Xu Mengshan had no choice. He couldn’t dodge this forever—not just his childhood friends and the senior women at the police station who were eager to matchmake for this eligible bachelor, but his parents were especially restless with anticipation. This time, Ding Xiongwei himself had vouched for the match to his parents, describing her as an intelligent, graceful, and gentle elementary school teacher, a considerate girl who valued relationships. Guaranteed to meet their approval. With these three mountains of pressure bearing down, Xu Mengshan had to come.
Even now, facing such matters, though his face remained composed, something deep in his heart still felt troubled.
Having quickly finished one cup of tea, he called the server for a refill. His fingers drummed on the table, his expression darkening. Just then, he heard bursts of cheerful laughter from young women at a neighboring table.
Xu Mengshan held his refilled teacup without drinking, quietly observing for a moment before looking up.
Several unfamiliar girls, barely in their twenties, radiated youthful energy. As Xu Mengshan watched them, his eyes suddenly grew warm, and he lowered his head, smiling.
That earlier restlessness seemed soothed by something, gradually becoming peaceful, his mood suddenly improving. He even felt a hint of curiosity and anticipation about the stranger he was about to meet.
A while later, he looked up and saw a slender young figure walking through the opposite corridor. Still some distance away, amid the crowds and restaurant’s steam, he couldn’t make out her features clearly, yet somehow that peaceful feeling in his heart continued to spread.
As she drew closer and her features became clear, Xu Mengshan suddenly grew nervous, his face warming. He coughed lightly and stood up, his heart unexpectedly fluttering.
…
That same night, on Yunnan’s border, torrential rain poured from the sky, drenching the dense tropical rainforest.
Jing Ping stood in camouflage, gun held at his sides, hidden in the thick forest with several colleagues, silent as hunting cheetahs lying in wait.
No one spoke.
Not a single word.
Rain and sweat slid down their faces, intensely itchy, yet no one raised a hand to scratch. Among them, none bore a more fierce and dark expression than Jing Ping, who commanded this operation.
Heavy rain continued to fall.
The sound was hidden within the rainfall—impossible to hear without careful attention. But Jing Ping’s ears were trained for such conditions; he heard everything. His thick eyebrows furrowed as he made a hand signal. The narcotics officers tensed like drawn bows, every muscle beneath their camouflage gear coiled with power.
The targets appeared.
Two young men, seemingly oblivious to their situation, each wearing a felt hat and carrying a backpack, trudged through the forest. Their waists bulged with concealed weapons.
Jing Ping became even more statue-like, leaning against the cold, wet tree trunk, watching sideways as they walked into the trap.
In an instant, the dim daylight rainforest blazed with lights, and several officers pounced like fierce tigers. Gunshots rang out.
…
The operation was highly successful.
Though only two suspects, they were notorious, experienced drug traffickers who had personally overseen this large shipment. They hadn’t expected the police to be ready, capturing both old foxes in one sweep.
The rain had stopped. Police boots crunched leaves in the forest. Several officers escorted the two traffickers toward nearby police vehicles. Both looked ashen, completely resigned. But at the forest’s edge, one suddenly turned and shouted hysterically: “Jing Ping! You’ve arrested us today, ruined Brother Bo’s big deal—he won’t let you go! Just wait to be hunted down with a bounty on your head! Damn…” An officer muffled his mouth.
The officers present looked around, some at the criminal, some at Jing Ping, but no one spoke.
Jing Ping had laid in ambush all night, then personally pursued and arrested them. Exhausted, he leaned against a large tree beside brothers who had faced death with him for many years. One arm rested on his knee as he smoked, eyes slightly narrowed, appearing both extremely lazy and ice-cold, as if he hadn’t heard anything. He distributed cigarettes to his brothers as they discussed follow-up arrangements.
The drug traffickers were pushed into vehicles, bringing quiet at last.
Jing Ping looked up at the clearing sky after the rain, a blue background with flowing white clouds. High above the trees, from somewhere, an eagle appeared, soaring across the sky.
For some reason, Jing Ping’s heart suddenly felt incredibly free. He lifted his head and smiled.
…
Have you seen the eagle in the sky?
Of course, I have.
We criminal police are like eagles in the sky, we can only spread our wings and soar. All the departures, farewells, pain, excitement, fearlessness, and joy are destined scenery along this path.
Even with broken wings, and severed limbs, stained with blood and tears, we can only keep flying forward resolutely.
On this path, everyone is guilty, everyone is innocent.
Desires are hard to fill, yet innocence remains.
Then let me fly with you, okay?
Okay.
Please see my love and admiration, my forgetting and deep remembrance. It has always been you. No one else will do, no one else in this world will do.
Only you.
Bright as stars, cold light guides my way.
Able to defeat all demons and monsters,
Taking me to a world of goodness and kindness.
(The End)
—
Thank you all for your understanding and patience. Writing this book has been a joyful process—I’ve loved both the protagonists and the supporting characters, and sincerely hope you’ve loved them too.
This year has somehow accompanied you from spring to summer, yet ended in the blink of an eye. Special thanks to all the girls who supported with recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, rewards, and subscriptions—you are forever Lao Mo’s strongest backing.
Nothing more to say except that we must continue striving every year. See you next year with a new book. For updates about publications, new books, adaptations, etc., follow my Weibo: @Ding Mo. If you have anything to say, you can leave messages in the book review section or on my Weibo.
Goodbye!
Ding Mo
July 21, 2019, Hunan