The next day, as soon as You Mingxu arrived at the police station, she pulled out the case files for Gu Tiancheng's case and the teenage exchange murder case, examining them carefully. She even retrieved previously overlooked witness statements, minor details, and information about relevant individuals, reviewing everything anew.
She worked straight through until noon.
Xu Mengshan, looking somewhat solitary, was just about to leave the office when You Mingxu called out, "Mengshan, wait." She stood up and caught up with him, walking together toward the cafeteria.
Xu Mengshan had completely returned to his old self—refined and delicate-looking when not smiling, but transforming into a sharp-tongued male fox when he grinned. Seeing her usual demeanor, he slung an arm over his partner's shoulder and asked, "Where's your little lamb? I heard someone made a declaration in front of Captain Ding yesterday, claiming to be your boyfriend and saying the entire bureau should show respect from now on. How come he didn't come trotting over at noon like usual to have lunch with you? A Xu..."
You Mingxu thought to herself, why bring up the sore subject? She shook off his hand and said, "Get lost."
Xu Mengshan: "Did you two have a fight?"
You Mingxu hadn't intended to tell anyone, but the frustration was eating at her. Though Xu Mengshan often talked nonsense, he was a true brother at heart. So she smiled wryly and said, "He regained his memory and mental faculties."
Xu Mengshan froze, his playful demeanor vanishing.
By the time they reached the cafeteria entrance, his expression had turned serious. He was the one who had investigated Yin Feng's past and told You Mingxu what kind of person he used to be.
"What does that mean? Is he planning to renege?" Xu Mengshan said. "Could he really do something so inhuman and abandon you?"
You Mingxu flared up instantly: "Who's abandoning whom? Get your facts straight. You know he used to be a scumbag jerk. If he really remains unrepentant, we can just go our separate ways. It's not like I can't live without him."
Xu Mengshan studied her expression: "Then what's going on?"
You Mingxu finally showed a trace of dejection: "Damn it, his brain's really messed up. He regained his mental faculties but forgot everything that happened during this period. He doesn't even remember me anymore."
Xu Mengshan: "Holy shit..."
You Mingxu smiled bitterly and walked to the hotpot window, ordering a full two jin of meat. Xu Mengshan diligently helped her carry the meat while saying, "I mean, how can something so bizarre happen? Could he be faking it?"
You Mingxu paused, then stated firmly: "Impossible."
Xu Mengshan looked at her without speaking.
You Mingxu carried her food to a table and sat down, saying calmly, "If he remembered, he would never look at me the way he does now. He wouldn't."
Xu Mengshan sighed: "Boss, what are you going to do then?"
You Mingxu didn't respond.
—
What You Mingxu hated most in life was women being trapped by love. Chen Feng said she had high standards and pride, which was actually accurate. She had good looks, excellent physical skills, was well-liked, and surpassed most male detectives in the precinct in both fighting and investigating cases. Anything men could do, she could accomplish herself. So who would she ever settle for? If things worked out, they stayed together; if not, they parted ways. Whether it was her boyfriend from police academy or her later ill-fated relationship with Luo Yu, the moment she realized the other person wasn't who she wanted, she would leave immediately—clean, decisive, without any lingering attachments.
But Yin Feng hadn't failed to meet her expectations.In the past days, he had actually been very, very good. Day and night, he had stayed by her side—such a foolish person, yet he brought her unprecedented sweetness, bitterness, struggle, joy, and unforgettable moments. In that slaughterhouse, the moment she saw him rushing toward her, You Mingxu knew she could never be without him again. After they confessed their feelings and shared nights of spiritual and physical entanglement and happiness, she had already prepared herself to live a long, lasting life with You Yingjun.
But now?
His hand rested on the blanket, tapping it rhythmically. He scrutinized her, guarded against her. He would let out a faint, ambiguous laugh, his eyes dark and unfathomable like an impenetrable night. He said, "Go back first. I'll make proper arrangements for you."
Snap!—You Mingxu, who had already finished her meal and returned to the office, snapped back to reality and realized the pencil in her hand had broken. It was just like her mood: both angry and helpless, with a touch of absurd sadness.
Yet, most of the time, You Mingxu was like a man. She would manage her emotions like a man, rather than wallow in sorrow indefinitely. She lit a cigarette, smoked it expressionlessly, then picked up the thick case file and buried herself in it, casting aside all her worries.
"It seems someone will be transferred here, to our team," Xu Mengshan suddenly whispered. "A man, a decorated detective who's received a first-class merit award. He's incredibly impressive."
You Mingxu was taken aback—that meant he had survived life-and-death situations and earned substantial honors.
Both of them instinctively glanced at the empty seat nearby.
After a moment, You Mingxu smiled and said, "She would be happy. A decorated detective taking her old spot."
Xu Mengshan was silent for a while, then chuckled softly and said, "Yeah. Her commendation is probably coming down soon too. She always wanted to earn a merit, and now she's finally gotten her wish." His voice grew hoarse on the last few words. You Mingxu patted his shoulder, and for some reason, her gaze fell on the police emblem on the opposite wall. Its weighty color and sharp edges could quiet the entire world in your heart. This feeling was something only they, as police officers, could understand.
"Found any leads?" Xu Mengshan asked, looking at the case file in her hand.
"Not yet."
Xu Mengshan said skeptically, "The evidence in Li Biran and Liu Ruoyu's murder exchange case is solid and thorough—the murder weapon, fingerprints, surveillance footage, everything's confirmed. Both of them have confessed without reservation. If the real culprit isn't them, I absolutely don't believe it. Two selfish kids, taking the fall for someone else and keeping it perfectly hidden? That's impossible."
You Mingxu wore a thoughtful expression. "I agree, the ones who did it were definitely the two of them. Gu Tiancheng's original words were: 'Do you really think it's as simple as a murder exchange? There might be hidden circumstances behind it, something even the two kids aren't aware of.' When we were investigating the case earlier, Yin Feng once mentioned a possibility..."
She paused.
Xu Mengshan pretended not to notice.
You Mingxu continued, "...He said teenagers are the easiest to manipulate. There might be a 'godfather'-like figure behind the scenes, guiding them to commit crimes. If this hypothesis holds, who would the godfather be? Someone who hasn't appeared yet, or someone who's already appeared but we didn't notice?"Xu Mengshan's brow furrowed as well. This matter was getting bizarre, but shouldn't bizarre matters be handled by bizarre people?
"Should we..." he tentatively suggested.
You Mingxu said coldly, "We'll investigate it ourselves. Without that fool, can't I handle a case on my own?"
——
A whole day passed just like that.
There wasn't really anything urgent going on. Even Xu Mengshan left work on time, saying he needed to practice shooting. But You Mingxu stayed until the city lights began to glow, only dawdling away after everyone else in the office had left.
She had gone past hungry again. With her uncomfortably empty stomach, she decided to go home and cook some noodles.
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