After discussing with Ji An and Pang Le, Guan Xia ultimately decided to go directly to the West District branch to meet with Xu Nian and the captain of the criminal investigation team. As Ji An put it, though their actions weren’t officially supported by the police, there was nothing shady about them.
Sure enough, upon meeting the captain of the West District’s criminal investigation team, the three of them were first given a stern lecture about personal safety, with repeated reminders to always report incidents to the police first, before finally getting down to business.
The captain, Zhuang Yinghua, was a tall, powerfully built woman in her forties with a sharp gaze. Even though Xu Nian wore a constant smile, Guan Xia couldn’t help but feel intimidated sitting across from Zhuang, her posture stiffening unconsciously.
In contrast, Ji An remained as composed as ever, cool and collected. Pang Le, however, seemed just as uneasy as Guan Xia, which piqued her curiosity.
"The 129 case from 2021—Xu Nian mentioned it to me," Captain Zhuang began. "He also said you recalled a new lead related to it. I just didn’t expect you to act so quickly. What have you uncovered?"
Perhaps it was the nature of police work, but Zhuang Yinghua was clearly a woman of action.
Guan Xia immediately glanced at Ji An, who understood and stood up to hand over their compiled findings. "This is what we’ve pieced together so far. It already forms a coherent logical chain."
Zhuang took the documents, her frown deepening as she read through them. After carefully reviewing them several times, she finally looked up at Guan Xia. "I never expected you’d help us get a lead on a major player."
Her words carried a weight of implication, and Guan Xia perked up. "Does that mean the 129 case can be reopened?"
Zhuang nodded. "I’ll have the admin team draft a report immediately. We can start reinvestigating as early as tonight—we’ve just wrapped up another case, so two squads are free."
True to her decisive nature, Zhuang began making arrangements on the spot, even calling in off-duty officers right in front of them.
With the case officially reopened, Guan Xia was eager to head home. As soon as Zhuang hung up, she spoke up. "Captain Zhuang, we’ll take our leave now."
Zhuang checked her watch. "It is late. Let me walk you out."
As they headed toward the door, Zhuang casually asked, "I heard you attended university here in the West District?"
Walking beside her, Guan Xia knew the question was directed at her and instinctively glanced at Xu Nian.
Xu Nian subtly shook his head, signaling he hadn’t mentioned it. Guan Xia turned back to answer, "Yes, I spent four years here before moving to Pingjiang District."
"So you’ve been in Yongquan City for six or seven years now," Zhuang remarked with a smile. "How’ve you adjusted? The city’s great, except for the sweltering summers and all the mosquitoes."
The comment instantly reminded Guan Xia of the time she and Xu Nian had met downstairs—within minutes, her legs had been covered in bites. She nodded emphatically. "Absolutely. The mosquitoes here are vicious. One bite leaves a huge welt."
"Sounds like you’re as much of a mosquito magnet as I am," Zhuang said, recommending a brand of repellent. "Try this next time you’re out. I’ve tested every repellent on the market, and this one works best."
Despite her intimidating presence, Zhuang turned out to be surprisingly approachable. The two chatted easily as they walked, soon reaching the entrance.
Before parting, Zhuang added warmly, "Drop by sometime. At my age, I love talking to young people like you—it makes me feel years younger."
After watching Zhuang head back inside, the four of them descended the steps toward the parking lot.
Pang Le suddenly blurted out, "That’s it? It feels surreal. After all our work these past few days, it’s just… over?"
Guan Xia shared the sentiment, her emotions split between relief and an odd undercurrent of tension and unease.
Ji An cut to the heart of it. "Because for us, it’s over. But for the West District’s criminal investigation team, it’s just beginning."
Pang Le’s eyes widened in realization. "No wonder it feels off. We’ve done all we can, but there are still so many unanswered questions—how those three are connected, whether Feng Xingping’s stepfather was killed by that organization, who that mysterious third person is, whether they’re involved with drugs, how many lives they’ve taken… the list goes on."
Guan Xia nodded. Her initial goal had been to get the cold case reopened so the system’s halo could recharge, but after investing so much time and effort, she’d grown genuinely invested. Handing over their findings didn’t mean she’d stop wondering.
Pang Le mused, "We provided such crucial leads—does that make us insiders now? If we ask Captain Zhuang for updates later, would she tell us?"
Guan Xia looked at Ji An.
Ji An replied, "Until the case is solved, all information is confidential. If we want answers, we’ll have to wait for the official conclusion." She paused, glancing at Guan Xia. "Though Guan Xia’s remarkable memory and eye for detail often yield surprises. Who knows? Captain Zhuang might share a thing or two within limits."
The idea was tempting, but Guan Xia hesitated, still intimidated by Zhuang’s barely subdued authority—like facing a strict teacher. After a moment, she said, "I’ll try later."
As they reached the parking lot, Pang Le muttered again, "I still feel like this is a dream. We just handed over everything we found, just like that? And Captain Zhuang trusted us without question?"
The other three stopped walking. Guan Xia couldn’t help but laugh. "Have you been binge-watching too many dramas? Why would Captain Zhuang doubt us?"
Pang Le defended, "It’s always like that in shows and books. The protagonists provide key evidence, but someone always challenges them, and they have to argue their way to being believed. Oh, and there’s always a power struggle over who gets to solve the big case."
His eyes darted between Ji An and Xu Nian as he spoke.
Xu Nian stayed silent, his expression as calm as ever, though the faint upturn of his lips betrayed his amusement.
Even Ji An couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated. "What kind of TV dramas have you been watching? I can't speak for other provinces' criminal investigation teams, but in Ningyun Province, the bigger the case, the more we want capable people to take the lead. When it comes to cases, it's always ability first."
As soon as Ji An finished speaking, Xu Nian immediately added, "Same goes for Dingyuan Province."
"Alright then," Pang Le said, withdrawing her gaze with a look of disappointment on her face.
After finding their parked car, Pang Le pressed the unlock button. Guan Xia instinctively reached for the passenger door when Pang Le asked her, "Are you staying at my place again tonight?"
Only then did Guan Xia realize that the investigation was over, and she was free now.
Pang Le continued, "I have a feeling you might end up staying at my place often from now on. Why don’t I drive you back to grab some of your things? That way, you won’t have to spend forever picking through my clothes every time."
Their styles were just too different. Guan Xia couldn’t wear the same outfit every day, and she wasn’t in the mood to go shopping. These past few days, finding something to borrow from Pang Le’s wardrobe had been a struggle.
The outfit she was wearing today had been dug out from the very back of Pang Le’s closet. To Guan Xia, it was still a bit too flashy, but for Pang Le, it was practically tame.
Guan Xia tugged at the hem of her top, making sure it fully covered her waist, and after a moment’s thought, said, "I’ll go back and pack up first. Since Xu Nian’s here, I’ll just ride with him."
She turned to look for Xu Nian and found him standing just a few steps away, waiting.
Pang Le glanced at Xu Nian, hesitated slightly, then nodded. "Alright. Just message me when you get home."
Guan Xia agreed, bid Ji An goodbye, and watched as the two drove off before walking over to Xu Nian to head to his car.
"That Ji An…" Xu Nian finally spoke up once they were in the car. "Is she Lu Tingfeng’s friend?"
Guan Xia, who was fastening her seatbelt, gave him a surprised look. "Didn’t Lu Tingfeng call you before leaving Yongquan City?"
She didn’t answer directly, but her question was answer enough.
Xu Nian didn’t start the car right away. He let out a sigh and said, "He’s always been like this—impulsive, decisive, never one to dwell on things."
His tone was calm, his expression unchanged, but Guan Xia couldn’t shake the feeling that there was resentment in his words, as if he was upset at Lu Tingfeng for leaving without a word—again.
Recalling her earlier conversation with Lu Tingfeng, Guan Xia said, "I spoke to him about four or five days ago. I wanted to meet up and talk, but he told me he had urgent business and was already on his way to the airport. He gave me a number—Ji An’s."
Xu Nian didn’t respond, but he turned to look at her, listening intently.
After a pause, Guan Xia hesitantly asked, "Did you try calling him later?"
Xu Nian didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he started the car in silence before finally saying, "I did. No one picked up."
Guan Xia didn’t know what to say. She’d only met Lu Tingfeng once and didn’t know him well. Even though she considered Xu Nian a friend and wanted to offer some comfort, she couldn’t find the right words. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before finally managing a weak, "Maybe he was busy. He might call back later."
Xu Nian gave a quiet "Mm," his tone indifferent, but to Guan Xia, it sounded almost gritted out. "It’s fine if he doesn’t. He’ll come back to Yongquan City eventually."
Guan Xia glanced at him and couldn’t help but feel like there was a hint of murderous intent on his face.
(A/N: My period’s here, and I didn’t want this chapter to be so short, but I just couldn’t write any more. Love you all!)
