Ling Lie suddenly froze. He had been led into a misconception by the highly symbolic character of Miss Alice.

He had heard—or rather, seen—this name before.

Thinking calmly, the reason he had come to Dongye City was because, after eliminating countless possibilities, he and Ji Chenjiao had deduced that the killer was likely someone Bi Jiang had met during his time in Country L. Bi Jiang had inadvertently learned the killer’s secret, and the killer, for some reason, had to return to the country to develop their career. Fearing Bi Jiang would leak the secret, they silenced him.

This was not necessarily equivalent to the sudden appearance of Miss Alice.

Ling Lie’s mind wandered. This was a possibility he and Ji Chenjiao had analyzed. Thinking of it, he couldn’t get past Ji Chenjiao. And not long ago, he had argued with Ji Chenjiao.

Was that considered an argument? He had just told Ji Chenjiao to go back to Xiarong City. The Bi Jiang case wasn’t under Ji Chenjiao’s jurisdiction anyway.

But even he couldn’t convince himself that their dispute wasn’t an argument. If he wasn’t fuming inside, he wouldn’t have left without looking back.

But what was he angry about? Ji Chenjiao had only said he had a guilty conscience.

He had no guilty conscience, neither towards Xiao Yu’an nor Ming Shu. He just didn’t want to see them for the time being.

If someone else had said he had a guilty conscience, he wouldn’t have cared at all. Even if they said something more outrageous, he couldn’t be bothered to argue.

But when Ji Chenjiao said it, his heart suddenly felt very heavy. He wanted to get angry, wanted to argue.

After a brief lapse in concentration, Ling Lie chatted with the Bi family for a long time, getting Bi Xuelan to recall almost everything she could about Country L. Old Qian was very good at diverging, suggesting that perhaps Bi Jiang had been secretive and hadn’t told the truth, that he had gotten Miss Alice pregnant in Country L and was killed by her family.

Bi Xuelan was so angry she pinched his ear. Ling Lie, however, felt that this possibility couldn’t be ruled out.

Everyone’s narrative is told in a way that favors them. Bi Jiang certainly wouldn’t say he had assaulted a woman.

But if he had really hurt Miss Alice, was the child born? Now…

A light flashed in Ling Lie’s eyes. This child would be the same age as him, twenty-eight this year.

Ji Chenjiao was also twenty-eight.

How did Ji Chenjiao barge into his thoughts again? He shook his head, but what came to mind was the scene of him parting with Ji Chenjiao.

Now, regarding the case, he had some ideas he wanted to discuss with someone, and the first person he thought of was Ji Chenjiao.

After bidding farewell to the Bi family, Ling Lie walked aimlessly under the shade of the trees, his mind alternating between the clue of Miss Alice and his argument with Ji Chenjiao. He was distracted, feeling like he had missed something.

A group of fat orange and tabby cats walked by on the street. Ling Lie squatted down and petted one of their heads. The cat wasn’t afraid of strangers at all, probably used to being fed by the people here. It exposed its belly and let him pet it.

Ji Chenjiao watched Ling Lie get on the bus, watched the bus drive out of his sight. In that instant, he was both angry and a little scared. It was clearly Ling Lie who had gotten angry for no reason. Had he said something wrong? Coming to Dongye City to investigate a case, they should go to the city bureau to inform them. Wasn’t the reason Ling Lie wouldn’t go because Xiao Yu’an was there?

He had accompanied Ling Lie all the way from Feng City, and Ling Lie suddenly told him to go back to Xiarong City. How could he not be angry?

A taxi came towards him, and he hailed it. The driver asked where he was going. He blurted out, “The airport.”

Fine, he wasn’t needed anymore. He would just leave.

But on the way to the airport, his boiling emotions cooled down a bit. Ji Chenjiao looked at the passing scenery outside the window, his mind filled with the disappointment in Ling Lie’s eyes when he heard “you have a guilty conscience.”

Had he really gone too far? Why did he have to say that?

But at that moment, he couldn’t control himself. Xiao Yu’an was like a barrier between him and Ling Lie. The thought that someone had guided Ling Lie back to the right path when he was about to go astray, the thought that Ling Lie still held absolute trust in this person even after being left behind in the team, made him furious.

If he went back just like this, would Ling Lie still come to Xiarong City after he had collected all the clues?

Probably not. Ling Lie would go to Feng City, where the special operations team was investigating a major case. Although Ling Lie had helped the Xiarong police solve many cases, he didn’t belong to Xiarong City.

Ji Chenjiao remembered how Ling Lie used to always say with a grin, “I’m your suspect, you have to clear my name.” Would Ling Lie still pester him to clear his name in the future?

Ji Chenjiao grew more and more restless. “Driver, turn around up ahead.”

The driver was confused. “Huh? We’re about to get on the airport expressway. Did you forget your luggage?”

Ji Chenjiao didn’t explain. “Go to Liuyun Alley!”

The driver: “Oh, that place is full of wreaths for sale…”

Ling Lie played with the cat for a while and got fur all over him. He stood up, his legs a little sore. Just as he was about to go to the small shop across the street to buy a bottle of Arctic Ocean soda, he caught a familiar figure in the corner of his eye.

His eyelashes trembled slightly. In his field of vision, Ji Chenjiao was striding towards him.

Both were a little awkward, not good at handling this kind of situation.

Ling Lie said, “You didn’t leave?”

Ji Chenjiao almost fainted from anger. How could this person be so infuriating?

“You tell me to leave, and I should leave? Didn’t I put in effort in the early stages of the case? You want me to quit now that we’ve come this far?”

Ling Lie’s lips moved. He turned and walked towards the small shop. But he had been squatting for too long just now, and his right foot was numb. He took a step and actually stumbled. Ji Chenjiao quickly grabbed his arm. “What’s wrong?”

Ling Lie puffed up his cheeks and pointed at the small shop.

Ji Chenjiao: “?”

Ling Lie: “My leg is numb. I want to drink Arctic Ocean.”

Fizz—

The cap of the iced soda was popped open, the sound of bubbling bubbles like a summer symphony. Ji Chenjiao handed one of the bottles to Ling Lie. Ling Lie took it, already bringing it to his lips, when he suddenly said, “Thanks.”

Ji Chenjiao was a bit speechless. This person usually took things without asking, but now he had learned to say thank you.

This road had a very last-century feel to it, with bluestone slabs and towering trees. The owner of the small shop was watching an international military program, muttering to himself like an expert. Ji Chenjiao asked him for two plastic stools, and he and Ling Lie each sat on one. Ling Lie stretched out his right leg and pounded it twice.

Ji Chenjiao asked, “Still hurts?”

Ling Lie: “Doesn’t hurt, just a little numb.”

Ji Chenjiao then placed the soda bottle on the ground and pressed on his calf.

Ling Lie: “Ouch!”

“Didn’t you say it doesn’t hurt? Why are you crying out?” Ji Chenjiao squatted down, helping Ling Lie with a relaxing massage. Ling Lie’s legs looked quite thin, but when he pinched them, they were all firm muscle. This reminded Ji Chenjiao of the fastest running cheetahs on the grassland.

Cheetahs were also very thin, but the explosive power in their waists and legs was astonishing. Just like Ling Lie.

But the cheetah’s call was like a cat’s, meow meow meow. This was also a bit like Ling Lie. This guy had just been fierce to someone, and now he was whining because his leg was numb.

Ling Lie argued, “I didn’t whine.”

Ji Chenjiao: “Then you grunted.”

“I didn’t!”

“Let’s go to the city bureau later.” Ji Chenjiao brought up the old topic again.

Ling Lie finished the last sip of his Arctic Ocean, still not satisfied, and stared at Ji Chenjiao’s.

Ji Chenjiao: “I’ll give it to you if you go.”

Ling Lie stood up. “Can’t I buy it myself?” He then said to the owner, “Another bottle.”

The owner looked at the fridge. “No more cold ones. These were just put in. Want room temperature?”

Ling Lie: “…”

Ji Chenjiao shook his soda bottle.

Ling Lie: “Not all cross-jurisdictional investigations need to go through the city bureau. This one of mine is not necessary.”

After the trip to the airport, Ji Chenjiao was now remarkably calm. “But since we’re here, isn’t it a courtesy to go and say hello? Since you trust him so much, shouldn’t you sit down and have a good talk to resolve the conflict?”

Ling Lie: “There’s no conflict.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m just unilaterally annoyed.”

Since they had already talked this much, Ji Chenjiao felt it was better to clear the air all at once, to avoid arguing with Ling Lie again in the future.

“Want to talk about it?”

Ling Lie finished Ji Chenjiao’s soda. “I’ve actually told you before. Wei Zhiyong, Xiao Yu’an, they are all very important people to me. Without them, I would be dead or in prison. I hold them in high regard, but no matter how hard I try, to them, I’m only ordinarily important. Do you know the difference between absolutely important and ordinarily important?”

Ji Chenjiao was silent.

“It’s whether you would consider a certain person when you decide to leave. If you consider them, this person is absolutely important. If you don’t, they are just ordinarily important.”

“Uncle Wei, I hadn’t even found him yet, and he was gone. Captain Xiao, went to Dongye City without a second thought to be with my little sister-in-law.”

Ji Chenjiao was stunned. “Little sister-in-law?”

Ling Lie: “They’ve been together for a long time.”

Ji Chenjiao wanted to say something. “There was nothing that could be done about Wei Zhiyong’s illness.”

Ling Lie shook his head. “It’s the same. Essentially, I was abandoned. Seeing Xiao Yu’an and my little sister-in-law, I feel, I feel…” Ling Lie frowned, struggling to find the right word. “I would think, how come I’m not as lucky as them? I would be jealous of them.”

It was the first time Ji Chenjiao had seen this side of Ling Lie. His emotions were purely transparent. Whether it was towards Wei Zhiyong or Xiao Yu’an, it couldn’t be summarized by whether he had a guilty conscience or not.

“Then what is the luck you want?”

Ling Lie thought for a long time, but the answer he gave was so simple that it surprised Ji Chenjiao. “When a person decides to leave, they consider me.”

Ji Chenjiao stared at Ling Lie for a long time. The words that welled up from his heart came out without passing through his brain. “I might be that person.”

Ling Lie was stunned, his wide eyes flecked with gold. After half a minute, he finally spoke. “Are you serious?”

Ji Chenjiao felt his head was very hot, but he nodded solemnly. “I’m serious.”

Ling Lie lowered his head, looking at their shadows cast on the bluestone slabs. After a while, he suddenly touched Ji Chenjiao’s wrist. “Let’s go to the city bureau and go through the motions.”

This time it was Ji Chenjiao’s turn to be surprised. He had wanted to persuade Ling Lie, but he hadn’t expected Ling Lie to agree so readily.

Ling Lie: “Let’s go.”

Ji Chenjiao followed. “Really going?”

Ling Lie smiled. “Xiao Ji, why are you so indecisive? You’re the one who wanted to go, and you’re the one standing there not moving.”

Ji Chenjiao hailed a taxi. “You’re feeling bold now?”

Ling Lie got in. “Of course.”

The car had been driving for a while, and Ji Chenjiao was still pondering Ling Lie’s “of course.” He turned to look at Ling Lie. “Where did that boldness come from?”

Ling Lie said frankly, “You gave it to me.”

Ji Chenjiao was stuck for a moment. When he reacted, his ears were burning hot.

On the way, Ling Lie made a call to Huang Yi and asked about Yin Hanshan. Huang Yi was greatly surprised. “You met Yin Hanshan?”

Ling Lie was also a little surprised and mentioned that he had learned this name from Bi Jiang’s family.

Huang Yi let out a long sigh. “He really did track that case!”

Ling Lie had originally thought Yin Hanshan was some suspicious character, but unexpectedly, there really was such a person in the Feng City police force. He asked, “So what’s his situation now? He’s not at the city bureau anymore?”

Huang Yi said, “He’s been missing for eight years, almost nine now.”

“What?”

“He just disappeared without a trace.”

Huang Yi said that Yin Hanshan had disappeared suddenly. No one knew where he had gone. He was a very solitary person. Over time, he was gradually forgotten.

At this moment, Huang Yi couldn’t remember much more, so he agreed with Ling Lie to talk more about Yin Hanshan at another time. He would also ask his superiors and senior colleagues to recall Yin Hanshan.

After hearing this call, Ji Chenjiao thought of another missing police officer, his master, Ning Xiechen.

The car arrived at the Dongye City bureau.

In the office of the deputy chief of the criminal investigation bureau, the man who opened the door was gentle and refined, seeming not at all like someone who had been in a place like the special operations team. But looking closely at the composure in his eyes, it seemed he had deeply hidden his past glories.

The team member who had received them just now had already called, so both sides were mentally prepared for this meeting.

Ling Lie stood behind Ji Chenjiao, showing half of his face. Xiao Yu’an had a smile on his lips. His gaze met Ling Lie’s briefly, and he took half a step back. “Come in and sit.”

Ji Chenjiao turned back to call Ling Lie, but Ling Lie’s gaze was sweeping the office, as if confirming whether a certain person was present.

Ji Chenjiao was confused and asked in a low voice, “What are you looking for?”

Ling Lie: “Looking for a certain Ragdoll.”

Ji Chenjiao looked at Xiao Yu’an. Wasn’t the Ragdoll Xiao Yu’an? The person was right here, what was there to look for?

Ling Lie didn’t find the Ragdoll and entered the office with Ji Chenjiao.

Xiao Yu’an poured ice water for the two of them and exchanged pleasantries with Ji Chenjiao. “Captain Ji, I’ve heard about you from Ming Shu. That serial murder case two years ago, thanks to the assistance of your Xiarong police, it was solved quickly.”

Ji Chenjiao originally had some opinions about Xiao Yu’an, but seeing him in person, he found him very easy to get along with. Xiao Yu’an was in his thirties and had already become the deputy chief of the criminal investigation bureau. Although he was parachuted in from the special operations team, he was still too young. He must have had an extremely extraordinary experience.

Since Ming Shu was mentioned, Ji Chenjiao also had something to say. Ming Shu’s position was equivalent to his, both being captains of the major crimes team, so whenever the two cities cooperated, they had to meet. He had a good impression of Ming Shu. His ability was one aspect, and his attention to personal hygiene was another. He was always well-dressed and clean, unlike some colleagues who would be drenched in sweat after being out in the field.

Ji Chenjiao: “Is Captain Ming here?”

Ling Lie’s eyebrow twitched suddenly. He cleared his throat and said in a business-like manner, “Captain Xiao, no, I should call you Chief Xiao now. We’ve come to investigate a case from seventeen years ago in Feng City. It’s inconvenient to investigate a case in a different jurisdiction, so we’re here to inform you.”

The word “you” (formal) in the contemporary context had become one of the exclusive words for being sarcastic. Ji Chenjiao looked at Ling Lie and felt this person had practically pasted “sarcasm” on his forehead.

Xiao Yu’an smiled but didn’t respond to Ling Lie’s official tone. “Still not over your anger?”

Ling Lie: “Not at all. Our Xiao Ji said I should be polite. It’s impolite not to say hello when we come to your Dongye City.”

Xiao Yu’an: “Your Xiao Ji?”

Xiao Ji: “…” Is Chief Xiao so good at catching the main point?

“Ah, our Xiao Ji.” Ling Lie said shamelessly, “A powerful temporary worker I recruited for the special operations team.”

Xiao Yu’an: “But why did I hear from Shen Xun that you’re so happy in Xiarong City that you’ve forgotten to return, and have become Captain Ji’s subordinate?”

Ji Chenjiao was about to explain when Ling Lie said, “It’s not impossible to stay in Xiarong City. Not everyone in the special operations team is willing to stick it out for a lifetime.”

Xiao Yu’an sighed. “My leaving the team hurt you. In the past, present, and future, I will never avoid this issue. But.” He paused. “I never regret it. If I had to choose again, I would still transfer to Dongye City.”

At this moment, a figure appeared outside the ajar office door. Ming Shu had heard that Ling Lie was here and had rushed over, just in time to hear Xiao Yu’an’s heartfelt words.

“I have dedicated many years to the special operations team and have no shame in wearing this police uniform. Leaving the special operations team, I am still working for the safety of the city and the country. That’s right, in your eyes, I gave up the team for one person, but besides being a police officer, I am also an ordinary person. I have people I want to accompany and protect. Ling Lie, faith and feelings do not conflict. What I do does not depend on where I am. You don’t understand now, but you will in the future.”

Ling Lie clenched his fists. Ji Chenjiao thought he was about to explode, but after a few seconds, he said lightly, “You’re not even my captain anymore, still lecturing me?”

Xiao Yu’an smiled. “Sorry, it’s a habit. You were so dedicated in my team for so many years, it’s not easy to change all at once.”

Ling Lie: “I…”

Xiao Yu’an’s expression changed slightly. “Just as I am no longer your captain, your guide, you are also not used to it. But can you imagine a life that never changes? It doesn’t exist. From a teenager who wanted to clear Wei Liang’s name to an elite in my team, isn’t that a change? I must adapt to the transition from captain to deputy chief, and so must you.”

Ling Lie took a deep breath. “Actually…”

Xiao Yu’an’s gaze softened again. “I know, you are actually already processing it, changing. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so actively investigating cases.”

Having his thoughts read, Ling Lie no longer met Xiao Yu’an’s eyes and glanced sideways at Ji Chenjiao.

Ji Chenjiao was also looking at him.

Xiao Yu’an said, “I guess Captain Ji deserves a lot of credit.”

Suddenly being cued, Ji Chenjiao: “Me?”

“Shen Xun said that Ling Lie became different after becoming your suspect.” Xiao Yu’an’s gaze shifted between the two of them, stopping just short of being explicit. “Maybe you two will become a good pair of partners.”

Ling Lie slung an arm over Ji Chenjiao’s shoulder. “I told you he’s my temp!”

Ming Shu pushed the door open at this moment. “Ling Lie!”

Ling Lie immediately jumped up, on guard.

Ji Chenjiao: “Captain Ming.”

Every time Ming Shu and Ji Chenjiao met, they couldn’t help but exchange a few business pleasantries, such as “You’ve been managing your figure well recently,” or “Your team’s case-solving efficiency has improved again.”

But this time, both were distracted in their exchange. Ji Chenjiao knew Ling Lie was hiding behind him, and Ming Shu was staring at Ling Lie hiding behind Ji Chenjiao.

Ji Chenjiao had just seen that these two knew each other and had quite a history, but to ease the strange atmosphere, he was still prepared to make an introduction. “This is the captain of the Dongye City major crimes team, Ming Shu.”

Ling Lie whispered, “I know. Ming Shu, breed: Ragdoll.”

Ming Shu: “…”

Ji Chenjiao: “What? Captain Ming is the Ragdoll?”

It took Ji Chenjiao some time to figure out the relationship between these three. It turned out that Xiao Yu’an had transferred to Dongye City for Ming Shu. They had grown up together and had a deep bond. After Ling Lie became Xiao Yu’an’s team member, he had complicated feelings for Xiao Yu’an, seeing him as a brother, a mentor, and a benefactor. His special status also made Xiao Yu’an give him extra care.

Ming Shu knew that Xiao Yu’an had such a young team member and came to see him out of curiosity. Ming Shu envied Ling Lie for being able to enter the special operations team on an exceptional basis and work with Xiao Yu’an. Ling Lie envied Ming Shu for being raised by Xiao Yu’an from a young age.

At first, both were a bit reserved, a bit conscious of the other. Ling Lie felt Ming Shu was like a well-protected, most precious purebred cat. Ming Shu felt Ling Lie was like a fierce, fighting wildcat.

Both being “felines,” it was inevitable that they didn’t get along at first sight, but Ming Shu was very conscious of being an elder, always buying things for Ling Lie—the captain was an elder, so the captain’s boyfriend was of course also an elder.

But after many years of getting along, Ming Shu had discovered that this person was not a cat at all, but a dog, a very, very dog-like dog!

Ming Shu: “Ling Gouzi, why did you return the clothes I sent you?”

Ling Lie: “Weren’t those the ones you bought too many of and didn’t want?”

Ming Shu: “That was specifically for you! Why is your face all red and black? Is it sunburn?”

Ling Lie tossed his head. “Am I afraid of the sun?”

Ming Shu took out an unopened box of sunscreen from Xiao Yu’an’s cabinet. “Take it, save your face.”

“Do I care about your crappy stuff?”

“Just take it when I tell you to!”

Ji Chenjiao: “…”

He could already picture a fight between a purebred cat and a wildcat in his mind. Although the purebred cat was precious, the wildcat was still fiercer in a fight. Just as the purebred cat was about to stand up, the wildcat would press its head down with a paw.

Ji Chenjiao looked at his former compliment-buddy colleague and thought, Sorry, Captain Ming. The wildcat may be annoying, but he’s my wildcat.

This meeting was not long. The major crimes team had a case, and Ming Shu had taken time out to see Ling Lie. Xiao Yu’an also had a meeting to attend soon.

“I won’t keep you for dinner this time.” Xiao Yu’an said, “When you have time in the future, especially when this one’s anger has completely subsided, come and visit me and Ming Shu at our home.”

Ji Chenjiao accepted on behalf of Ling Lie, and the two sides parted peacefully.

After leaving the city bureau, Ling Lie didn’t speak for a long time. Ji Chenjiao didn’t disturb him at first, thinking he needed to sort out his feelings. It wasn’t until they reached a McDonald’s that he pulled him in and bought two meals.

Back in the car, he said, “I’m not unhappy today.”

Ji Chenjiao: “Hmm?”

“Unexpectedly, I didn’t feel like an abandoned beggar.”

Ling Lie’s words were a bit disjointed. Ji Chenjiao listened quietly.

“They are too happy, so whenever I’m with them, I feel like a beggar. But I didn’t feel that way today.” Ling Lie looked at Ji Chenjiao. “It might be because you were there.”

Ji Chenjiao’s heart was fiercely scratched.

Ling Lie ate for a while, then said, “What were you thinking about just now when you were staring at me?”

“Which ‘just now’?”

“When I was arguing with the Ragdoll.”

Ji Chenjiao thought for a moment. “Oh, I was thinking, that’s my wildcat.”

Ling Lie blinked. A moment later, “Is that what I think it means?”

Ji Chenjiao: “What do you think it means?”

Ling Lie moved closer. Their breaths mingled, their pupils reflecting each other’s image.

After a moment, Ling Lie said, “A wildcat has no home.”

Ji Chenjiao wrapped his arms around his neck. Something that had been brewing for a long time filled the narrow space of the car. Their lips were almost touching. Ji Chenjiao said, “Then what if I give the wildcat a home?”

Ji Chenjiao’s eyes were lowered, not looking at Ling Lie’s. After a long while, the leather seat creaked. Ling Lie wrapped his arms around Ji Chenjiao, and the small distance between their lips finally disappeared.

After the kiss, Ling Lie lifted Ji Chenjiao’s chin and announced arrogantly, “Then the wildcat is yours.”

Third Case: The Funeral—End