“Hmm… the baby has a fever again?” Her brows furrowed with worry. “Mom, I really can’t come back right now. Take the baby to the Fourth Hospital; their pediatric department is better. I’ll take the day off tomorrow and come back…”

Ding Xiongwei didn’t ask any questions at the time.

After Yu Ruixue hung up the phone, concern lingered in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

After discussing work matters, Ding Xiongwei added, “If you need any help, you can call me.”

Yu Ruixue smiled and thanked him.

But later, no matter what difficulties she encountered, she never called her former colleague for help.

What happened afterward, Ding Xiongwei learned from others.

He heard that although Yu Ruixue had been transferred to a basic-level position, she progressed steadily, performing better and better, until she quickly earned recognition and joined another district’s criminal investigation team.

He heard that she never married.

He also heard that she had an unclear relationship with the youngest son of a certain criminal organization. The rumors were detailed, saying that the son had just returned from studying abroad and had nothing to do with his family’s business. He never revealed his identity to her. She had been deceived, and that child was born from their relationship.

Later, a series of unexpected events forced the youngest son to take over the family business. Despite his scholarly background, he proved remarkably capable. Rumors said he dealt with rivals with an iron fist, handling them quite elegantly. When law enforcement finally cracked down, all his rivals were caught with solid evidence, while the youngest son’s businesses—real estate and financial companies—were completely clean and legitimate.

But these were merely fragments of rumors. After all, Yu Ruixue had always kept to herself, and that youngest son had already entered legitimate business, married, had children, and his enterprise grew increasingly successful. From any perspective, the two seemed worlds apart, completely disconnected.

…

“Your mother had it tough in those years,” Ding Xiongwei sighed.

In You Mingxu’s memories, although she lived with her grandparents during childhood, her mother would visit her in Jiang City from Xiang City whenever possible. Her mother was always gentle and calm, showing endless love for her, never displaying any resentment or regret. This was the first time You Mingxu heard someone speak about what kind of life her mother had lived during those years—surrounded by rumors, suspicion, lies, betrayal, and conflict…

Suddenly, You Mingxu no longer wanted to know whether there had been true love or deception between her mother and that man, or whether her mother had any regrets.

It didn’t matter anymore.

Her mother had already given her two answers.

The first answer was that until her death in the line of duty, her mother had been the most dedicated police officer, serving selflessly and diligently, establishing many indelible achievements.

The second answer was that her mother never regretted bringing her into this world, pouring all of a mother’s love into her, and influencing her to follow in her footsteps to become a police officer.

You Mingxu’s eyes grew warm, and she lowered her gaze, hiding behind her teacup.

Observing her expression, Ding Xiongwei fell silent for a moment before asking, “Is there anything else you want to know about this matter?”

“No need,” You Mingxu replied. She exhaled deeply, her tone becoming calm. “Tell me about Yin Chen.”

Ding Xiongwei frowned. “Yin Chen… I don’t know more than you do. Back then, nobody paid attention to someone like him. I don’t know how he met Yu Ruixue. Later, in the case file about Yu Ruixue’s death in the line of duty, there was no mention of Yin Chen either.”

You Mingxu pondered for a moment before saying, “I want to see the case files from that time.”

Since Yin Chen had mentioned it, and Xing Jifu had said that Yin Chen was “that young man who used to hang around her,” perhaps she could find some clues in that case.

Ding Xiongwei agreed.

That afternoon, a thick stack of yellowed case files arrived in You Mingxu’s hands.