Actually, Xu Mengshan had no choice in the matter. He could dodge the first day of the lunar month but not the fifteenth. Not to mention his childhood friends and the older female colleagues at the police station who were particularly eager to play matchmaker for this high-quality bachelor, even his parents were practically unable to sit still with anticipation. This time, it was Ding Xiongwei who stepped in, vouching to his parents that the match was a gentle, intellectual, and elegant elementary school teacher—a girl who was especially loyal, sensible, and guaranteed to satisfy them. With these three overwhelming pressures bearing down on him, Xu Mengshan had no choice but to show up.
Even now, facing such a situation, Xu Mengshan’s expression remained neutral, but deep down, a part of him still felt somewhat annoyed.
He quickly finished his cup of tea and called the server for a refill. Tapping his fingers on the table, his expression grew a bit tense. Just then, he heard a burst of cheerful laughter from a group of young women at the next table.
Xu Mengshan held the refilled cup but didn’t drink immediately. He watched quietly for a moment before looking up.
They were several unfamiliar girls, all in their early twenties, radiating a unique youthful exuberance. Xu Mengshan gazed at them for a while, then suddenly felt his eyes grow warm. He lowered his head and smiled.
The restlessness in his heart seemed to be soothed, gradually calming down, and his mood suddenly improved. He even felt a flicker of curiosity and anticipation about the unfamiliar girl he was about to meet.
A little while later, he looked up and saw a slender, youthful figure walking toward him from the opposite corridor. There was still some distance between them, and with the bustling crowd and the steam-filled air in the shop, he couldn’t clearly make out the girl’s features. Yet, for some reason, the serene feeling inside him continued to spread.
As she drew closer and her appearance became clearer, Xu Mengshan suddenly grew nervous. His face warmed, and he coughed lightly twice before standing up, his heart inexplicably fluttering with uncertainty.
…
On the same night, the skies over the Yunnan border were pouring with torrential rain, drenching the lush, deep tropical rainforest.
Jing Ping, clad in camouflage gear, held his gun with both hands hanging loosely, hiding silently in the dense forest with several colleagues. They were like a pack of leopards waiting to hunt.
No one spoke.
Not a single person uttered a word.
Rain and sweat trickled down their cheeks, itching intensely, yet no one reached to scratch. Among them, Jing Ping, who was commanding the operation, had the most ruthless and somber gaze.
The heavy rain continued to fall relentlessly.
The sound, hidden within the downpour, was almost imperceptible unless one listened carefully. But Jing Ping’s ears had been honed in such environments, and he heard it clearly. His thick eyebrows furrowed as he made a hand signal. The other anti-narcotics officers tensed like drawn bows, every inch of muscle beneath their camouflage uniforms coiled with energy.
The targets had appeared.
Two young men, seemingly completely unaware of their predicament, trudged through the forest. Both carried backpacks, wore felt hats, and kept their heads down. Their waists bulged conspicuously, concealing guns.
At this moment, Jing Ping became even more like a stone statue, leaning against the cold, damp trunk of a tree, watching them sidelong as they stepped into the encirclement.
Almost in an instant, the dimly lit rainforest was flooded with light as several officers lunged out like tigers. Gunshots rang out.
…
This arrest operation was an overwhelming success.Although there were only two of them, they were two notorious and experienced drug dealers. This time, due to the large shipment, they had taken charge personally, never expecting the police had long laid a trap, capturing both seasoned criminals in one sweep.
The rain had stopped. The police officers' leather boots crunched crisply on the fallen leaves in the forest as they moved about. Several officers escorted the two drug dealers toward the police vehicles parked nearby. Both men looked ashen, having completely given up resistance. But as they reached the edge of the woods, one of them suddenly turned his head and screamed hysterically, "Jing Ping! You caught us today and ruined Brother Bo's plans. He will never let you off! Just wait to be hunted with a bounty on your head! Damn it..." His mouth was covered by an officer beside him.
All the police officers on the scene looked over—some at the criminal, some at Jing Ping—but no one spoke.
Jing Ping had been lying in ambush all night and had just personally chased down and arrested the suspects. Exhausted, he leaned against a large tree, surrounded by several brothers who had shared life and death with him for many years. One arm resting on his knee, he smoked a cigarette, his eyes slightly narrowed as if he hadn't heard a thing, still wearing that extremely lazy yet icy expression. He passed out cigarettes to his comrades, and they discussed the follow-up arrangements.
The two drug dealers were shoved into the vehicle, and peace returned.
Jing Ping lifted his head, gazing at the gradually clearing sky after the rain—azure blue with drifting white clouds. High above the trees, an eagle appeared from nowhere, soaring across the sky with outstretched wings.
For some reason, Jing Ping suddenly felt an immense sense of relief. Tilting his head back, he smiled.
...
Have you ever seen an eagle in the sky?
Of course, I have.
We criminal police are like eagles in the sky—we can only spread our wings and soar. All the losses, farewells, pains, inspirations, fearlessness, joys, and sorrows are but destined scenery on this path.
Even if our wings are broken, our limbs severed, drenched in blood and tears, we can only press forward with unwavering resolve.
On this road, everyone is guilty, and everyone is innocent.
Desires are insatiable, yet the pure heart remains.
So let me fly with you, alright?
Alright.
Please see my love and admiration, my forgetfulness and indelible memories. That person has always been you. No one else will do—no one else in this world.
Only you.
Radiant as the stars, your cold light guides my way.
Capable of defeating all demons and monsters,
Leading me to a world of beauty and kindness.
(End of Main Text)
————
Thank you all for your understanding and patience. Writing this book has been a joy from start to finish. I deeply adore both main characters and all the supporting roles, and I sincerely hope you've grown to love them too.
It’s amazing how this story has accompanied you from spring to summer, yet it feels like it ended in the blink of an eye. A special thanks to all the girls who have consistently voted with recommendations, monthly tickets, tips, and subscriptions—you are always Old Mo’s strongest support.
I won’t say much else. Every year, we must keep striving. See you in the new book next year. For updates on publishing, new books, adaptations, and more, you can follow my Weibo: @Ding Mo. If you have anything you’d like to say, feel free to leave a message in the book review section or on Weibo.
Goodbye!
Ding Mo.
July 21, 2019, Hunan
OpenNovel