The plane landed in the capital. After an hour’s drive, Ling Lie stood once again before the headquarters of the Special Action Team. He subconsciously took a deep breath, expecting to face the probing gazes of a group of old-fashioned sticklers, but to his surprise, the person waiting for him in the conference room was someone who had long faded from the police world—Fu Zhong, the former head of the Special Action Team.

Ling Lie’s eyes widened. He looked back at Shen Xun, who had brought him, and asked in confusion, “Boss… Boss Fu?”

Fu Zhong stood up with a smile. “Still calling me Boss Fu. In the whole team, you’re the only one without a clue. Is ‘boss’ a good word?”

Fu Zhong was in his fifties, a meritorious figure of the Special Action Team. Logically, he could have worked until retirement with honor, but old injuries had been tormenting him. Five years ago, he handed over his work to his successor and went to recuperate. Although his file was still with the Special Action Team, he had long been equivalent to an idler.

When Ling Lie temporarily left the team last year, he didn’t intervene. But not long ago, when Ling Lie was under investigation, he, along with Xiao Yu’an and Shen Xun, endorsed Ling Lie.

Fu Zhong’s appearance at this time suggested to Ling Lie that what surrounded him was no small matter.

Ling Lie asked, “How is your health lately?”

Fu Zhong laughed. “Oh, caring about me now? Don’t worry, without you brats causing trouble for me all day, I can live to be at least a hundred!”

As he spoke, Fu Zhong glanced towards the corridor. “Didn’t that annoying Zhao say you brought that captain from Xiarong City too? Where is he?”

Ling Lie didn’t expect Fu Zhong to ask about Ji Chenjiao right away. “He’s in the lounge.”

Unsure of what he would face, Ling Lie felt it wasn’t good to bring Ji Chenjiao in rashly just now, so he arranged for Ji Chenjiao to stay in the lounge. Zhao Fan, displaying the spirit of a host, had already pulled Ji Chenjiao into a game.

Fu Zhong looked at him with an expression that said you kid did wrong. “Since he’s here, are you afraid of him meeting me? Go, bring him here. You went through so much together in Xiarong City; he should know about your affairs.”

“My affairs?”

“Yes, your past, your father, and why you became a member of the Special Action Team.”

When Ji Chenjiao was called away by Shen Xun, Zhao Fan made a fuss: “What’s going on with you guys? If you want me to keep him company, I do it; if you want to break up my gaming partner, you break it up? I’m telling you, I’m angry!”

The moment Ji Chenjiao entered the conference room, he felt Ling Lie’s mood was different from when they parted just now. He was quiet, too quiet, sitting at the table with hands resting on it, like a well-behaved student. Diagonally across from Ling Lie sat a gray-haired man. Judging by the rank insignia, he was a big shot.

Fu Zhong pointed to the seat next to Ling Lie. “Xiao Ji, sit.”

Shen Xun introduced Fu Zhong’s identity to Ji Chenjiao. Amidst his surprise, Ji Chenjiao hurriedly said, “Thank you for what happened last time.”

Fu Zhong smiled and shook his head, looking at Ling Lie. “Since I was the one who relented and allowed him to become a member of the Special Action Team exceptionally, I must be responsible for him.”

Ling Lie raised his head. “You just said, my biological father was… was your teammate?”

Ji Chenjiao’s gaze paused.

Fu Zhong sighed and nodded. “This story starts from before you existed.”

The man in the photo Ling Lie saw in Guiweng Town, who looked very much like him, was named Yun Rou. Though a man, his name was gentle like a woman’s. Guiweng Town was on the border, and people there were unrestrained. Yun Rou grew up free and easy, true to his name (cloud). At sixteen, he left his beloved hometown and traveled all the way, later settling temporarily in a big northern city.

That year he was nineteen, and he met Fu Zhong, a police academy student in the prime of his youth.

The two had some conflict and didn’t know each other until they fought. Yun Rou had a low education level but was agile, smart, and exceptionally perceptive. Fu Zhong’s master felt this was a moldable talent. If left to run wild in society, he might be a scourge, but if managed well, he could definitely contribute to the police force.

Hearing this, Ling Lie recalled that ten years ago, Xiao Yu’an’s evaluation of him was largely similar. But the Special Action Team was incredibly hard to enter. Xiao Yu’an was only a squadron leader then. Why would his favor guarantee Ling Lie becoming a member of the Special Action Team?

He knew Xiao Yu’an had gone to the big leader, but he had never thought about why the big leader would give the final approval. He was only eighteen then. Was there anything special about him? He worked as an informant in the darkness for three years and was only twenty-one when he became a regular member. Why him?

The answer seemed hidden in the past of Fu Zhong and Yun Rou.

Yun Rou was very interested in working for the police, especially partnering with Fu Zhong; they were like one person with two souls. In those years, Fu Zhong was in the light, and Yun Rou was in the dark. Together, they cracked many major cases.

When they were twenty-three, the Special Security Office, the predecessor of the Special Action Team, was established. Yun Rou was no longer an informant but officially became a part of it, just like Fu Zhong.

A year later, China and Country E jointly investigated a transnational arms smuggling case. Yun Rou was sent to Country E for the mission. The mission was successful, but Yun Rou couldn’t return.

Undercover work is perilous. After losing contact, both Country E and the Special Security Office believed he had likely met with misfortune. But Fu Zhong refused to believe his partner died just like that and kept trying to contact Yun Rou.

Yun Rou didn’t die. By a twist of fate, he became a nail planted by the Country E police inside “Sinking Gold.”

From then on, he had a new identity, and his codename was “Violent Cat”—because of the birthmark on his shoulder that strongly resembled a cat’s head.

“Violent Cat” provided intelligence on “Sinking Gold” to the Country E police. At that time, the Country E police didn’t plan to completely eliminate “Sinking Gold,” but they needed to check and balance it, extracting more benefits from it while having “Sinking Gold” do things the police couldn’t do externally.

And the reason such international gaming never harmed China’s interests in the slightest was that Fu Zhong had reconnected with Yun Rou. Yun Rou was essentially a triple agent. He restricted “Sinking Gold’s” southward expansion while devising strategies for “Sinking Gold” and the Country E police to restrain and utilize each other.

Within “Sinking Gold,” he had prestige. Later, one year, to hide his identity, he was forced by the probing of “Sinking Gold’s” higher-ups to have a child with a woman.

What the outside world knew was that this child died at birth.

Ling Lie felt the cat-head birthmark on his shoulder burning hot. He said hoarsely, “I am that child…”

Fu Zhong nodded. “Yes. Yun Rou didn’t let you stay by his side, nor did he let anyone know of your existence. Because he knew very well that being near him was the most dangerous place. I once asked him where he hid you. He refused to say, only saying that whether you could survive depended on your own fate.”

The snow-filled village, cruel instructors, shortage of food, blood staining red…

Ling Lie clenched his fists tight. That was absolutely no safe place!

But in “Sinking Gold,” where was there any safe place?

Yun Rou also had to guard against “Sinking Gold’s” surveillance. Perhaps the most dangerous place was indeed the easiest to hide.

Fu Zhong said, “Moreover, that village was the closest to us among all of ‘Sinking Gold’s’ strongholds.”

The tiny human cub grew up in the border village. The only time “Violent Cat” went to see him was upon hearing he had fallen off a cliff and the children of the entire village suffered because of him. “Violent Cat” saved the children of that village from being tortured to death.

Years later, “Sinking Gold” had become a serious trouble for Country E and many other countries. Voices within Country E gradually called for eliminating “Sinking Gold.”

When Yun Rou spoke with Fu Zhong for the last time, his excitement was hard to hide. He estimated that within three years at most, the joint operation would start. by then, his undercover mission would be considered complete, and he could finally go home.

But he didn’t wait for that day. While the Country E police were making early preparations, “Violent Cat” was killed by a foreign assassin while executing a mission for “Sinking Gold.”

He didn’t die for his motherland, nor for the Country E police; he died for “Sinking Gold.”

Only a very few people knew that another hero was quietly buried in a foreign land. Fu Zhong couldn’t hide his grief, yet he couldn’t even go to Country E to collect his best friend’s remains.

Half a year later, a teenager somewhat resembling Yun Rou stood before him. Fu Zhong, who had become the head of the Special Action Team, almost thought time had reversed to when he first met Yun Rou.

The teenager said his current name was Yu Ge, but that was another boy’s name. He had stolen and used this name for nearly ten years, and he wanted his own name.

The teenager also said he had already thought of a name. He wanted to be called Ling Lie—Ling as in the biting (ling li) north wind, Lie as in hunter (lie ren).

Ling Lie was brought by Xiao Yu’an. Xiao Yu’an said if this child couldn’t be used by the police, he might become a scourge. This remark instantly reminded Fu Zhong of his master’s evaluation of Yun Rou.

Could there be such a coincidence in the world? Fu Zhong’s life faded in Country E (metaphorically, part of him died with Yun Rou), yet his child came before him?

But even so, Fu Zhong couldn’t agree to Xiao Yu’an immediately. He needed to know everything about this child.

Ling Lie started training with Xiao Yu’an. During the physical examination, the cat-head birthmark identical to Yun Rou’s on his back was revealed. Fu Zhong secretly used the samples Yun Rou left at headquarters before going abroad for a DNA test. They were indeed biological father and son!

Fu Zhong found out that Ling Lie had wandered to Xiarong City as a child, lived in the Lily of the Valley Welfare Institute for a while, and was later adopted by the wealthy Yu family. But he was like a wolf that couldn’t be domesticated; ten years in a wealthy family hadn’t spoiled him. Although he seemed untamed, he possessed a rare noble character—extremely grateful, and firmly believing that if someone was harmed, someone must be responsible.

Fu Zhong teared up alone and gave Ling Lie the green light. Thus, Ling Lie could execute the most confidential missions with Xiao Yu’an and receive elite training available only to official members of the Special Action Team. Ling Lie survived those three years and became an official member exceptionally at twenty-one.

But speaking of exceptions, Fu Zhong had already given him an exceptional chance when he was eighteen.

Fu Zhong solemnly placed a very small and thin photo album in front of Ling Lie. “Back then wasn’t like now; these are the only images he left.”

Ling Lie didn’t open it. He lowered his head and said after half a minute, “So I am…”

Fu Zhong said, “You are the descendant of a hero. You inherited your father’s career and your father’s character.”

Ling Lie raised his head, looking at Fu Zhong, his eyes floating with bewilderment he couldn’t immediately digest.

Fu Zhong patted him on the back. “I intended to keep this concealed forever. After all, Yun Rou died while executing a ‘Sinking Gold’ mission. For the sake of follow-up operations, the Country E police didn’t issue any documents proving his identity. When you joined the Special Action Team, ‘Sinking Gold’ still existed, so I couldn’t tell you the truth even more.”

“But now, ‘Floating Lights’ is distorting the facts to you.” Fu Zhong sighed deeply. “It’s time you must know the truth.”

Ling Lie’s gaze returned to the photo album, but he still didn’t open it. Fu Zhong looked at Ji Chenjiao. “Xiao Ji, now you are clear about Ling Lie’s background too, right?”

Ji Chenjiao nodded and wrapped his arm around Ling Lie’s shoulder.

Fu Zhong exchanged a glance with Shen Xun and left the conference room to the two.

The door closed, and Ling Lie’s breathing gradually became rapid. Ji Chenjiao hugged him tighter and said in his ear, “I’m sorry.”

Ling Lie shook his head mechanically, very confused. “Why say sorry? Because I… I am a hero’s child?”

Ji Chenjiao kissed his eyes. “It has nothing to do with whose child you are.”

Ling Lie was even more perplexed. “Then why apologize? Did you do something wrong?”

Ji Chenjiao couldn’t accurately convey his feelings at this moment either. Yeah, why should he apologize?

He seemed not tolerant enough, not putting himself in Ling Lie’s shoes enough. He was too possessive; he wanted Ling Lie to dissect every emotion for him, wanting Ling Lie to have no secrets from him.

But there were times when Ling Lie’s brain couldn’t process things, times when he couldn’t digest things, times when he didn’t know what to say or do—like now.

So why should he be angry, disappointed, or push Ling Lie?

They tracked to Guiweng Town, and Ling Lie got a photo resembling himself. The person in the photo might be Ling Lie’s father, and the father might be related to “Sinking Gold.” Ling Lie couldn’t figure out the logic for a moment and didn’t know how to tell him, only to have it exposed by Bo Lingxue in front of him.

If he were calmer, he should have understood that was just Bo Lingxue’s psychological warfare, sowing discord. But in that instant, he did feel disappointed.

His disappointment stung Ling Lie.

He wanted to apologize, not because of the “hero’s child” he heard about today, but simply because of Ling Lie.

“I didn’t know… what to do at that time.” Ling Lie leaned obediently in Ji Chenjiao’s arms, shrinking back several times as if looking for an absolutely safe posture. “I didn’t know why I suddenly saw that photo while investigating the case. Was it some conspiracy of ‘Floating Lights’? Was it hinting that I have other connections with ‘Floating Lights’? Actually, I knew I should tell you. We are teammates, no, we are closer than teammates. But when you asked me if I had anything else to say, I couldn’t say it. I wanted to confirm what relationship the person in the photo had with ‘Floating Lights’ before telling you. He… might not have such a good identity…”

Ling Lie spoke somewhat anxiously. His usual eloquence seemed to fail him completely; he found he couldn’t express himself freely.

“I know, I know.” Ji Chenjiao stroked Ling Lie’s shoulder. “Don’t rush.”

Ling Lie shook his head, seemingly dejected. “I promised you I’d tell you everything. But I still failed to do it.”

Ji Chenjiao said, “It’s not your mistake. If it were me, I would hesitate too.”

Ling Lie said, “You would hesitate too?”

Ji Chenjiao frowned slightly. “I think I would. Because you are the most important person to me, I would be neurotically more cautious.”

Ling Lie exhaled and left Ji Chenjiao’s arms. “I want to see this photo album.”

Ji Chenjiao brought it over. “Look together?”

“Mm.”

There were actually only five photos in the album. Two were group photos, one was of Yun Rou and Fu Zhong, and two were of Yun Rou alone.

Yun Rou in the photos was even younger than the current Ling Lie, radiating youth, confidence, and beauty, truly possessing the unrestrained nature of people from that land.

Judging by the dates on the back, all photos were taken before Yun Rou went to Country E. Once he left his homeland, no one took photos for him again.

Closing the album, Ling Lie hugged it to his chest and didn’t speak for a long time.

Ji Chenjiao and Ling Lie stayed in the capital temporarily. Fu Zhong brought out all of Yun Rou’s files and contacted Yun Rou’s handler in the Country E police from back then. A week later, the Special Action Team held a simple memorial service for Yun Rou internally. His photo and merits were finally rightfully hung in the Special Action Team’s Hall of Heroes.

After a few days of digestion, Ling Lie calmly accepted his background. Fu Zhong placed a box in front of him.

Ling Lie: “This is?”

Fu Zhong said, “Open it and see. A’Rou’s badges, all obtained before he went to Country E. He gave them to me for safekeeping. He said when he returned, he wanted to show his wife, and when the child grew up, show the child.”

Ling Lie opened the box soaked in the weathering of time. The badges inside no longer shone as they did back then, seeming covered in dust. But picking them up and wiping away the nonexistent dust, they still glinted in the dark, reminding him—your father was a police officer as excellent and brave as you.

Under the badges, Ling Lie felt a smaller box.

Fu Zhong saw it too. “Ah, that is your family heirloom.”

“Family heirloom?” Ling Lie opened the box, revealing a piece of warm, lustrous green jade.

Fu Zhong laughed. “Isn’t the Guiweng Town area rich in jade? Every household plays with and wears jade. This jade pendant hung around A’Rou’s neck ever since I met him. He said it was a family heirloom. I don’t know how much it’s worth.”

“Before A’Rou went abroad, he took off the jade pendant and put it with his badges. He didn’t wear it to Country E, which seems to have been correct. Now his family heirloom has finally been passed to your hands.”

Ling Lie went downstairs with the large and small boxes. Ji Chenjiao was waiting for him in the lobby on the first floor.

The two walked side by side for a while. Ling Lie asked Ji Chenjiao to hold the large box, then took out the green jade along with the small box and put it into Ji Chenjiao’s coat pocket without explanation.

Ji Chenjiao asked in surprise, “For me?”

Ling Lie nodded. “Boss Fu said this is the family heirloom my father left me.”

“Then you should keep it.”

“No, I want to give it to you.”

Ling Lie walked a few steps forward, then turned to look at Ji Chenjiao. “In those big families, they give the family heirloom to the wife when getting married.”

Ji Chenjiao laughed. “Fine, then I’ll keep it.”

Walking a bit further, Ling Lie breathed out white vapor. “Xiao Ji.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m used to fighting alone. Even though I’m dating you now, some mindsets can’t be changed immediately.”

Ji Chenjiao stopped and looked at Ling Lie seriously.

Ling Lie said, “But I will learn to change for you. Don’t be disappointed.”

Ji Chenjiao hugged Ling Lie. “Baby.”

Ling Lie stiffened all over. A warm current seemed to awaken in every corner of his limbs, gently dispelling the cold of winter.

“I will change for you too,” Ji Chenjiao said. “Accept everything about you, including your confusion and hesitation.”

Spring Festival arrived. This year’s Spring Festival was different for Ji Chenjiao and Ling Lie compared to previous years. However, the threat of “Floating Lights” greatly diminished the prospect of a good Spring Festival for them and police everywhere.

After being interrogated in Xiarong City, Bo Lingxue was sent to the capital for detention along with other arrested members. Xie Qing came to the capital because of this. Future operations against “Floating Lights” would be led by the Special Action Team. Police heads from many cities, including Xiarong City, came to the capital to discuss the next steps.

Consequently, Ling Lie and Ji Chenjiao didn’t return to Xiarong City.

Ning Xiechen’s condition was currently stable and no longer life-threatening, but he hadn’t woken up. Doctors said his body had endured unimaginable pain over the years, and risking his life in the final action made his recovery uncertain.

Ling Lie visited him whenever he had time, and Ji Chenjiao naturally went along. Through the glass, Ling Lie said, “Master, am I, this apprentice, a bit better than Apprentice Ji? The moment you held my hand that day, I knew what you wanted to say.”

Ji Chenjiao pinched the back of Ling Lie’s neck. “Competing even on this.”

“Of course, you were still a rookie back then.”

“Back then…”

Seeing Ji Chenjiao pause mid-sentence, Ling Lie thought he was angry and elbowed him. “Can’t say rookie?”

Ji Chenjiao said, “No. I was thinking about when Yan Xi and Captain Ning investigated the case together.”

Ling Lie also became serious. “Some details can only be known when Master wakes up.”

According to Bo Lingxue, he came to Xiarong City with Yan Xi to investigate Yin Hanshan’s disappearance. It was Yan Xi who contacted Ning Xiechen; Bo Lingxue only provided support. But this was only his one-sided story. Ning Xiechen was comatose, and Yan Xi was far away in his lair in Country E. Was there information the police hadn’t grasped? Did Bo Lingxue continue to lie? No one knew now.

Fu Zhong’s return to the Special Action Team after years of fading out was like a shot in the arm for everyone. This was especially important for the police world, which had been played by “Floating Lights.”

In the last meeting before the Spring Festival, Fu Zhong patted Ling Lie on the back. “No need to feel burdened. Let’s just see what moves ‘Floating Lights’ still has.”

The meeting discussed strategies to capture “Black Peacock.” During this period, “Floating Lights” seemed to be taking crazy revenge, constantly creating chaos everywhere. “Snow Child” became more rampant. Large numbers of students like Wen Zhengchao’s daughter were attracted to the dark web, willingly becoming its accessories. Given that international cooperation was difficult to achieve, the only feasible option remained capturing the leader.

In Country E, wind and snow covered the sins on the earth.

The face existing in Ji Chenjiao’s memory appeared on the window glass, eyes filled with sorrow.