Coming to Myself

Yin Feng stared through the car window for a few seconds before turning back and getting into the car.

Tuya asked, "What's going on?"

Leaning back and closing his eyes, Yin Feng replied, "Wait."

Tuya stopped asking and rested his head on the steering wheel.

A short while later, just as Yin Feng was starting to feel drowsy, he heard Tuya start the engine. Opening his eyes, he saw the car ahead had already driven off. Yin Feng glanced at his watch.

Fifteen minutes.

She had only allowed herself a fifteen-minute break before continuing to drive for over five hours.

By the time they reached Taoling Village, it was completely dark. Xu Mengshan had arranged their meeting point at an inconspicuous hotel.

You Mingxu parked the car at the hotel entrance and saw Xu Mengshan already waiting there. She walked over, with Yin Feng and Tuya following a few steps behind.

Xu Mengshan had just finished a cigarette. His gaze swept over the group, lingering briefly on the stern, familiar face of the man before settling on You Mingxu's face. You Mingxu signaled for them to talk in the room, and the two walked side by side ahead. Xu Mengshan asked quietly, "Why are they here?"

You Mingxu replied, "It's related to him. He wants to investigate and insisted on coming. Don't mind them."

Xu Mengshan's expression turned playful. However, during the Chen Zhaoci case, Yin Feng had contributed greatly to capturing the culprit and finding Fan Jia. Xu Mengshan always remembered favors clearly. He turned back and smiled at Yin Feng, "Teacher Yin, you're here?"

Yin Feng nodded with a faint smile.

Xu Mengshan whispered to You Mingxu again, "He really is different now, putting on such an act. Damn, it feels so schizophrenic."

You Mingxu chuckled, patting his shoulder, "Good eye!"

Xu Mengshan had always been close to her. While he remembered Yin Feng's help, he was also resentful that Yin Feng had turned cold after recovering and dared to wrong their You Mingxu. He deliberately wrapped an arm around her shoulder, trying to provoke a reaction, and whispered, "Of course. A scumbag like him deserves to be called out."

But as soon as the joke was spoken, both fell silent.

Usually, when they bantered like this, there would always be another person chiming in with Xu Mengshan. His expression turned somber, and his nose tingled with emotion. He thought to himself that he wasn't originally the type to joke around, but someone had always loved acting cute. At first, he found it amusing, and for some reason, he started joining in, playing along.

Now, he was the only one left cracking jokes and trying to be witty.

Neither spoke. Xu Mengshan's face darkened, and You Mingxu knew exactly who he was thinking of. Her heart ached, so she let him keep his arm around her.

Tuya watched Xu Mengshan's hand resting on You Mingxu's shoulder, finding it extremely irritating. With his volatile and unstable temper, he glared darkly a couple of times before immediately turning to look at Yin Feng.

He saw Yin Feng also staring at that spot, his face expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Teacher Yin?" he whispered, seeking instructions. Should he drag that fox-like man out in the middle of the night and beat him up? He'd be more than willing.

But Yin Feng shot him a warning glance, signaling him not to act rashly.

Tuya lowered his head. Still, he had witnessed the entire process of the two getting together and had seen how Teacher Yin used to orbit around that woman. Now, seeing her being intimate with someone else, Tuya felt nothing but resentment and indignation, his face quickly flushing red with suppressed anger.Yin Feng saw his reaction and actually smiled, saying softly, "No need. She's not my woman now. She's free to be with whoever she wants. That makes it even easier for us to cooperate on the case."

Tuya remarked, "When you remember everything, you'll probably be furious."

Yin Feng glanced at him but said nothing.

Remember? Those past events?

A sudden image flashed through Yin Feng's mind—the only one he'd recalled so far—of himself curled up in a chair, reaching both hands out to You Mingxu. Her eyes held a mix of disdain and tenderness.

Tuya's words made him realize a question he hadn't considered before—did he want to recover the memories from that time? If he ever remembered, how would he move forward?

After a moment of silence, Yin Feng smiled and said, "Tuya, whether I remember or not is irrelevant. Because the person I am now would never make the same choices I did when I lost my mind."

You Mingxu and Xu Mengshan went straight into the room he'd booked. Xu Mengshan glanced back, smiled, and left the door open. Yin Feng smiled faintly, instructed Tuya to book two more rooms, and followed them in.

Xu Mengshan had reserved a single room, while You Mingxu's room—already arranged by him—was next door. You Mingxu tossed her duffel bag on the floor without any hesitation, sitting directly on Xu Mengshan's bed. Having driven all afternoon, her back ached slightly, so she stretched her limbs. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a pair of exquisitely polished black leather shoes enter the room. She turned her head away, ignoring him.

As Yin Feng stepped into the room, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. The peeling wallpaper, shabby furniture, and floorboards worn nearly smooth beyond their wood grain were a stark contrast to his usual surroundings—though the bedsheets looked clean enough. Xu Mengshan politely offered, "Teacher Yin, have a seat."

Yin Feng glanced at the dusty, worn-out old sofa, sighed inwardly, and sat down. He leaned back habitually, resting his hand on the armrest and crossing his long legs, positioning himself directly opposite You Mingxu. His gaze settled on her face. Having removed her jacket, she wore only a sweater, making her curves particularly noticeable. His eyes unconsciously traced her silhouette. But You Mingxu sat sideways, facing Xu Mengshan, giving him only her profile.

"Let's hear it," You Mingxu said.

Xu Mengshan nodded and handed her his phone with the photos taken earlier that day. He explained, "You saw the situation at Xiang Rong's house in the video this afternoon. I observed that the village's remaining population is sparse. His house has been abandoned and unused for a long time, and both neighboring households have moved away. So I find it unusual that Xiang Rong suddenly returned to his old home. His family has no remaining relatives here either."

You Mingxu smiled faintly. "With all those items he brought, he's clearly planning something. He wouldn't hang two iron chains in his derelict old house just for decoration. The gauze was probably to prevent injuries while installing the chains, right?"

Xu Mengshan asked, "Does he intend to target someone?"

A low, calm voice interjected, "It's a complete toolkit. The iron chains are obvious, but the boning knife and power drill can both be used to torture a victim. The gauze and medical supplies are for stopping bleeding after the victim is injured, prolonging the torture. If Xiang Rong prepared these for criminal purposes, his methods are quite sophisticated."

You Mingxu acted as though she hadn't heard, crossing her legs and gently swinging one foot. Xu Mengshan smiled at Yin Feng and said, "I see."Yin Feng's gaze slid back to You Mingxu. This woman's attitude left him somewhat displeased. Yet it seemed hardly blameworthy, for this was what they had agreed upon before joining forces in the investigation—no need for communication or interference.