The owner pondered for a moment, and You Mingxu immediately "threatened" him as well. Sure enough, the owner promptly smiled and said, "Don't worry, we'll cooperate fully. This boy does come to our internet cafe often. He was here with friends just yesterday. Whether he's still here now, I haven't paid much attention. Should I take you around to look for him? Officer, what trouble has this kid gotten into? It's not related to my internet cafe, is it?"
You Mingxu didn't answer, waving her hand to indicate she would handle it herself. She began searching row by row of computers with Yin Feng in tow.
The internet cafe was brightly lit, with boys sitting in wide armchairs, laughing or cursing at the intense battle scenes on their screens. Yin Feng seemed somewhat captivated by the game graphics, staring intently. Suddenly, You Mingxu snapped, "What are you looking at? You're not allowed to play games."
Yin Feng lowered his head. "Oh."
They soon reached the end of the row. You Mingxu checked each of the ten computers one by one—none of them were the boy. One of the computers was unoccupied. Behind this row, against the wall, there were a few sofas and leisure tables and chairs. A person lay on one of the sofas, covered with a jacket, facing inward as they slept. The figure was slender and quite tall.
You Mingxu walked over and patted his shoulder. He turned around drowsily, his fair and delicate face unmistakably that of Li Biran.
You Mingxu felt a heavy wave of relief wash over her, though she couldn't tell if it was more out of relief or frustration. Countless police resources had been mobilized to find him, even delaying the hunt for the killer. Fearing this teenager might have fallen victim as well, the police had practically turned the entire city upside down, racing against time to save his life.
And here he was, curled up in an internet cafe, fast asleep?
You Mingxu said, "Get up."
Li Biran looked displeased. "Who are you?"
You Mingxu flashed her police badge in front of him, stated her badge number, and then said, "Something's happened at your aunt's place. Come with me now."
Li Biran froze for a moment, then stood up, his voice trembling slightly. "What happened?"
"You'll find out when you come with me."
Li Biran grabbed his clothes and followed. Suddenly, a man—quite handsome—darted out from the side and inserted himself between him and the pretty policewoman. Li Biran assumed he was also a police officer, but to his surprise, the handsome guy turned around and glared at him fiercely.
Li Biran: "…?"
Yin Feng, however, found this immature teenager utterly detestable. No matter what role he played in this case, how could he laze around sleeping in an internet cafe? He had caused his A Xu to search for him day and night, without food or rest!
The three of them left the internet cafe. You Mingxu settled Li Biran in the car and then stepped aside to update her colleagues over the phone. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the boy was safe and sound. You Mingxu then arranged for someone to investigate and collect evidence at the internet cafe, while she took Li Biran to the police station to see if he wanted to meet his deceased relative. His parents and uncle were likely to arrive soon.
Once in the car, You Mingxu glanced in the rearview mirror. Li Biran sat in the back seat, seemingly quite intrigued by the police car, looking left and right and even reaching out to touch things. Yin Feng, meanwhile, stared out the window, his gaze distant, as if lost in some faraway realm.
After driving for a while, Li Biran's novelty probably wore off, and he grew bored. Leaning forward, he said, "Are you really a police officer? You're so pretty."
You Mingxu ignored him.Yin Feng, sitting in the passenger seat, turned his face to glare at Li Biran, his voice cold and hard. "What does her being pretty have to do with you!"
You Mingxu’s lips curved into a faint smile.
Li Biran shrugged. After all, he was still a child and not particularly skilled in verbal sparring. He leaned back and stared out the window. After a moment, he let out a self-mocking chuckle.
You Mingxu lowered her gaze, sensing Li Biran in the back seat, swinging his legs incessantly, over and over.
A while later, Li Biran took out his phone and started playing a game, even turning on the speaker. His loud exclamations filled the car: "Oh, damn! Get him, get him! Go on, man…"
You Mingxu drove in silence, the only sound in the car coming from Li Biran. Yin Feng turned around, craning his neck to catch a glimpse of Li Biran’s phone screen. Sensing this, Li Biran deliberately shifted his body away, a smirk on his lips, refusing to let him see.
You Mingxu said, "Yin Feng, sit properly."
Yin Feng slowly retracted his neck.
You Mingxu added, "Didn’t I say you’re not allowed to play games? Stop looking."
Yin Feng poked at the storage compartment with his finger. "Why?"
You Mingxu was momentarily at a loss for words. In truth, if Yin Feng became addicted to games, wouldn’t that be a good thing? It would help him pass the time in his muddled state and keep him from pestering her.
But playing games was just not a good habit.
She said coldly, "No means no. I don’t like it."
"Oh," Yin Feng replied. "Then I won’t look anymore. Never again." He even covered his eyes with his hands and stayed perfectly still.
You Mingxu pulled his hands down. "No need to cover them. Just sit properly."
From the back seat, Li Biran, still engrossed in his game, suddenly burst into laughter, muttering to himself, "Oh, wow, so that’s how it is… Tsk, tsk…" He wore the expression of someone who had just uncovered a secret.
You Mingxu shot him a glance in the rearview mirror. Are all kids this age so annoying?
On the way back to the police station, they passed by You Mingxu’s apartment building. She parked the car and turned to Yin Feng, lowering her voice. "I’ve had you with me for half the day. Isn’t that enough? Go back and take a nap."
Yin Feng slowly unbuckled his seatbelt, slowly pushed the car door open, and slowly lifted his leg out.
You Mingxu snapped, "Hurry up!"
He stood beside the car, lowering his head again. "Will you come home tonight?"
"No."
"Tomorrow?"
"I’ll try."
"Drive carefully. Eat and sleep on time, or I’ll worry and won’t be able to sleep."
"...Got it."
You Mingxu started the car and drove off, feeling as if she had finally shaken off a clingy slug and regained her freedom. Yet, in the rearview mirror, she could still see Yin Feng standing in the same spot.
She was just going to work. Why did it feel like a tearful farewell every single day?
You Mingxu turned her head, unwilling to look. Li Biran put down his phone and glanced back as well. "Officer, what is he to you? He’s not your husband, is he? Is there something wrong with him?" Li Biran pointed to his own head. "Is he mentally challenged?"
You Mingxu said coldly, "None of your business. Sit properly!"
On the way from You Mingxu’s home to the police station, Li Biran grew unusually quiet. He didn’t play any games and simply stared out the window. The young boy’s pale face seemed to finally be weighed down by heavy thoughts. Once or twice, You Mingxu caught his gaze in the rearview mirror. He seemed to want to ask something, his lips twitching, but in the end, he remained silent.You Mingxu thought: He's actually nervous. His feigned composure and deliberate chatter along the way seemed on the verge of collapsing as they drew closer to the police station.
Upon entering the station, the youth appeared affected by the solemn and tense atmosphere, following closely behind You Mingxu without daring to make a sound.
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