After this live broadcast, the public condemnation of Xu Jiang gradually ceased, and the frenzy surrounding the “Pink Masks” also began to cool down. Although the majority remained silent, more and more people began to think calmly. As they voiced rational and objective opinions, public opinion started to move in a normal direction.

“I didn’t expect this! How did Xu Jiang end up with the ‘Pink Mask’ people?” Shen Qi said in surprise. “But it seems he should be with them! If it weren’t for the hype created by the lawyers of the ‘Pink Masks’, he wouldn’t even have had the chance to speak out!”

Liang Wenxian said, “Isn’t it? The procuratorate actually tried several times, but people didn’t believe it, calling it a cover-up. The more they clarified, the more mud was thrown.”

Shen Qi: “Xu Jiang is awesome, his psychological quality is too strong! Those lawyers wanted to use him, right? But it just gave him a stage!”

At this moment, Xi Wan waved mysteriously, “Mr. Ling, someone is looking for you.”

Shen Qi and An Xun popped their heads out like marmots, “Ah! Speak of the devil!”

Xu Jiang didn’t come in. Ling Lie went out to the corridor and smiled, “Has the storm passed?”

Xu Jiang still habitually frowned, looking like he was keeping people at a distance, but sincerity could be heard in his words, “Thanks to your advice for this matter.”

Ling Lie waved his hand, “What does it have to do with me? It was you who kept your composure.”

Xu Jiang shook his head.

Ling Lie said, “If you really want to thank someone, thank those lawyers who wanted to use you. As for me, I’m not as upright as your inspector. If someone wants to use me, I must get something back. It’s a stage they gave, might as well use it.”

Xu Jiang finally smiled, although the curve of his lips was very shallow.

To a person who wasn’t good at building relationships, Ling Lie didn’t babble on. After chatting for a while, Xu Jiang prepared to go to the procuratorate.

“Officer Ling.”

“Hmm?”

“Still want to thank you. You are… a very awesome person.”

Ling Lie laughed loudly, “Teacher Xu, if your vocabulary for praising people isn’t rich, you don’t have to say it. Learning from Shen Qi and using it immediately is a bit awkward.”

Xu Jiang also felt awkward, “Then I’m leaving.”

Ling Lie stood in the corridor, watching his straight back, smiled, and turned back to the office.

At this time, Shen Qi, who had finished listening to the corner, was saying, “It turns out the most awesome one is my Brother Lie. Have to admit it!”

Bai Lingxue closed the notebook and pinched the center of his eyebrows.

The “Floating Light” member in Country L reported that the mission to intercept Ling Lie halfway failed because Su Yi from “Jasmine Tea” personally escorted him, and they couldn’t find a chance to act at all.

“Good luck.” Bai Lingxue smiled, “But there won’t be a next time.”

After the “Pink Mask” case and the Xing Yongdan case were solved, the Serious Case Squad got a chance to breathe. Although the shadow of “Floating Light” was getting bigger and bigger, criminal police officers are also human and need rest.

Ji Chenjiao was woken up early in the morning by movements outside. Seeing the empty space beside him and hearing the noise from the study, he was half awake. Ling Lie wasn’t sleeping in the morning, what was he doing again?

Ji Chenjiao walked lightly to the door of the study, ready to scout the enemy situation, when someone bumped into him.

The one who bumped into him screamed first: “Ah!”

Ji Chenjiao held the person, “What are you screaming about?”

Although it was already winter, Ling Lie still wore very little at home, just a set of tight-fitting long johns. Ji Chenjiao immediately felt the lean lines of his lower back.

“Why do you walk silently?” Ling Lie complained, “Is it fun to scare your boyfriend?”

“That’s because I have manners!” Ji Chenjiao: “Unlike some people, not sleeping themselves, and making rustling noises to affect others’ sleep.”

Ling Lie was in the wrong, eyes turning left and right, just not looking at Ji Chenjiao.

Ji Chenjiao simply pinched his chin and looked inside the study, “What are you looking for?”

Ling Lie: “Looking for a book.”

“Book? Which one?” Ji Chenjiao walked into the study as he spoke. Good guy, didn’t know until looking, startled upon looking. If he hadn’t woken up early, the study would have been almost dismantled by Ling Lie.

Ji Chenjiao couldn’t believe it, “Confess honestly, were you a husky in your previous life? Can you dismantle this too?”

Ling Lie put his hands behind his back. Wearing only long johns made him look a bit comical, “Isn’t it because your things are messy and I can’t find it?”

Ji Chenjiao: “What book are you looking for exactly?”

Ling Lie: “The one your mom read to you.”

Ji Chenjiao was stunned, “My mom?”

Just after the words fell, he remembered, frowning slightly, “You mean Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? But Yu Qin never read it to me.”

Ling Lie shook his head, “I guess she should have read it, just that you can’t remember. Think about it, that’s her favorite fairy tale. She named herself Alice. When she held her child, which is you, in her arms, would she not tell you this story?”

Ji Chenjiao was silent.

“And last time I threw a tantrum and insisted you read me a bedtime story, you read The Wizard of Oz, also a fairy tale. Why did you think of reading that? Is there some vague idea and memory in your subconscious?”

Ji Chenjiao smiled, “You also know you threw a tantrum.”

“Don’t interrupt, Xia Chengshi. I’m serious.”

Ji Chenjiao sat properly, hands on his knees.

Ling Lie laughed, “You look so silly like this.”

“Sillier than you wearing tight pants?”

Ling Lie looked down, surprised, “Didn’t you buy this for me? I wore it with good intentions, and you still criticize me?”

“…” No, who had good intentions?

Ling Lie was going to reason, “I fear cold the least. If it weren’t for you, my boyfriend, thinking I was cold and insisting on buying these tight pants, would I buy them myself? I’m dressed like this, and you’re still not satisfied?”

“Xia Chengshi, you have no conscience!”

Xia Chengshi was attacked by conscience as soon as he got up, truly confused. His just-woken brain turned quickly, catching Ling Lie’s hand poking his chest, “I found you are really a master of shifting conflicts.”

Ling Lie: “Hey, don’t use hands if you can’t win the argument!”

Ji Chenjiao stood up, “Even if you dismantle this house today, you won’t find Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. What makes you think I would buy that kind of picture book?”

Ling Lie blinked, “Really don’t have it?”

“It would be strange if I had it, okay?”

“Oh, I thought my boyfriend was omnipotent.”

“…”

“Turns out doesn’t even have a picture book.”

Ji Chenjiao thought to himself, what kind of great immortal did I provoke? Being woken up, accused of having no conscience, and finally having my ability questioned?

The two worked together to tidy up the dismantled study. Ji Chenjiao still hadn’t quite figured out why Ling Lie insisted on reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

“Just want to read it. Stories you heard when you were little, what’s wrong with me reading them?” Ling Lie was hot from the long johns, went back to the bedroom and stripped down to his underwear, “The only fairy tale I’ve read so far is The Wizard of Oz you read to me.”

Ji Chenjiao’s chest warmed, “Then… shall we go to the bookstore later?”

“Okay okay!”

They got up too early and had to kill some time at home before the bookstore in the mall opened. Killing almost enough time, just about to go out, Ling Lie said, “Xiao Ji, will you be unhappy if I say these things?”

Ji Chenjiao was baffled, choking him back, “Because you make trouble without reason? Because you make noise and have no manners?”

Ling Lie looked at him seriously: “Because I mentioned your mother.”

Ji Chenjiao paused.

Ling Lie said: “Your mother… the real Yu Qin, she should be a very gentle person. I can actually understand her mentality of wanting to stay in Country L. No one in the country truly loved her, but there was someone who loved her in Country L. She was very irrational when treating her own life, but for you who just came into the world, she brought out all her rationality.”

After a long while, Ji Chenjiao nodded, “Yes. The dream I always have, she appears in the most gentle posture. Unfortunately, I can’t remember her face.”

Taking a deep breath, Ji Chenjiao added, “But don’t think wildly. I’m not unhappy. Yu Qin and Duan Wande are more like symbols to me. I care more about the people around me.”

Ling Lie pointed to his own nose tip, “For example, me?”

Ji Chenjiao smiled, “Don’t do such silly movements.”

Ling Lie said: “I took many photos in Country L, the streets and alleys of Salingauke City, every Alice sculpture I could find.”

Ji Chenjiao came to his side, watching him flip through photos on his phone.

They were all very ordinarily taken street views. No matter how the war-torn Country L was repaired, it couldn’t create true prosperity. There were few pedestrians on the road. Those buildings were more like enlarged building blocks than buildings.

Ji Chenjiao saw the sculpture of Yu Qin, a very dignified and beautiful woman. Short hair added playfulness and heroism to her. Although her appearance was very similar to Shaman after plastic surgery, their temperaments were completely different.

But Ji Chenjiao’s thoughts ended there.

“I wanted to take as many photos as possible. Country L is where you were born. You should also want to see it with your own eyes, but you won’t have the chance in the short term.” Ling Lie said: “And Yu Qin’s sculptures, you should also want to see.”

Ji Chenjiao noticed the time attached to the bottom right corner of the photo and suddenly realized that Ling Lie was caught by “Jasmine Tea” after taking these photos.

The nostalgia and bond for blood just now were like dull pain. Separated by too long a time, they were no longer so clear and important. But the fear afterward at this moment was like needles and thorns piercing into flesh and blood, bringing the most vivid pain.

He suddenly hugged Ling Lie, and the phone fell from the sofa to the floor.

Ling Lie opened his eyes wide. After his hand hung in the air for a moment, he stroked Ji Chenjiao’s back, “Xiao Ji, what’s wrong?”

“You were caught after taking photos.” Ji Chenjiao said in a muffled voice.

Ling Lie was stunned, “You are worried about this? Actually, according to ‘Jasmine Tea’s plan, as long as I didn’t leave Country L, I would definitely be caught.”

Ji Chenjiao shook his head, like an unreasonable child, “You could have come back earlier.”

“My mission wasn’t completed…” Ling Lie said: “Xia Chengshi, don’t be shameless. I took photos just by the way.”

Ji Chenjiao hugged him motionless.

“Okay, not very by the way.” Ling Lie admitted: “Maybe taking photos everywhere gave them more opportunities to observe and track me. I was also slack. At that time, I did think that I wanted to take more photos, record all of Country L, and bring them back to show you.”

“None of it matters.” Ji Chenjiao shook his head on Ling Lie’s shoulder, hair scratching Ling Lie’s ear root itchy, “Yu Qin, Duan Wande, Country L, Salingauke City, none of them matter. That’s not mine, and I don’t care for it.”

He held Ling Lie’s shoulders, looking at each other for a moment, “You are the most important. Bringing yourself back safely is more important than anything.”

After speaking, he kissed Ling Lie’s eyes that had just subsided swelling, very lightly and carefully, like wind gently scraping past the corner of the eye.

On the rest day, the bookstore was lively from the morning.

Ling Lie was absent-minded. As soon as he went in, his attention was attracted by the comic bookshelf next to the fairy tale bookshelf. Several primary school students were flipping through comics while exchanging moves inside. He also stood with them, reading a hot-blooded comic with relish.

Ji Chenjiao: “…”

This is the kind of child that worries parents the most!

Ji Chenjiao went to order drinks himself, found several versions of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, also found The Wizard of Oz and The Little Prince, wanting to call Ling Lie to read together. As a result, Ling Lie was already arguing with primary school students about which move was more powerful.

Ling Lie: “This is the most powerful, listen to me.”

Primary school student anxious: “Why? You know nothing!”

Ling Lie: “Because I am an adult. Also, don’t swear.”

Ji Chenjiao: “…”

Still know you are an adult?

Ling Lie was reading comics happily. Ji Chenjiao didn’t disturb him, returning to the consumption area to browse fairy tales. The consumption area was not far from the comic area, able to see Ling Lie’s movements at all times.

Before long, Ji Chenjiao saw Ling Lie dig something out of his backpack and put it on his face. Looking closely, it was Ling Lie’s goggles.

What is he doing with this thing again?

Ji Chenjiao had to go and find out.

Primary school student: “You are not an adult! Adults don’t read comics!”

Why are they still arguing about being an adult or not?

Ling Lie: “I am an adult. Look, I am nearsighted, I wear glasses. Do you have glasses?”

Primary school students looked at each other.

Ji Chenjiao also wanted to find someone to look at each other.

Which sniper dares to say he is nearsighted?

Ling Lie patted the primary school student’s head, “Convinced yet?”

The primary school students pouted. One of them pointed at Ji Chenjiao, “Adult, it seems a bigger person is looking for you.”

Ling Lie turned back, taking off the goggles, like being caught doing petty actions.

Ji Chenjiao’s lips twitched.

Primary school student: “You are also afraid of being caught by parents?”

Ling Lie: “Go go, what parents?”

Ji Chenjiao raised his eyebrows slightly.

Ling Lie stopped reading comics, went to the consumption area with Ji Chenjiao, flipped through two pages of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland full of words, and started dozing off.

Ji Chenjiao pushed his arm amusingly, “Adult, wake up?”

Ling Lie said confusedly: “I understand now why fairy tales are told by adults to children.”

Ji Chenjiao: “Hmm?”

Ling Lie: “Because children really can’t read them.”

Ji Chenjiao held back laughter, “Oh, just told primary school students you are an adult.”

Ling Lie sat up straight, “Hey, let’s buy the books back. I’ll grab two more comics to read.”

“Go ahead.”

Ling Lie ran away quickly. Ji Chenjiao looked at his back. As the saying goes, a cat has nine lives. Then this cat Ling Lie has two souls. One is keen and meticulous when facing crimes, and the other loves all brainless entertainment activities. For example, can’t read words now, but immediately energetic when talking about reading comics. For example, chasing various dog-blood TV dramas with relish, squeezing out tears with real feelings.

Ling Lie came back with comic books and read quietly. Ji Chenjiao looked at him for a while and started browsing news on his phone.

Each doing their own thing, other sounds gradually increased around.

Three female students looking like college students came to the consumption area, sat down and started chatting. Although this is a bookstore, the consumption area is actually a cafe. Not as noisy as other cafes, but guests are not prohibited from talking.

They chatted about stars at first. A very famous singer is coming to Xiarong City for a concert next week. Later they chatted about final exams. One of them sighed that the questions this time were very difficult and would definitely fail. Another said they could buy substitute exam takers online.

“No way, people get caught every year. I’d rather fail than be recorded a demerit.”

“This year is different. Before, it was because the substitute exam takers were not skilled enough. This time I heard from Sister Yueyue that substitute exam takers are found on the dark web. Guaranteed to pass, and the school can’t find evidence at all.”

Ling Lie suddenly raised his head from the comic and met Ji Chenjiao’s gaze.

“Really? Then I want to try. But what exactly is the dark web? Can it be searched?”

“No, it’s said there needs to be some entrance? I don’t understand. I don’t expect to find a substitute exam taker on it. It’s said to be deadly expensive, not something we can afford at all.”