Guan Xia observed Ning Ping'an's condition. Though the girl was frail, with a numb expression and listless demeanor, she showed no obvious external injuries. Even if a physical examination and cooperation with the Anjiang District Bureau for injury assessment were required, they wouldn’t need to stay in Baofeng City for long. Yet, by the time they set off from Baofeng City back to Shangshuang City, it was already September 12th.
Though Ning Ping'an had no visible wounds, her psychological trauma was severe, compounded by serious malnutrition and moderate anemia. The doctors at the children's hospital, upon reviewing her test results, had immediately insisted on hospitalization without room for refusal—their stern expressions never softened.
Guan Xia and the others couldn’t casually disclose details of the ongoing case, not even to Ning Ping'an’s attending physician. So during the girl’s hospitalization, everyone—including Lu Tingfeng—had endured the doctor’s disapproving glares.
Fortunately, while the doctor was fiery-tempered, their expertise and professionalism were undeniable.
Over the course of her hospital stay, Ning Ping'an visibly improved. Her skin, though still pale, was no longer the deathly white of when she’d first been rescued. Perhaps from being confined underground for so long, the nine-year-old now adored sunlight and feared the dark. She insisted on sleeping with the lights on, and even under the scorching noon sun, she would wander outside, jumping and exploring as if seeing the world for the first time, her eyes brimming with wonder.
She loved flowers, grass, and people—especially children younger than her, as if marveling that there could be someone smaller in this world. Whenever she spotted one, she’d stare, transfixed.
Ning Ping'an also ate voraciously. At first, Guan Xia assumed it was because she’d been starved and was now forcing herself to overeat, her stomach bulging until she’d retch in discomfort. Each time this happened, Ji An or whoever was on duty that day would get an earful from the doctor.
The team was deeply worried about the girl, but no one dared to ask—except Pang Le. One evening, after yet another scolding from the doctor, Pang Le hesitated before crouching beside Ning Ping'an’s bed and whispering, "Ping'an, tell Auntie Pang… why do you keep eating so much even when you’re full? Doesn’t it hurt when you throw up afterward?"
Perhaps emboldened by their growing familiarity, Ning Ping'an answered just as softly, "Because… because eating more makes you taller, and bigger, and stronger."
Guan Xia, who had been watching Pang Le’s furtive movements from the window nearby, felt her heart clench. She understood instantly: Ning Ping'an despised her own fragility. She yearned to be as tall and strong as an adult, so she forced herself to eat, hoping to grow faster—no matter the cost.
Pang Le, facing the girl with her back to Guan Xia, sounded equally moved and pained. Sniffling, she replied in a thick voice, "Where’d you hear that, little one? On TV? Well, TV doesn’t always tell the whole truth. You don’t need to eat more—just eat well. Look at Auntie Pang—am I big and strong? That’s because I eat meat, veggies, eggs, and milk every day, and I exercise! That’s how I run fast and fight off bad guys. Want to be like Auntie Pang someday?"
In the dim hospital light, Guan Xia saw Ning Ping'an’s eyes brighten with longing as she whispered, "Yes."
"Then promise me," Pang Le grinned, ruffling the girl’s hair, "eat just enough, not too much. When you’re better, you can jog or practice punches with me, or Auntie Ji, or Auntie Zhong. Grow up strong, just like me."
Ning Ping'an listened intently, her gaze burning with hope—yet still hesitant. "Really?"
"Cross my heart," Pang Le assured, stroking her head gently. "Auntie Pang never lies. I’ve even won world championships! Want to see my medals?"
For once, Pang Le stayed patiently at the bedside, chatting cheerfully with the tiny girl—discussing which meats tasted best, or how running could save her even if she couldn’t fight.
Guan Xia smiled as she watched for a while, then quietly slipped out of the hospital room. She walked over to Ji An, who was standing by the door, her eyes fixed lovingly on the scene inside, and said with a chuckle, "Who would’ve thought Pang Le would turn out to be a secret child whisperer? Ping’an has talked more with her tonight than with me over all these days combined."
"Thank you both," Ji An suddenly said, her voice thick with emotion. "Really, Guan Xia, thank you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have found Ping’an so quickly. Even now, it feels like a dream. I never imagined that after Ning Xin’s death, I’d actually get Ping’an back."
After chasing leads for over four years, the case had abruptly reached a resolution—one of the two missing persons had been found alive. Even Guan Xia sometimes felt it was surreal, as if plucked from the pages of a novel or a TV drama. Despite seeing Ning Ping’an every day, the reality still felt fragile.
Guan Xia didn’t reply immediately. Instead, she wrapped Ji An in a quiet embrace before teasing, "We’re friends, Ji An—friends who’ve been through life and death together. There’s no need for thanks. You can say it to me, but don’t you dare say it to Pang Le. I don’t want to hear her nagging."
Ji An knew Guan Xia was trying to lighten the mood. She tried to hold back her emotions but failed, resting her head against Guan Xia’s shoulder with a soft murmur. "Okay, I won’t say it again."
After ten days in the hospital, not only was Ning Ping’an eager to leave, but Guan Xia and the others were also desperate to return to Shangshuang City. So on the morning of September 12th, they checked out, and by afternoon, they were already at the airport.
By the time they landed in Shangshuang City, night had fully fallen. To their surprise, two elderly figures stood at the arrivals gate, their hair streaked with gray. Clutching each other’s hands, they leaned together, their expressions a mix of nervousness, anticipation, and hope as they peered into the crowd.
Before Guan Xia or the others could call out, the moment Ji An stepped into view with Ning Ping’an in her arms, the elderly couple’s eyes widened—despite their fading vision—and tears spilled uncontrollably down their cheeks. Words failed them; one hand covered their trembling lips while the other waved excitedly.
Ji An’s heart swelled as she hurried through the crowd toward them, whispering to the child in her arms, "Ping’an, look—do you remember them? That’s your grandma and grandpa. Your grandpa used to make your favorite candied apples, and your grandma sewed you a little rabbit plushie—white fur, red eyes, long ears. Do you remember?"
After these past days, Ning Ping’an had regained much of her speech. She thought carefully before answering softly, "Ping’an remembers. Candied apples… sweet. Rabbit plushie… cute."
Once they passed the security barrier, the elderly couple rushed forward, their arms outstretched as if to embrace the child, but at the last moment, they hesitated, withdrawing slightly. Instead, they forced smiles and said, "Ping’an, do you remember Grandma? Grandma missed you so much."
Fighting back tears, Grandma Ning suddenly remembered something and fished out a tiny rabbit plushie from her bag, presenting it eagerly. "Look what Grandma brought you! A little rabbit plushie. Do you like it, Ping’an?"
Grandpa Ning, shoved aside in the excitement, desperately wanted to speak but couldn’t get a word in, his gaze fixed pleadingly on Ning Ping’an.
The child nestled obediently in Ji An’s arms, studying them both before finally nodding. "Cute. Ping’an likes it."
Those words shattered Grandma Ning’s composure. Tears streamed down her face, but she quickly wiped them away, pressing the plushie into the child’s hands. "Good… good. As long as Ping’an likes it."
Her tears set off Grandpa Ning, who wept openly, his blurred gaze lingering on the child as if seeing her—and someone else—through the haze of memory.
The two elders wept freely around Ning Ping’an, their emotions raw and unguarded, until the child tentatively called out, "Grandma… Grandpa." Only then did they calm slightly, their tears giving way to shaky smiles as they ushered everyone home.
After five years of separation, Guan Xia and the others knew better than to intrude. Once they’d escorted the family back to the elderly couple’s neighborhood, they prepared to return to their hotel.
After nearly a month and a half of relentless work, they finally had a moment to breathe. Though there were still loose ends to tie up regarding the case, Guan Xia couldn’t muster the energy. All she wanted was a long sleep—everything else could wait until tomorrow.
No sooner had they returned to the car than Lu Tingfeng was fastening his seatbelt when Xu Nian suddenly leaned down through the open window and called out to Guan Xia, "Guan Xia, wait—there's something I need to say."
Guan Xia turned to him in surprise, pausing for a moment. Assuming he had received new information about her biological sister again, she prepared to step aside for a private conversation as they had done before. But before she could even rise from her seat, Xu Nian glanced at Lu Tingfeng and added, "Old Lu, you too."
This unexpected inclusion of Lu Tingfeng made Guan Xia instinctively exchange a look with him. Though she still didn’t know what Xu Nian wanted to discuss, the fact that Lu Tingfeng was involved meant it wasn’t about her sister—it had to be case-related.
Sure enough, once the two followed Xu Nian to a secluded spot, Xu Nian pressed his lips together, his expression unreadable as he looked at Lu Tingfeng before speaking. "Old Lu, I just got word from the task force. While thoroughly investigating Wu Xingxian’s case, they found something on Dong Yihong—the deceased assistant."
Guan Xia glanced between Lu Tingfeng and Xu Nian, sensing something off about Xu Nian’s demeanor. Normally, after working together for so long, such updates would be shared with her first. But today, Xu Nian bypassed her entirely, addressing Lu Tingfeng directly.
And then there was that rare, complicated expression on his face—Guan Xia caught traces of sorrow, sympathy, distress, and even helplessness.
Lu Tingfeng was sharp. The moment Guan Xia sensed something amiss, he did too. The casual smirk he usually wore vanished in seconds, replaced by a tense, rigid seriousness. After a long pause, as if dreading the answer, he asked hoarsely, "Are you talking about… my sister’s… case?"
His voice was strained, his eyes locked onto Xu Nian, waiting.
Xu Nian’s expression grew even heavier. He nodded stiffly, as if his neck had rusted, and replied with equal difficulty, "Yes. They recovered some data from Dong Yihong’s phone… and found several videos."
At this point, Guan Xia understood. Her eyes widened in shock.
Lu Tingfeng’s reaction was even more visceral—his entire body stiffened as if struck by lightning. His lips trembled slightly, his eyes reddening, though no tears fell. There was no outburst, only a chilling, murderous hatred burning in his gaze.
Guan Xia had never seen such a ruthless expression on Lu Tingfeng’s face before. She stood frozen until he suddenly turned and sprinted back to the car without a word. Only then did she snap out of it, instinctively chasing after him.
But how could she outrun a car? Within seconds, Lu Tingfeng revved the engine and sped off, vanishing down the road.
Guan Xia and Xu Nian stood grim-faced while the others exchanged confused glances. Pang Le and Zhong Xiaoyu stared at each other before Pang Le turned to Guan Xia and asked, "What’s up with Lu Tingfeng? Why’d he suddenly take off like that? Did Xu Nian piss him off? That can’t be—Xu Nian’s usually the hotheaded one."
Pang Le shot a wary look at Xu Nian’s expression, clearly holding back further comments.
Jiang Yingyao and Qi Bai, who had been chatting nearby, approached as well. Glancing between the direction Lu Tingfeng had gone and Xu Nian, Jiang Yingyao finally asked, "What’s going on, Captain Xu? Did Lu have some urgent business, or did you assign him another special task?"
Xu Nian kept his eyes on the road where Lu Tingfeng had disappeared and shook his head. "No. The task force dug deeper into Wu Xingxian’s case… and uncovered a lead in his sister’s case."
Qi Bai’s eyes widened as he and Jiang Yingyao shared a startled look. Realization dawned, and he blurted, "So he rushed off to Nanping Precinct?"
Xu Nian gave a quiet hum of confirmation.
Qi Bai immediately sprang into action. "Then why are we still standing here? Let’s go! Lu’s sister’s case is our case too. Now that Ning Ping’an’s been found safe, the task force doesn’t need us right away. We should hurry and help crack this!"
Without waiting, Qi Bai scrambled into the car. When the others hesitated, he stuck his head back out and urged, "What’re you waiting for? Get in!"
Jiang Yingyao and the rest quickly followed, climbing into the vehicles—except for Guan Xia, Xu Nian, and Pang Le, who knew Guan Xia too well to move just yet.
Guan Xia’s mind was a whirlwind, replaying the keywords Xu Nian had just uttered.
Phones, videos, Assistant Dong—flashes of memory brought Guan Xia back to the night Wu Xingxian was murdered. One of the six survivors, a young woman surnamed Tian, had provided a statement to the task force. Guan Xia couldn’t recall the exact words, but one line stuck in her mind: Assistant Dong was said to be a long-time aide to Chairman Wu, reportedly brought along when he first came to Shangshuang City.
Connecting the dots between Wu Xingxian, Wu Yang, and their ties to the criminal organization, as well as the timing of Lu Tingfeng’s sister’s murder—which Pang Le had once investigated—Guan Xia’s mind grew sharper. Piece by piece, she pieced together a theory Xu Nian hadn’t yet voiced but one that was likely very close to the truth.
Wu Xingxian’s assistant, Dong Yihong, was the killer who had murdered Lu Tingfeng’s sister all those years ago. Back then, he must have just followed Wu Xingxian to Shangshuang City to establish their operations—or perhaps Wu Xingxian had arrived first, while Dong Yihong stayed behind in the shadows, cleaning up loose ends. Somehow, he had crossed paths with Lu Tingfeng’s sister, and for reasons unknown, subjected her to a brutal killing.
If Guan Xia’s hunch was correct, the video Xu Nian mentioned wasn’t just a clue—it was evidence. More than that, it was a record of the entire horrific act, the moment Lu Tingfeng’s sister met her end.
