Chapter 50 Because It’s Over for Us, But for the West…

Chapter 50 Because for us it's over, but for the West District...

After discussing among themselves, Guan Xia, Ji An, and Pang Le ultimately decided to go directly to the Xicheng District Subbureau to meet with Xu Nian and the Captain of the Criminal Investigation Division. As Ji An put it, although their actions weren’t supported by the police, they weren’t anything to be ashamed of either.

Sure enough, after meeting the Captain of the Criminal Investigation Division in Xicheng District, the three of them first received a lecture on safety and criticism, with repeated reminders to always contact the police first before discussing the main matter.

The Captain of the Xicheng District Criminal Investigation Division was a tall, well-built middle-aged woman in her forties who looked robust and capable. Her eyes were sharp, and even though her round face wore a constant smile, it made Guan Xia, sitting across from her, feel intimidated and unconsciously tense.

In contrast, Ji An was far more composed, as calm and collected as ever, but Pang Le seemed restless too, which made Guan Xia curious.

"The 129 case from 2021, Xu Nian mentioned it to me," said the Captain of the Criminal Investigation Division, Zhuang Yinghua. "He also mentioned that you recalled a new clue about this case. I just didn’t expect you to move so fast. What have you found?"

Perhaps due to the nature of police work, Zhuang Yinghua was clearly a decisive and action-oriented person.

Guan Xia immediately glanced at Ji An, who understood and stood up to hand over the documents they’d compiled. "This is what we’ve found so far. It already forms a coherent narrative."

Zhuang Yinghua took the materials, and the more she read, the deeper she frowned. After going over them a few times, she looked up at Guan Xia. "I really didn’t expect you to put us on the trail of a big fish."

Her words had deeper implications, and Guan Xia perked up. "So, does that mean the 129 case you mentioned can be reopened?"

Zhuang Yinghua said, "I’ll have the administrative staff draft a report right now. The reinvestigation can begin as soon as tonight. We just closed another case, so two squads are available."

As she spoke, Zhuang Yinghua began making brisk arrangements, making a call in front of Guan Xia and telling free officers to report back immediately.

With the case confirmed to be reopening, Guan Xia was eager to head home. As soon as Zhuang Yinghua hung up, she said, "Captain Zhuang, we should get going now."

Zhuang Yinghua glanced at her watch. "It’s pretty late. I’ll see you out."

The group stood up and headed toward the door. As they walked, Zhuang Yinghua asked casually, "I heard you attended university here in Xicheng District?"

Guan Xia, walking beside her, knew she was being addressed and instinctively glanced at Xu Nian.

Xu Nian quickly shook his head slightly, indicating he hadn’t said anything. Guan Xia looked back and replied, "Yes, I went to university here for four years before I moved to Pingjiang District."

"So you’ve been in Yongquan City for six or seven years then," Zhuang Yinghua said with a smile. "Have you gotten used to it here? It’s a great place overall, but the summers are too humid and hot, and there are tons of mosquitoes."

This immediately reminded Guan Xia of the time she met Xu Nian downstairs—within just a few minutes, her legs were covered in mosquito bites. She nodded in agreement. "Yes, there are so many mosquitoes, and they’re nasty. One bite and you get a huge welt."

"It seems you and I share the same mosquito-magnet constitution," Zhuang Yinghua recommended a brand of mosquito repellent. "You should keep this on you when you go out. I’ve tried every repellent out there, and this one works the best."

Zhuang Yinghua seemed a bit intimidating at first glance, but she turned out to be surprisingly down-to-earth. The two chatted casually as they walked, before they knew it, they had reached the main entrance.

Before parting, Zhuang Yinghua even invited Guan Xia, "Drop by sometime when you’re free. At my age, I love chatting with you young folks. Every time we talk, I feel like I’ve shed a few years."

Watching Zhuang Yinghua return to the building, the four of them headed down the steps to the parking lot.

Pang Le suddenly said, "That’s it? It feels like a dream. After all our efforts these past few days, it’s just… over?"

Guan Xia also felt an indescribable subtle sensation, as if her emotions were torn in two: one part relieved, the other inexplicably tense and worried.

Ji An hit the nail on the head: "Because for us, it’s over, but for the Xicheng District Criminal Investigation Division, it’s only starting."

Pang Le’s eyes widened in understanding. "No wonder I feel weird about it. We’ve done all we can investigate, but there are still so many mysteries: what exactly happened in this case, what connects those three people, whether Feng Xingping’s stepfather was killed by that organization, who that mysterious third person really is, whether he’s a drug user, how many lives he’s taken… there’s still a long list."

Guan Xia also realized that although her initial goal was just to reopen this cold case so it could be solved and recharge the system’s halo, she had invested so much time and effort that she genuinely cared about the case. Naturally, she wouldn’t stop thinking or being curious just because she’d shared everything she knew.

Pang Le said, "Speaking of which, since we provided such important clues, we’re practically insiders now. If we ask Captain Zhuang some questions later, will she answer?"

Guan Xia also looked at Ji An.

Ji An said, "Before a case is solved, all information is confidential. If we want to know, we’ll have to wait until the case is closed."

She paused and glanced at Guan Xia. "But not necessarily. Guan Xia’s astonishing memory and keen eye for detail always bring unexpected surprises. Maybe if she asks, Captain Zhuang might disclose some information within certain limits."

Guan Xia felt tempted but, remembering Zhuang Yinghua’s imposing presence even when restrained, felt the same instinctive nervousness and fear she had when facing a strict teacher in school. After a moment’s thought, she said, "I’ll try later."

As the four talked and walked to the parking lot, Pang Le suddenly muttered, "I still feel like this is a dream. Did we really just hand over everything we found so smoothly? And Captain Zhuang trusted us just like that, without any doubts?"

The other three stopped walking at his words. Guan Xia was both amused and exasperated. "Have you been watching too much random stuff lately? Why would Captain Zhuang doubt us?"

Pang Le said, "Isn’t that how it often is in TV shows and novels? The protagonist provides crucial evidence, but someone always raises doubts, and the protagonist has to argue fiercely to convince others. Oh, and there’s always someone fighting over a major case to prove they’re more capable of solving it."

As he spoke, he glanced back and forth between Ji An and Xu Nian.

Xu Nian didn’t say anything, his expression as calm as ever, but the slight upturn of his lips betrayed his amusement.

Even Ji An seemed somewhat helpless. "What kind of shows have you been watching? I can’t speak for other provinces’ Criminal Investigation Divisions, but in Ningyun Province, it’s not like that. The bigger the case, the more we hope someone capable will take the lead. When it comes to cases, ability always comes first."

As soon as Ji An finished speaking, Xu Nian immediately added, "It’s the same in Dingyuan Province."

"Alright then." Pang Le looked away, his expression almost disappointed.

Finding the parked car, Pang Le pressed the unlock button. Guan Xia instinctively reached for the passenger door when Pang Le asked her, "Are you staying at my place again tonight?"

Only then did Guan Xia realize that since the investigation was over, she was free now.

Pang Le said, "I have a feeling you might be staying at my place often from now on. How about I drive you back to get some of your things? That way, you won’t have to spend half the day picking through my clothes every time."

Their styles were too different, and Guan Xia couldn’t wear the same outfit every day. With no time or mood for shopping, finding suitable clothes to borrow from Pang Le had been a struggle these past few days.

The outfit she wore today was dug out from the deepest part of Pang Le’s closet. To Guan Xia, it was still a bit too flashy, but to Pang Le, it was already quite plain.

Instinctively tugging at the hem of her shirt, which had ridden up, to ensure it fully covered her waist, Guan Xia thought for a moment and said, "I’ll go back and pack first. Since Xu Nian is here, I’ll ride back with him."

She turned to look for Xu Nian and found he hadn’t left but was standing just a few steps away.

Pang Le glanced at Xu Nian, hesitated slightly, and said, "Alright then. Message me when you get home."

Guan Xia nodded, said goodbye to Ji An, and watched the two drive off before walking over to Xu Nian to head to where his car was parked.

"That Ji An…" Xu Nian finally couldn’t help asking once they were in the car. "Is she a friend of Lu Tingfeng’s?"

Guan Xia, who was fastening her seatbelt, looked at him in surprise. "Didn’t Lu Tingfeng call you after leaving Yongquan City?"

She didn’t answer directly, but her question was answer enough.

Xu Nian didn’t start the car. He let out a sigh and said, "He’s always been like this—rushing into things, rarely hesitating, making decisions quickly."

His tone was calm, and his expression unchanged, but Guan Xia sensed a hint of resentment in his words, as if complaining about Lu Tingfeng for leaving without saying goodbye again.

Recalling her previous conversation with Lu Tingfeng, Guan Xia said, "I contacted him about four or five days ago. I wanted to meet up and talk, but he told me he had an emergency and was leaving Yongquan City, already on his way to the airport. Later, he gave me a phone number—Sister Ji An’s."

Xu Nian didn’t speak but turned to look at Guan Xia, listening intently.

After finishing, Guan Xia hesitated and asked, "Did you try calling him later?"

Xu Nian didn’t answer immediately. After a moment of silence, he started the car and said, "I did, but no one picked up."

Guan Xia didn’t know what to say. She had only met Lu Tingfeng once and didn’t know him well. Even though she considered Xu Nian a friend and wanted to comfort him, she didn’t know where to start. She opened and closed her mouth several times before finally managing a stiff, "Maybe he was busy and couldn’t answer. He might call back later."

Xu Nian hummed in acknowledgment, his tone indifferent, but to Guan Xia, it sounded almost gritted with teeth: "It’s fine if he doesn’t call back. He’ll return to Yongquan City eventually."

Guan Xia glanced at Xu Nian, feeling as though his face carried a hint of murderous intent.