The lecture hall was bustling with activity. Tu Ziyun and Fei Zuohua stood in the back row, watching the students enter, their eyes bright with anticipation as they looked toward the professor on the stage. The professor was speaking with the Dean of Students; a member of the Student Union handed him a bottle of water, and he paused his conversation to accept it, offering a polite word of thanks.
Tu Ziyun pulled out a cigarette, but after a quick glance from Fei Zuohua, he gave a wry smile and stuffed it back into his pocket before finding a seat. Fei Zuohua remained standing, arms crossed as he looked down at him. "The students are here for a lecture. What are you doing taking up a seat?"
Tu Ziyun waved him off. "Don't be so serious. We’re here for the lecture too. Sit, sit."
Some students were still without seats. Not only did Fei Zuohua refuse to sit, but he also stared intently at Tu Ziyun until the older man couldn't take it anymore. Tu Ziyun stood up, gave his seat to a student, and grumbled to Fei Zuohua, "I’m an old man, you know. You really ought to show some respect for your elders."
The lecture finally began. The professor turned on the microphone and tapped it lightly. "I’m not fond of using these. Is it alright if I just speak loudly?"
The students voiced their agreement in unison. The professor set the microphone aside, raised his voice, and began his presentation.
Tu Ziyun leaned toward Fei Zuohua. "This is the guy you found?"
Fei Zuohua nodded. "I contacted him through District Y. We have so few resources in this field. I spoke with him over the phone but didn't go into detail; we just agreed to meet. He suggested we attend his lecture first."
"I see. So this isn't his usual class?" Tu Ziyun looked around.
"No, he was invited to guest lecture at this university. Since it was closer, we decided on today." Fei Zuohua kept his eyes on the man at the front.
The professor was thirty-seven years old and taught at M University. His primary focus was criminal behavior research, and he was a frequent consultant for the Major Crimes Division of the Metropolitan Police Department. Despite his youth, he was a prolific author. Three years ago, he had assisted in the apprehension of the suspect in the "Old City Family of Seven" murder case. He was a man who excelled in both theory and practice.
He was a man riding the high of success.
That was Fei Zuohua’s impression, and the man certainly looked the part. He appeared much younger than his actual age—one could easily believe he was in his early thirties. This was perhaps the most direct reflection of a life well-lived. Watching him now—delivering his lecture with effortless grace, using humor to temper professional jargon, facing the grim reality of violence with expertise, and studying the criminal heart with a benevolent spirit—Fei Zuohua realized that if a person’s life was smooth sailing, they would naturally exude this kind of confidence.
By contrast, Bai Shi seemed profoundly out of place.
Compared to Bai Shi’s status, the professor might not even be considered a "heavyweight." Though Bai Shi was younger, he was always so cautious whenever they met. Indeed, compared to the professor, Bai Shi was like a pool of dark, stagnant water.
As he thought, Fei Zuohua let out an involuntary sigh.
"Look at him," Tu Ziyun whispered, glancing at his partner. "He’s older than you, but you look far more depressed than he does."
"It’s probably the difference in our jobs." Fei Zuohua shifted his weight; his feet were starting to feel numb.
Tu Ziyun chuckled.
It was just a lecture, covering only the basic surface of the subject. Not everyone in attendance was there for criminology; half were likely drawn by the morbid curiosity the word "crime" evoked, while the other half were there to see the professor—a charming, successful man.
When it ended, the professor stayed behind to speak with enthusiastic students and take photos. Some offered to walk him out, but he pointed toward the men in the back and politely declined.
Seeing the man approaching, Fei Zuohua straightened up and tapped his mentor, who had been resting his head on the desk. "He’s coming."
Tu Ziyun stood up lazily and watched the professor approach. The man was quite tall, likely over 185 centimeters, and dressed fashionably in a three-piece suit. His cufflinks were dark gold roses, his sideburns were neatly trimmed, and he carried the scent of mugwort-infused cologne. His smile held a restrained pride—a side effect of his success.
Tu Ziyun shook his hand, noticing his manicured nails were coated with a layer of clear protective polish. Tu Ziyun withdrew his hand and smiled inwardly. *Damn, a real high-society type.*
"My name is Shi Yuanchen. Thank you both for waiting," the professor said, picking up his coat. "Shall we find somewhere else to talk?"
"I’ll go ask if there’s an empty classroom," Fei Zuohua said, turning to find the Dean, but Shi Yuanchen stopped him.
"Do you know of a more familiar place? Somewhere more relaxed?" Shi Yuanchen made a drinking gesture. "Somewhere we can have a drink?"
They went to Taozhong Xuan. The owner wasn't in, but the bartender was an acquaintance and picked out a quiet booth for them.
Shi Yuanchen flipped through the documents they handed him—the file on Pei Cangyu.
"So, you suspect this student, Pei Cangyu, is being used by Mr. Bai Shi as the culprit behind those disappearances of foreigners, and so you had him get close to Bai Shi to gather evidence?"
Tu Ziyun nodded.
"That is a very serious accusation." Shi Yuanchen looked at Tu Ziyun with a faint smile. The latter simply shrugged.
Shi Yuanchen continued looking at Pei Cangyu’s photo and resume. "Does this young man have a poor relationship with his family?"
Fei Zuohua was about to answer, but Shi Yuanchen continued, "Or is he an orphan?"
Fei Zuohua was stunned. "How... how did you know?"
Shi Yuanchen smiled. "Would a family providing normal guidance let a child stay in high school for six years? He clearly has no one to guide his life." He looked at the previous college entrance exam records. "Consequently, he hasn't lived very cautiously."
Shi Yuanchen’s phone chimed. He paused the conversation and apologized, saying he needed to reply to a text. He tapped out a few words and then looked at Fei Zuohua. "Perhaps you should leave your number. In case we don't finish today, you can contact me directly instead of calling the office."
Fei Zuohua nodded and began searching through the wine menus, documents, and lecture brochures on the table for Shi Yuanchen’s business card. Without looking up from his phone, Shi Yuanchen said, "I'll just take yours."
Fei Zuohua wrote it on a napkin and placed it on the documents. Shi Yuanchen glanced over while still looking at his phone, entered the number, and hit dial. Without waiting for Fei Zuohua’s phone to ring, he stood up to take an incoming call.
Tu Ziyun watched him bustle about, saying nothing.
When he returned, Shi Yuanchen took another look, then flipped Pei Cangyu’s file over facedown on the table. He looked at Tu Ziyun. "Be honest with me. I find it hard to believe you’re targeting Mr. Bai Shi based solely on one anomalous fingerprint. I suspect things aren't that simple."
Tu Ziyun pulled out a cigarette. As he lit it, he asked, "What do you think, then?"
"I believe you suspect something far more serious, which is why you’re watching him so closely. If you want my help, it would be better to be honest."
Tu Ziyun lit the cigarette, set the lighter on the table, and said bluntly, "Yes. I suspect Bai Shi is connected to the Dark Fire Group. Are you familiar with them?"
Shi Yuanchen fell silent for a moment.
"Do you have the authority to investigate that?"
Tu Ziyun didn't answer. Shi Yuanchen frowned. "So, without authority, you have not only investigated someone outside your jurisdiction but also privately assigned an 'undercover'—apologies, I can't think of another word. Is that correct?"
Tu Ziyun looked up at him. To be honest, from the moment Shi Yuanchen had walked up and shaken his hand, he had realized this man wasn't one of them. He wasn't going to help. Tu Ziyun was now feeling somewhat dismissive and resistant.
Shi Yuanchen looked at Fei Zuohua. "I didn't expect you to use such methods. Isn't this student, Pei, in extreme danger?"
Tu Ziyun pinched the bridge of his nose.
Shi Yuanchen stood up, grabbed his overcoat, and left a few bills for his drink. "I don't think we have anything left to discuss."
Tu Ziyun nodded, drinking his liquor in silence. Fei Zuohua jumped up and chased after the professor.
The professor stood by the roadside waiting for a car. Fei Zuohua caught up and stood beside him, trying to explain. "Sir..."
"Do you think I should report this to the Metropolitan Police? Your private investigation?" Shi Yuanchen turned to look at him. "Do you know what kind of figure Bai Shi is? I don't mean the man himself, but his status."
Fei Zuohua froze. He straightened his posture and licked his lips. "He and Pei Cangyu were both my junior high classmates."
Shi Yuanchen was surprised. "Your junior high? Bai Shi?"
Fei Zuohua nodded. "If you’re willing to listen to the end, you’ll understand that our suspicions aren't baseless."
Shi Yuanchen turned back to him. "Do you know what my laboratory is called?"
"What?"
"Bai-Hui-Chen. 'Chen' is me, 'Hui' is my doctoral supervisor, and 'Bai' is the sponsor." Shi Yuanchen gave a consoling smile. "Do you understand what 'Bai' stands for now?"
Fei Zuohua gave a self-deprecating laugh. "That, I truly didn't know."
"I’m sorry, I cannot help you. And because you have violated regulations, I believe I must report this to the Metropolitan Police. Regardless of the circumstances, involving a civilian with your so-called 'suspect' and conducting a private investigation is simply going too far."
Fei Zuohua didn't argue. He nodded and stepped forward. "Let me hail a car for you."
"Do you happen to have an excessive admiration for male authority figures?"
Fei Zuohua was stunned, completely blindsided by the question. But Shi Yuanchen just looked at him with a smile. "Perhaps there is a stern, authoritative male figure in your life—I suspect a father or a teacher. For the sake of their word, you are likely to act against your own will to help them. You should be careful of this tendency. When you have children of your own, you will play that same role in their lives. Forced 'care' can easily lead to the breakdown of family relationships."
Fei Zuohua was suddenly filled with anger. No one likes having their life judged by someone they’ve only met a few times—spoken as if they knew everything, like a prophecy. He pulled back his hand from hailing the taxi, gave the man a cold look, and turned to leave, but Shi Yuanchen called out to him.
"I apologize. I only hope you can become aware of it."
Fei Zuohua stepped back. "I’m not planning on seeing a psychiatrist yet."
Shi Yuanchen spread his hands. "Though I’m often misunderstood as such, I really am not a psychiatrist."
"Whatever." Fei Zuohua turned and walked away. Shi Yuanchen watched him for a moment before turning to flag down a taxi.
Fei Zuohua returned sullenly and sat back down next to Tu Ziyun, who was placing money on the table.
"Ready to go?" Tu Ziyun asked, looking up.
"Yeah." Tu Ziyun put on his coat. "Don't think about it. That guy clearly isn't one of us. He’s the type who would bring a bottle of red wine even if he were fleeing a famine."
Fei Zuohua managed a small smile at the analogy.
"You think he’s just a stickler for the rules?" Tu Ziyun crushed his cigarette in the ashtray. "People who have reached where they are by following the rules won't break them. Even if the sky falls or the world burns, as long as it isn't falling on them or burning their house, they have a hundred ways to stay out of it, and every word they say will sound righteous."
Fei Zuohua said nothing. It wasn't so much that Shi Yuanchen was unwilling to help; it was that he didn't even want to listen.
"Where are you going?"
"To find someone who absolutely can't run away." Tu Ziyun finished the rest of his drink. "I’m going to find that bastard Ding Chuan."
Fei Zuohua moved to the bar, rubbing his forehead. Lu Mingyue returned from outside and smiled when he saw him. "You’ve been coming around quite often lately. Since that big case was handed over to the Eighth Division, you should be taking it easy."
Fei Zuohua glanced at him but didn't speak. "You’ve been running around a lot too. Are you ignoring your other shops?"
Lu Mingyue chuckled and leaned against the bar, sliding his flashy sunglasses from the top of his head down to his nose and winking at Fei Zuohua. "What if I told you I’ve got something big in the works?"
Fei Zuohua shifted away slightly, shrugging at the joke. "Wearing sunglasses in the middle of the night? Is the moon too bright for you?"
Lu Mingyue tucked the glasses away and gave Fei Zuohua a heavy look. "Don't be so gloomy all the time. You should have some confidence in yourself. You’re a good cop."
Fei Zuohua smiled but said nothing. Lu Mingyue turned to find someone in the back, seemingly just to say a few words before leaving. With nowhere else to look, Fei Zuohua watched the tall man. He had the same broad shoulders as before. For some reason, as Fei Zuohua stared, his head felt dizzy—likely a lingering effect of the alcohol. He lowered his gaze to the man’s feet; he was wearing white canvas shoes. *This guy is really tall,* Fei Zuohua thought as he looked down.
***
His mentor was once again laboriously climbing stairs. By now, he had made great progress, even keeping a pair of running shoes in his car specifically for this purpose.
Today, tea was brewing in Ding Chuan’s room. Since there was no need for pretense, Tu Ziyun simply entered the ward, out of breath. Ding Chuan sat in his wheelchair watching the birds outside the window. He turned to see the panting Tu Ziyun and pointed to his teapot. "Want some tea? I brewed it myself."
Tu Ziyun shook his head and sat on the sofa to catch his breath.
Ding Chuan’s pant legs weren't empty today. Seeing Tu Ziyun staring at his legs, Ding Chuan leaned down with his functional side and tapped the other leg, producing a hollow *thump-thump* sound. "Wooden. I had it fitted."
"What, are you going to start walking?" Tu Ziyun pulled out a tissue to wipe his sweat.
"No, it’s for convenience when using the toilet." Ding Chuan pressed a button on his electric wheelchair and moved closer. Tu Ziyun immediately stood up.
"You don't need to be so guarded." Ding Chuan moved toward his teapot. "It’s rose tea."
Tu Ziyun found it ridiculous. "You certainly have a lot of free time."
Ding Chuan ignored the sarcasm. "You’re visiting me quite frequently. Is it still because of Bai Shi?"
"You sent me on a wild goose chase for a day to find some psychiatrist. You must be quite proud of yourself." Tu Ziyun glared at him. "Dammit, I actually believed you."
Ding Chuan turned around and shook his head, looking regretful. "Why is your mouth so foul now? Are you getting anxious?"
Tu Ziyun stared at him, feeling his patience wear thin.
"Are you very worried about that 'kid in danger'?" Ding Chuan pointed to his own eyes. "You have heavy dark circles."
Tu Ziyun looked down and let out a long sigh. "Just tell me what kind of deal you want. Why protect Bai Shi? You were caught because of him."
Ding Chuan pointed to the teapot. "Help me pour the tea."
Tu Ziyun tossed his coat onto the sofa and walked over to pour. Ding Chuan had set out two cups, presumably one for each of them. Tu Ziyun filled both and picked one up, ignoring the heat.
"What else have you discovered?"
Tu Ziyun drank the scalding tea, burning his tongue, but showed no reaction. "I think I went down the wrong path. I originally thought you were working together. Then I thought your partnership collapsed and you were arrested, leaving your only choice to cooperate with us. Now, I’m starting to wonder... are you planning to bypass us and take revenge on Bai Shi directly? Given your history with the police, your current level of cooperation strikes me as strange."
Ding Chuan sipped his tea slowly, remaining silent.
Tu Ziyun stood up and turned to leave.
His phone vibrated. He pulled it out and checked. There was a notification from his service provider, but there was also a message from earlier that morning. The number belonged to Pei Cangyu.
*Didn't I tell him to use the communicator?* Tu Ziyun frowned and opened the message.
It was a text with only two words: *Skinny guy.*
What did that mean?
Tu Ziyun stopped in his tracks, staring at the nonsensical message for a moment. Suddenly, a terrible intuition struck him, sending a cold shiver down his spine. He quickly threw on his coat, deciding to head to the Bai residence immediately.
What Tu Ziyun didn't know then was that from that moment until everything finally settled, he would not be able to contact Pei Cangyu again for a very long time.
***
