Yin Feng stared through the car window for a few seconds before returning to his car.

Tu Ya asked, “What’s going on?”

Yin Feng leaned back, closed his eyes, and said, “We wait.”

Tu Ya didn’t ask further, resting his head on the steering wheel.

Shortly after, just as Yin Feng was beginning to feel drowsy, he heard Tu Ya start the engine. Opening his eyes, he saw the car ahead had departed. Yin Feng glanced at his watch.

15 minutes.

She had only allowed herself 15 minutes of rest before continuing the five-hour-plus drive.

By the time their car reached Taoling village, night had fallen completely. The meeting point Xu Mengshan had set was at an unremarkable hotel.

You Mingxu parked at the hotel entrance and saw Xu Mengshan already waiting. As she approached, Yin Feng and Tu Ya followed several steps behind.

Xu Mengshan had just finished a cigarette. His gaze swept over the coldly familiar man’s face before settling on You Mingxu. She gestured toward the room to talk, and as they walked side by side, Xu Mengshan asked softly, “Why are they here?”

You Mingxu answered, “It’s related to him. He wants to investigate and insists on following up. Just ignore them.”

Xu Mengshan’s expression turned somewhat playful. During Chen Zhaoci’s previous case, Yin Feng contributed significantly to catching the killer and finding Fan Jia. Xu Mengshan was the type to remember others’ kindness clearly. So he turned back to smile at Yin Feng: “Teacher Yin, you’re here?”

Yin Feng nodded with a slight smile.

Xu Mengshan whispered to You Mingxu: “He is different now, so pretentious. Damn, feels like a split personality.”

This made You Mingxu laugh, placing her hand on his shoulder, saying, “Good eye!”

Xu Mengshan had always been close to her. While remembering Yin Feng’s good deeds, he was also angry at how Yin Feng had turned his back on their Sister You after recovering. He deliberately put his arm around her shoulder to provoke her, whispering: “Of course, scumbags deserve universal condemnation.”

But as soon as the joke left his lips, both fell silent simultaneously.

Because during their usual bantering, there had always been another person playing along with Xu Mengshan. His expression turned subdued, though his nose stung slightly. He thought about how he hadn’t originally been one to joke around, but someone had liked to act cute, and finding it amusing at first, he’d somehow joined in, playing along in harmony.

Now, he was left alone, telling jokes and trying to be clever.

Neither spoke, Xu Mengshan’s face darkened, and You Mingxu, understanding clearly who he was thinking of, felt the pain too and allowed his arm to remain around her.

Tu Ya watched Xu Mengshan’s hand resting on You Mingxu’s shoulder, finding it incredibly irritating. With his volatile temper, he glowered for a moment before quickly looking at Yin Feng.

He saw Yin Feng also staring at that spot, his expression unreadable, neither pleased nor angry.

“Teacher Yin?” he asked softly. Did he need to drag that fox-like man out in the dead of night for a beating? He would gladly do so.

But Yin Feng gave him a look warning against rash actions.

Tu Ya lowered his head. Having witnessed their relationship develop, seeing how Teacher Yin used to revolve around that woman, watching her now being close to someone else filled him with resentment and unwillingness, his face quickly reddening.

Seeing his reaction, Yin Feng surprisingly smiled and said softly, “It’s not worth it. She’s not mine anymore. Let her be close with whoever she wants. Makes working together on the case easier.”

Tu Ya said, “When you remember everything, you’ll probably be furious.”

Yin Feng glanced at him without responding.

Remember? Those past events?

A scene suddenly flashed through Yin Feng’s mind, the only one he’d recalled so far—himself curled up in a chair, reaching out to You Mingxu. Her eyes are both disdainful and gentle.

Tu Ya’s words made him realize something he hadn’t considered before—did he want to recover those memories? If he did remember one day, what then?

After a moment of silence, Yin Feng smiled and said, “Tu Ya, whether I remember or not is irrelevant. Because who I am now would certainly not make the same choices as when I was mentally impaired.”

You Mingxu and Xu Mengshan went straight to his room. Xu Mengshan looked back, smiled, and left the door open. Yin Feng smiled slightly, asking Tu Ya to get two more rooms, then followed them in.

Xu Mengshan had booked a single room, and he’d already arranged for You Mingxu’s room next door. You Mingxu tossed her travel bag on the floor, making herself at home by sitting directly on Xu Mengshan’s bed. After driving all afternoon, her back ached, and as she stretched, she caught sight of those polished black leather shoes entering the room from her peripheral vision, but she turned away, ignoring them.

When Yin Feng entered the room, his brows furrowed imperceptibly. The peeling wallpaper, simple furniture, seemingly clean bedsheets, and floor worn nearly smooth. Xu Mengshan was polite: “Teacher Yin, please sit.”

Yin Feng looked at the dusty old sofa with its worn leather, mentally sighed, but sat down. Habitually leaning back, he rested his hand on the armrest, crossing his long legs, directly facing You Mingxu. His gaze fell on her face—having removed her coat, wearing only a sweater, her body’s curves were particularly noticeable, and his eyes unconsciously traced their outline. But You Mingxu sat sideways, facing Xu Mengshan, showing him only her profile.

“Speak,” You Mingxu said.

Xu Mengshan nodded, handing her his phone containing photos taken today. He explained, “About Xiang Rong’s house situation, you saw it in the video this afternoon. I observed that the village is sparsely populated now, his house has been abandoned for years, and the two neighboring households have moved away. So I find it suspicious that Xiang Rong suddenly returned to the old house. They have no relatives left here either.”

You Mingxu smiled slightly: “With those items he brought, he’s planning something. He’s not hanging chains as decoration in an abandoned house. The gauze is probably to prevent injury while installing the chains, right?”

Xu Mengshan asked: “Who does he plan to target?”

A deep, steady voice interjected: “A complete set of tools. The chains aside, the boning knife and electric drill can be used to torture victims. The gauze and medicine are for stopping bleeding after injuring the victim, extending the torture time. If Xiang Rong prepared these for a crime, he’s very experienced.”

You Mingxu acted as if she hadn’t heard, swinging her crossed leg slightly. Xu Mengshan smiled at Yin Feng: “I see.”

Yin Feng’s gaze slid back to You Mingxu. This woman’s attitude irritated him somewhat. But it seemed reasonable enough, given their agreement before investigating separately—no need for communication or interference.