The conference room at the Lushan Branch Bureau was brightly lit.
The room was already packed with people, a sea of dark figures.
Ding Xiongwei strode towards the conference room clutching a notebook, his face as cold as frost. The leaders were about to arrive. Just as he reached the doorway, he spotted someone standing against the wall, hands in pockets, staring into the distance. His demeanor was as solitary and cold as a lone tree.
Upon seeing Ding Xiongwei, the man met his gaze for a few seconds before lowering his eyes.
Ding Xiongwei sighed inwardly, partly annoyed at the other’s apparent resignation. He gave a light cough.
You Mingxu immediately looked up at him again.
Master and disciple had engaged in countless such silent exchanges before. Ding Xiongwei glanced at the conference room’s back door, and You Mingxu understood, nodding slightly. Ding Xiongwei then walked into the conference room with a solemn expression.
You Mingxu lowered his head and silently entered through the back door, finding a seat in the corner. A few colleagues nearby exchanged glances before turning away, pretending not to notice him.
You Mingxu slowly raised his head. He first noticed several bureau leaders, including Ding Xiongwei, seated in the front rows. Even Director Duan had come, his face betraying his displeasure. As Yin Feng’s close senior martial brother, what did his presence at today’s meeting signify?
As You Mingxu’s gaze moved higher, he saw the brilliant golden police emblem on the wall. The blue and red at its center, like lake water and sunlight, made his eyes sting slightly.
The meeting began.
Xu Mengshan was also seated in the front today, as he had been both a witness and duty officer that night. He too looked like a stranger today, his face seemingly covered in frost. He recounted the events of that night in an emotionless, matter-of-fact manner:
“…After using the restroom, I rushed back to the ward and encountered You Mingxu and several people following Yin Feng. I found Officer Han Lei unconscious outside the wardroom, with tranquilizer dart marks on his neck.
I immediately burst into the ward and saw Chen Feng lying on the floor. Yin Feng was choking Li Mingdi, whose life was hanging by a thread…
Yin Feng stopped. I was attacked, hit by a tranquilizer dart, and lost consciousness. When I came to, they had fled…”
Next, several surveillance video clips began playing on the LCD screen on the front wall—
Chen Feng and Yin Feng arrive at the ward one after another.
Chen Feng attacked the duty officer and broke into the ward.
Yin Feng enters the ward.
Then the camera angle changed to one from a ceiling-mounted camera outside the ward. Despite the distance and only capturing half the ward, it showed some blurry physical conflicts, but the entire process largely corroborated Xu Mengshan’s account.
Then, Tu Ya carrying an unconscious Yin Feng, the group hurriedly fled from the wardroom and escaped.
Even though a day and night had passed, watching those scenes again caused a dry, dull pain in You Mingxu’s heart. He lowered his gaze, suppressing the tears that threatened to well up, his mind filled with the image of Yin Feng looking at him with tears in his eyes.
He hadn’t come to the meeting today to gather intelligence.
He simply couldn’t believe what had happened yesterday.
Even though Yin Feng had said so himself…
But what had happened last night before he and Xu Mengshan arrived? Who knew?
Did Yin Feng have his reasons for acting that way?
Was it possible he wasn’t in his right mind? Had he fallen victim to someone’s scheme?
These thoughts made his heart beat fresh and alive again.
Although Yin Feng hadn’t contacted him since last night, and police across the city had mobilized to search for them without finding a trace.
If he wanted to hide, no one would be able to find them.
So today, You Mingxu had come to the meeting again, disregarding rumors and others’ glances. He needed to understand what had happened, how this night had affected the police force, and what it meant for the Punisher…
After a brief discussion, the leaders quickly concluded.
But when You Mingxu heard the words “arrest warrant,” his heart plummeted like a kite with its string cut.
It was Director Duan who announced this decision. Today he looked as if he’d aged several years, his eyes filled with pain and weariness as he declared in a heavy voice: “…We’ll issue a non-public warrant, expanding the search to the entire province. Seal off his residence, office, and all locations, and launch a comprehensive investigation…”
You Mingxu stood in a corner of the hallway for quite a while, finishing three cigarettes before returning to the office.
Several colleagues from his team were there. Seeing him enter, they exchanged glances and left, leaving only Xu Mengshan behind.
You Mingxu sat down in front of Xu Mengshan, who pulled out a cigarette and asked, “Want one?”
“I’ve had enough just now,” You Mingxu replied.
Xu Mengshan made a small sound of acknowledgment and said, “If you want to cry, go ahead. It’s just me here.”
You Mingxu glanced at him and smiled bitterly. They sat in silence for a while, You Mingxu pressing his hands against his face. Xu Mengshan felt terrible and put an arm around his shoulders.
After a long moment, You Mingxu wiped his face, took a deep breath, and said, “Tell me.”
Xu Mengshan said, “Give me your phone.”
You Mingxu placed his phone in front of him. As Xu Mengshan attached the monitoring device, he explained, “All your communications devices and networks will be monitored. Two officers will guard your building 24 hours a day. You can’t perform your duties or leave Xiangcheng until the case is closed. Understand?”
“I understand,” You Mingxu replied.
Xu Mengshan’s eyes reddened as he said, “That’s all, you know the rest. If he contacts you, report it immediately.”
“Yes.”
As You Mingxu rose to leave and reached the door, Xu Mengshan called out to him: “Sister You, when I yelled at you last night not to get involved, it wasn’t because I doubted you’d abuse your position. I was worried you might do something without knowing the full situation and face consequences later. Doing nothing was the best choice at that moment.”
You Mingxu left without a word.
Just as he reached the stairwell, he saw Ding Xiongwei returning after escorting several leaders downstairs. His face still carried a faint smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Seeing You Mingxu, he paused slightly. You Mingxu walked toward him and said steadily, “Old Ding, I’m entrusting Yin Feng’s case to you. I know you’ll investigate thoroughly, and I’ll wait for the results at home.”
Ding Xiongwei looked at his capable disciple’s demeanor, his heart aching though his face revealed nothing. He asked, “Did Mengshan explain everything to you?”
“Yes.”
“Go home and get some rest. We’ll handle everything.”
But You Mingxu remained standing.
Ding Xiongwei sighed and asked, “What else?”
You Mingxu looked into his eyes: “Old Ding, do you believe in him?” What about Director Duan and the others—did they believe in him?
Ding Xiongwei was silent for a moment before saying, “I do. A person’s character and beliefs aren’t revealed in a day or two. They’re shown through our long association. His attitude toward criminals, the views he’s expressed time and again, and his many acts help us pursue and punish evil.
But You Mingxu, compared to intuition, I must trust the evidence more.”