Chapter 9

Ruan Mingxi quickly returned with the takeout. The moment he opened the bag, Ying Shi was stunned.

“Captain, which restaurant is this from?”

As soon as the box was opened, a rich aroma filled the air, making Ying Shi swallow involuntarily.

“Zuì Chūn Fēng*,” Ruan Mingxi said as he sat down. “Do you want to drink this now?”

(*醉春風 - literally translates to “Drunken Spring Breeze.” 醉 (zuì) – “drunk” or “intoxicated.” 春風 (chūn fēng) – “spring breeze,”)

　　Ruan Mingxi was poised to twist open the cap of a yogurt bottle.

Jiang Xuzhou shook his head. “Not drinking it yet.”

At that, Ruan Mingxi smoothly set the yogurt aside, his fluid movements making Ying Shi stare in disbelief.

When had their captain ever “served” someone like this? Clearly, being a newcomer came with special privileges.

Ying Shi prided himself on not being picky. The cafeteria food was simple home-style dishes, and he usually enjoyed them. But compared to Jiang Xuzhou’s takeout, suddenly his own plate seemed bland.

The hungry gaze beside him was impossible to ignore. Generous as ever, Jiang Xuzhou shared half of his untouched meal.

Ying Shi’s eyes lit up instantly — this brother was truly loyal.

“I’ve got fish here, haven’t touched it yet. Try some, our cafeteria makes it really well.”

Before Jiang Xuzhou could answer, Ruan Mingxi cut in: “Don’t give him fish.”

Ying Shi looked puzzled. “Why not?”

Jiang Xuzhou’s lips curved slightly. “I’m still recovering from a cold. The doctor advised me to avoid seafood for now.”

Ying Shi looked at Ruan Mingxi, his face clearly saying, How did you know that?

Ruan Mingxi raised his eyebrows. Since Jiang Xuzhou hadn’t openly revealed that they already knew each other, he wasn’t sure what game Jiang Xuzhou was playing.

Fortunately, it wasn’t something that had to be explained, so Ruan Mingxi let it go.

Jiang Xuzhou smoothly stepped in: “When I ordered takeout earlier, I told Captain Ruan I shouldn’t eat seafood because of my cold.”

Only then did Ying Shi withdraw his suspicious look.

After finishing lunch, the three of them went together to Professor Yan’s house.

Because they had called ahead, Yan Zhan’s father was also home. It was Yan Zhan’s mother, Fan Lingfang, who opened the door for them.

As they entered, the atmosphere felt off.

Fan Lingfang seemed a little awkward as she ushered them inside.

Professor Yan sat on one side of the sofa, while a tall, upright middle-aged man sat on the other. Their facial features were similar, so it was no surprise that the man was Yan Zhan’s father, Yan Xin.

Both men wore stern expressions, clearly unwilling to speak to each other.

At the sound of footsteps, the two in their silent standoff turned toward the door at the same time.

When Yan Peiliang saw Jiang Xuzhou, his serious expression softened. “Xuzhou, thank you for helping with the matter of finding Xiao Zhan.”

Jiang Xuzhou’s eyes flickered slightly before he smiled. “Professor Yan, you’re too polite.”

Yan Xin stood up to greet Ruan Mingxi and Ying Shi.

All three were part of the police system. In terms of rank, Yan Xin and Ying Shi were equals, while Ruan Mingxi was one level higher.

“Captain Ruan, that rascal has troubled you,” Yan Xin said. Being older than Ruan Mingxi, his manner was steadier. “I only just learned that my father went to the bureau to report him missing. I’m really sorry — with so many cases at the bureau, we’ve added to your burden. When that rascal comes back, I’ll make sure he goes to the bureau to apologize to everyone.”

At this point, both Ruan Mingxi and Ying Shi’s expressions grew slightly uneasy.

Yan Xin, a seasoned policeman, didn’t miss even the slightest change in their faces.

“Has that boy gotten himself into trouble?” Yan Xin frowned, looking ready to lose his temper.

Seeing Ruan Mingxi’s demeanor, Professor Yan straightened up, glancing nervously at Jiang Xuzhou and then back at Ruan Mingxi.

Ruan Mingxi took a deep breath — there was no avoiding it. “Yesterday the bureau received a report. A body was found on Qingping Road. After bringing the victim back, we discovered four distinct DNA samples.”

Yan Xin’s heart tightened. He had already heard rumors within the department about a case on Qingping Road.

He couldn’t understand why Ruan Mingxi was telling him this — surely it couldn’t be connected to Yan Zhan.

“One of the DNA samples matched Professor Yan’s. The results showed a genetic relationship.”

The moment those words fell, the room went silent, broken only by the sound of breathing.

Fan Lingfang froze, then burst into tears.

Suddenly, Professor Yan’s breath caught. His face turned pale, and he collapsed backward.

“Professor Yan!”

Jiang Xuzhou rushed forward, catching the professor as his legs gave way. Seeing his condition worsen, he immediately dialed 120 for emergency services.

Yan Xin felt as if struck by a heavy blow. His mind and body lagged behind, and for a moment he wondered if he had misheard everything.

Once Yan Xin regained his composure, he hurried to Professor Yan’s room to fetch medicine, which helped stabilize him somewhat, though he still convulsed from time to time — his condition was far from good.

The ambulance arrived quickly, and everyone rushed Professor Yan to the hospital.

Only after everything was handled did Yan Xin finally calm down.

He sat on a bench in the hospital corridor, his face buried in his hands, head bowed low.

From a distance, he looked utterly desolate, carrying an air of sorrow and loneliness.

Watching Yan Xin like this, Ying Shi frowned so deeply it seemed he could crush two mosquitoes between his brows.

For someone who had risen to deputy captain at such a young age, he clearly wasn’t inexperienced.

In past cases, he had seen victims’ families break down hysterically after learning the truth, and others who became so emotional they refused to accept reality.

No matter the reaction, grief always hung over them.

Compared to those families, Yan Xin’s response was far calmer — but that calmness made it all the more heartbreaking.

Especially since he himself was a policeman, yet his son had died right under his nose, and it was his colleagues who had to deliver the news of his son’s death.

For Yan Xin, it was cruel, but they had no choice.

Ruan Mingxi took a deep breath. He felt deep regret over Yan Zhan’s death, but what mattered now was uncovering the truth.

Yan Zhan was the only victim whose identity they had confirmed so far — he was their breakthrough.

Ruan Mingxi walked over to Yan Xin and sat down beside him.

Yan Xin stirred slightly. The two began speaking, but from a distance the others could only see their lips moving, unable to hear what was said.

Jiang Xuzhou asked, “Is this how you usually deal with victims’ families?”

Ying Shi immediately understood what he meant. “Yes. It’s really hard. Life is so fragile — someone you were just laughing and talking with can suddenly be lying there, cold and lifeless. No one can easily accept that.”

“But there’s no choice. Even if it’s cruel, we have to face it. When dealing with victims’ families, we must restrain our own emotions and give them answers with the calmest attitude possible.”

As police officers, if they showed sympathy or any other emotion, the families would magnify it, which could affect them even more.

So they had to suppress their feelings — calmness was their best mask.