lead, something shocking always turns up. I’ve already braced myself."
Lu Tingfeng winked again. "Exactly why I want in. After living such a thrilling life, I can’t go back to the old routine of stakeouts and rules."
He then turned to Xu Nian. "So, Captain Xu? Do I have your permission to join Guan Xia’s team?"
Without looking up, Xu Nian replied, "You’re not under my command anymore. Go wherever you want."
With that, Xu Nian led Qi Bai and the others to their car.
Lu Tingfeng watched Xu Nian’s retreating figure until their car had left the parking lot. Only then did he turn back to Guan Xia, still grinning. "They’re off. Shall we get going too?"
Guan Xia instinctively glanced around for Pang Le, only to remember she wasn’t with her today. Slightly unsettled, she averted her gaze.
Ji An looked in the direction Xu Nian had gone, then back at Lu Tingfeng, sighing. "When will you ever outgrow this reckless attitude? You know Xu Nian so well, yet you insist on saying things that upset him."
At first, Guan Xia didn’t quite grasp Ji An’s meaning, but it clicked once they were in the car. Lu Tingfeng’s remarks had dredged up old memories for Xu Nian, causing the usually unflappable man’s temper to flare visibly.
Recalling Xu Nian’s darkened expression earlier, Guan Xia couldn’t help but think this investigation was going to be more chaotic than ever.
